NBA Chat With Lang Greene 12/20/11

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. AJ

    Which teams could you see trading away veteran players when/if they figure out they are out of playoff contention? Any of Milwaukee, Houston, Phoenix, or Utah?

    • Lang Greene

      Out of those choices I see Milwaukee and Utah potentially making moves at the deadline. Stephen Jackson is already unhappy in Milwaukee and wants a contract extension. Utah has a logjam in the frontcourt with with Al Jefferson, Millsap, Okur, Favors, Kanter … someone is going to be the odd man out – eventually.

  2. Robert

    Which team do you think is more likely to make the playoffs this year, Denver or Utah?

    • Lang Greene

      Denver.

      Nene, Lawson, Miller, Afflalo, Fernandez, Gallo. Solid group. I believe they’re more ready than Utah at this point.

  3. Saulo

    Is Kemba walker MJ’s best draft pick? He really took care of business in his debut..

    • Lang Greene

      The guy doesn’t get much credit from the mainstream media and Bobcats fans but DJ Augustin has been a rock solid draft choice by Michael Jordan.

      Kemba Walker may well come out of the gate and totally outshine DJ … but until I see it on the floor give me Augustin and his 234 regular season games as a professional versus Walker’s lone preseason contest.

  4. Ronny

    LG, every year since the Celtics won it in 2008 they are written off for being too old, yet they are always right up there. Do you think they can contend this year?
    I still dont think the Heat have any clue about Rondo and were lucky he only had one arm in their playoff series last year.

    • Lang Greene

      As long as KG, Pierce, Ray-Ray and Rondo are healthy they are going to be a tough out for any team in the playoffs. But right now, I believe the HEAT would take them. The loss of Kendrick Perkins took away a lot of soul from the interior of Boston. Prior to his departure, the Celtics were dismantling the HEAT.

  5. NYKnicks

    I hope the Knicks would try to add Ike Diougo or Reggie Evans….. Would that be a boost to them?

    • Lang Greene

      I’d look Reggie Evans. The guy is a beast on the boards when given minutes.

  6. Pete

    Do you see Denver utilizing more of an inside out attack that feature’s Nene? I think his new contract presumes that he’ll take on more of a scoring role that’ll lead to the 18-19ppg range

    • Lang Greene

      Pete, I like Nene but I’m not sure he can provide 19 points per game. His offensive arsenal isn’t stacked enough. I think he tops out at 16 points and 7-8 rebounds. Most don’t like to mention this fact but as the year progressed after the Carmelo trade and teams started focusing on stopping Nene as their top priority his offensive numbers tanked big time.

      December: 16.9 points, 7.9 rebounds
      January: 14.8 points, 7.4 rebounds
      February: 14.5 points, 6.9 rebounds
      March: 14.8 points, 9 rebounds
      April: 11.4 points, 8.3 rebounds

  7. Darren

    I heard Pacer’s management came out and said that both George AND Granger are untouchable. You think my boy Paul will have a breakout year this season? How’s he gonna do defending the 2 guard position?

    • Lang Greene

      You’re right. The Pacers have no plans on trading Paul or Granger … especially Granger who has attracted plenty of interest.

      I think Paul improves but it might not be reflected by gaudy stat lines … but more of an efficiency improvement. With me? The Pacers added David West and George Hill to the fold so there are more mouths to feed offensively.

  8. Grant

    I saw these clips of Charles Barkley back in the day http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_v9XE7BijJA
    He was an absolute beast. Would you put him in the top 25 players to ever lace em up?

    • Lang Greene

      Without question. Sir Charles gets his numbers in any era. Legendary. Anyone who doesn’t give him his due is either blind or foolishly hating.

  9. TJ

    Would the T Wolves entertain trading Wes Johnson for more of a traditional 2 guard.. say JJ Redick or Nick Young?

    • Lang Greene

      I don’t see the Wizards trading Nick Young after re-signing him to a one year deal. The Magic are trying to win now to please Dwight Howard (who may be gone regardless) so I don’t see how Wes helps Orlando jump back into the upper echelon of the Eastern Conference.

      From what I hear, the T’Wolves are pretty happy with Wes Johnson’s progress up until this point .,. especially since he typically plays out of position.

  10. Percy

    Is it a coincidence that so many heart conditions are being detected during physicals this year?

    • Lang Greene

      What’s up Percy? I tweeted about this over the weekend. I don’t know if additional tests are being conducted, newer testing methods or a combination of both. I plan on doing some research on it … but I will say the NBA has some of the toughest tests to check for heart conditions in professional sports.

  11. maestro

    As a Clippers fan I did not like all the pieces the Clippers had to give up for Chris Paul but after looking at the other moves the deal should be considered as Chris Kaman, Eric Gordon Aminu and a # 1 for Chris Paul, Billups, and Butler + 2 second round picks. Agree or not agree this trade was not too bad for the Clippers?

    • Lang Greene

      Agree. You got the BEST point guard in the game (and I’m excluding no one) in his prime. A new era has started in Clipper-Land.

  12. Robert

    Which team would you take?

    Team 1

    Chris Paul
    Kobe Bryant
    Lebron James
    Dirk Nowitzki
    Dwight Howard

    or

    Team 2

    Derrick Rose
    Dwayne Wade
    Kevin Durant
    Paul Gasol
    Joakim Noah

    • Lang Greene

      I had to look at this question about five times trying to find the “trick” … but I can’t find any … so give me Team 1 all day every day.

  13. i am houston

    Whats the problem with the Rockets?Why is it that no good caliber player or players want to play here like a Chandler,Nene, or Okur? Is it our gm is untrust worthy should we fire him?We neede help…

    • Lang Greene

      Word is Houston’s front office has turned off some agents in the past with their shrewd dealings. So naturally when these guys have other clients, they steer them away from the organization.

      I wouldn’t say fire the GM, maybe the team just needs a front man to handle the “personal touch” issues with players. Not all bosses are rosy, cheery type of guys … but most teams have the bosses right hand man who is a friendlier face. With me?

  14. Jonathan

    Assuming all goes well with the Knicks, do they make it to the finals? I honestly can’t see Miami or Boston beating us this year. I feel Chicago is our only threat, what say you?

    • Lang Greene

      My man Jonathan … I’m not sold the Knicks are true title contenders just yet. But they’ll be a really good squad this year. The team has made significant strides by acquiring top tier talent, but there a huge question marks. Can you win with a SG rotation of rookie Iman Shumpert and Landry Fields? How will Tyson Chandler play now that he has the money in the bank? We all know he has played the biggest during contract years in the past. I want to see him do it in in year one of a new deal. Then the PG slot is a real area the Knicks need a few breaks. I like Toney Douglas, but is he truly the PG to take the team to the next level? Mike Bibby is done, but he enters the season as the primary backup. And the team is placing a lot of faith in Baron Davis (low risk high reward).

      I can see Miami, Chicago and Boston giving the Knicks huge problems in the playoffs … huge.

  15. Danny G in Eugene OR

    Hey Lang, love your chats! As usual the Blazers are getting no credit from the mainstream media. Many people don’t even seem to think they will make the play offs. I get that last night was a preseason game against a pretty bad team, but I am excited about how we looked even w/o LA. I could feel a change in the ball movement in Felton’s first game and I think the team is built perfectly for an uptempo style. What are your thoughts on how portland will do this year?

    • Lang Greene

      I have Portland finishing second in the Northwest, earning a playoff berth and being a matchup no team wants to face in the first round. If they get the right matchup I can see the squad getting a first round victory but it’ll be tough.

      I really like the addition of Felton, Jamal Crawford and Kurt Thomas.

  16. ray

    How long do you think it takes for Kemba to become the starter? and what are his stats gonna like like this year?

    • Lang Greene

      About the 25 game mark if he plays like he did the other night versus the Hawks. I can see him going for about 12 points and 4 assists on 41 percent shooting from the floor.

  17. Jeff Cohen

    Do the Heat need more pieces or are they ready ??

    • Lang Greene

      I know some won’t like me saying this, but the HEAT were only a couple possessions away from not only winning the NBA title last season … but doing so in a resounding sweep over the Mavericks.

      I think the HEAT are primed to hoist the Larry O’Brien trophy this year. My early season favorite to win it all.

  18. Jay Barbs

    Do u think the Knicks are saving their 2.5 million exception for KMART when he gets out of china or is that out of the question. How do u think the knicks do this year… Be honest

    • Lang Greene

      What’s up JB? In the Eastern Conference I have Miami and Chicago as the clear top dogs. The Celtics could slide into my top three but I’m not feeling good about some of the things going on in Boston (depth issues, Pierce injury, etc). I see the Knicks in my top five.

      If Kenyon Martin is released there will be a plethora of teams interested in the rugged veteran, I could see the Knicks being interested … especially as they continue to improve defensively as a unit.

  19. eddy

    Who says no? Ratliff, Barnes and Blake (trade exception) for Monta Ellis. Warriors get more depth all around and some defense,while the Lakers get their point guard.

    • Lang Greene

      No way Eddy … Warriors are thinking postseason not trying to invoke a riot amongst their fans.

  20. Mike

    Lang do you think the Jazz and Pacers would accept a trade of Paul Millsap for Tyler Hansborough?

    • Lang Greene

      With David West on the roster for the next two seasons why add Millsap to the payroll making roughly the same dough per year?

      I think Tyler is going to put in work against second string power forwards this year. Hansbrough, and I mean this, is going to be a starter in the league and put up solid stats down the line. His motor is outstanding. Look down the bench in Indiana and there’s another guy who made his living, a very long one, from being a high energy guy … I’m talking about cool Jeff Foster.

  21. Troy Jr.

    I think the Bulls should be the favorite in the East now with Rip. Best bench in basketball, and with the defense they play if they average 95 pts in a series then they are virtually unbeatable. What do you think?

    • Lang Greene

      I’m not trying to say the Bulls don’t stand a chance against the HEAT, because they do … but the last time I saw the two teams go head-to-head (ECF) Miami bought the wood to the campfire and got in that a– … with me?

      On paper the addition of RIP is solid for the Bulls, one that has them thinking NBA Finals and rightfully so. But you know as well as I do that games aren’t won on paper. Once I start seeing actual games played, of course I may change my mind … we’re just in preseason.

  22. Lewis1201

    Do you see Orlando as a possible home for willy warren off of potential alone he looked like a young Billiups trying to find his way!!!

    • Lang Greene

      The “hoops potential” graveyard is littered with thousands upon thousands of Willie Warren types. Potential can only get you so far … you have to produce at some point. Joe Forte, Warren, Gerald Green, JamesOn Curry, Harold Miner … so many to name.

  23. eddy

    Who is in the finals and wins. Who is regular season MVP? Rookie of the year? Defensive player of the year?

    I’d got Heat-Thunder finals (Heat win). Durant or Paul MVP. ROY goes to Rubio or Irving and Defensive player goes to Dwight hands down

    • Lang Greene

      Finals: Miami HEAT
      MVP: Kevin Durant (media would have given it to him last season if he didn’t suffer injuries)
      ROY: Kyrie Irving
      DPOY: Josh Smith (slimmed down 30 pounds and will be guarding SF and PF’s all year. I think he gets it. With all the trade talk around Dwight not sure if he’s as dominant or gets the recognition as in year’s past.

  24. Don Magic

    How do you feel about Earl Clark’s potential? Seems like SVG envisions him as a defensive specialist. Thoughts?

    • Lang Greene

      I saw significant improvement in Earl Clark last season on the defensive end under SVG.

      When he focused in on defense he was an absolute pest. Ask anyone who covers the Magic on a daily basis. The problem with Earl is I don’t believe he’s fully invested in being labeled a “defensive stopper” yet. Earl, from what I see, has visions of being a great offensive player but when he comes around to fully accepting his niche the guy could have a LONG career guarding multiple positions (thinking Raja Bell, D-Stevenson, Dahntay Jones types of guys).

  25. CSM

    Who do you think is better now between 2 LA teams?

    • Lang Greene

      I think the Lakers have the edge right now if I had to bet my last dollar … but the Clippers appear to have the better future looking 3-5 seasons down the road (assuming CP3 decides to stay of course).

  26. Ryan

    Do you think the Clippers need a shooting guard? I went to the game last night and that was a sick dunk by DeAndre Jordan over Gasol and Bynum!

    • Lang Greene

      Ryan- I think the plan is to use Chauncey Billups and Mo Williams a lot at shooting guard this season … but yes, eventually the Clippers will have to address the off guard spot – long term.

  27. Chris

    Do you tmac will be able to the void Crawford left

    • Lang Greene

      Wrong expectation to have of T-Mac. Lower the expectations a little. The idea of bringing T-Mac onboard wasn’t to replace Crawford … it was about adding a veteran body capable of giving you consistent production off the bench. The loss of Crawford will help Al Horford and Josh Smith increase their offensive productivity … more shots to go around now.

  28. Lewis1201

    What is the trade market look like for jameer Nelson ?

    • Lang Greene

      Not good. Jameer is sliding down the Eastern Conference point guard hierarchy rapidly. Rose, Rondo, Wall, Collison, Holiday, D-Will and Jennings are above him in the pecking order at this point.