NBA Chat With Lang Greene 11/22/11

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. dyrese

    if you where a gm and needed a scoring pg what team is most likely to be eyeing tony douglas? i know the knicks will trade him

    • Lang Greene

      Toney is in a rough spot in New York. He’s obviously not the Knicks’ first choice to be their ‘point guard of the future’ and the Shumpert kid may eventually start to eat into some of his minutes. I would say a team like Philadelphia could use him once Lou Williams leaves. Atlanta could definitely use his scoring prowess at PG. Definitely a squad like Miami if he can continue knocking down jumpers. The Lakers as insurance to Fish and Blake. Just to name a few.

  2. Matt (UK)

    As a basketball fan I cannot wait for the lockout to end, however as a Nuggets fan would the season being lost be a good thing compared to other franchises? Would the extra free agents mean less interest in Nene or would other teams be able to shed salary and have as much cap space as the Nuggets?

    • Lang Greene

      It doesn’t matter if there are 100 free agents or if there are 200 free agents hitting the market. In the current NBA landscape of big men, Nene’s interest will remain right where it is … top 5 in the next free agent class, whenever that is. Guys like Jamal Crawford would see their value fluctuate as more talent hit the open market … but I think the big men (Nene, Marc Gasol, Chandler) are safe to assume they’ll be getting a good payday.

  3. tony

    Lang good man that u are do u think the owners will let this get to cancellation of whole season? Or do u think they will actually call each other this week and get a deal? Happy thanksgiving man

    • Lang Greene

      I don’t see the owners letting the whole season get cancelled. I mean, they basically have a 40 point lead over the players right now. The players have agreed to transfer $3 billion in revenue over to the owners over the next CBA and the players have also basically agreed on shorter contracts for free agents moving forward. If that isn’t a Blake Griffin open court dunk on the break or a prime Michael Jordan fade away from the low block I don’t know what is.

      I think the sides will meet within the next two weeks. I’m not anticipating much activity during the Thanksgiving break. Happy Turkey day to you too.

  4. AJ

    Hey Lang!

    Do you think if there is a shortened season, that any teams might consider tanking and playing their younger players for a better shot at a franchise-changer in the draft?

    Some teams like Atlanta, Portland, Houston etc. seem to have plateaued at mediocrity, but could be contenders with another big piece.

    • Lang Greene

      Like I said last week, I’m always up for a good conspiracy theory but a professional basketball team tanking for a draft pick? No, I don’t buy it. The NBA isn’t like the NFL where the worst team in the league automatically gets the top pick (I believe). The NBA rolls with the ping-pong system where most times the teams with the most ping-pongs don’t get the top pick – if I’m recalling correctly.

      Teams like Atlanta, Portland and Houston need proven veterans to come in and fill gaps. Not 19 year old kids who have to learn on the job.

  5. AJ

    Andre Drummond: Next big thing or disappointment? From what we’ve seen so far, how do you think Anthony Davis translates to the NBA?

    • Lang Greene

      Here’s the thing about our society. Everybody is always thinking now or never when it doesn’t have to be this way. Was anyone predicting that Kobe Bryant might one day become one of the greatest players to ever play the game after the 1997 season (his rookie year)? No.

      What Drummond is doing is learning on the job versus a more talented group of opposition. People take for granted making the jump from high school to college basketball at the top level. I like to see a full season, maybe two from collegiate guys before I make projections. Drummond has the physical tools but I want to see how he handles the minor adversity he’s facing getting off to a slower start than most projected.

      I mean 5.8 points and 6.3 rebounds on 41 percent shooting is hardly anything to write home about … but there are a plethora of four year guys who never average those numbers.

      I think Davis translates well to the NBA, but not sure if he is a franchise guy. We shall see.

  6. Carlos A

    Why do people keep sayin this ain’t possible?
    If howard was to become free agent and bulls amnesty boozer and strech deng wouldn’t the bulls be able to sign him and keep there core together! I don’t see why it wont happen!

    • Lang Greene

      Carlos what is it do you seek? I mean, “anything” is possible. I mean I saw Michael Jordan serve as a sixth man for an awful Washington Wizards team. I lived to see Rodney Stuckey … I repeat Rodney Stuckey get a starting nod over Allen Iverson. Lived to see Shaquille O’Neal get traded numerous times. You couldn’t tell me back in 1995 that Anfernee Hardaway would be washed up before 28. Etc.

      But I’m here to say that your scenario is 99.9% unlikely to happen. I’ll give you the 0.1% you desire. But I wouldn’t bet $1 that this scenario plays out as you outlined. Just my opinion.

  7. Kevin

    Finally someone said it. Your co-worker
    Eric Pincus said maybe the fans are a little selfish because we just want B-ball without regard to the deal the players get. I agree 100%. You?

    • Lang Greene

      Would have to agree with E-Peezy on this one. Unfortunately fan pressure on players in my opinion has allowed the owners to run roughshod all throughout this process. I can’t tell you how many times I’ve had to tell “fans” that this is a lockout meaning the owners shut the players out of work and not a strike where the players willingly walked off their jobs.

      This then in turn makes it easier for “lazy” media to portray the players as greedy which riles up the uneducated fan base three-fold.
      I understand the desire to see NBA basketball and heck I desire to keep my hoops writing check coming in the mail … but it’s time to put “personal” thoughts aside and let players and owners handle their business.

      The only people who are hurting from this are those arena workers sitting home without pay. I know a couple personally and they all tell me their desire to get their money flow rolling again. #EndTheLockout

  8. Mario

    Hey lang whats up. I asked a similiar question of mr. pincus earlier didn’t really get an in- depth answer if your the bulls and d12 wants to play here you obviously have to go after it and the names I’ve heard mentioned by other fans in any trade scenarios are noah,deng,asik, taj and the charlotte pick do you give up all that or give orlando all that except for deng and maybe involve a 3rd team how do u pull it off without giving up too much. Thx

    • Lang Greene

      Seeing both players up close and personal … if you got a chance and I’m Chicago I give up Noah, Deng, Taj and a pick for Dwight Howard and Ryan Anderson.

      My guy Malik Allen, a ten year veteran, told me Dwight was the most dominant player he’s ever seen. I remind you, Malik played with Shaq earlier in his career. While, I personally think Shaq in his absolute prime was more dominant I see where Malik was going … when it comes to NBA centers … it’s Dwight at No.1 and then everyone else. Period.

      Dwight Howard, Carlos Boozer and Derrick Rose (MVP). Yeah, I’d take that against anyone.

      Problem is … Orlando likely wouldn’t bite on this deal at all.

  9. Don Magic

    Geez, from the looks of a lot of NBA blogs, it’s like Dwight Howard is already wearing a Lakers jersey. But would going to L.A. really improve his situation that much? I know Kobe is still the man but he can’t have that much longer, and the rest of the Laker’s roster is filled with aging players, not to mention what they would have to give up to get him and another bad contract (like Hedo’s.) It seems like they would be rebuiling soon anyway. My REAL question: how do we get Chris Paul in pinstripes?

    • Lang Greene

      I don’t think Dwight would like the “career path” similarities with Shaq if he went the LA route (Orlando to Los Angeles). I think it’s an attractive destination for him because of his outgoing personality and opportunities off the court.

      Orlando would love CP3 in a Magic uniform … but man you’re talking about all types of things needing to break Orlando’s way to pull that off.

  10. John

    What do you think of my raptors and where do you think we should go from here

    • Lang Greene

      I think the Raps are taking the all the right steps. The team is about 2-3 years away from contending for a playoff spot in my opinion though … but it’s all about acquiring talent for rebuilding teams. The team could have done without the AMir Johnson signing …. but I digress.

      It’s time to give the keys to the offense to Bayless and let the young kid go to work. See if you have a stallion or a pony. You already know what you’re going to get out of solid vet Calderon … buy into Bayless and let him sink or swim.

  11. likeabull

    Was jimmy butler a steal at the 30th pick for bulls?

    • Lang Greene

      what’s up bro? I’m not sure if you can call him a “steal” in a traditional sense because he was projected to go late first round.

      But if you’re talking about talent level … I say yes. But he has to earn playing time on a team challenging for a title. That is VERY tough for a rookie to accomplish. Name the last rookie you’ve heard putting in major work on a championship team in the playoffs. It’s a rarity. So from that standpoint I worry about Butler getting sucked into the dreaded “rookie on an elite team” vacuum”

      But man, I salute this kid every time I think of his journey … the odds he had to overcome … truly amazing. I want nothing but the best for the guy based on this alone. Read his story here

      I salute you Jimmy Butler.

  12. dyrese

    since the knicks wont be getting another superstar on the roster what free agents do you think they will pursue?2011 free agents only

    • Lang Greene

      Definitely mid-level exception types (Michael Redd, Chuck Hayes, Shane Battier, etc) or guys looking to play for the minimum (Erick Dampier, Magloire, Reggie Evans, Josh Howard, etc) to prove they’re worth a future investment the following season.

  13. Jj

    What is ur take on Howard does he go or stay n magic kingdom and who will make him happy n magic blue. ….. Big baby , j smoovr

    • Lang Greene

      Honestly, and this is just my opinion from listening to his words, media reports, sources close to him, etc. …. I think he’s leaning toward leaving Orlando. I believe Dwight when he says he really loves the Orlando fan base … I just don’t buy that he’s a Magic for life. I don’t get that vibe.

      True ride or die guys for an organization fully embrace the up and down years … but when I watch the Howard saga unfold… it’s like after every loss everyone gets hysterical and fearful.

      Now ask yourself … did Michael Jordan ever request a trade or have a storm cloud surrounding him when those 80s Bulls teams couldn’t get over the hump? Did David Robinson ever seek a way out when San Antonio had an aging Terry Cummings, a past his prime Antwan Carr and Cadillac Anderson paired with him in the frontcourt?

      Did Dan Marino hold the Miami Dolphins hostage? Did John Elway hold the Denver Broncos hostage? When Derek Jeter was in his prime did you ever fear he would leave the New York Yankees.? Now look at the Howard saga … on more than 50 occasions the man has had an opportunity to put those rumors to bed … but instead he has fueled the rumor fires …

      My opinion.