NBA Chat With Lang Greene 2/22/12

1. Jazzfan

   Who player would you say drives you the most crazy with his inconsistency? Like he shows flashes of being a potential superstar but more often looks just average

   • Lang Greene

     Next up … Yo I believe that’s me … coming to you live from the hospital tonight hoop freaks! It’s been a very big week for the Greene family. Let’s get to the business at hand …

     There are so many players who come to my mind over the years. But this is a very good question that I’ll hit a variety of ways.

     These guys show legitimate franchise player type of ability but often fall short of maintaining that level of play. Guys like Andrew Bogut, Andrew Bynum and Al Jefferson all look the part when you look at the stat sheet but they always seem a step behind being a true franchise player.

     Then you have the talents. Guys like Rashad McCants, OJ Mayo, Tyrus Thomas and Jeff Green have all performed below the level of their natural talent so far in their careers.

     Then you have a guy like Brandon Jennings. He has the game. He rocks the confidence. He has the popularity. He has the flash. But at the end of the day he’s still not elite. When you bring up his name most people see 20/10 in his future but it’s becoming clear he’s a 17-18 point and 6 assist guy. I respect his talent and hope he eventually breaks through … hope this answered your question my man.

2. Deven

   Hello again Mr. Greene. What are your thoughts on Coach Popovich sitting out both Tony Parker and Tim Duncan last night against Portland, while being on an 11 game winning streak which was eventually snapped? Good move or Bad Move?

   • Lang Greene

     Great move by Popovich. Very strategic. Getting the older guys some additional rest in a shortened season heading into the All-Star break was good touch by a legendary sideline general. I see you Pop. Respect.

3. mike

   The spurs are looking to have another great regular season. Do you see anything that makes you think that things will turn out differently for them in the playoffs then it did last year?

   • Lang Greene

     Short answer – no. The reason … the team is still extremely vulnerable without Manu Ginobili who just can’t stay healthy for an extended stretch. No Manu … no playoff success, especially at this stage. Very simple. Tim Duncan just doesn’t have enough left in those legs to carry the team by himself.

4. Howie Abrams

   Who are some of the people under the radar that the Wolves are looking into trading for come the trade deadline?

   • Lang Greene

     Check out Bill Ingram’s NBA @ 2 from today. Kevin Martin makes sense for the Timberwolves.

5. likeabull

   Shouldnt my bulls trade brewer for dudley it works for both teams. Then trade Korver for wes johson/ellington

   • Lang Greene

     Not sure the Suns give up Dudley who is one of the better values in the league contract wise. Plus the guy knows his role inside and out and doesn’t try to play above his head – an issue a lot of players struggle with.

     Trading Korver for Wes Johnson makes absolutely zero sense. You must be still be looking at Syracuse highlight tapes because Wes hasn’t put it together as a professional yet … You know what you get from Korver.

6. Kyle

   Hey lang, who says no to this deal… Josh smith and Kirk Heinrich for pau gasol and Steve Blake? Lakers save a bit of money, get younger and more athletic, and get a player slightly better equipped to start at PG. plus they still have their trade exception to maybe get beasely and could still sign arenas…. The hawks get a cheaper backup PG for a backup role and an all-star calibre big to fill in till horford gets back, and then play alongside him when he returns so he can play PF like he wants. Plus it opens up PT for mcgrady and Williams so they can quit complaining. your thoughts?

   • Lang Greene

     Eric Pincus and I exchanged lengthy e-mails on this very same scenario a couple of months ago. I believe Atlanta says no. My thought from the Atlanta side is that Gasol is just owed too much money long term to make the commitment – especially with Joe Johnson also entitled to big dough down the road as well.

     Having JJ and Gasol on the payroll when both guys are past their primes will cripple the Hawks for years (looking in future).

7. Judy

   I have been having a heated debate about Hawks..This guy wants the Hawks to trade for OJ Mayo to be the PG. He says that he is being misused in Memphis and that he can be a great P-n-R PG for the Hawks. He actually said OJ will make us contenders, Am I missing something about OJ mayo because I do not see what this guy is talking about? Help me please!!!

   • Lang Greene

     Hey Judy … very long time since you chimed in …

     I don’t see what the guy you’re debating with is seeing. OJ Mayo has not done enough in the league as a point guard to make me believe inserting him there would make Atlanta contenders. Besides who would the Grizzlies take from Atlanta’s roster for him?

     Lastly, not to bask the kid … but the fact is a guy of Mayo’s talent level lost minutes and his role to guys like Sam Young and Tony Allen. …. so I ask your friend … how can he be considered a savior for the Hawks?

8. Kahari Young

   hey lang yo you are my favorite journalist for hoopsworld! my favorite team is boston but right now i am worried if we have enough energy to make it to the finals do you think we can shop paul pierce to the hawks for josh smith or monta ellis? what moves dfo you think the hawks are going to make at the trade deadline? i really hope allen iverson gets a chance to come back to the nba, because while i was reading his last interview for slam he really sounded motivated and sincere to return back to the nba for his family and loyal fans.

   • Lang Greene

     I appreciate the kind words. I’m just doing me … these chats are a way to let our readers connect with us. Some people enjoy … some people are turned off by my style. Such is life.

     The Celtics, if they even make the playoffs, will be a tough out for any team. But their days as a legitimate title contender are over. They are done son. KG was the driving force and the knee issues have reduced him too much. Ray-Ray and Paul Pierce are still very solid but Boston’s big man inside (KG) is more of an intimidator from his rough house antics than his floor game at this point.

9. Mitch Kupchak

   Hi Lang. With Kobe in the winter of his career, maybe it’s time the Lakers trade him for some new building blocks. Where do you think he would agree to be traded and what do you think we could get for him?

   • Lang Greene

     Absolutely no way the Lakers trade Kobe. Laker for life unless he tries to play until he’s 45 or something crazy.

10. dolphy

    Hey man wassup? Name do u agree that the team which has the least athletic guys is the lakers? The only one who does it is bynum and a lil bit of kobe. Last guy we had was s.brown which was not signed back and was replaced by a quick release shoot in the korner guy.no one can create shots and no one executes plays kos theres no pg. And its all one on one plays by kobe bynum n some gasol plays. Thats it.. any cheap solutions u can think of? Is barnes artest and walton has trade value? Waltons contract expires next year… Thank man!

    • Lang Greene

      I mean the Lakers don’t have guys jumping out the gym but sometimes those guys don’t win you championships. For example, Magic Johnson wasn’t the most athletic but the guy was a winner. Pau Gasol is nowhere close to Blake Griffin athletically but who has the rings. Same with Dirk Nowitzki compared to Griffin.

      Ron Artest wasn’t the best athlete even in his prime but performed in the clutch and hit a pivotal 3PT in game 7 of the Finals. Good athletes (by themselves) only take you so far … great basketball players who happen to be athletically gifted are the difference makers.

      With me?

11. enteng kabisote

    If ever u get close to d.cousins please let him know this summer to try workin on dribbling and passing loose a lil weight. And man he will be better than dhoward or bynum. Aka c.webb 2.0. Whats ur thoughts man? And hows ur rec league doin? Hope all is coo!

    • Lang Greene

      Lol. My rec league season is all over. So is my hoops career. I’m still in pain. Lol. My team finished the season 1-9 and we suffered a totally heartbreaking loss in overtime in the first round of the playoffs. For those wondering my official averages were 4.5 points and 5.2 rebounds … 1.3 blocks and a steal per game.

      Cousins won’t ever be better than Dwight Howard. That’s not a work ethic thing … that’s a talent thing my man.

      Good to see DMC out of the headlines and just playing ball though. Kid has game.

12. old man's game

    Aint it frustrating in atlanta seing the management doing nothing to win? Come on man ,doeas anyone think with that line up they can win the champz? Time to rebuild? Or big trade? Y not trade joe to d rockets. Try get lowry and martin or maybe lee? Budinger? Its getting boring for us hawks fans.even tho that trade wont win us the gold atleast exciting basketball every night..hope all is good with u!

    • Lang Greene

      First of all you just can’t trade guys to a team. The Rockets aren’t interested in Joe Johnson. If there was a player the Rockets would take a look at from Atlanta’s roster it would be a healthy Al Horford at center. But the Hawks wouldn’t be interested in any of Houston’s pieces for Al.

      Might work on the trade machine, but reality is reality and this wouldn’t fly.

      I actually give Rick Sund a lot of credit for the depth he’s built in Atlanta, but they are not a title challenger without Horford. The Hawks are on the verge of five straight playoff appearances … I think management HAS built a winning formula. Maybe not a championship formula … but a winning formula is definitely in place.

13. burger with eggs

    Do u think r.gay would be traded this season or griz till he retire?

    • Lang Greene

      I don’t think Rudy Gay will be traded this season. I can’t say he’ll retire in Memphis.

      Man I’ve lived to see Michael Jordan come off the bench as a sixth man for a horrendous Wizards team. Lived to see Shaq one of the most dominant players ever, traded multiple times. And the list goes on … way too early for the Rudy retiring in Memphis talk.

14. fresh calamares

    After everything who wins more rings…. Lebron,rose or durant?

    • Lang Greene

      My money is on LeBron. Better supporting cast … alread.y in his prime

15. ninja leonardo

    Who is better now and till their carreer is done. Cp3 or rose. My opinion is drose all day everyday and twice on sundays! Fun chats man!

    • Lang Greene

      CP3 is the best point guard in the game today. My opinion. D-Rose is an exceptional player … but as a point guard I feel he’s behind CP3. Better scorer … yes. Better leader … not right now.

      Thanks for checking me out each week.

16. coach ninoy

    I believe kobe cant play nba ball with an elite superstar player specially a point guard kinda like a cp3 or a dwilliams just because his game is all about having d ball. Have anyone told him to try practice moving without the ball? He will be alot better.thanks for your time

    • Lang Greene

      Man, do you watch basketball. Kobe Bryant is one of the All-Time 10-15 best players EVEr to lace up the high tops and you want him to conform to another player such as Deron Williams? At some point you have to stop the hating and give respect where it is due bro.

17. Brendan

    I saw an article on ESPN Boston where the writer said he thought Boston should offer Rondo and JO for DWill. Do you think New Jersey would even be interested in this offer and if so does the acquisition of DWill mean that Boston could get D12?

    • Lang Greene

      Is Rajon Rondo a great player? Yes.

      Is Rajon Rondo a franchise player? Jury is still out.

      I roll with D-Will over Rondo all day long so I wouldn’t make the deal if I was the GM for New Jersey.

18. Cricket

    Who would you rather start a team with: 1rst year Tim Duncan out of Wake Forest, 1rst year Shaquille O’Neal out of LSU, or 1rst year Hakeem Olajuwon out of Houston.

    • Lang Greene

      Judging first years only … I’ll go with Shaq. The guy was a force, in prime shape and just an animal.

      Overall career I’d go with Hakeem the Dream baby … yessir …

19. Cricket

    If you were GM of the Minnesota Timberwolves and were offered Kevin Martin for Nikola Pekovic + spare parts to make salaries match. Do you accept? Why or why not.

    • Lang Greene

      No. Quality big men are a rarity … you don’t give those guys away for non-elite shooting guards.

20. AJ

    What’s up LG?

    Who do you think gets traded before the deadline of these? Gasol, Martin, G. Wallace, Rondo, Mayo and Mo Williams.

    Do you expect a quiet deadline because of the shortened year?

    • Lang Greene

      I think Mayo is finally dealt. I expect a strong trade deadline. Not as crazy as last year, but flurries of activity.

21. Ron

    Where you see D-12 at dead-line? If not dead-line…than summer? What team you see D-12 going too?

    • Lang Greene

      Brooklyn … Go Brooklyn … Brooklyn … Go Brooklyn.

      All my hip hop heads know that chant.

22. Aristotle

    My man Lang! What’s up. How do u feel about Smoove being overlooked as Johnson’s replacement in the All-Star game? I’m gutted. That kid DESERVES it!

    • Lang Greene

      All I can do is chuckle at the foolishness of it all.

23. Lateak

    Can the knicks win a series… I think we can give tha heat n bulls problems

    • Lang Greene

      Oh the Knicks will give the HEAT or Bulls problems for sure … but I wouldn’t bet any of my hard earned dollars on them beating Miami or Chicago in a seven game series. Not happening.

      New York isn’t there yet.