NBA Chat With Joel Brigham, 4/19/12

1. Tasia

   Do you think the Bobcats have any value to get another lottery pick?

   • Joel Brigham

     Good afternoon, HOOPSWORLD Citizens, and welcome to another edition of my weekly chat! The regular season ends exactly one week from today, which means next Thursday we’ll be talking about playoff match-ups and postseason predictions. Actually, we’ll probably talk about that exact same thing this week, just in a different way. With about four games left, the match-ups are still totally wide open, plus with more and more NCAA players declaring for the draft we’ll have plenty of paths to travel in that direction, too.

     In short, I’ll answer anything about anything as long as I have time to get to it, so let’s get to it!

     Charlotte doesn’t have any prayer of acquiring another lottery pick. They did it last year only by dangling what was then a reasonable attractive asset in Stephen Jackson. Now? I just can’t see it. This is a historically awful team, and the chance that someone sends off a lottery pick in this draft of all drafts is pretty weak. Pray for Anthony Davis. That’s your best bet if you’re a Bobcats fan (or, perhaps someday, a Charlotte Hornets fan).

2. Raps4ever

   Hi Joel, As a loyal Raptor Fan, I need your honest input on DeRozan and Ed Davis.Do Both of them fit into Dwayne Casey’s system? Would it be better to Trade DeRozan, for A.Randolf or Gerald Green, who are better Defensively and more experince. As for Ed Davis, I have doubts about his offensive potential and his Aggressiveness or is this just inexperience ?

   • Joel Brigham

     I think at this point it’s more than fair to have questions about both players. DeRozan came into the league with the kind of athleticism that often translates to loads of offensive success, but that hasn’t really turned out to be the case. I mean, he’s a good enough scorer, but not consistently excellent, which is what you’d like to see out of a kid taken that high in the draft. Trading him isn’t out of the question, but I don’t feel like Green or Randolph are the answers there. I get that Green has been pretty excellent in New Jersey in the time that he’s been there, but his body of work doesn’t give me a lot of confidence in him as a key piece to a DeRozan trade. I’d rather have DD and just admit to the fact that’s probably going to be more of a role scorer than a starting shooting guard.

     Ed Davis is an average player, and that’s just what it is. I like the young man, but I think we all knew what he was when he came out of North Carolina. It wasn’t a bad pick based on where they got him, but guys who drop that far rarely turn into superstars. Both can survive in Casey’s system, but they’re not going to be prominently featured in it, either.

     Like I’ve been saying all along, the real hope for Toronto is a high pick in this year’s draft and Jonas Valanciunas. Good things could very well be ahead, and Casey actually is a good coach.

3. AJ

   Big roll of the dice for Orlando:

   ORL: Stoudemire, J. Johnson
   NYK: Richardson, Davis, 2nd rounder
   ATL: Turkoglu, Redick, 1st rounder

   Works money wise.

   • Joel Brigham

     In what way is that a roll of the dice? Orlando would be getting the two best players in the trade far and away. Atlanta makes the playoffs as a four or five seed every year due in large part to Johnson’s perennial efforts. Switching him out for Turkoglu and Redick??? Why in the Lord’s name would the Hawks pull the trigger on that? The deal between the Knicks and Magic is slightly more reasonable, but again I just can’t see them giving up on Stoudemire for pieces as underwhelming as those.

4. Mark ryan

   If the Kings draft either MKG or Harrison Barnes or go sign a small forward in free agency but Still Keep Tyreke Evans does he Start over Marcus Thornton at SG or Isaiah Thomas at Point Guard and Why?

   • Joel Brigham

     I love Marcus Thornton and detest Tyreke Evans, so that should tell you how I feel about that. The guy is an absolute ball-stopper, and as a point guard that just completely shuts down your offense. The whole reason Thomas is getting the minutes he’s getting is because he knows how to run a team. Cousins is your best player out there, so you’ve got to feed him the ball. ‘Reke doesn’t do that.

     Of the two small forwards you mentioned, I’d rather Gilchrist than Barnes for a whole slew of reasons, but I think based on their draft position and their huge need for a three, one of those two makes great sense for them.

5. Bill Wallace

   Why don’t you realize how good Austin Rivers is. He is the Only Lottery Pick who gets talked about most about the things he cant do rather than the things he can do. Of course he needs to get stronger and work on his shot selection but the kid is only 19 years old. Rivers is an Elite Prospect which made him the Number 1 recruit in High school. He has Elite NBA ready Ball handling Skills, Quickness and shooting ability. His size isn’t a big deal when 3 of the top 5 SG in the league are “undersized” in Dwyane wade, Monta Ellis and Eric Gordon. I will truly be shocked when its all said and done and hes not one of the top 5 players to come out of this draft.

   • Joel Brigham

     I know that Rivers is a talented kid, but he just doesn’t strike me as a dominant force. Of course, Steph Curry didn’t strike me that way, either, and when healthy he’s one of the better guards in the league. Still, I just don’t look at Rivers and see superstar. I see him as a reserve scoring something like 9-10 points a game.

     That said, there is a serious dearth of talent at the two-guard spot right now (especially young talent), and I could see Rivers flourishing with a team that had the minutes for him to tinker around with. He’s going to need to add some strength and humble himself a little heading into his pro career, but he’ll be alright. Don’t know if I see him as an every-year All-Star, but he’ll be alright.

     For the record, the five guys I think will be the biggest stars out of this draft: Anthony Davis, Brad Beal, Thomas Robinson, Mike Kidd-Gilchrist, and–honestly–Perry Jones if he gets himself together. When it’s all said and done, those are my guys. Rivers is right on the cusp of that list, though. I like him a heck of a lot more than Harrison Barnes, for example.

6. calvinzero

   What’s your take regarding the Bobcats struggles this season?? This roster is promising. For me, they sometimes won with more popular teams such as Knicks,(maybe such a spoiler to the Knicks aspiration to improve their record last season). Thanks again Joel for answering my Q’s.. Good day to you!

   • Joel Brigham

     No confidence, too young. I’m with you that there are some interesting pieces in place there, but that team needs more talent and a few years to let that talent grow and develop together.

7. Chris G

   This is the second year (percentage wise) that the Heat with Lebron will have a worse record than Lebron had his last two years in Cleveland. How can Lebron do better with the lesser talent he had before than when playing with talents like Wade and Bosh?

   • Joel Brigham

     Because when LeBron James is the lone alpha, he friggin’ absolutely dominates. Just look at some of the games he’s played when D-Wade has been on the bench. He’s an absolute killer, and yes, even in a couple of fourth quarters. When he has that confidence, that absolute surety, he’s at his best. Otherwise, he looks to defer when it matters, and that has no doubt cost them a significant number of games the last two seasons. It’s such a weird team despite being so stacked. Is it just me, or can you guys sense another HEAT ouster in this year’s postseason, too?

8. jazzman

   Hey Joel , love your work!!!
   Depending on how the Clips fair in the playoffs , do u think they should re-sign Randy Foye? His game has holes , but he obviously appears to be a team oriented guy and has been useful , also would u pick him over Nick Young?

   • Joel Brigham

     Don’t know about Foye. Honestly, between Mo Williams and Nick Young I think they’ve a pretty good mix of two-guard styles to hold that spot down. I could also see LAC talking Chauncey Billups to come back next season, which would make it even less likely they brought Foye back.

     Young is going to cost some money to retain, though, and I’m not sure if the Clippers will want to go as high as Young probably thinks he’s worth. You wonder what other teams will think he’s worth, as well. It all depends on what the market dictates, but ideally I’d rather have Young than Foye by a wide, wide margin.

9. Kevin

   My symphathy for Nash is growing thin. Watching him try to play the loyal card for so long, i’m starting to question whether he really wants to win or not. Am I wrong?

   • Joel Brigham

     I get what you’re saying. I do. But figuring out where to work and play ball is more complicated than just trying to win. Guys have families to consider, and after a while a guy gets a certain level of comfort with a city and an organization. Nash may want to win a championship, but he also may be really happy in Phoenix, win or lose, because of how the city has embraced him and for what the team has done for him.

     All that said, this offseason seems like a great time to bolt for greener pastures. The playoffs never feel quite right without Nash in them. Would love to see him go deep into the postseason one more time…

10. Mac

    The Denver Nuggets traded for Javale McGee at the deadline but has started their new center in only 5 of 16 games (and still didn’t last night). Some will argue he needs to get adjusted to the system but I think this may have to do with his upcoming contract. If he starts and tears it up in Denver, then management will be pressured by fans to offer a big contract. Conspiracy theory or legitimate claim?

    • Joel Brigham

      That’s definitely a conspiracy theory. Denver is still jockeying for playoff position, so right now would not be the time to fart around with something like that just to save money later. You do what’s best to win now, then worry about the money later. A coach would never limit a guy just because it might mean he’ll play better and then cost too much to retain. Coaches don’t care about next year. They barely care about next week; all they care about is the next game and doing everything possible to win that game. If starting McGee was best of that, he’d be starting. Karl’s using him a different way. Fine. Let’s see how Denver handles themselves against the Thunder, Spurs, or Lakers and then re-evaluate what Denver should do next season.

11. Charlie

    If you were a NBA coach, rank your preference for point guard to run your team next season: Jose Calderon, Ray Felton, Devin Harris, and Darren Collison

    • Joel Brigham

      You sure have picked the middle of the road here, haven’t you? In general it would depend greatly on the rest of my personnel in place, but I suppose all things equal I’d take Calderon #1. He’s the best distributor of this batch, and that’s what I’d probably look for first in a PG. Collison second, then Felton, then Harris last.

      But again, that all depends on the system, the teammates, and the coach.

12. Cain

    How about the roll Rudy Gay is currently on? Has he finally started to figure out how to take his game to that All-Star level?

    • Joel Brigham

      It sure has looked like it, hasn’t it? Memphis has got to be scaring the hell out of the Western Conference right now. I mean, would it be too big a shock to have a Boston/Memphis Finals at this point? Those are two of the hottest teams in their respective conferences right now (with shout-outs to Indiana and San Antonio), and both have the sting of early exits a year ago still on their minds.

      In regards to Gay specifically, though, I don’t know that he’s necessarily doing things too much differently than he did before the injury. If anything, he looks more like a leader now, which I love, and I’m really excited to see what the Grizzlies do in the playoffs. What a fun team to watch right now…

13. Edward Lee

    I dont believe Mike Brown saying it’s no big deal if Lakers doesnt win the Pacific, it’s all about bragging rights. Lakers doesnt want to be let the Clippers get the Pacific crown.

    • Joel Brigham

      No, and they also don’t want to play Memphis in the first round. Though I’m not sure Dallas would be any picnic in the first round, either. Yeesh, these are about to be some really, really fun playoffs. The next week can’t go fast enough…

14. Chris Guest

    Do you think, in your opinion, that Bynum deserves to be the All-NBA 1st team Over Howard???
    Bynum has played more games, hasn’t been disturbing the league like Howard lol and has been really consistently beastly.
    He has my vote.
    Thanks for you time!

    • Joel Brigham

      100% yes. From a talent and statistical standpoint, you could argue that Dwight deserves it, but Bynum has been more consistent, less of a distraction, and is playing for a more successful team. He’s had an excellent season, and yes, has played more games, which I think should factor into things, as well. If I had a vote, Drew would get it. Dwight would be 2nd team. I’d take Tyson Chandler for third team.

15. Antun Badurina

    I’ve been a James Harden ever since his days in Arizona, do you see him being traded for some lottery picks and more in this draft?
    For example, Utah has potential 2 lottery picks, if they were to pick Beal (unlikely) or Lamb and some other prospect, would that be good trade for OKC as they need to choose between Ibaka and Harden. Utah already has good young players in the roster and they are near playoffs this year.

    • Joel Brigham

      A team that good eventually has the rookies come of their first deals and need more money to stay put. This thing was going to get too expensive eventually, and in the summer of 2013 we’ll be facing that problem head-on. They’ve already got $17.5 million invested next year in Kevin Durant, plus that’s when Russ Westbrook’s extension will kick in, likely for right around $16 million. Throw in $8 million for Kendrick Perkins, and a good portion of your cap is gone. With over $40 million invested in three guys, how much can you throw at Ibaka AND Harden? It all depends how much Sam Presti is given to work with from the team’s budget. But as far as trading Harden now, there’s absolutely no reason for it. Give this group at least one more year all together (especially if they win the Finals), then deal with it next summer.

      At that point, though, I think I’d rather keep Harden than Ibaka, but either one would be very hard to replace.

16. ralph lawrence

    if the kings opt to trade evans this offseason should they trade him for bargnani from the raptors and maybe a draft pick for tyreke evans?? I think its a great deal for both teams and i could imagine a lineup of Cousins, bargnani, SF from the draft maybe kidd-gilchrist or barnes, thornton and thomas.. your thoughts?

    • Joel Brigham

      I don’t see Toronto pulling the trigger on that one. At least, I hope Toronto doesn’t pull the trigger on that one. That would be a solid deal for Sacramento, though.

17. LikeaBull

    Sup Joel? WIll my bulls draft a bid and go after a proven scorer with there mini MLE.
    Or will they draft a scorer that can dribble the ball, shoot the 3, create for himself and others Cough cough doron Lamb Cough

    • Joel Brigham

      I think Doron Lamb is a best-case scenario for the 30th pick in the draft. It’s very possible he could drop that far, but I could also seem him working himself into the top 20 picks. It’s a tough call, but if I could pick a reasonable target for that low, Lamb’s who I’d go after.

      Other than that, don’t expect any major changes next year unless some veteran gets bought out and wants to come play for peanuts. Chicago’s going to keep the band together one more year, but that’s when Korver, Brewer, Watson, and Asik are all up for new deals. Not all will stay, and that’s when I see it being time to start adding some new pieces maybe. Not this summer, though. Minor changes. Not major ones.

18. Raptor Fanatic

    What do you think happens in Memphis this summer? They have a lot of money tied up with little front court depth and OJ Mayo as a RFA. Also they are dangerously close to becoming a tax team just to fill out the roster for next year.

    Do you think they consider trading Gay to help the depth issue and avoid the tax?

    • Joel Brigham

      I don’t see them trading anybody, but we said last year it was going to be hard for them pay Gasol with so much money already wrapped up in Randolph and Gay. Now that all three are getting paid crazy cash, it seems even less likely that Mayo will be able to stick around. I just can’t see how they’re going to afford him. Like you said, they’re going to be bumping right up against that tax, and while Mayo’s been much better this year, I don’t know that the team can justify another hefty contract. I suppose it all depends how deep they get into the postseason. If the Grizzlies win a championship, there’s certainly more pressure to keep everyone together, isn’t there?

19. Josh

    Joel,

    after watching Gordon Hayward since the All Star break I think the kid has the making of multiple All Stars seasons. He has a well rounded game and will only get better. Where do you project him to be talent wise amongst the NBA in two years?

    • Joel Brigham

      I don’t think I see him an All-Star, but a career starter somewhere is absolutely reasonable. He does a little bit of everything (including fending off West-Willies), and he does most of it really, really well. Great kid, too, definitely has his head on straight, which I imagine makes him one of the more coachable players in the league. He’ll be around for a while, but All-Star? That just seems like a bit much for me.

20. badax33

    Hey Joel,
    Question for you on the Celtics. We assumed this would be the last year of the current Big 3. But down the stretch they came and are playing good ball. And although we have 25M in cap space, the FA crop is pretty weak this summer. Would it not make sense to bring back KG and Ray on cheaper 2 yr deals (to coincides with PP’s deal). Try to retain Bass,and maybe MP on a Vet min. We could use the MLE on a big. Then use our 2 1st and 2 2nd round picks to bring in some young players and let the Big 3 mentor them for 2 more years before moving on. Heck, we could have a Celebration/Ceremony with 3 Hall or Famers retiring at the same time.

    I just can see spending money, just because we have cap space (see Detroit Piston for an example). In 2 years we’d have an idea where we sit with our young players and could then use the cap space on a FA Superstar or possibly a trade or 2 to reload.

    • Joel Brigham

      I would take no issue with that approach. I mean, it’s not like Ray or KG look done by any stretch. If they’re going to play another 2-3 years somewhere, it may as well be for the Celtics, right? Both guys are still starters, and while I don’t know exactly what sorts of payment they’d deserve, I can say that it would probably be a pretty good bargain all things considered. Couldn’t you see both coming back for two-year, $16 million deals? That allows some extra cash for other pieces, and in two years, when all the big three come off the books, you’ve got a real shot to start rebuilding.

      Also, keeping the Big Three takes away the pressure to trade Rajon Rondo, which I don’t think they should ever do. Honestly, same thing with not trading Paul Pierce. He deserves to retire in Boston, and without the other old men around to solidify that group, he could very well get moved.

      On the other hand, these guys are getting old. We’re all pretty shocked still that they’ve been this good all year. Those guys, particularly Garnett, could break down at any time. Do you really want your team in a stalemate for two years because your vets are all hurt? I can see it both ways, but I’d have no problem with them keeping Allen and KG. What else are they going to do?

21. Jeff

    I am convinced that JL III gets paid by dribble and everytime he jacks up a shot I have to hold my breath but he just makes them sometimes. I think that during at least one playoff game, he plays a huge role and gets us a win. Thoughts? Also prediction for tonight’s game.

    • Joel Brigham

      Funny. There’s got to be a stat out there somewhere to corroborate your theory. He’s going to have to play to win Chicago a playoff game, and if D-Rose and C.J. Watson are healthy, that’s probably not happening. In the regular rotation, Lucas doesn’t see the floor, and that’s not even taking into consideration how much the the playoff rotations tighten up. We won’t see JL3 in the playoffs unless, God forbid, somebody more important gets hurt.

      As for tonight, I’m taking the HEAT. The Bulls just haven’t had “it” lately, and it would make perfect sense that Chicago beat them twice without D-Rose, then lost to them while he’s the lineup. I’m assuming, of course, that he’s in the lineup tonight. Have a hard time believing he’ll miss this one…

      Thanks for all the great questions this week, guys, but that’s my hour. Enjoy the last week of the season, you guys that follow teams who won’t get into the playoffs. As for the rest of us, here we go! And go Bulls!