NBA Chat With Lang Greene 10/10/12

Lang Greene is a NBA Writer for HOOPSWORLD covering the Atlanta Hawks and Eastern Conference. Lang’s chat gets started at 8pm EST on Wednesday every week.

  1. Jason

    Do you think both the Pacers and Paul George will realize their full potential with P.G at the 2?

    • Lang Greene

      What’s up Hoop Freaks … not feeling the best, but I’m coming to wreck shop tonight. Let’s bang this out.

      I don’t believe Paul George ever reaches his full potential playing out of position. To me, he is a natural small forward. The problem is Danny Granger is occupying the spot, which isn’t a huge issue for the Pacers because DG has game.

      I think it is a testament to guys who thrive playing out of position … Al Horford from the Hawks immediately comes to mind. If the Pacers fizzle this season I wouldn’t in the least be surprised if the team tried to deal Granger.

  2. Jason

    Staying in the central division, do you think Rodney Stuckey is poised for a mini breakout? Two words: Contract Year

    • Lang Greene

      No, I do not. I believe we have a pretty good grasp of who Rodney Stuckey is as a professional at this point. He is bona fide double-digit scoring threat. He is not a true point guard. I can see Stuckey latching on to a contending team in the future and playing both guard spots off the bench successfully, but if he’s your starting PG then you might be in trouble. Good combo guard. Can’t play the point full-time, but can be effective there in spots. Can’t play your SG full-time because his range isn’t at the elite level to stretch defenses, but he can pile up points.

      Might seem like I’m being hard on him, but I’m not. I like Stuckey … I hope the kid goes to a situation that utilizes his skillset correctly.

  3. Chuck

    How ya doin Lang, word round the campfire lately is the 76ers stock is droppin b/c injury concerns with big Bynum. I feel the losses with Iggy/Brand/LouWill/Meeks too, but one thing people seem to be overlooking will be the full fledge arrival of my man Jrue Holliday. Outside of Bynum’s leg do u see Jrue being the real X factor for this team’s playoff chances? Appreciate you man

    • Lang Greene

      Don’t pay too much attention to rising/falling stocks in the preseason. The first rule of the stock market is maintaining a patient outlook. Jrue is a player. I’m not ready to bestow All-Star status on the young man, but trust me he has the goodies to hang around the league for a long time.

      It will be interesting to see how Andrew Bynum handles being the main man. It is a big difference being the No. 2-3 guy after a twenty point loss. Sometimes those guys can blow out of the locker room and not have to deal with the media. In LA, Kobe was the man and he had to take the good with the bad. Now Bynum will have to answer those questions and be on the hook EVERY single night. Every single night. It is a big difference moving from co-pilot to pilot. Let’s see what the big man can do with his spot in the limelight.

  4. Co

    What are the chances Rubio returns from his ACL fully healthy to lead the wolves to the promise land?

    • Lang Greene

      Rubio from what I understand should be back in action in January at the latest. But even then the T’Wolves will be very cautious with his minutes in the rotation. The hope would be for him to average maybe 20-24 minutes per game the rest of the regular season and then go full throttle once the postseason begins (provided Minny reaches the playoffs, that is).

      Personally, when I see guys returning from Torn ACLs I always assume they won’t be the same again until the following season. Physically guys return to health but mentally guys are still uncertain and can play timid when returning from serious injuries.

  5. Steve

    Hi Lang, love what you do for the hoop freaks each week. Keep holdin it down my friend.

    I recently switched jobs las year which has freed up my mornings quite a bit. It’s allowed me to start watching ESPN’s First Take with Stephen A and Skip Baylesz.Honestly I can’t believe a major network like that pays Skip Bayless to discuss basketball. His analysis of D12, Bron, and Westbrook are ridiculous. Do you ever tune into this show, and do you think us hoops fans can draw accurate conclusions about the players from it?

    • Lang Greene

      Steve – I rock for the Hoop Freaks. Love you guys (and gals).

      I’m typically in the office from 8-5 so I don’t get to see of “First Take” but I see plenty of retweets on my timeline when I glance at Twitter. You have to understand ESPN is a business. They make money based on viewership and consumer interest in their brand.

      I’ve never met Skip personally so I can’t speculate on if he truly believes what he puts out there. At the end of the day I can’t tell you or anyone else who to listen and gain knowledge from. Personally, I trust my own vision. Not a hype machine. I’ve been watching basketball for 30+ years so when I see a LeBron James or Derrick Rose I know they’re special. Anybody who tries to sway me different doesn’t have a chance because I study the game itself. I never get caught up in trying to pile up on a guy.

  6. Carmike

    Whose on your radar for Most Improved player this season? Javale/Dragic/Afflalo/Batum?

    Thanks

    • Lang Greene

      A guy who I think will hit the national scene this year is Jeff Teague. Maybe even a guy like Evan Turner. I know Doug COllins is hoping so.

  7. Jake

    Can’t believe Shaq is coninuing to feud with Dwight Howard. I’m with DH, SHAQ’S TIME IS UP!! Why does he continue to go after him? For crying out loud, he said that BROOK LOPEZ is currently a better Center than him!!!

    • Lang Greene

      Old folks will always try to tell the younger generation something. But guess what, when that younger generation becomes the old generation they’ll do the same dang thing. I remember Shaq absolutely going at veteran’s throats. Patrick Ewing. check. David Robinson. Check. Rik Smits. Check. Sabonis. Check. He was a one man wrecking crew and scoffed when some of the old guys tried to tell him to work on his free throws. Remember the “I’ll make them when they count” line?

      So I find it funny when he goes in on D12 … but I like the way Howard handled himself and he was right. You had your career, ease up.

  8. Preston Wilks

    How’s it going Mr. Greene? I read in one of your previous chats that you’ve watched Kidd-Gilchrest game up close since the High School ranks. I’m curious why people are so near sighted on MKG’s potential in a Bobcat’s uni. Lately people are comparing his game and upside to Trevor Ariza.. Trevor Ariza??? C’ Mon man, no disrespect to Ariza who is a solid pro but he was selected #44 in the draft & carries career averages of 10 points & 5 rebounds. In your opinion is MKG being pigeonholed?

    • Lang Greene

      Preston- please tell me the guy(s) who said MKG is similar to Trevor Ariza. No disrespect to Trev, but there is a huge difference in natural talent between the two.

      Now, I can see MKG trending toward a Gerald Wallace trajectory though I feel his upside is much much higher at this point. We shall see.

  9. Hallack

    Hi Mr. Greene. Really enjoy you chats.

    Hawks get: Courtney Lee, Brandon Bass and Mickael Pietrus (S&T)

    Celtics get: Josh Smith

    Who says no?

    • Lang Greene

      Celtics and Hawks, both. If the Hawks trade Josh it will net an All-Star caliber guy in return. The Celtics feel their squad is the most potent it has been in years … no way I see them tinkering with what they built this summer. In regards to the Hawks the team has been clear that Josh is a vital part of their future going forward.

  10. paprika

    Hi lang,just my opinion on steve blake. Last season when lal took session ,psychologically i felt blake ‘s ego was somehow been steped on thats why we didnt see the best of him,specially his spot was given to a young hot unproven hot shot session. But i feel this season with nash being one of the best and old,wiser pg.i believe blake can learn alot from him and can be the poor man’s version of nash specially with the pressure of duhon might also take his playing time. Will we see a much improve blake ala luke ridnour effectiveness?? Thanks for the time bro.

    • Lang Greene

      Not buying Steve Blake suddenly turns into anything different than he has been his whole career. For instance, he’s played in LA for two seasons and is shooting below 40 percent from the field as a Laker. That has nothing to do with Ramon Sessions’ presence. Blake will also turn 33 during the season and last I checked guards start losing steps big time around this age. If I’m a Lakers fan I bet on getting the same amount of production from Blake. Anything else would just be icing. Expecting say 10 points per night and 50 percent shooting from the guy would cause you a lot of frustration.

  11. Cain

    Hey Lang, who is more likely to have break-out season in Dallas, Collison, Mayo or Beaubois? I hope it is Collison.

    • Lang Greene

      OJ Mayo without a doubt. Lots of people writing the guy off but he’s still so young (hasn’t reached 25) and has so much potential.

      Darren Collison is a decent PG, but you have to ask yourself if he is that good how do you get traded so often after STARTING on both squads? Coaches are seeing something there.

  12. Cain

    What is your thoughts on Terrence Ross? The more I watch the more I like him and the more he reminds me of Jason Richardson.

    • Lang Greene

      Doesn’t have the explosiveness of a prime Jason Richardson. Not even close. But a prime J-Rich doesn’t have Ross’ perimeter game either … so …

      I am high on T-Ross, let’s see if the young man can rumble.

  13. Chris

    Hi Lang! wazz up?
    Question for you.
    what can you say about the “position-less” style of the HEAT? can they match up against the elite, i.e Lakers?
    And, would you prefer LBJ to play 1 on offense and 4 on defense, that can be scary right?

    Josh Smith will be an All Star this year?

    • Lang Greene

      Josh Smith for All-Star, I say yes. D12 would eat Chris Bosh alive inside, but Bosh has a strong perimeter game and could get D12 out of the pain to open driving lanes for LeBron and D-Wade.

      But logic says Mike Brown would simply out Pau Gasol on Bosh and D12 on the HEAT’s power forward to offset the matchup.

      The more and more I talk to guys around the league the more and more I hear them say they don’t have a “position” that they are basketball players. The media, we love to slot guys. But I saw LeBron play 1-5 last season in the playoffs. The game is becoming more diverse.

  14. Mr. Ballistik

    Evening Lang. I hope all is well with you and yours.

    What do you think we should expect #s wise from Josh Smith this season? Yes, JJ is in NYC. On the other hand, if Horford stays healthy, might that balance out JJ leaving? Do you think Smith will be a/the primary option?

    • Lang Greene

      Listen, anybody who is saying Atlanta will be better by losing Joe Johnson should immediately be checked. The team won 40 games last season in a lockout shortened campaign without Al Horford for most of it. JJ was a big part of it. I hear this line of thinking a lot but I chuckle at it because I know Joe Johnson was a goodie monster. Yeah, the contract was ridiculous but check his body of work.

  15. Chris Guest

    Lang my bro, look like you have lost a few in your new twitter pic. Good weork my man.

    In your own personal opinion, how do you see MKG play in his first year and how do you think his career pans out? comparisons?

    Im very high on him, 1 cos of his age. 2 his work ethic is off the cart. 3 he, in my opinion, is a defensive stud, wich everyone says you cant reall teach, is more of a plyers desire, wich he has, but offense can be taught e.g. shooting techinque. He already attacks the hoop very well wicxh will lead to free throws, wich he isant too bad at.

    Get at me

    • Lang Greene

      Thanks Chris. Losing some weight, got to stay focused though. But I’m feeling great, outside of the current issue.

      MKG like I said earlier could be like Gerald Wallace. Or much much better. At the very least the kid’s motor will keep him around for a long time.

  16. Tony in Indy, Indy

    Gerald Green, does he have any star potential left? When people talk about the future of the Pacers, is it silly to think Green could finally fulfill what was expected of him when he was drafted?

    • Lang Greene

      Hate to be the hammer here, but Gerald Green is another guy who is what he is at this point. Could I see him averaging 14 and 5 for a couple seasons … sure. His Per 36 minute averages have never been shabby. But the thing is in Indiana you have Danny Granger and Paul George on the wing. If Gerald Green ends up averaging the numbers I previously stated then the team is headed for the lottery.