NBA Chat With Joel Brigham, 3/8/12

1. ryan

   My Cavs are in a downward spiral right now, do you think they will consider trading Andy at the trade deadline with the playoffs out of reach?

   • Joel Brigham

     Good afternoon, HOOPSWORLD Citizens, and welcome to another edition of my weekly chat. The trade deadline is a measly 7 days away, which means we should have no problem finding things to talk about today. I’m sure there will be plenty of suggestions and ideas out there, and we’ll get to as many of them as we can today. Let’s start with Cleveland.

     Ryan, the Cavs absolutely are having a hard time of things, but let’s be honest here–we all kind of knew that they were going to struggle at times this season, just because of the makeup of the team. All that youth, that lack of depth. It was going to catch up to them eventually, and that’s all that is happening right now. They’re hurting, but that doesn’t mean the future isn’t still bright. How do you not love Kyrie Irving, you know?

     As for them and the trade deadline, I think Ramon Sessions is as good as gone, but I’m not as quick to say the same thing about Varejao. I think he can still be a pretty legitimate piece of this team’s future, and if I were Cleveland I wouldn’t move him unless the offer was too good to refuse. I don’t see any teams making that kind of Godfather deal, so assume he stays put. At least for now.

2. Hassan

   Do you think the Bulls should sign Arenas, given the fact that Rip can’t stay healthy and also sign Rasheed Wallace for more big man depth in the playoffs? I think that combination would put the Bulls over the top and make them very tough to beat.

   • Joel Brigham

     Not a chance that either of those is happening, let alone both. Chicago is a team built almost entirely around chemistry (okay, and Derrick Rose), and Wallace/Arenas aren’t exactly known for playing nice with teammates. I can’t imagine both on the same roster, let alone one that values chemistry as much as the Bulls do. Man, just the idea raises my blood pressure.

3. Chris

   First I wanted to say great game last night against the Pacers. They,re a good young team that is a piece or two away. The games against Philly and Indy,however,have magnified the Bulls glaring need for a legit SG. I think GarPax should call Sacramento to guage their interest in a trade built around Omer, Korver, and a first for Thornton. I think this is a trade that helps both teams. Kings get a young center to team/backup Cousins and we get a young SG that is on a reasonable contract for the next four years.Kings have too many shooters as is and could use a big that know his role and has potential.

   • Joel Brigham

     Thornton is a top-20 scorer in the league! Yes, Sacramento has too many scoring guards, but that’s not the one they want to trade. I’ve been an advocate for Thornton in Chicago for as long as we knew he’d be a free agent last summer. But they couldn’t quite afford him, and that’s the brakes. I just don’t see Sacramento settling for Korver and someone they’d just use as a back-up center. Even with the draft pick. To be frank, I don’t see the Bulls trading Omer for a position they don’t feel too underconfident right now anyway. They like Brewer and they still think Rip can be “it.” Not sure I agree, but that’s how they feel about it.

4. jake

   what do you think of larry brown to coach the wizards? think he could whip them into shape

   • Joel Brigham

     Larry Brown sure didn’t do much for the Bobcats. The Wizards aren’t in much better shape. I think you need a certain level of talent for even the best coaches to see success in this league. Even Larry Brown would have a hard time with that mess. Of course, Doug Collins is doing some pretty awesome things with a Sixers team that has no business being as good as they are, so you never know.

5. alan

   Bulls trade Asik and Korver to portland for Jamal Crawford. who says no?

   • Joel Brigham

     I’m hearing a lot about Jamal Crawford to Minnesota today, so if they really are the front-runners for just Luke Ridnour, I’d have to think that particular offer would be even better. Asik gives them some much needed frontcourt help, which is why I think I threw out this exact offer in an article earlier in the week. Seems to help both teams. But again, I don’t see Chicago pulling the trigger.

6. Cain

   Hey Joel, my plan for Pacers is too stay as is until off-season then re-sign Hibbert, Hill (as starting PG) and sign Eric Gordon. Look to move Collison and Granger for some bench depth and picks. Hill, Gordon, George, West, Hibbert. Good idea or not?

   • Joel Brigham

     Eric Gordon is the dream, and an absolutely understandable one considering 1.) Indy needs a real starting shooting guard, and 2.) Gordon has those obvious Indy connections. As someone who roots for the Pacers in all non-Bulls games, that would be a really, really exciting core. I’d even be fine with keeping Collison, who isn’t as awful as some folks want to make him. Your game plan seems pretty solid, but I think they have to spend a certain amount of money this season, so don’t rule out a trade. It won’t be the kind of thing where they send guys out, though; just absorbing to fill cap space. Otherwise, your game plan is solid.

     The problem will be with Gordon, who’s going to be very sought-after, including by the Hornets. They really do want to keep him (he is, after all, the prize of that Chris Paul trade), so it’ll be hard to outbid the team that can give him more money. It feels like a longshot for EG in Indy, but man, I’d love to see it.

7. Simon

   your thoughts on this trade?

   http://games.espn.go.com/nba/tradeMachine?tradeId=7kujlju

   what about this trade?

   http://games.espn.go.com/nba/tradeMachine?tradeId=6ve6xl4

   • Joel Brigham

     First one: No way from Houston’s standpoint

     Second one: Awful for Hornets and Warriors.

     I’d say 0-for-2 on these suggestions. Just not fair enough for all teams involved, and four-teamers are hard to pull off anyway.

8. marcus

   Let us make an assumption.. Anthony Davis will go to the Bobcats in the 2012 NBA Draft.. Is Davis an answer of Bobcats in terms of roster power or possibly make a deal involving current player/s?? What do you think, sir??

   • Joel Brigham

     Yes, Anthony Davis is an answer. Whichever team gets him is getting a pretty unique talent. This is a kid who played guard through age 16 before he shot up, so he’s got big man size and instincts with a guard’s skill set. He’s so huge, so long, and might even still be growing. Give him a couple years in the weight room, and he’ll be an absolute killer. I still love Kemba long-term, and Biyombo has shown flashes of potential, too. There are some pieces in place here, but it’s going to take a little while. Davis in Charlotte would absolutely help, though.

9. Saulo

   What do you think of this all-time NBA HS draft team (imagine all in prime..) & how much would they dominate?

   G- T-Mac
   G- Kobe
   F- LeBron
   F- KG
   C- D12

   • Joel Brigham

     Against who? And anyway, I think they’d lose to the all-time NBA college team:

     G – Magic
     G – Jordan
     F – Bird
     F – Duncan
     C – Wilt

10. Jazzaholic

    Who could KOC get for Millsap, who would be close to value?

    • Joel Brigham

      It would be hard to do straight up, so the only way I’d see it happening would be with other players involved. That said, Danny Granger would be interesting, wouldn’t he? Dallas or Houston might be able to put together some sort of package that could work, too. I’m sorry if that’s not a very complete answer… it would take me some time to really give it full thought.

11. Rudens

    This latest injury to RIP Hamilton proves bulls need to make a move, we can not trust him to stay healthy for the playoffs. We need a backup plan. Hopefully management realizes this and finally gets the nerve to pull the trigger , your thoughts, and who’s a realistic guy that can fill that role as another scorer?

    • Joel Brigham

      It’s not going to happen. I’ve been saying this all year, and as I get more and more questions about this with the deadline approaching I’m not changing my mind. The Bulls want to see if Rip’s enough, so they want to give him a shot as the starter in the postseason. Injuries are a huge if with any player, but Rip has been especially iffy this season. I’m with you in that I’d rather see them acquire an insurance policy, but I truly don’t think they’re going to. Any trade I see returning a guy who could legitimately help would require they move Taj or Omer, and I’m telling you that they won’t sacrifice their frontcourt depth for a position they think they already have got filled. Don’t be shocked when the Bulls stand pat at the deadline, because that’s most likely what’s going to happen.

12. alan

    would the bull’s charlotte 1st round pick be enough added with ronnie brewer and kyle korver to get ray allen?

    • Joel Brigham

      I’m hearing Boston’s recent chunk of wins has them most likely standing pat at the deadline. It’s fun to talk about, but I really do think they want to give these old men one more run at it. I don’t buy them as contenders. Like, at all. But if I was running that team, I’d rather run with this one more year than blow it up too early. What would blowing it up accomplish, really? You’re ensuring mediocrity. At least with KG and Truth and Ray you’ve got a chance. A small one, albeit, but a chance all the same.

      So to answer your question, no, that probably isn’t enough.

13. John Connor

    I know its too early for FA talk, but do you think Chicago would be the most likely destination, maybe along with the Clippers, to sign Ray this summer? At the very least, Ray standing in the corner is going to open things up and make it harder for teams to double Derrick..

    • Joel Brigham

      God, I hope so. Depends on what Rip does in the playoffs, though. If he comes through and kills it, my guess is Chicago won’t kill themselves to make that happen. If big changes look like they’ll be necessary, then absolutely I could see the Bulls chasing Ray. LAC chasing him isn’t even a question; they absolutely will. Don’t rule out the idea of him re-upping with Boston, either. I could see him finishing his career there… while KG has lost a step, Ray still looks pretty solid. Still some gas left in that tank.

14. Jason

    What about a trade between toronto and the bucks where raptors trade calderon, james johnson and a 2013 unprotected pick for brandon jennings and stephen jackson. Milwaukee moves out jackson’s attitude and jennings has already expressed that he may look elsewhere after his rookie contract (plus he has tweeted how he like’s toronto)…the bucks get tradable assets and a pick. Raptors get their point guard of the future…think its possible?

    • Joel Brigham

      Don’t forget the fact that Calderon can actually play point guard, too. That’s worth mentioning.

      I don’t know, though… it feels like Milwaukee is giving up a lot without giving much back. I could see them offloading SJax for little to nothing, but Jennings is going to take a more intriguing deal than that. He’s more valuable than what you’ve put out there.

15. The JOkeShow

    The Jazz are in a tough spot. They need a point guard but they have a possible of 2 draft picks if warriors fall out of the top 7 only, and if the jazz only miss the playoffs they get theirs. If the Jazz get one or two, do you just draft a potential franchise PG or try to trade one or both draft picks and players to get a PG like a Rondo?

    • Joel Brigham

      Two lottery picks in this draft would be awesome. No kidding, you could get two franchise-changing guys in the lottery this year, and there are a couple of point guards worth checking out. Right now it looks like they’d have 10 and 12, which could get them two of the following guys: John Henson, Tyler Zeller, Brad Beal, Terrence Jones, Jeremy Lamb, Quincy Miller, Austin Rivers, and more… The best point guard I see is Weber St.’s Damian Lillard, but this isn’t a PG-heavy draft. UNC’s Kendall Marshall is the only other guaranteed first-rounder PG I see. Maybe Tu Holloway in the second round?

16. Rovyn

    I think the Warriors either get rid of Ellis or curry. Ellis is The new version of Allen Iverson and Curry is almost at the injury prone level. Which trade scenario works realistically

    Ellis, Biedrins, Udoh 1st round for Bynum and Barnes
    Curry, Biedrins, Udoh for Bynum
    Biedrins, Klay for Gortat

    • Joel Brigham

      Only the first one looks remotely possible. Suns don’t make the last one, Warriors don’t make the second one (I think they’d rather keep Steph than Monta, if they’re going to choose one or the other). That leaves the first, which is possible, but unlikely. L.A. will hold onto Bynum until it’s 100% that they can’t get Dwight Howard. Until then, I doubt they settle for a guy who’ll just take shots away from Kobe.

17. Edward Lee

    Maybe The Lakers are just fooling us by trying to lose every game just to get into a higher lottery pick. That way, they can save money by paying Cheap for a rookie. the people responsible for giving the Lakers a 20 years tv rights must be having sleepless nights. In hindsight, they should have sign up instead with the other LA team!

    • Joel Brigham

      Nope. Not fooling us. It’s real.

18. Mike

    Who says no to this trade?

    Atlanta gets Rondo and Jamison

    Boston gets Josh Smith and Sessions

    Cleveland gets Marvin Williams, Avery Bradley Jermaine O’Neil’s expiring, and one of Boston’s 1st rounders they own next year.

    • Joel Brigham

      Looks pretty equitable for all involved. I’d call the Hawks the winner, but nobody stands out too much there. Everybody gets something of value. Not bad!

19. keo

    Let’s say Miami wins the nba championship and lending is finals MVP.. do you think dwade will feel offended? Because it was his team

    • Joel Brigham

      No, I don’t think D-Wade cares one bit as long as he adds that ring. LeBron’s stats are always going to be better. Who cares about individual accolades if you’re getting the jewelry? Wade isn’t the guy to care too much about that. It’s not “his” team anymore. It’s “theirs.”

20. daniel

    I picked up a Denver Nuggets throwback Alex English jersey the other day (from the rainbow era). It got me wondering: what are some of your favorite retro NBA jerseys? (I also like the Suns’ 90s jersey with the blazing basketball)

    • Joel Brigham

      Always wanted a Jack Sikma Sonics jersey. It’ll probably never happen for me, but it’s my holy grail of jerseys. I know they were ugly as sin, but I loved those red-to-black Hawks gradient jerseys with the giant bird across the chest. Maybe a Stacy Augmon one. Or Deke. Rainbow Nuggets is classic. Cursive Bulls throwback Jordan is the favorite one I own, but the black with the red pinstripes was hot, too. Those old blue Orlando pinstripe ones from the Penny-Shaq era are up there.

      I love jerseys. I’ve got a lot of ‘em. Too many, probably.

21. daniel

    I assume you were a bulls fan growing up. Do you have a favorite memory of watching them play from your youth? My grandma and I watched the on WGN seemingly every Saturday night during the Jordan era.

    • Joel Brigham

      My grandma and I used to watch them together, too. She was a huge fan. Loooooved Johnny Red Kerr, and I remember she was really sick right around the same time Red was starting to go downhill. I had a conversation with him about what a big fan my grandma was, and that was something I was really glad I was able to do. Grandma loved Jordan and Pippen. I miss her, Red, and those old teams. Sigh.

      As for my favorite memory, my birthday is June 16th, so it was always awesome when the Bulls clinched the Finals on my birthday. That last one, the Utah shove-off on Byron was the best. Just the best. Okay, now I have to go home and watch my Dynasty DVDs…

22. Jason Smith

    Should the Hawks get rid of Marvin Williams?

    • Joel Brigham

      For sure. I just don’t know if they can. His contract isn’t great, and there’s clearly a gap between what Marvin wants for himself and what the team actually wants him to do. It’s time for him to go, but that contract makes it tough.

23. David

    Did you catch Amare’s comments after the game last night. Something to the affect of the Knicks have more talent than the Spurs, right after getting beat by them in a blowout game where the lead didn’t dip below double-digits. Isn’t it kind of a strange comment after a blow-out loss?

    • Joel Brigham

      It’s true, though. New York is, on paper, maybe the most talented team in the conference this side of Miami. You’ve got Melo and Amar’e, plus Lin and J.R. and Tyson and Landry… that looks really, really good, doesn’t it? If given the choice of that or Tony Parker, Old Duncan, Old Manu, Jefferson, Neal, Blair? I’d probably take the Knicks.

      But having the most talent doesn’t make you the best team. Chicago and Philly and especially Denver are good examples of that. STAT’s not wrong; the Spurs are just better than they’re supposed to be, and the Knicks have been the opposite of that for most of the year.

24. joe

    Can derrick rose and deron williams play in the same back court together? New look of the league

    • Joel Brigham

      They never will, so why wonder?

      If we were wondering, though, I wouldn’t be a fan of it. Both guys are so accustomed to creating and having the ball in their hands. It just seems like it would be too much alpha dog in one backcourt. I’d rather either one of those with a real shooting guard.

25. RC

    As a Hornet fan let me state one fact: Sorry Pacer fans Hornets will resign Eric Gordon. Stop it with these stupid trade proposals already lol!

    • Joel Brigham

      They can’t help it, RC. They just love Eric Gordon so much. He’s a Hoosier, for goodness sake! Hoosierdom isn’t fleeting. It’s for life. Let them dream, will you?

      At the end of the day, though, you’re probably right.

      Thanks for all the great questions this week, gang. We’ll be back here next Thursday for more of the same, and since that’s also the trade deadline I imagine it’ll be an especially excellent chat. Until then, have a great weekend, and go Bulls!