NBA Chat With Lang Greene 12/13/11

Neno Brown

What are the Lakers doing???

Lang Greene

I’m hearing the Lamar Odom move was a salary dump. You also can’t blame them for trying to acquire the best point guard in the game in Chris Paul. He’s one of the best to ever do it and I don’t throw that kind of praise around lightly.

Rod

LG now that the Celtics have missed out on CP3 and West, is there any word who they are going after now? Its obvious Danny is chasing a decent fish.

Lang Greene

The Celtics have been active this offseason. They were linked to Shane Battier before he opted for Miami. They were players who would have at least listened for Chris Paul. They basically had a done deal with David West before Indiana swooped in.

I haven’t heard of the new “big name” targets but its clear Ainge is trying to bolster the squad for one more title run.

AlexGr

Hi Lang,
How about PHI’s Lou Williams and Speights to MIN for Beasley
Does this make sense?

Lang Greene

No. I definitely don’t trade Beasley, oozing with franchise player potential, now with Adelman as my head coach – at least not for this package.

B-Man

what position is the hawks in now? any news on what they’re trying to do to upgrade their team? im all for keeping a team together to gel and all, but havent we seen the extent of what this current group can do?

Lang Greene

Hawks are taking the veteran approach to things for now … Tracy McGrady, Stackhouse, Radmanovic. I wouldn’t expect a deal anytime soon. The Hawks are still rolling with team chemistry.

AJ

What’s good Lang?

We have all heard the speculation about the bigger names. Any rumors on guys like DeShawn Stevenson, Kris Humphries, Craig Smith, Jason Smith, and other role-players who haven’t signed?

Lang Greene

Until Nene (and the other top remaining free agents) sign on the dotted line, teams are going to hesitate in offering the second tier guys deals. It’s like a domino effect. Steve Kyler wrote about it this morning. Check it out.

Jon

Josh Smith, Hinrich, Teague and draft picks for CP3? Why or why not?

Lang Greene

CP3 has to want to extend in Atlanta and I’ve never heard the Hawks being a destination he wants to explore. Plus, right now the biggest hurdle would seemingly appear to be getting the league to approve a deal for Paul.

Jay

Who for the Hawks have looked good in training camp, who has not?

Lang Greene

I talked with a Hawks official yesterday in great detail and the names Pape Sy, Marvin Williams and Jeff Teague have impressed the most during training camp.

On the other hand, there was some shock that Al Horford didn’t show up in prime condition. He’s not blatantly out of shape by any means, but I heard coach Drew did express some concern about Horford’s stamina early in camp.

simon

jrich, pruitt, hughes to golden state
ellis to magic
u like it?
do u think dwight will stay? who should the magic try to aquire? do u nelson will play like he did when he made the all star team?
thanks Simon

Lang Greene

Simon, let me be honest with you … You’ll never see Jameer Nelson play at that level again. His All-Star days are finished. Rondo, D-Rose, Jennings, Wall, Deron Williams, Collison and Holiday are all above him in the Eastern Conference pecking order at point guard. I mean he’s still a very solid veteran, but he’s not one of the league’s elite. Trust me, if the Magic could’ve flipped him for substantial value they would have done so without blinking over the past year.

The J-Rich to Golden State for Monta Ellis trade would have made perfect sense if the Warriors made the Chris Paul deal. As of right now, I think it’s a moot point to even discuss further.

dzei

How about the kings do a s/t with dalembert for odom?

Lang Greene

I’d rather have the versatility of Lamar Odom on my roster over Samuel Dalembert seven days of the week.

Bagman

With all the moves that the Mavericks are making they would seem to be on the right track to saving a lot of money for next year. Also, next year there are more players coming off the books I think (Terry & Marion)? Would you say that Dallas has a very good shot in landing both Howard & Deron Williams next year? If Howard stays in Orlando will he sign an extension or is it a 1 year thing? Cuban is practically tanking this season with all the new faces he has and its like he isn’t even trying to win this year but just to try to stay competitive and go after the big boys next year. If Howard and Deron both do NOT play for Dallas then these moves he is making will blow up in his face. Would you consider Dallas to be the favorites to get both Howard and Deron next year?

Lang Greene

I definitely can’t agree with your assessment that Mark Cuban is tanking this season. Not even close. The Mavericks lost Tyson Chandler, JJ Barea and Caron Butler via free agency. The Mavericks have added Lamar Odom, Delonte West and Vince Carter while also positioning themselves to be a major player in 2012 free agency. It’s not like the Mavericks aren’t talented … they’ll still be strong and a tough out in the playoffs for anybody – excluding no one.

I don’t know if I can call any team a “favorite” for Dwight Howard at the moment. The guy seems to change his mind every other day about where he wants to play. But from what I hear, Dallas would be on his list of “preferred” destinations.

Kevin

Do you think Kobe would be on the trading block, or at least rumors, if he didn’t have that No Trade clause in his contract?

Lang Greene

I’ve lived to see a past his prime Patrick Ewing lumber around as a member of the Seattle SuperSonics and Orlando Magic … I’ve lived to see Allen Iverson be asked to come off the bench for Mike Conley. I’ve even lived to see Michael Jordan come off the bench for a terrible Wizards squad. Not saying your theory couldn’t happen, but I think it’s highly unlikely.

Kobe will retire a Laker in my opinion.

geneticray

What’s good lange do u think rockets get nene or are the gonna settle for dalembare or trade for kaman

Lang Greene

I believe the Rockets may be out of the running for Nene. I’ve also been hearing the Rockets are going to throw some money at Samuel Dalembert … if it were up to me I wouldn’t invest big money in Dalembert. Quick, name a team Dalembert helped turn around based on his presence alone ? I’ll wait.

Ryan

Be real. From all you’ve heard and from just your gut. Is Dwight Shaqing us? Is Dwight continuing the curse or is he gonna stay.

Lang Greene

Ryan, I have this on pretty good authority. Dwight isn’t just giving lip service when he says he loves Orlando. You can believe that. There are just some things in the front office that aren’t sitting 100 percent right with him and its making him evaluate all of his options before he puts the Johny Hancock on the contract long term.

Similar situation most of us will go through at our place of employment at least one time in life … Love the job, love the co-workers, love the check, love the commute, love your office, love your position … but dang it you HATE the boss. With me?

Big Tito

do u think the magic will make any moves to help D12 out

Lang Greene

If the Magic want Dwight in an Orlando Magic uniform long term they need to get to work, pronto. I think acquiring Glen Davis was a positive step as D12 respects his game tremendously, but the franchise has a long way to go in convincing the big man to stay.

LL cool jon

if the knicks get baron davis r we legit title contenders THIS year???
and its the eastern conference finals knicks vs heat melo vs lebron n i have a gun to ur head who u got coming out on top???

Lang Greene

LL, I know you and Knicks nation aren’t banking your title hopes on the “current” Baron Davis … right? We all know an in shape and focused Baron Davis was a certified game changer back in the day. But answer this … when was the last time you saw that BD on the court? Winning a title takes a tremendous amount of commitment , focus, dedication and selflessness. Until I see BD going hard I can’t endorse that he’ll be a difference maker on a contender.

The basketball fan in me hopes he comes out ballin and proves the basketball writer in me wrong. We’ll see.

Ben

Look, I know dwight is really considering staying, if management somewhat listens to his input, but first off, who do you think dwight may be looking for to be on his squard this year, we see that he wanted glen davis but I wouldve never guessed he’d want to play with bigbaby partially because hed clog up lanes and ruin magic one guy in the middle surrounded by shooters offense, second do you see the magic acquiring deron williams this or next year now with the extra salary cap space from waiving arenas?

Lang Greene

Most current players, no matter how great, wouldn’t make good general managers. But I’m sure D12 looks at Glen Davis as a tough competitor who played him real hard in some tough playoff battles. Remember that? Dwight is looking for guys he can take into the foxhole with him when the mud gets murky. He wanted to play with Monta Ellis, Davis, Josh Smith and a guy like Andre Iguodala.

I don’t see Deron Williams wearing a Magic uniform.

Knicksbaby

Wuds up..
Do u thnk stat and will go all n this year with that team they have and actually play sum d.. And if they bring jamal or baron n 2 play point I c them n the playoffs as the 3 seed… What u think

Lang Greene

Jamal isn’t a great defender. He’s an offensive guy. At this point in his career the Knicks aren’t going to make him an All-Defensive team selection. I see a lot of Knicks fans banking their hopes on Baron Davis … two things. 1) The Cavs haven’t parted ways with him yet and 2) do you really think BD is the answer or are you just looking at the work he put in during his prime (which is now gone)?

Rolla

So, now that J Smoove is slimmer & running @ the 3 spot, Will we finally see Big Al shift to the 4 & some moves made @ that 5 spot?

Lang Greene

Don’t plan on seeing J-Smoove at the small forward full-time. The Hawks don’t want him there permanently, but welcome the versatility the weight loss will provide.

Barney

You were at the Atlanta Hawks media day. Do you believe the players there really believe they can improve on what they did last season? Judging from quotes, it seems like they’re confident.

Lang Greene

Yes, I believe their confidence to an extent. These guys don’t live in a vacuum … they know other teams are getting stronger and making huge moves … but the Hawks also know that as long as Joe Johnson, Al Horford and Josh Smith are healthy … the playoffs await year after year. And once you get in the playoffs … anything can happen. Ask the 2011 Dallas Mavericks.

Jason T

Where do you see Chris Paul ultimately ending up? Will the Lakers jump in a third time or have they given up hope on trying for CP3 (rightfully so).

Lang Greene

From what I hear, CP3 to the Lakers is dead and won’t be resurrected.

Ric

Do you think it was a dumb move for the Lakers to boldly go after CP3 and DH? Are they going 100% after Dwight now?

Lang Greene

Listen if CP3 and D12 are available and WANT to come to your franchise, you’d be a fool not to evaluate it. If you have a chance to get future Hall of Fame guys you go after them vigorously. You have to dare to be great. It’s the reason why winning teams continue to win and perennially mediocre teams stay in that rut. No guts, no glory … you know the story.

adrian

Lang the Man, Those boys in Greene are slipping down the ladder, I belive major changes just before All Star Break!

Lang Greene

Not looking good for Boston in terms of true title contention, but they’ll be a tough out come playoff time. Can’t count out vets like Ray Allen, Paul Pierce and Kevin Garnett.

dyrese

josh harrelson and jerome jordan should get alot minutes when stat and tyson foul alot who do you think will be more nba ready?

Lang Greene

Toss up, but I like Harrelson’s size. But it’s tough to evaluate rookies without seeing them step up in summer league. Only the top rookies will overcome the lack of summer training at the NBA level to stand out this season.

dyrese

if rj gets amnesty’d’ by the spurs would the knicks be a potential destination for him? he go back to the 2 spot

Lang Greene

Richard Jefferson has already been amnestied by the Spurs. They still must pay him the $38.5 million remaining on his deal.

rodney

btw steve just reported the magic are making a move for ellis what do you see as a potential trade offer for ellis?

also as a side question and i hope you have some insight as to this observation.

After analyzing the context of the demands of what Dwight has been asking for I have noticed a trend that i think not many people have looked at.

first he wanted Chris Paul and i was like ok all star point guard i can take that

then he didnt want Arenas to be amnestied and i was like waoh ok? (scratch my head) then i was like ok well maybe they became close friends and didnt want him to leave

then when Dwight requested that the magic go after Billips it struck me

has Dwight had enough of his little big brother Nelson? is what he feels is a major factor to the magic losing that Nelson is not the fit point guard he feels should be on the team?

altho it is speculation it does bare some major coincidences and makes you wonder? Does Dwight Demand a new point guard to get rid of Nelson?

Lang Greene

Wow Rodney. Honestly, I never thought of it like that. I’m going to ask Steve Kyler or Alex Kennedy. Because D12 sure has been adamant about these guards and he has Jameer right there. But as I said earlier, Jameer’s place in the East’s pecking order at point guard continues to get lower. Very good comment and observation that I plan on following up on.

dyrese

baron davis should not be on the knicks radar they should be trying to get luke ridnour to spell douglas maybe even a guy like jose calderon if he gets amnesty’d’

Lang Greene

Until I see Baron Davis taking guys lunch on the court again, I don’t think he should be on any of the upper echelon team radars.

rob

who says no sixers or hornets?iggs and holiday for cp3

Lang Greene

Hornets. The league doesn’t want to take on much long term debt in any potential CP3 transaction.

Tom

Mr. Lang, is there anyone available right now that could possibly push the knicks over the edge into beating the Heat? Or do you think they are a ways off? Crawford?

Lang Greene

To beat the HEAT you’ll need solid defense because LeBron and D-Wade are going to put up huge numbers against a Mike D’Antoni team.

Why not take a shot at a guy like DeShawn Stevenson who played the HEAT so tough in last year’s NBA Finals?

Tom

Do you see Phil Jackson coming out of retirement? If so, would the Knicks be an intriguing place for him to coach?

Lang Greene

With the history Phil has in New York you can undoubtedly expect to hear rumors on this all season … especially if D’Antoni struggles. But I think Phil is done on the bench. I can see him taking a consultant role with the organization, but I truly believe he’s done with the coaching aspect of the game.

T in the Nap

Pacers weren’t able to come up with Crawford/Mayo it seems. Would you classify those additions as more nice than necessary? I think we have enough there to not lose too much sleep over not getting either of those guys.

Lang Greene

Agree with your assessment. Crawford and Mayo would have been nice additions, but keep the cap space and see how things shake out in the near future. Remember. guys like Wilson Chandler and J.R. Smith will be available soon.

Alex

The Pacers amnestied James Posey (who would have expired following this year anyways. They obviously felt the need to double their cap space from 6.5 to 13 million after signing West. Now that Crawford and Mayo are out of the picture, where’s all that cap space going? absorb a contract in a trade? what do you think?

Lang Greene

Or just sit tight. Right now, without adding another piece the Pacers are in a great spot. Over the past 18 months … Darren Collison, George Hill, Paul George, Lance Stephenson and David West … very solid moves by Larry Bird … showing smaller market teams how to do it via draft, trading and free agency.

James

Do you see the bobcats trying to become part of a trade scenario?

Lang Greene

I think the Bobcats are going to content this season to keep their cap space and play their young guys. Charlotte decided to completely blow up their roster. I don’t believe they will be taking any shortcuts to get back into relevancy.

KNICK fAN

the knicks should try to acquire dahntay jones from the pacers they have way to many guards they could probably get him for a 2nd rd pick

Lang Greene

Dahntay grew up in NJ … would be a great fit. Seriously good due to have around the locker room as well.