NBA Chat With Lang Greene 2/29/12

1. Gil

   What a sorry dunk contest. It was the most underwhelming thing ever and all I hear is that there’s not much that can be done to improve it. There is an easy solution but it would make the NBA look bad. Open the contest to non-NBA dunkers. Spend 5 mn on youtube and you will find tons amazing dunks that would bring down the house. Kenny Dobbs among others, dwarfs anything seen during the dunk contest. Why are we so tolerant of this mediocrity? Cars, motorcycles and stickers can’t compare to flair, creativity and practice. It’s little details like knowing how to move your body in the air that create style, not bringing in big props. I don’t think the players put any works whatsoever in what they showed us. it’s pitiful.

   • Lang Greene

     What’s up Hoop Freaks? Coming to you live from Philips Arena tonight. The Golden State Warriors are in town tonight. Very interesting locker room to cover … one of the best parts of the gig. Let’s bang this out …

     I’m not down on the dunk contest like a lot of people are. I can see your point and the point shared by the majority of folks who love the game.

     I just think it’s the times we live in. I’m not sure people would be satisfied with the dunk contests from the 80s if they happened today. Society is demanding the use of cars, motorcycles, stickers, actors and comedians. People aren’t going to pay to see Kenny Doobs bro …

     I thought Jeremy’s dunk of two basketballs was electric … and Chase’s reprising the role of Billy Hoyle was well played … but overall the show was flat. But man, you’re not getting Vince, MJ, Nique, Spud, Kobe, J-Rich, J-Smoove every year. Last year was good. The D-Howard year was solid … no need for worldwide panic. It’ll come back next year with a vengeance.

2. JfromPHI

   Just wondering…your thoughts on who is best paired with a player like Monta Ellis in the backcourt? If you had 3 choices of guards to pair with him who would they be and why?

   • Lang Greene

     In an idea world you could pair Monta Eliis next to a bigger point guard. A younger Jason Kidd would work. Or how about a guy like Kirk Hinrich who can guard both guard spots.

3. Jazzfan

   What are your thoughts on the dunk contest? as a Jazz fan I was excited to see Jeremy Evans win and I thought his two ball dunk over Gordon Hayward was the best of the night and loved his tribute to Karl Malone, although if Derrick Williams had been able to stick his last dunk he would’ve had my vote as winner, overall I wasnt impressed with the contest but at the same time what can really be done to make it better? people say props are ruining it but without the props there are maybe a handful of dunks that havent already been done a million times you know?

   • Lang Greene

     Thanks for the question. See what I mean guys. In the first question someone questioned the usage of props. In this comment someone champions the usage of props. This further confirms the old adage of not being able to make everyone happy.

     I thought Jeremy Evans pulled off the win based on his competition. The two handed dunk was bad a– and will be copied in the future.

     Look, you can only beat who you face. Jeremy pulled it out in a down year. Much like a guy like Kenyon Martin being the No. 1 overall pick one year when if he came out in 2003 he probably wouldn’t even be top 10.

4. Deven

   Hey Lang. How’s it going my man? Tomorrow is the day players, who signed contracts in the off season, are eligible to be traded. For those that did, who do you see being on the move and why?

   • Lang Greene

     Maybe Tracy McGrady. Not sure the Hawks want a guy blowing up his coach in the media the way T-Mac did the other week.

5. vlad

   Would Celtics consider a package of Beasley, Randolph, Wes Johnson, Miller, Memphis 1st 2013 for Paul Pierce?

   • Lang Greene

     The true question Vlad is would Minny’s ownership even allow their GM to offer all of those pieces for a past his prime Paul Pierce. My money says NO …

     As good as Pierce was in his day, his value is less than this right now. Just giving up too many pieces to acquire the vet at this point.

6. Nick

   Rumor has it that Atlanta would trade Williams, Hinrich and 2012 1st rounder to Cleveland for Sessions and Jamison? What do you thing of the possibility of this trade?

   • Lang Greene

     Nick – Haven’t heard this rumor. HInrich is better than Sessions. The emergence of Teague this year has alleviated the pressure in acquiring a point guard.

7. J Christon

   Lang, How about the following trade: ( it works under under the cap for all teams involved)

   Lakers ( get) M. Beasly,L. Scola, J. Hill & R. Sessions

   Rockets ( get) P. Gasol

   Minn ( gets) K. Martin

   Clev ( gets) W. Johnson

   • Lang Greene

     I’ll take your word on the financial aspect since I’m in a time crunch. The Lakers make out like bandits here. Why would you think these other teams would be so willing to help out the Lakers? Can’t see this happening.

8. FocusLJA

   Any news on what Houston plans on doing with Terrence Williams?

   • Lang Greene

     He’s one of their tradeable assets for sure, but it takes two to tangle and wheel and deal. Williams’ trade value isn’t exactly skyrocketing at this point. A team would have to want to take a gamble and I don’t believe they’d be willing to give up a first round pick to do so.

9. FocusLJA

   Would Houston be more receptive to dealing Lowry in a Gasol trade if they knew they could acquire a similar player in DJ Augustin?

   • Lang Greene

     I think more trades would be completed if GMs had crystal balls knowing that other chips would fall in place. But unfortunately these execs don’t have that power. Houston could find temselves dealing away Lowry and some other team swoops in for DJ Augustin. Then what? Takesa a more cautious approach and that’s why these things take so much time.

10. The JOkeShow

    Should the jazz try and make a trade with the celtics? Harris, milsap for rondo, allen?

    • Lang Greene

      Boston wouldn’t want any part of this deal. Really don’t think Utah would either. Probably a strong chance Rondo would sulk being shipped to Utah … why chance it?

11. FocusLJA

    Who says no? Gerald Henderson 2012 2nd for Wes Johnson and 2012 first

    • Lang Greene

      Very unlikely any team moves a decent range first round pick in this upcoming draft. Not for Gerald Henderson anyway. Plus Wes was a high lottery pick last year. I’m inclined to believe Minnesota rejects this without a second thought.

12. Clinton

    Gun to your head, what new player will be wearing a Rockets jersey on March 16th?

    • Lang Greene

      Why so violent? I say Chris Kaman …

      No secret the Rockets want a center. No secret New Orleans would be open to dealing Kaman.

      Houston has the inexpensive youth assets to pull it off if they wanted to …

13. Charlie

    Derek Fisher has a 3.4 million dollar player option for next year. He would be foolish to not pick this up as he wouldn’t get nearly as much on the open market. If the Lakers wanted to clear salary cap space (in a big splash move), would the league allow LA to offer Fisher a 3.5 million dollar front office or assistant job to persuade him to not pick up this option?

    • Lang Greene

      No this isn’t possible.

14. JP

    What do you think of this trade:
    http://games.espn.go.com/nba/tradeMachine?tradeId=899wfcd
    Should Minne add a pick to have it done, should they use other player?
    How would you make it done?

    • Lang Greene

      So the Nets trade Farmar, Brooks and Petro for Minny’s Beasley, Tolliver, Randolph and Ellington?

      Why would Minnesota undergo a major roster transformation in the heat of playoff race? I can see them moving Beasley at the trade deadline based on things I’m hearing but it won’t dramtically reshape the roster like what you proposed.

15. Arthur

    Lang, where do you think d12 will be a

    • Lang Greene

      In the background of an old school Mary J. Blige song (Real Love) there’s a chant paying homage to her hometown … check it out …

      It goes a little something like this …

      Brooklyn …. Go Brooklyn …. (repeat) … Brooklyn … Go Brooklyn …

16. Chosen One

    What up Lang.
    Who do you think is the most disappointing rookie so far? I would probably go with Jan Vesley.

    • Lang Greene

      Very tough for me to be down on this year’s batch of rookies … no summer league … shortened training camp … no access to their coaches during the lockout … actually surprised a couple of them have been able to break out.

17. Arthur

    Lang, where do you think d12 will be after the deadline? And after free agency? Latest rumors say the nets are far and away his top choice.
    Much appreciated!

    • Lang Greene

      I’m still saying Brooklyn based on everything I hear … but I think it will come this summer.

18. Alex Knudtson

    Was Dwyane Wade’s ASG foul of Kobe flagrant?

    • Lang Greene

      Man’s game. These things happen. Didn’t think it was malicious while watching. Not going to play Tuesday afternoon point guard now.

19. sebas

    tired of reading dumb trades. what say you, who can lakers get by the deadline? thanks

    • Lang Greene

      My man … nothing moves the needle like trade stories. Trust me on this. It’s only beginning … buckle up … because from now until March 15 you’re going to hear all types of trade scenarios.

      Lakers are looking point guard as their top priority. If you’re hearing anything about the Lakers making moves without it netting a starting caliber PG in return … the report may be misguided.

20. Alex in Burbank

    Lang,
    Why can’t the league implement a voting ballot with players to DUNK in the contest. We pick the players and who ever we pick, is obligated to DUNK wether it be LeBron, Griffin, Westbrook etc…

    • Lang Greene

      That won’t fly … can’t force guys to participate.

      Players Union would shoot this down before it gained any traction.

21. mike in warren,ohio

    Hey lang, what do u think of the cavs? I see a very good one two punch with kyrie and Tristan thompson

    • Lang Greene

      Kyrie Irving has the goods. No Hyperbole. The kid shoots 48 percent from the floor, 44 percent from 3PT land and 87 percent from the free throw line.

      Cleveland has their floor general of the future … no doubt … now the front office has to get guys around him.

22. JP

    Lang Greene

    So the Nets trade Farmar, Brooks and Petro for Minny’s Beasley, Tolliver, Randolph and Ellington?

    Why would Minnesota undergo a major roster transformation in the heat of playoff race? I can see them moving Beasley at the trade deadline based on things I’m hearing but it won’t dramtically reshape the roster like what you proposed.

    Minnesota would do it to have a great young SG with all the talent in the world and fill that missing piece.

    Beasley isn´t part of the future, for what I see Randolph isn´t either (Adelman playing time). Tolliver can be replaced and Ellignton would give them a young backup for Morrow.

    Would you do it other way?

    Don´t you think Minne gets the missing piece of the puzzle with this?

    Would yo do a Morrow for Beasley and a 1st pick instead?

    Or a trade for OJ Mayo?

    • Lang Greene

      I don’t believe Marshon Brooks is the missing piece to anyone’s championship puzzle at this point. A guy like Kevin Martin would push Minnesota higher in the standings.

      Brooks is a good talent, but the T’Wolves need a veteran, consistent and stable force at SG.