NBA Chat With Lang Greene 12/27/11

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. Johnnie

    Why don’t the Lakers get Ramon Sessions. Cheap, Young, and great in penetrating which is highly needed for the Lakers.

    • Lang Greene

      It takes two to tango when you start talking trades my man. What do the Lakers have to offer Cleveland for Sessions at this point? Sessions was on the market for most of last season and the presence of Kyrie Irving leads me to believe he could be had at the right price … but the Lakers have nothing of value on their bench to offer.

  2. ehmy

    do you think miami can get paul millsap and his contract for a trade? or chris kaman becaue he also have a expiring contract?

    • Lang Greene

      You can forget about Kaman via trade. The guy is owed $12.7 million and Miami just doesn’t have the pieces needed from a salary standpoint to make that happen brother. The same methodology applies to Millsap as well. He’s making over $4 million less, but Utah would have to want a Mike Miller and Joel Anthony package. Can’t see that happening either.

  3. rodney

    lang my man how you doing. I have a question for you when is Stan going to realize that playing Duhon is a mistake and that the whole offensive and defensive game while he is in is put to a screeching stop when he is subbed in for nelson. I know that he knows the plays more than Larry or even Wafer but Wafer continues to impress us magic fans every time he steps on the floor. When will Stan realize this and remove Duhon completly and let Larry play and give more minutes to wafer

    • Lang Greene

      What’s up Rodney? My man …

      One thing you need to know about SVG is that he’s loyal to guys who earn his trust. Duhon has been around in the system so he’s going to get minutes. A guy like Larry Hughes wasn’t even in the league last season so don’t expect him to just burst into the rotation and snatch 25 minutes per night.This isn’t 2004, Hughes is way past his prime right now.

  4. Marvelous Marv

    What’s up LG!!

    The NYK second unit needs a proven scorer and power forward. Which makes more sense for the NYK; use the $2.5M exception for K-Mart or J. Smith? Or better yet K-mart at the vet min. and Smith at the $2.5m exception? Also when can teams start trading FA they signed this year?

    • Lang Greene

      Marv … I view the backcourt as New York’s major weakness this season, so naturally if a guy like JR Smith becomes available you have to at least EVALUATE getting him on your roster as a GM.

      I like K-Mart on a vet minimum but with a healthy Amar’e on the low block the need isn’t as pressing for a rugged power forward.

  5. Nick

    Do you think the Cavs will trade Varajeo, Sessions or Jamison this year? Do you think we can get a 1st rounded for any of them?

    • Lang Greene

      I think there is a good possibility all three could be traded this season, with Jamison the most likely followed by Sessions and Varejao. At this point, none of those guys would command a first rounder in my opinion.

  6. maestro

    Could the Clippers send Mo Williams to the hornets for Chris Kaman? Looking at both teams I am still trying to figure out why Williams wasn’t dealt in the Paul trade instead of Kaman.

    • Lang Greene

      This scenario is highly unlikely Maestro …

      The reason Mo Williams wasn’t included in the Hornets-Clippers swap is simple … he’s still owed money on his deal and the Hornets were looking for financial flexibility long term as they try to attract potential buyers of the franchise. The Hornets were looking for good draft picks (Minny’s 1st round pick), a strong young talent (Eric Gordon) and expiring contracts which create cap room (Chris Kaman). Williams wouldn’t fit into that mix.

  7. Giovanni Antonini

    What’s good fam? How good do you think Greg Monroe will be this year and in the years to follow?

    • Lang Greene

      What’s good Giovanni? I’m maintaining brother … looking forward to 2012.

      To answer your question on Greg Monroe please understand that there are two parts to my initial thoughts on the young fella.

      From a skills standpoint I absolutely love Greg Monroe as a big man in today’s watered down big man era. I think he’s going to have a very productive career in the league. But on the other hand, I just don’t see the extra gear in the kid to become great. This goes back to when I saw him in high school where Al-Farouq Aminu’s squad held him to like 6 points in a big game where he didn’t seem interested in bailing his team out. Then at Georgetown I witnessed the same lackadaisical attitude at times when he should have been dominating inferior competition.

      I put him at about 12.5 points and 8.2 rebounds this season. A potential 15-16 and 9 guy once he hits his prime, but I don’t see All-Stars or All-NBA’s teams in his future … just a very steady pro.

  8. Big Z

    One on One in a game of 21.

    Kevin Durant vs. Lebron James…

    Who leaves with the other person’s lunch money?

    • Lang Greene

      I think LeBron is the better overall player right now, but head-to-head in a game of 21 I think KD emerges victorious.

      Durant is one of most natural scorers I’ve seen. While LeBron is capable of leading the league in scoring it’s not his preferred way to play the game.

  9. Big Z

    Who 5 would you rather have?

    Team 1
    Kevin Durant, CP3, Kobe Bryant, Kevin Garnett, Tyson Chandler

    Team 2
    Lebron James, D-Will, Manu Ginobili, Al Horford, Dwight Howard

    • Lang Greene

      Team 1 – all day. CP3, KB24 and KD offset the matchup nightmare team two gives them inside.

  10. Skaki

    After seeing the first two games for the Bulls, do you think Booz will improve and will hamilton gel with the team. Whats your prediction on the bulls win loss for the season?

    • Lang Greene

      I think the Bulls hover around the 46-48 win mark this season. In a full 82 game slate that would mean between 57-60 victories. The Bulls are a very talented team. Don’t worry about Boozer, he’ll get his numbers if healthy and Rip Hamilton is a pro’s pro … he’ll adapt after more time with his new teammates.

      The Bulls are one of the teams I view as legitimate title contenders regardless of the postseason matchup they face.

  11. George

    Lang, my man! Should us Kings fan be this excited after last night’s game or was that a fluke??

    • Lang Greene

      George! Plenty to be excited about for Kings fans … I’m talking about future excitement. As for this season, expect some nights like last night and some frustrating nights that will drive you to hit the bottle – hard. As young teams go, the Kings have the firepower to pull off their share of upsets, but their youth and inexperience will also cause for plenty of letdowns in a condensed season with so many back-to-back games and very little practice time to work out kinks.

      So be excited for the future, things are headed in the right direction, but don’t expect a playoff run this season.

  12. ian

    where do you think AK47 will land this year?any possibility to sign for the vet min with bulls?

    • Lang Greene

      Everything I’ve heard leads me to believe New Jersey if he surfaces back in the league.

  13. Thom

    Where do you think Dwight Howard will be traded by the deadline? Or do you think he’ll be traded at all?

    • Lang Greene

      Steve Kyler and Alex Kennedy have a firmer grasp on the Magic beat than I do, but I think it depends on how Orlando is performing as a team at the All-Star break.

      Ultimately, I don’t see him wearing a Magic uniform long term.

  14. Harry

    Hi Lang, i’m watchin Hawks@Nets.The Nets are a real mess. where is the defense??? that’s the ugliest team i’ve watched for weeks….what do you think about their future??

    • Lang Greene

      Well, you have to remember their center, Brook Lopez, is out with a foot injury. He’s a 18-19 point a game scorer and potential All-Star when healthy … so playing without him is going to be rough and there will be an adjustment period. As good as Deron Williams is … he’s not a one man show.

      Don’t forget, the Hawks aren’t slouches no matter what the mainstream propaganda tries to force feed you. The Hawks have talent.

  15. lewis1201

    if howard is traded do you see the organization blowing up the team and getting younger because the team is built for dwight or is otis gonna mees up again!!!! do you see mayo ending up in orl

    • Lang Greene

      You remember the package Denver received for Carmelo Anthony last season? For Carmelo? I’d imagine Orlando would be able to command much more for Dwight when the dust settles.

      With the new arena I just don’t see the Magic going the Charlotte Bobcats rebuilding route (complete blowup).

  16. eddy

    Should the Lakers sign Nate Robinson? Our guards (other than Kobe) are a bunch of jokes… Love the Mcroberts and Murphy signings

    • Lang Greene

      Very surprised Nate isn’t in the league right now, but a lot of people I’ve spoken to said its more mental with Nate than physical.

      I don’t think Nate changes the Lakers’ fortunes either way. But the way Fisher and Blake are playing right now … clearly the team needs HELP at PG.

      Combined, Blake and FIsher are shooting less than 30 percent from the floor and combining for just 3.5 assists. Ouch.

  17. lewis1201

    if dwight is traded will they fire otis???

    • Lang Greene

      I don’t think the mere act of trading Dwight (he requested it) would lead to Otis getting fired automatically. If Otis received a strong package which kept Orlando competitive (like Denver after Carmelo trade) I can see him sticking around.

      However, I do believe if Dwight decides to remain in Orlando … Otis’ long term future is bleak. Hope you’re with me.

  18. Big Z

    Who is the best dunker of all time?

    My Pick: Vince Carter , no one comes close.

    • Lang Greene

      you won’t get many arguments with a prime Vince … but plenty of guys come close. MJ, Nique immediately come to mind. Then you have guys like James White who are spectacular as well … just without the NBA glare shining on them

  19. Steve

    Hey Lang, why haven’t the Magic fired Smith?

    • Lang Greene

      I mean, the team is still winning and making playoff appearances. The 2009 Finals appearance and 2010 Eastern Conference Finals appearance has obviously given him a little cushion to work with. Say what you will about Otis, whether you agree with his moves or not, he’s swung for the fences trying to bring Orlando a championship. Sometimes risks work … other times they don’t and make the collar around the neck a little tighter.