NBA Chat With Lang Greene 1/30/13

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

  1. Lang

    I enjoy your insights on hoopsworld tv, keep up the work and will you do more in the future?

    • Lang Greene

      What’s up Hoop Freaks? What a day. Still processing the Toronto, Memphis and Detroit deal. I think each team came out pretty good. Keep in mind though that the true winners/losers of trades usually takes years to fully comprehend. I need some theme music for the night … any suggestions? Let’s get to it …

      I enjoy doing HOOPSWORLD TV but I’m low on the depth chart … lol … in all seriousness my schedule makes it hard to connect with my man Yannis to shoot the video sometimes. But whenever I get the call I always try to get in the mix …

  2. Kevin

    Hey Lang,

    What would you say about a trade between ATL and LAL centered around Howard for Horford.

    LAL would take back a couple other expiring salaries (say Korver and Jenkins) while sending someone like Blake to ATL. Also a first rounder or 2 go to LA.

    ATL – has no assurances of keeping D12 but come end of season lots of payroll room and can sign D12 and J-Smoove for more than anyone else. Can even attempt their own Big 3 in the offseason.

    LAL – Slides Gasol back to C, lets Horford play to his preferred position, dont see Horford complaining about not being the Alpha and sheds some salary for next season.

    Win win?

    • Lang Greene

      I know this is outside your original question but how far does a foundation of Dwight Howard and Josh Smith take you in today’s NBA.

      Those guys are extremely talented but Dwight is going to command $20 million per season. Smith has gone on record saying he’s worth the MAX, so basically around D12 money. That’s $40 million tied to two players and doesn’t even start to factor in putting together a strong supporting cast. Lou Williams makes $5 million per … and say you re-sign Jeff Teague in the $8-9 million range. That’s $54 million tied to four guys.

      Now if Smoove was willing to take take in $14 million per season it adds flexibility, but at MAX, I just don’t see it.

  3. dennis

    The bobcats need to do two things;
    1. take back that ‘hornets’ name.
    2. trade for a big guy

    They just need to understand that the fans are tired of this rebuilding process. We want some W!!!

    • Lang Greene

      1. I think the Hornets name will add more buzz (sorry, pun) to the franchise in the Queen City. But the team needs more than that to stay relevant. They need talent … which brings us to
      2. Sure the Bobcats need a big man on the interior, but who on the roster not named Kidd-Gilcgrist or Kemba Walker nets them this piece?

      Fans in Charlotte are going to have to be patient. Might take a few years but there are some solid pieces forming on the roster.

  4. Joe Shafer

    Did you see Harden’s monster dunk on the Jazz? Man is legit! How can the rockets get a game changing PF to play with him?

    • Lang Greene

      James Harden is ridiculous. Talk about silencing skeptics quick, fast and in a hurry. WhewLawd. Kid is the goods. I was talking with Bill Ingram today and a guy who would help the Rockets get to that next level is David West.

      West is a free agent this summer. If I’m in the Rockets’ front office he’s the first call I would make this summer.

  5. Homer

    Hey Lang,
    With Rajon Rondo out for the season, who are the realistic available PGs the C’s can acquire, via Free Agency or Trade? Is Eric Maynor a possibility, and do you think he would be a good fit?

    • Lang Greene

      The word on the street was that the Celtics were interested in Kyle Lowry but with the Raptors trading Jose Calderon can’t see that happening. Also, Danny Ainge said he wasn’t rushing to make any deals.

      IF Eric Maynor is your answer, then you’re not asking the right question. Nothing against E-May, who I respect, but I’m not sure if he’s 100 percent coming off that knee surgery. Hasn’t looked good this season.

  6. LA in LA

    Adrian Wojnarowski: In engagement of 3rd teams for possible Rudy Gay-to-Toronto deal, Raptors struggling to find landing spot for Jose Calderon, sources tell Y! As for finding a spot for Calderon, yes, teams have interest in him. Yet how much are they willing to contribute to MEM-TOR in 3-way deal”

    What are the chances the Lakers can be that 3rd team? Or do they lack the assets?

    • Lang Greene

      A-Woj is the man. Guy is on top of his game. What can I say.

  7. Cain

    Has Paul George figured out his road woes? Last 4 road games 20ppg, 8rpg, 5apg shooting 45% and yet we only went 1-3, what else do the Pacers need to be title contender?

    • Lang Greene

      The Pacers’ road woes aren’t Paul George’s fault by his lonesome. Got to ask you, didn’t the Pacers pay Roy Hibbert MAX money last summer? Guys like David West and Paul George have helped keep Indiana afloat this season. Somewhere down the line other guys must step up – in a more consistent fashion.

  8. Cain

    Can Ben Gordon be useful on a title contending team? He still has a lot to give.

    • Lang Greene

      Always have liked BG’s game. I think he has plenty left but at the same time how much are contending teams willing to part with to get him and does Charlotte want to deal him? Charlotte likes his presence in the rotation and his impact there has undoubtedly helped Kemba Walker and some of the younger guys.

  9. Aristotle

    Langy my man!

    I have finally resolved the All-Star Weekend issue in terms of never having players deserving of a spot miss out.

    The All-Star Weekend should be held at the end of the NBA Season. A week or two after the last game of the NBA Championship Finals. This way it’s actually the season’s best players and not mid season’s best that get chosen. All players will be voted in by the coaches as is already done and will include a starting Centre. This way even players with an outstanding season can literally be taken into consideration by coaches even if their team just may have missed out on the playoffs.

    As for the current NBA All-Star weekend which is more or less mid-season, it will be up to the fan votes. It will be the top 6 vote getters of Frontcourt players and the top 6 vote getters of guards of each conference. If fans want to see Lin then let them see Lin. You won’t have other players upset because of it knowing the real All-Star Game is at the end of the season.
    This can be merged with NBA FIT, where the message will be passed on to all (both young and old) and young kids get to spend time with NBA FIT events as is the Jam Session.

    What do you think my man?

    • Lang Greene

      My man! I was with you (saw where you were going) until the second paragraph. I don’t think there’s interest for two All-Star games. That’s a bit overkill.

      The after the season idea could work. The NFL did the Pro Bowl for years after the Super Bowl. But it also presents problems. The timing of the current event usually comes right after the Super Bowl and right when college basketball tends to heat up. The NBA gains a lot of momentum from the current midseason format.

      I don’t think it changes, but its always good to see fresh ideas.

  10. BSaintM

    Hey Lang whats up?
    I was thinking about this today but is Yao going to be in the conversation of best players without a ring? I know he doesn’t have any individual awards like MVP, DPOY, or ROY but he was amazingly talented. Does the fact that he didn’t make the finals and had a rather short career hurt him?

    • Lang Greene

      Yes. Yao will undoubtedly be in that discussion. Yao was a great player. A truth machine. He’ll go down as one of the all-time “what could have been” stories in league history.

  11. keo

    wassup my man, its sucks to see my boy rondo out im from boston and im losing hope.. they play hard against contender teams but always slack on teams below.500 why is that? i know i shouldnt be afraid because everybody knows come playoffs nobody wants to face the celtics. what do you think they need to be a seriouse contender again?

    • Lang Greene

      Jared Sullinger has played very well for the Celtics as a rookie. So this may sound strange … but that’s part of the problem. The Celtics are relying on a rookie to play big minutes for them and with rookies come growing pains. On most contenders rookies ride the pine no matter how talented they are. Look at Jeremy Lamb in OKC. No doubt Lamb will be a fine NBA player … but on a team with title hopes he’s rightfully better suited as an observer this season.

  12. keo

    i got a tricky question for you my man

    MVP Iverson vs MVP Rose

    who wins details please!!!! =D

    • Lang Greene

      I’m going with Allen Iverson’s MVP season. The supporting cast alone AI had to work with pushes me his way. Plus he led his team to the Finals. Respect to the VA legend.

  13. Alex in Burbank

    Lang, with Josh Smith probability of being traded, high right now and Pau Gasol not happy coming off the bench, should this trade happen? Can it happen?
    The following is not for you Lang, its for the comments section below:

    Hi Stalker! =)

    • Lang Greene

      I am totally confused right now. But I’m going to let this play out in the comment section. Haha …

  14. Mr. Ballistik

    Can you believe how unrealistic this new Chris Paul “disappearing” commercial is? They show Nash eating french fries!

  15. Tom (Germany)

    Greetings from germany,
    i’ve got two questions regarding the Celtics.
    1) What’s Paul Pierce value?
    2) Do you think the Cs will blow it up?

    • Lang Greene

      1. Pierce is still playing at a high level. He has value because only $5 million of his $15 million is guaranteed for next season. So if a team is looking to create some salary flexibility he’ll get a look.
      2. But on the same token, Paul isn’t going to just play for any team. Not sure if Danny Ainge blows up the core of Garnett and Pierce, but rather substitute some of the supporting cast surrounding them … Lee, Terry, Bass, Green, etc.

  16. supah fly snooooookahhhh

    Is pau g. Complaining his way out of LA? I know he can close games but if the team is winning the best thing is sacrifice your ego as long as its another W in the standings right?

    • Lang Greene

      Being totally honest here hurts Pau. He’s telling the truth. He could give the company line and say “I am just happy the team is winning blah blah blah” but the competitor in him is refusing to accept not closing games as his new reality.

      Pau is going to the Hall of Fame. He sees Earl Clark closing games in front of him. No matter how much Pau has slipped he’s better than Earl. We all know that. You think Pau doesn’t?

  17. Marcus

    Do you see the Rockets making a big move or a minor move at the trade deadline

    • Lang Greene

      I don’t see anything major coming out of Houston. Maybe a tweak. I think Houston tries to get better in free agency during the offseason.

  18. Roon

    Who says no to this?

    Suns Receive:
    G- Gerald Henderson
    PF- Bismack Biyombo
    C-Desagna Diop
    Portland’s 1st Round Pick

    Bobcats Receive:
    C- Marcin Gortat
    SF- Jared Dudley

    • Lang Greene

      Suns. Can get more immediate value should they want to package Gortat.

  19. Q-Man

    Whats good with you Lang how’s the family? here we go with another 3

    1. Have J.R.Smith matured enough to start at the 2 Spot and be a major factor nightly
    2. If the Hawks can get A starting wing that attacks the basket and get to the line to balance out kover’s shooting , along with a true post player we could be deadly.Who would these two players be right now
    3. Looks like Josh’s out the door (is he) he could be a damn beast if he plays closer to the basket and give the ball up and fill the lane on the break (oh and better shots decisions). His D cant be matched very versatile

    • Lang Greene

      3Q! What’s good man? Hope school is treating you well.

      1. I think JR will opt out this summer and a team will pay him to be their starter. I think he has matured but he still plays with a reckless abandon that fans (and coaches) will have to swallow and accept at times.
      2. At center Marcin Gortat or Al Jefferson … at small forward a defensive type. Maybe in the mold of a Trevor Ariza.
      3. Not sure if Josh is definitely gone. His MAX contract demand could force Danny Ferry’s hand. That’s the thing about Josh. So promising, but you also have to live with the bad perimeter shots and the bad passes to go along with the rebounding, defense and rim rattling

  20. CMS

    So is it just me or is the Griz front office really letting the rumors fly? From what I understand, more times than not that, its unintentional and seen as unprofessional/inexperienced…

    • Lang Greene

      It’s not the Grizzlies front office leaking the reports. It’s other teams around the league who Memphis may have had a phone call with talking with their media contacts. Got to understand the difference here.

  21. Aristotle

    Hey Lang

    How much are you loving the trade of seeing Prince to Memphis? Finally going to a contender, but what is it about him we all seem to love and wanted to see him out of Detroit to compete for another championship?

    • Lang Greene

      You know me man. I’ve been saying it for a while now. GREAT to see Tayshaun back in the playoff hunt. If the Grizzlies play the Thunder … he gets the Kevin Durant matchup.

  22. Keefe

    What do you think of the Gay trade? I think he is too similar to Derozan and Ross with his style and BC is just trying to push for a low playoff seed with Rondo out and Smoove likely to be traded in order to save his job. Agree?

    • Lang Greene

      T-Ross is a much better shooter (or at least projects to be) than Gay or DeRozan. I spoke with Raptors head coach Dwane Casey today and he told me that the playoffs are the goal this season.

  23. GK13

    Any good bobcat trade rumors?

    • Lang Greene

      None. Their front office says they’re open for business though.

  24. Keefe

    What do you think about swapping Bargnani and Ross for Josh Smith? Bargnani is still a decent NBA player and it will keep the Hawks contending in the mid-tier level for years to come rather than getting Pierce/Gasol who are on the wrong side of 30 already

    • Lang Greene

      Can’t see the Hawks (although they love jump shooting) giving up Josh for Bargnani. That would be a tough sell for the fan base here in Atlanta.

  25. JLawson

    I think the Raps are going to regret dealing Ed Davis. Or is my thinking just clouded by the thought of Bargnani being our power forward again?

    • Lang Greene

      Ed Davis has been playing very strong lately. As young players go he could emerge down the road and be a nightly double-double guy. But the Raptors are thinking in the right now. And right now they believe Rudy Gay is the guy to lead them to the land of the playoffs.

  26. Mitch

    Call me crazy but I think the Grizz just got better. Rudy no longer messes up the floor spacing and ZBO and Marc go back to scaring the crap out of everyone ala 2011 playoffs. Thoughts on the trade and Grizz going forward?

    • Lang Greene

      Love how the deal works out for the Grizzlies on paper. Tayshaun Prince adds veteran leadership and defense. Plus he doesn’t command the shots Gay did so it allows more touches for Zach Randolph and Marc Gasol. One thing that could come back to haunt the Grizzlies is their lack of three-point shooting come playoff time.

  27. kayl

    Waddup Lang! big fan of your chats, what do you thing of the gay to toronto trade from the raps perspective? on paper who came out the winner of it and if u have any thoughts on the subject….

    • Lang Greene

      Hard to evaluate because it seems each team got what they wanted. Even the Pistons here. Jose Calderon is going to have fun dishing to Greg Monroe and Andre Drummond for the next few months.