NBA Chat With Lang Greene 10/17/12

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. Q-Man

    Lang! whats good Big Dog?

    1. Lou Williams and Teague is the key to the hawks this year (Two guards that can get to the basket and draw fouls). Williams is the better shooter. Its Teague time please (LD)turn him loose.

    2. I know you been to their practice sesson. Who stood out to you thus far

    3. If Josh fill the wing on the break(Give the ball up), stay 15 feet and in he will have one hell of a season.(whats your take)

    • Lang Greene

      What’s up Hoop Freaks? Relax your mind, let your conscience be free and get down to the sounds of EPMD. You should keep quiet while the MC rap, but if you tired — then go take a nap!! Or stay awake and watch the show I take because right now — I’m about to shake n’ bake … let’s go …

      Leading off with my man 3Q! What’s good man?

      1. Not really a question, but I see what you’re saying. From everything I hear and see, expect a much looser leash on Jeff Teague this season. The franchise is counting on him to take a big jump this season. Danny Ferry and Larry Drew are both on record saying how important it is for Jeff to command the backcourt. Lou Williams will be Lou Williams. He’ll put up his points – every night.

      2. Game wise, a name sticking out to me is Damion James at small forward. Good rebounder for the position and decent defender. Might stick around.

      3. Josh Smith will be an All-Star this season. My prediction. I thought he should have made it last season.

  2. LA in LA

    I thought it was just my imagination that Rondo had been talking to the media more lately. He’s come a LONG WAY from that shy lil dude 4 years ago.

    Also speaking of which i know this might sound crazy but during the Celtic’s big 3 post championship era, I always thought Ray was more important than Pierce (if you were to rank them). I know Pierce was/is more talented all-around but Ray always scared me as Laker fan because of how lethal he was to go off at any game. Obviously KG anchored the D. Rondo was, well his amazing self. Outside of clutch shots I’ve never really been worried about Pierce last 4 years. Thoughts?

    • Lang Greene

      Not surprised there’s more microphone time for Rajon Rondo. He is becoming the face of the franchise as KG and Paul Pierce continue to age. Rondo isn’t known for having an endearing type of personality but the guy’s leadership on AND off the court is very impressive. You have to respect that. Expect more of those types of stories to emerge on Rondo going forward.

      I can’t pick who had a bigger impact between Ray and Paul. Remember, Paul wasn’t making deep playoffs runs without Ray or KG so you have to keep things in perspective.

  3. bum

    yesterday BKN def BOS using bench only but its preseason do you think BKN is a tittle contenders

    • Lang Greene

      Hard for me to anoint any team with as many new pieces like Brooklyn as title contenders in the preseason. Brooklyn can beat any team in the league on any given night. They have the individual talent, no doubt, but can they put it all together and become a TEAM? I think they’re top 5 in the Eastern Conference but not ready to say title contenders just yet.

  4. Aristotle

    Langy!! Long time and hope all is well.

    Which of last year’s draft class do you have as excelling in their 2nd year, and which players do you see suffering from 2nd year syndrome?

    • Lang Greene

      Excelling … Klay Thompson, Brandon Knight and did I mention Klay Thompson? Also have to give my man Kawhi Leonard some respect. Alec Burks and Kenneth Faried too.
      Possible decline … Jimmer Fredette, Marcus Morris …

  5. Albert

    As a Laker fan, should I be worried about the teams 0-4 start so far in the preseason? They’ve lost by an average of 23 points per game! I know they’re not playing at full strength, giving the starting lineup short minutes and even sometimes not playing them at all, and scrubs are the ones getting the most run, but should laker fans be worried by the lack of depth we’ve shown so far in the preseason? I have become somewhat concerned with our bench, should we be?

    • Lang Greene

      This is the type of society we now inhabit … where everything is over analyzed. The Lakers will be one of the best teams in the league with or without Dwight Howard.

      With Dwight Howard, healthy, they should be a title contender. Please don’t put too much stock into preseason. Please don’t. Relax and understand your Lakers will be fine once the games start to count.

  6. Chad 2 Chad

    Hi Lang, as a nostalgic fan of 80′s b-ball I’m holding out hope for an old school dunk contest featuring the games greatest stars. What do you think a dunk contest featuring Lebron/Durant/Westbrook/B Griffin/D Howard/Josh Smith would do for today’s growing NBA brand? I honestly think it could take the All Star weekend and the league to a whole new level

    • Lang Greene

      Chad, All-Star weekend would be rocking if every guy you mentioned decided to participate in the dunk contest. The reality of it is, veteran guys like holding the video camera and sitting courtside during the event and just hanging out. As much as I would like to see this lineup as a fan I understand and have come to grips that it won’t happen. Well, at least I can program it in NBA 2K13 though. Haha.

  7. Preston Wilks

    Been hearing positive reports of Beasley out of Phoenix so far, encouraging him to be even more aggressive on offense. Do you think he’s poised for a big year & will he generate consideration for Most Improved this season?

    • Lang Greene

      Preston. Thanks for the line. Michael Beasley can play the game of basketball. Talent isn’t the issue. Consistency, focus and leadership are the areas holding the young man back. His first year in Minnesota he put up very gaudy stats but wasn’t impressive enough for the team to keep around long term. I think he finds a groove for a bit in Phoenix, but still not5 sold he’s a No. 1 option type guy.

  8. Jay

    I took a sizable bet that B Lopez would average over 6 boards per game this year.. will his rebounding go up this year?

    • Lang Greene

      My man, I think you’re going to lose some money on this. Lopez averaged 8.1 rebounds his rookie season and 8.6 in his sophomore campaign. Then averaged 6 per night in his third season. I’m not going to count last year (3.5) because he was hurt all but five games. So, yes I think you can pencil the man in for at least 7 rebounds per game this season.

  9. WatchManCity332

    As a northwest coaster I’d like to see teams like Portland/Sacramento/G State do well. Concerning the Blazers do you follow Nic Batum’s game at all? The team made a pretty big investment in him this summer, but he’s seemed more like a role player to me. Are they planning on featuring him more in the offense? Thanks,

    • Lang Greene

      Had a good conversation with Nic when the Blazers came to Atlanta last season. Very good guy to talk shop with. Batum is a legit starting caliber talent. His potential could range on the borderline All-Star side, but he has work to do. This is one of those years to watch a guy like Batum. The Blazers need a No. 2 guy to LaMarcus Aldridge and Batum is in a prime position to assert himself as one of those 2-3 type guys. Question is, can he do it. Does he want it bad enough? Etc.

      But there is no doubting the man’s talent.

  10. Billy

    Lang, what’s the latest with CDR and the Lakers? Looked better than others in limited mins. Any idea why he isn’t being showcased? Any idea whether he makes the roster? He could help bench big time IMO.

    • Lang Greene

      The math / numbers game makes it unlikely for CDR to stick around with the Lakers. He’s likely auditioning for another spot around the league at this point.

  11. Jason M.

    Hey Lang, love your chats and always look forward to what you have to say.

    My question is, why isn’t Quincy Miller getting any run in Denver? I realize he’s not expected to have an impact this year but isn’t the preseason the perfect place to get his feet wet? Is he injured or is this a sign he might not make the squad? If he does, do you see him getting any run this year if even in garbage time?

    • Lang Greene

      We just shot an interview with Quincy Miller this past week. Check it out here.

      The only glimpses you’ll be getting of Quincy this season will more than likely be sideline shots of Nuggets players getting excited after a big play. The reason doesn’t have anything to do with his talent level, it’s just that the Nuggets are deepest on the wing. Andre Iguodala, Danilo, Corey Brewer, Jordan Hamilton, Wilson Chandler, etc …

      Quincy will have to have a lot of patience because his road to playing time will be a tough one.

  12. Aristotle

    Hey Lang, I got one more for you… what do you think about High School players who want to go straight to the NBA? I think it should be allowed if the talent is truly there, but if they fail to shine, then maybe the team that drafted him sends him to a College and covers his costs? Obviously they’d need to be some real special talent to qualify. I mean lets say for example LeBron just had a terrible time crossing into the NBA and failed immensely… Cleveland could send him to a good college program to get confidence and good grades and then retain him a season later. Your thoughts?

    • Lang Greene

      I like your theory, but under the microscope it won’t hold up. I do think there should be more of a partnership between the NCAA and NBA to protect these young guys but your view wouldn’t work for the simplest reason. MONEY. You give an 18 year old kid a $10 million guaranteed contract and then expect him to go to college and fit in with everyone else? No, that is a disaster waiting to happen.

      There has to be a better way than just letting kids fall flat on their face, let me think about this some more.

  13. Jhaen

    I am a big time fan of Curry and Mayo. any team they go to, I back, same as D. Howard (except I hate LAL/Kobe). Do u expect a healthy season from Curry? what numbers do you expect? Playoffs for GSW? is Curry a top 10 PG in the league?
    what about Mayo. what kind of numbers do you expect?

    • Lang Greene

      Hard for me to play the numbers (stats) game. But I will say that I believe both guys will be extremely productive this season.

      Is Steph Curry a top 10 point guard? I say no. I rate, in no particular order, CP3, D-Rose, Tony Parker, Westbrook, D-Will, Nash, Ty Lawson, Rondo and Kyrie Irving ahead of him right now off the top of my head.

  14. David Jungerman

    I was wondering what you think Tyreke Evans career arc is going to be like from here? I don’t see him in Sactown after this year.

    • Lang Greene

      Leaving Sacramento might be the best thing for Tyreke at this point. The team is having trouble finding a niche for him there and the trade rumors are a constant distraction. There are plenty of examples of how a change of scenery, a new role and new coach can help guys get their respective games together.

  15. steppxxxxz

    Seems to me several top teams are very old and that few journalists are considering the implications. Celtics, Lakers, Knicks…….I mean the Lakers star point is 38…..he’s not an all star anymore. Kobe is a notch slower. In Boston you have Pierce…can he hold up for a full season? When you have youth like denver has, or OKC….this seems a real question.

    • Lang Greene

      No doubt about it. Father Time is undefeated with all wins by way of knockout. Those franchises are really rolling the dice with those aging legends, but at the same time those guys are still highly productive so it’s hard to slam the door shut on them until one of these younger teams TAKE IT TO THEM.

      Until then, until the youngsters are ready to challenge for the throne consistently the older guys are going to get looks from the media.

      My favorites are still Miami and OKC by the way. Two relatively younger teams.

  16. David Jungerman

    I’ve heard all three rookies from Vanderbilt are looking great. Who do you think will have the best season?

    • Lang Greene

      John Jenkins has looked good, but he will have his work cut out for him trying to get extended minutes behind the Atlanta Hawks’ marquee free agent Lou Williams. So for that reason I think Festus Ezeli will have more of an opportunity to crack the rotation in Golden State but I think John will have a very strong season in the minutes he gets

  17. harveypuhz

    whats your thought on marcus thornton ? for me he can be an elite scorer he is clutch and just need better teammates willing to give the ball to him (evans out) lets say evans gets out via free agency what you think he can become as a player ?

    • Lang Greene

      Marcus Thornton, Ben Gordon, Jamal Crawford, Nick Young, Jordan Crawford and Lou Williams are all cut from the same silk. High volume scorers. If you have shots to give out in your rotation those guys will take them and give you numbers.

      Tyreke Evans is a very good player. Don’t let his struggles in Sacramento the past two seasons distort the reality. He just needs to go to a situation who gives him a better fit and lets him play his style of play instead of trying to mold him into something he’s not (three-point shooter, small forward, etc).

  18. barry melrose

    Heat vs Lakers, who wins 7 game series?

    • Lang Greene

      As of right now, give me the Miami HEAT. I saw how those guys responded under duress and adversity under the big lights. I need to see how the Lakers respond to their first major challenge as a team before I say they can take out a DEFENDING champion in a seven game series.

  19. Cordell

    I see people saying its a numbers game with Douglas-Roberts and Lakers, but he’s far more talented than the inexperienced players they have, not too mention cheap. Exactly what math/numbers is he up against? A bunch of players makin 1mil or less?

    • Lang Greene

      Ok, let me get my Eric Pincus on … the Lakers have 12 guys with guaranteed contracts … Kobe, D12, Nash, Gasol, Metta, Blake, Duhon, Meeks, Earl Clark, Jordan Hill, Ebanks and Antawn Jamison. Not to mention Goudelock who played with them last season.

      D12 and Hill are the team’s big men and they are both battling back injuries which could linger long term. So let me ask you, if you wanted to add another player to the roster who would it be? Robert Sacre, a seven footer who can bang on the inside, or another shooting guard like CDR with a healthy Kobe and Jodie Meeks already there?

      The Lakers have a payroll of around $100 million. Any salary they add is basically doubled due to the luxury tax. I just don’t see CDR being that type of difference maker. I could be wrong but it’s my opinion.