NBA Chat With Lang Greene 10/25/11

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

  1. matt

    do u think the 76ers would trade iggy to the bulls for brewer,gibson,asik,charlotte pick an maybe pargo an lucas

    • Lang Greene

      Big Matt …

      The Bulls need a SG. Acquiring Iguodala strengthens their overall talent level, but opposing teams will still pack the lane to nullify Rose’s explosiveness while daring the Bulls to beat them from distance. The Bulls need a SG who can put the ball on the floor and create AND drill the long range jumper.

      Iguodala is a natural SF, not SG. Plus you’d be dealing away Gibson and Asik. While neither one of those guys are untouchable by any stretch Noah and Boozer are known to miss time due to injury. It’s just too risky. I wouldn’t sign off on this if I was representing Chicago.

  2. Cain

    Hey Lang, chances my Pacers will look to make another play at OJ Mayo? Do the Pacers have a franchise player(s) on there roster? I think George and Hibbert can be a very effective inside and out duo.

    • Lang Greene

      My main man Cain … I combined your questions so I can hit on both.

      Indiana almost swiped OJ Mayo from Memphis for a bag of peanuts (sorry Josh Mac) … I’d say there’s little to no chance the Pacers can get him for that price tag again. Indiana would probably have to include B-Rush and Lance Stephenson or something.

      I don’t think the Packers have a top 10 guy on their roster. They have very solid pieces with Granger, Collison, Hibbert, etc. but none of those guys rank in the top five at their respective positions.

      However, I do feel if the Pacers can address the need at PF they can make some noise.

  3. Byron

    Hi Jason if Kyrie Irving would have stayed in school his sophmore year and put up the same numbers, would he be a top 5 pick in next years loaded draft?

    • Lang Greene

      Yes, I think so. The kid can rock and remember he was set to star at DUKE! He wasn’t struggling with the collegiate game at all, so with a full season of the media hype machine behind him I think he lands in the top five in 2012 as well.

  4. Byron

    If Rodney Stuckey developed a steady 3pt shot do you think he’d be a good fit for the bulls next to Rose?

    • Lang Greene

      If Charles Barkley were only 5 inches taller. If only Dennis Rodman would’ve been able to add a 15 foot jumper on a pick and pop to his arsenal. If Dominique Wilkins had a top notch supporting cast in his prime … and on and on.

      The Bulls are at a position where they shouldn’t be gambling on “ifs” …

      Why not go Jamal Crawford, Michael Redd or JR Smith in free agency? You know; guys who have proven able to knock down the NBA three at will over the course of multiple seasons? Why not try to acquire a guy like OJ Mayo or Brandon Rush whose teams may likely be shopping their talents in a trade? Why gamble on a project, who is currently a 27 percent career shooter from deep, which currently plays point guard?

      The Bulls are too close to a title to be entering the high risk / what if sweepstakes.

  5. paul in chicago

    If Westbrook was the only star player on the Thunder what kind of a stat line would he have (i think he might be close to 30 points on 40% shooting)

    • Lang Greene

      Paul from the Chi … what’s good playboy?

      Statistics are a funny thing. You can take away Kevin Durant’s 30 per night, but you can’t automatically assume Westbrook’s numbers would skyrocket just because of his absence in itself.

      Durant makes guys like Westbrook’s jobs much easier just being on the floor. While I do believe Westbrook is a top tier talent, the going would get a little rougher for him with opposing defenses scheming to stop James Harden as the number two option (w/o KD).

      He would have to become more of a distributor so teams couldn’t key in on him … I say 24 points and 8.5 assists, on around 42 percent from the floor.

  6. Brad

    What would your all-time 5 look like (1 from each position)? Here’s mine: Magic, Jordan, LBJ, Bird, Kareem

    • Lang Greene

      Brad … you really are rating LeBron very high. I believe a little too high. LeBron has all of the talent in the world but let’s not get ahead of ourselves.

      Here are my picks, with subs in parentheses

      PG: Magic Johnson (Isiah Thomas, Stockton)
      SG: Michael Jordan (Kobe Bryant, Jerry West)
      SF: Larry Bird (Dominique, LeBron)
      PF: Tim Duncan (Karl Malone)
      C: Kareem Abdul-Jabbar (Wilt, Hakeem)

  7. Eric P

    Hey Lang congrads on the birth of your daughter. Now say goodbye to goodnight sleep

    • Lang Greene

      Thanks Eric, I appreciate the love. This will actually be my second child so I know all about those sleepless nights of parenthood. Very exciting times.

  8. Jaison

    I miss 90′s basketball. There are no real rivalries anymore. Bulls vsKnicks Knicks vs Pacers Kings vs Lakers etc.

    Is the game too soft now? What happened?

    • Lang Greene

      I disagree. The game is at a very strong spot. Yes, the game is “softer’ nowadays but the competition level is still fierce.

      Miami and Chicago is shaping up to be a great rivalry. So is Los Angeles vs. Dallas now that Dirk opened up a can of whoop … on Kobe.

  9. Eric P

    Am I the only one that finds it ironic that the CEO of Quicken Loans (Dan Gilbert) told HUnter “trust me”, when the mortgage crisis and companies like his almost single handedly brought the economy to its knees

    • Lang Greene

      The phrase “trust me” in a negotiation should never be trusted. I’m not big on handshake deals because people find ways to weasel out of them when things go sour.

      Say what you want about union executive director Billy Hunter but the man isn’t a fool. He’s in a tough position leading players who have zero leverage so he’s often cast in that light, but the guy is an old wily veteran who has pulled off some solid victories for the players over the years.

      If the report was true, I find it laughable.

  10. Dave

    Udonis haslem, mike Miller, Joel Anthony for Channing Frye,josh Childress, robin Lopez

    Indiana- Haslem, Bogans
    Chicago- Brandon Rush, Dexter Pittman
    Miami- Asik

    Who says no to these trades?

    • Lang Greene

      Honestly Dave, Miami says no to both of these deals.

      In the first trade involving the Suns, Miami would be giving up their interior toughness (Haslem) and a shooter (Miller) for Frye, Lopez and Childress … not happening. Haslem just means too much from a physicality perspective. Chris Bosh can bang but he isn’t a full-time banger, so you need guys like Haslem around. Channing Frye is perimeter oriented and you might as well keep Joel Anthony for the production you’d get out of Robin Lopez right now.

      The key to Miami with LBJ and D-Wade is to surround them with guys who can hit the long distance jumper. So lastly, that eliminates Childress, who is more of a slasher, from the mix.

      In the second deal, Indiana would be in Hoosier heaven. Trading Brandon Rush to get Udonis Haslem? Steal. Miami trading Haslem and Pittman for Asik (Bulls) just doesn’t make sense. Asik is not the guy in the middle to push Miami to the next level.

  11. Eddy

    Varejao and Thompson for Josh Smith and a 1st round pick. Who losses? Hawks get a strong front court while the Cavs get a possible all-star who complements Irving.

    • Lang Greene

      Cleveland would lose the deal you outlined above. But offering the Hawks Varejao, Sessions and a lottery protected first round pick for Smith (and filler) is a step in the right direction.

      I honestly told HOOPSWORLD’s Bill Ingram about this same scenario last week. I think the deal would be a winner for both teams. The Cavs would get Smith to help mentor Thompson for a couple seasons until he’s ready to start. Varejao allows Al Horford to move to PF in Atlanta, while Sessions becomes insurance in case Jeff Teague falters in a leading role.

  12. Eddy

    Wes Johnson, Derrick Williams and Randolph for Josh Smith. Who says no? Rubio and Smith would be fun to watch.

    • Lang Greene

      That deal wouldn’t work under the old CBA salary wise, but to answer your question Minnesota would be fools to give up that much young talent for a non All-Star player.

  13. Steve

    Lang,
    I wouldn’t mind playing in Italy, but I will need $2million per game.
    Does that sound reasonable to you?

    • Lang Greene

      Steve- if your market value was $2 million per game, get your money man. Because if I can make $15 million off you each night … I’d sure be paying you the $2 million without blinking.

  14. Kenny DC

    How long until the wizards are a contender? Will john wall be a star 20/10 player?

    • Lang Greene

      The Wizards are 2-3 seasons away from contending for a 7-8 seed. I don’t know if Wall becomes the next 20/10 guy on a consistent year in and year out basis, but I think before his career is out he’ll rack up at least 1-2 seasons averaging a 20/10.

  15. Mark

    hi lang, how would the nba decide the draft selection if there isnt a season next year? Also, who do you see going number 1 overall pick?

    • Lang Greene

      Mark, we would be in unprecedented territory if that were to occur and the draft order would likely be hammered out once a new CBA was ironed out.

      As for my top five collegiate prospects …

      1. Jared Sullinger (OSU)
      2. Perry Jones (Baylor)
      3. Harrison Barnes (UNC)
      4. Anthony Davis (UK)
      5. Michael Gilchrist (UK)

  16. Mark

    no love for andre drummond in your top 5 college prospect?

    • Lang Greene

      This isn’t pre-school, someone has to be left off. Lol. I went with Gilchrist at the No. 5 spot because I watched him dominate as a freshman to his senior year in my home state New Jersey.

      If Andre comes out busting guys up I’ll give him all the love he deserves.

  17. Ran

    Lang my man how’s it going?
    Do you believe if Kevin Durant put on 15-20 more pounds of muscle, he would be a better player than LbJ? I think he is well on his way to be better anyways.

    • Lang Greene

      I don’t think weight is the reason most feel LeBron is better than Durant right now.

      While LeBron pulled a major choke job in the Finals back in June, I also remember him strapping a young, inexperienced and inferior Cleveland Cavaliers squad to his back and reaching the Finals at the age of 22. I said 22. Kobe, MJ, Isiah, Hakeem, Ewing, Malone, Stockton, Drexler, etc. didn’t do it at 22 years of age so I have to give respect where its due.

      It will be fun to watch the Durant vs. LeBron story from a historical point of view play out over the next 8-10 years. It will be fun.

  18. greg

    Are the owners expect too much? And what’s up w/ recent big spenders (Cavs, Blazers) who previously threw $$$ around like drunken sailors now taking the hard line for the next CBA?

    • Lang Greene

      My belief is that some of these hard line owners may be ready to get out of the NBA ownership business so their respective stance regarding a new CBA may not be for them … but designed to help them lure potential investors looking to earn a profitable return running a sports franchise.

      Business 101 says you cut expenses to make your enterprise appear stronger when gearing up to sell … I just think some of these owners are following a designed script which will allow them to earn a sizable ROI (return on investment) once they decide to put their teams on the market.

      A guy like Portland owner Paul Allen is reportedly worth $13 billion. According to Forbes valuations all NBA teams combined comes in around $11.5 billion. So for Allen to reportedly take a hard line stance … trust and believe it’s not because he wants the MLE to be $4.7 million instead of $5.8 million … he has an ulterior motive working …

      These are my opinions.