NBA Chat With Lang Greene 2/27/13

1. Q-Man

   Whats going on Lang, I hope all is well on your end.

   1. Teague is the key to Hawks, Im concerned that he doesnt attack and play his game when we play the elite teams.The kid has come along way, but now he must develope that killer mind set(your thoughts)
   2.Are we (next season)trying to add that superstar to put with Josh,Al and teague in the off season. (I wouldnt mine keeping Kover and Harris on my bench)
   3. Drew is a better coach then I gave him credit for, but it seem as though he come up short against the elite teams(as Teague 1 above). Is he still interview for his job next season

   • Lang Greene

     What’s up Hoop Freaks? Smell that? It is the sweet smell of the NBA turning up the intensity. Teams are getting testy. Teams are battling for playoff spots or home court advantage. Free agents to be are motivated to end the season strong. Yes, indeed the season is coming into focus. Let’s get after it …
     
     What’s good 3Q? Thanks for the note.

     1. Jeff Teague has been strong this season. Very strong. It still remains to be seen if he is truly a guy with elite level floor vision, but in the (motion) system he plays I think he’s getting the most out of his game. Also, I don’t see Teague shying away from the bright lights. The kid has hit big shots … but he usually defers to the team leaders down the stretch
     2. People look up and see the Hawks have $35+ million in salary cap room and automatically assume Danny Ferry is going to cash that in this summer. I disagree. I’ve spoken with Danny on this topic and I don’t get the idea he’s going to be a loose spender. The Hawks hired him with a long term plan in mind, getting the team to be viewed in a different light. I can see him using some of the money this summer but tucking away a strong portion for future use.
     3. Drew is a good coach. But at the end of the day you can only win at the level of talent you have. The Hawks get beat by elite teams because they’re not an elite team. Nor should they be considered one. I’d called this latest installment an overachieving crew.

2. Kevin Owens

   As currently constructed, there is no way OKC beats Miami in a 7-game series. It won’t even be close. I’m willing to take anyone’s money on that. What you think?

   • Lang Greene

     Sorry Kevin I don’t feel as strongly as you do. There’s perception and then there’s reality. The Miami HEAT won games 2-4 in the Finals last season by a combined 16 points. A couple breaks, some maturity, a tweaked ankle or a few ref calls could have shifted the series the other way.

     I will say that I would favor Miami to win a rematch, but an Oklahoma City victory wouldn’t have me on the floor in a state of disbelief. The one area Oklahoma City needs to address is finding some scoring on the low block. They are a perimeter oriented team and Miami matches up well against them. On the other hand, Miami struggles with the Indiana Pacers who have options in the paint.

3. Steve

   Havent heard of rodman for a while, perhaps a reason for him to get attention by going to n.Korea?

   • Lang Greene

     From what I understand it is one of those diplomatic trips. Pretty standard fare. Former NBA players make these type of appearances all the time. I don’t think it is an attention grab primarily. Plus, North Korea loves the NBA. Good for the game. The NBA is global baby.

4. Lucas

   How you doing sir Greene,

   Your opinion on Mike Woodson’s line up. Do you think that he utilize his personnel as efficiently as possible? Is it wise to play a relatively short Shrump at the 3? Doesn’t that negate his vaunted defensive prowess at that spot?

   When I look at the Pacers, I see a team build with capable bigs at almost every position, which cause problems to the Heat and everyone else. Wouldn’t it be best to have Kid coming off the bench & play PG, J.Smith & Shrump at the 2 where they can be effective?

   What do you think?

   As always, thanks for your time.

   • Lang Greene

     Well, it’s hard to criticize the Knicks this season because up to this point the formula has worked and produced wins. But I never was sold Carmelo Anthony is a full-time power forward. I also think Shumpert is a bit undersized for the three spot. Playoff time is when teams are exposed. Benches are tighter. Refs whistles are tighter. The pressure mounts … we’ll see if the Knicks can keep it going.

5. LA in LA

   Hey Greene did you see that Brawl in Pacers vs Warriors?

   1) I haven’t seen enough replays (only like 3) but I could see West getting suspended. He went in the middle of the scrum and got a little push crazy, even pushing a non-player behind him although he might not have known that he wasn’t a player.

   2)Isn’t intentional tripping a flagrant? Because on the sportscenter highlight G.Hill is clearly shown sticking his arm out under Curry, who was running by him after breaking his ankles. Kind of dirty.

   3)I think this is the first time the 2 main guys in a brawl actually answered media questions within recent memory, ain’t it? Usually they run out of the locker room.

   • Lang Greene

     1. I could have seen David West getting a one game suspension pushed on him. He was in the middle of it but wasn’t exactly being a peacemaker as you pointed out. I could also see Jarrett Jack getting something from the league too … watch him closely. But I agree w/ the league’s decision here, they didn’t go overboard in the pursuit of justice.

     2. I didn’t see the play in question here, so can’t give an educated answer on this one.

     3. I was surprised both guys spoke so freely. Usually guys downplay the skirmish or act as if they “forgot” what a reporter is referencing.

6. Jim in CyberSpace

   I think folks in the MetroPlex have valid reasons to raise “their” collective eyebrows at D-Fish re-signing with OKC???

   As Cuban and others have pointed out, he has a history with that stuff (Utah) 65 days changes everything with his family situation…It’s much harder to fly to LAX from DFW compared to OKC?

   Why can’t he just be honest and say…He only want’s to play for a contender? I’m an OKC fan and it doesn’t pass my smell test.

   • Lang Greene

     Conspiracy theories are all over the latest Derek Fisher move. Unless someone can prove something I do think the veteran has earned the right to be taken at his word. But I also saw former player Maurice Evans’ quotes on the situation and I will say his viewpoint is interesting and not entirely farfetched. But at the end of the day, I don’t think he’s a guy who shifts the balance of power either way … so I’m not going to spend too much of my time on it.

7. stepxxxxz

   explain why utah didnt move one of their expiring contracts? How is it better to wait?? It seems you have little enough leverage to begin with. It seems the logic for the jazz is make the playoffs. Rather than build for a higher seen in the coming years. In a sense the same thing happened in atlanta. Your thoughts?

   • Lang Greene

     Fans love trades, but just because a guy is headed toward free agency doesn’t mean a team has to move the player prior. The current team in most cases is operating from a position of strength. They can offer the player more money typically. They can offer the player an extra year on the contract. The player’s family is probably already intertwined into the city and community. Etc. Those are just a few examples. So why trade Al Jefferson for a draft pick and three unproven talents in the middle of a playoff chase? You do that in midseason and you lose some fans. You lose fans and you lose ticket, merchandising and concession stand revenues. You also don’t look desirable to guys headed into free agency who are looking at how organizations treat their tenured players.

     Much more to it than just cashing out. For instance, the Jazz can re-sign Jefferson to a deal this summer and still move him in the future. He’s entering his prime years so why the rush?

8. Cain

   How good of a combo can George Hill and Paul George be? I still feel like Hill is improving and can be a 17-6 kinda guy.

   • Lang Greene

     Hill is not your textbook point guard but he is much better fit in Indy than Darren Collison was … Long term I think the Pacers are really look into the prospect of getting Paul George to play his natural position full-time. It may involve listening to deals on Danny Granger, something the team has been reluctant to do in the past. Let’s see how DGH comes back from that knee injury.

9. Hank

   Who gets a bigger payday – Eric Bledsoe or Avery Bradley?

   • Lang Greene

     As of right now, Eric Bledsoe is set to be in for a big payday. While I respect Bradley’s game he has an injury history since entering the league. Plus having a dynamic point guard is where the league is headed.

10. JP

    Hi Lang! How are you?
    I have four questions for you!

    A-Do you think that Oladipo is Timberwolves missing piece to be a conteder (along with health)?
    B-In your opinion, should Minnesota get more top picks in this year draft? Picking perhaps Oladipo, Noel & Tim Hardaway Jr to strength their roster (A talented and potentially great roster)?

    The roster would be like this: Rubio-Oladipo-AK47-Love-Pek.Shved-Budinger-Bjelica-Dwill-Noel.Barea-Tim Hardaway Jr-Gelabale-Dante-Stiemsma.

    Long term you might even bring Robbie Hummel & Nick Calathes.

    C-Or would it be enough with just drafting Oladipo & Hardaway along with the arrival of Bjelica?

    D-What would you do?

    Thanks!

    • Lang Greene

      Doing well, thanks for asking.

      A. No. I think he’s a guy that can add depth to the rotation but he’s not a guy putting you over the hump for a championship … especially this injury ravaged T’Wolves squad
      B. You can keep going young, but sooner or later you have to start putting some wins on the board or your veterans will become disgruntled. You’re starting to see that now with some of the sutff Kevin Love has been saying about “wanting to win” or “needing to get to the playoffs” etc … one thing a young squad typically produces is plenty of losing
      C. Enough for what? If you’re looking for a 3-4 year plan, maybe … but T’Wolves were expecting a playoff bid this season. That was there goal. Not to rebuild.
      D. Keep the current roster in place. Draft the best available talent on the board and seek out a shooting guard in free agency. I think Minny would have been a playoff team this season if the injuries didn’t hit

11. richard patterson

    I think the raptors are going to trade baragian in draft.Do you see this playing out,the same way i do?

    • Lang Greene

      The Raptors weren’t shy about their placement of Andrea Bargnani on the trading block. If he didn’t hurt his elbow early in the year there was a good chance he was going to be dealt. Now the team is making a playoff run … so a lot depends on how the team plays down the stretch. Bargnani’s salary isn’t atrocious … but yeah, I can definitely see him getting dealt before the start of next season