NBA Chat With Lang Greene 4/11/12

1. billy

   marcus thornton for ryan anderson? (package deals). thorntons expendable due to tyreke being sac’s long term sg. magic get scoring sg that could fit well in magic sysem.

   • Lang Greene

     Welcome ladies and gentlemen to the 8th wonder of HOOPSWORLD. The chat of the century, oh it’s timeless. Thanks for comin’ out tonight. You could’ve been anywhere in the world, but you’re here with me. I appreciate that, uh

     Let me address a couple of things before I get into the heart of your question. I’m not sold Tyreke Evans is part of Sacramento’s long term plans. They have rotated him from point guard to shooting guard and are experimenting with him at small forward. Meanwhile they re-signed Thornton, a shooting guard, to a lucrative deal before the season. I think SG is Evans’ true position at this level. So it wouldn’t surprise me one bit if the Kings tried to flip Tyreke (who’d get the most value in return) for more talent in their rebuilding project.

     Now, to your question … no one knows what system the Magic will be running next season. I’m assuming Stan Van Gundy is likely gone as soon as the season is over. But if he’s not (would be a shocker) Thornton wouldn’t fit SVG’s defensive philosophy – at all.

     Remember Thornton was traded from New Orleans partly due to his defensive shortcomings.

2. Chris G

   Until Rose gets his timing back, do you think it would help the Bulls to maybe have him come off the bench for a couple games, or is getting him to play with Hamilton more important?

   • Lang Greene

     The Bulls aren’t going to play Rose unless he’s close to 100 percent. If he’s close to 100 percent there’s no way you bring him off the bench.

     Establishing a rhythm with RIP Hamilton is definitely important. I believe Hamilton is the key to the Bulls’ title hopes. He has to step up big time in the postseason like he’s done his whole career up until this point.

3. Aristotle

   Langy!
   I’ve seen a few articles lately on something I’ve been preaching to all who’ll listen… why isn’t LeBron the full-time PG. He needs that ball in his hands, and he loves to dish. You can get a feel that Wade would love to be fed as he cuts and slashes or goes for a spotter…same with Battier, Jones, Miller, and Chalmers waiting for that trey.
   Would you want LeBron as a PG and looking to sign a SF instead?

   • Lang Greene

     My man, your idea is good in theory but in reality would be very hard to execute. First let’s talk body type … LeBron’s physical frame is more in the mold of a power forward. He’s a big dude. Can he keep up with the D-Will, CP3, Nash, Wall, Rondo and D-Rose types for 82 games a season? I guess you would say D-Wade could play those PGs on defense but now you give one of your top scorers some very tough and brutal defensive assignments to deal with – while still expecting him to score 22-26 per night.

     Next, who plays small forward The oft injured Mike Miller? The seldom used James Jones? I guess Shane Battier would do.

     But lastly, let’s talk about what it does to the HEAT’s frontcourt. The HEAT are already a smallish team on the inside (Turiaf, Joel Anthony, Chris Bosh) … so taking LeBron away from the forward group and moving him to PG makes them even weaker upfront.
     Can’t see it becoming a reality – full-time at least.

4. Jazzfan

   Lang keep up the great work my man, Just a fun question if you had to decide between a player with great offense and avg defense or a player with great defense and avg offense which would you choose?

   • Lang Greene

     Truly depends on my roster. But I’d take great offense and average defense if I was building a team.

     Dirk Nowitzki comes to mind as a great offensive player with average to below average defense. Dominique Wilkins was another example.

     Taking the strong defensive / average offense guy is scary … you could wind up with a Andre Iguodala as best case, but a Tony Allen on the lower side.

     Now don’t get me wrong, TA is one of my favorite players in the game for his heart, but if I’m starting a squad from scratch … I’m gonig with the top flight offensive dude.

5. Prem I.

   If the cavs get a top 5 pick this year if he decides to declare do you think Andre drummond would be a good fit with Kyrie Irving?

   • Lang Greene

     Andre Drummond looks the part on paper but he underwhelmed me somewhat as a freshman. I’ve watched a lot of his games and he has a tendency to fade away from the basket in the paint on shot attempts. That’s not a great skill trait he developed. There’s no question he’s a NBA player though, I just think he’ll take a while to get up to speed.

     Cleveland needs to go with the best available guy (talent). They’re not in a position to be picking guys in the draft based on “need” alone.

6. David

   Hi Lang. The Celtics have beaten the heat twice in ten days, and are starting to catch fire at the right time. KG, Paul Pierce, and Rondo are just manhandling everyone, while Avery, Brandon and Ray are still putting up big numbers. So my question is, are the Celtics legitimate title contenders? They have battled injury and they might end up in 3rd.

   • Lang Greene

     Count me in as one of the guys who said the Celtics were finished. I believe I called them burnt toast at the All-Star break.

     But give the old wily veterans huge credit, they responded to the left hook, beat the ten count, got up and started kicking a– and taking names.

     Not sure I’d call them title contenders in the same sentence as OKC, San Antonio, Miami and Chicago but I can see them pushing it to the second round (semis) and being an extremely tough out for somebody.

7. Jay

   My man Lang!!good to hear from you again..Well,everyone agrees that if the Pacers have to choose between Danny Granger and Paul George..Granger is the odd man out..but the way Indy played lately..to me,it looks like if this group can find a way how to be consistent..nobody have to go..just add couple more pieces and we can contend..what you think my man??good stuff,keep it up my brother..

   • Lang Greene

     Thanks for the support Jay!

     The Pacers don’t want to part ways with Granger or George at this point, but economic will come into play eventually. The club has to re-sign Roy Hibbert. Eventually the Pacers will have to pay Collison if they want to keep him in the fold and after that George will come looknig for his dollars. It’s just the way the CBA is structured. Get ther young guys for cheap early while paying your vets big money … but as the young pups get older you have to pay them and the veterans (unless they are superstars) are usually shown the door.

8. Charlie

   Now that Goran Dragic showed his capability of starting at point guard (averaging 16 points, and 8 assists during 14 games as Houston’s starter). Does this change the way people view the vetoed New Orleans trade??They would have ended up with Scola, Martin, Dragic and Odom, making 3 quality starters and one whiner. Having seen how everything turned out, if you were GM of New Orleans would you prefer the Eric Gordan package or the Houston/Laker package?

   • Lang Greene

     From a basketball standpoint, the Houston/Laker package would have the New Orleans near or on the plus side of .500 this season. I mean, K-Mart, Scola, Odom and Dragic? That would have been a solid package to get in return for CP3.

     But the trade didn’t go through for financial reasons Charlie. The Hornets were looking for buyers and one thing you can’t do when you’re shopping something is add more debt … that’s business 101. The contracts of K-Mart, Scola and Odom just added too much long term debt to the Hornets’ balance sheet.

     If we didn’t have to adhere to the financial reality of the situation … I’d pick the HOU/LA package all day … any day of the week.

9. Sweet Dee

   Without Dwight Howard in the lineup, Ryan Anderson was 2-10 from the field (including 1-7 from long distance) for 7 points against the powerhouse Washington Wizards. Is this simply a bad game from Anderson or highlight the fact he scores so many points due to the attention Dwight gets in the post?

   • Lang Greene

     Ryan Anderson isn’t THAT bad. He’s actually a solid role player who will have longevity in the league because of his long range shot. The ability to stretch defenses is still a luxury item teams covet.

     But, yes … Dwight Howard’s presence alone has helped Anderson get some wide open looks to knock down. Anderson definitely benefits from Howard’s gravy train.

10. Cricket

    Lamar Odom won the NBA 6th Man Award last year. Now he can’t stop sulking so he essentially gets cut from Dallas. I don’t have any sympathy for a man making 9 million a year who is traded to the defending champions. Its not like he was ousted to Toronto or Charlotte it was with Dirk Nowitzki and the Mavs. What more do you want??? Lang Green, have you personally lost respect for this two time champion due to his unprofessionalism this year?

    • Lang Greene

      I rarely go in on players, but the Lamer Odom drama was sickening. From what I hear the Dallas Mavericks really pampered and babied Odom in an effort to get his mind right but he was emotionally checked out from the get go.

      I seriously think the LA scene went to Lamar’s head. Dallas isn’t a small town by any means, but it doesn’t have the glitz and glamour of LA. I think his wife didn’t fully embrace the move and it shows.

      If I was the GM of a contending team next season, I’d keep Lamar far away from my squad. Say what you will about guys like Metta World Peace and Dennis Rodman, but they never packed it in … ahem … quit.

11. Flight33, A Chicagoan in England

    LG!!! Whats up big dawg? As a lifelong Bulls fan I have seen first hand what a decent coach and a great coach can do for a team. With all of the talent that he Clippers have, its obvious that VDN aint really getting the best out of all his players. What kind of coach would be the best replacement in your opinion? A disciplinarian or a “players coach”? Who do you think would fill that void?

    • Lang Greene

      VDN gets a bad rap … I don’t think he’s setting the world on fire, but he isn’t exactly sinking the ship either.

      With CP3 running the point all you need is a players coach. A guy the players can trust. CP3 is one of the best leaders in the NBA by a wide margin. I don’t believe he needs a Scott Skiles type of guy yelling from the sidelines. Players respect CP3 so much they tend to emulate his attitude.

12. Q Man

    What’s good with you Lang. Should the Hawks build around Josh Smith we all see his growth,And what is your honest opinon on the hawks draft needs

    • Lang Greene

      Hawks need a backup point guard. I don’t think the team re-signs Hinrich based on their cap position.

      I think the Hawks could build around Josh Smith and Joe Johnson. Package Al Horford and try to lure in an upper tier point guard. Trading Horford would be the risky move. Moving Josh is the politically safe move.

      The question is does Josh want to be a part of the Hawks’ future. It’s going to be interesting next season to see how he responds to the contract talk (expires in 2013).

13. mariostump

    Hey lang supp? Anyways with the hawks getting the silent assasin thing goin on. They areblike stealth that we aint noticing them laltely yet they are ver capable of beating any team. How far can they go? And man im disappointed about w.green. he is like a ben gordon type but aint shinning much in atlanta. But i like the team. I hope we beat the heat or who ever we face. Good job with the chats man!

    • Lang Greene

      What’s up bro? The Hawks can beat any team in the league on any given night. Yes, they can. The question is … can they beat an elite team in a seven game series. I still say the answer is no … missing Al Horford is just too much to hurdle come playoff time.

      Green is a scorer but he’s nowhere near as dynamic as Ben Gordon. I think you were expecting too much from Willie. He’s a 6 to 10 point a game guy. I think he has been solid given the minutes, health and adjusting to a new team in a shortened season aspects.

14. Simmworks

    Hi Lang, what’s good? How do you see next year playing out for Odom? I know you have to be a professional about getting traded, but man, did he have a hard off-season. Any hope that LO can get back to either LA team?

    • Lang Greene

      You do make a point. Lamar had a very hard offseason losing a family member and watching someone close to death in a terrible accident. But not “touching a basketball in months” and routinely showing up late for team events isn’t indicative of mental stress … it’s indicative of indifference … and that’s where my sympathy for LO ends.

      We all go through things … but it is how you respond to adversity which shows your true character as a person.

15. Will

    Should the Magic go after Joe Johnson this offseason in a trade?

    • Lang Greene

      Why would they? No, I don’t think so. Plus the Hawks are only trading Joe Johnson to Orlando if it nets Dwight Howard.

16. jaleel

    Huge Lebron fan. Been watching him since high school. I am starting to have my doubts lately. If he dose win this year is he doomed to be just another what could have been.

    • Lang Greene

      I think LeBron will eventually breakthrough. I don’t think he’ll contend with MJ, Kobe and Duncan in terms of championship rings, but he’ll get a couple before his time is up in the league. He’s already been to the finals twice. At least he’s at the dance … gives him a shot to go home with the prom queen one day. The guys on the outside of the party never are in the discussion.

17. John

    do you agree that this draft might be overrated and who do you see going be in the top 5?

    • Lang Greene

      Draft class isn’t overrated. It’s a decent draft with good frontcourt / wing talent. Lacking top quality point guards.

      Stop listening to the 24 hour sports cycle hyping everything up to be the greatest event ever. They have to do that to boost ratings and bring in revenue.

18. James Gordon

    Do you think the NBA should increase the age limit to 20, two yrs in college? I think it would be a good idea and help the Nba in the long run. Imagine how good Anthony Davis would be if he came into the league with and offensive game and 240-250lbs instead of 220lb.

    • Lang Greene

      No. I’m not for increasing the age limit. I believe if you have the game then you should be able to apply to be compensated. I went to college and wanted to improve my chances of getting a stable job … but if USA Today came to my college as a sophomore and said “Lang, if you leave college right now we’ll sign you to a 3 year $250,000 guranteed contract” … I’d leave … and finish the degree later.

      Some of the best players in the game have come through straight from high school … Kobe, LeBron, Garnett, etc … there have also been countless duds who were four year collegiate stars. The draft is a crapshoot.

      What the NCAA should do is be more lenient of kids who declare and are not drafted instead of casting them,

19. Matthew

    Lang what’s up bro? Ok give it he plays as long as Stockton did do u think Rondo will break his assit record?

    • Lang Greene

      No. Stockton was an absolute beast handing out the dimes my man. The best point guard ever in my opinion.

20. Dennis

    Tommy Beer tweets “Unfortunate that Durant & OKC’s remarkable season receives 1/100th the coverage of Howard and the circus in Orlando.” Couldn’t agree more. Seems like the Howards and Metta World Peaces get the headlines, while OKC and San Antonio get little love. If you were a team owner, would you prefer a squad of silent assassins or a few players with a flamboyant personality to increase media exposure, popularity, jersey sales, etc.?

    • Lang Greene

      Don’t confuse headlines with popularity. Sometimes things aren’t that cut and dry.

      I would want a mixture. I would want popular guys of course, but not distractions. Just because a guy is popular doesn’t mean he’s a detriment.

21. tyNY

    Do you think knicks should exolore the option of moving amare out for a high pick in this years draft maybe anthony davis…and do you think it would work for the knicks…

    • Lang Greene

      Wishful thinking. A team at the top of the lottery isn’t going to touch Amar’e and his long term deal. Especially with the way his play has fallen off this season and the recent back injury. Those are red flags.

      I saw Larry Bird comment on Stoudemire’s back a couple weeks ago … said it’s going to be a long road back to 100 percent for Amar’e … and Bird should know about back injuries … it was the chronic pain in his that derailed his career early.