NBA Chat With Lang Greene 5/2/12

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

  1. Brian

    What’s your take on the Kings rumors with trading Evans? I think they need to start him at the 2 and bring Thorton in off the bench!! Thorton is not a 4 quarter player he always has his spurts where the points come in bunches. I think he can be a James Harden on our team. Then in the draft go big with, depending on how lucky we get on our #, either Davis, Robinson, Drummand, or Jones. Pairing any of them next to Cousins would be amazing. Then to fix our SF problem look for a sign-trade to acquire Batum or G.Wallace.

    I just wanted to hear your thoughts on those ideas. Thank you

    • Lang Greene

      What’s up Hoop Freaks? Welcome to another chat … this one is dedicated to the memory of my former high school basketball teammate and friend Dwayne Brisbon who was murdered in a senseless act of violence yesterday. Seriously good dude. Send some positive energy to his family in your free moments … now, it’s time to grind, trying to go for thirty tonight … let’s go …

      The Kings consistently deny they’re looking to deal Tyreke Evans … but it is just lip service. The team has to deny all of this stuff. It is standard fare. But pay attention … the team has moved him from point guard to shooting guard and then to small forward, while paying Marcus Thornton big money to occupy the shooting guard spot (Tyreke’s true position).

      I say the writing is on the wall. I wish the kid the best. He’s not a franchise player, but he’ll be a team’s 2-3 option if put in the right situation.
      Little chance on Nic Batum. Portland isn’t letting him go. And I doubt Gerald Wallace heads back to Sacramento. He’s looking to get paid and be in a situation to contend. I think there will be better options for him in the free agency market.

  2. Vinny

    Who do you think will the miami heat draft? Do you think Fab Melo would be available at their pick? and who’s your pick to win the playoffs?

    • Lang Greene

      Vinny – here’s the deal … the Miami HEAT will always be on the search for some size (on the cheap) on the interior because D-Wade, LeBron and Chris Bosh dominate so much of the payroll.

      So in that regards, Fab Melo will surely get a look from Miami …

      Now, if I were you I wouldn’t expect the guy to enter the league next season putting up serious numbers … because if Miami drafts him … he won’t. Anybody outside of the big three in Miami is a role player doing the dirty work.

      Right now, give me San Antonio to win it all. This pick, of course, will change daily … I’m sure.

  3. Aristotle

    Hey there Lang

    With New Jersey now starting fresh as Brooklyn, who do they make their star if Deron leaves?

    Do you try and trade for Melo from NY? Or any other superstar preferably from the area?

    Do you try and trade for Anthony Davis and have him as the face of this new franchise?

    Surely one of those All-Stars out there would love to be the face.

    • Lang Greene

      My man Aristotle …

      1. If they whiff on D-Will, expect the Nets to go after a veteran like Kevin Garnett to pair next to Brook Lopez inside for a season or two. Then re-sign Gerald Wallace. Frontcourt would be decent w/ Garnett, Lopez and Wallace. Marshon Brooks at shooting guard is also a promising prospect.

      1a. If you miss on Deron Williams, I’d throw some dollars at Goran Dragic at point guard in free agency. Dragic, Brooks, Wallace, Garnett and Lopez as a starting five.

      2. Carmelo Anthony won’t be on the market.

      3. Whatever team selects Anthony Davis isn’t trading him …

  4. jim

    lang,
    it is so hard to be a hawks fan. i don’t know what we could do to make that next step. Al coming back next year won’t make us better. Joe is just really going downhill. What can we do? is there a market for joe? milwaukee for ellis and baggage? i mean i’m just hurting after last nite… i want to blow it up

    • Lang Greene

      Joe Johnson is basically not going to be dealt with his contract. No market for Joe, well at least for what the Hawks would rightfully demand in return.

      The team has had a pretty successful year without Al Horford … getting him healthy is the key. I wouldn’t discount a run with him if they continue playing this way.

  5. Ray

    LG what did you think of DWade throwing Bibbys shoe away during game 2? I know its a minor thing and he probably did it as more of a prank then to gain an advantage, but to me it was really poor sportsmenship and sends a terrible message to young ballers, he should know better.

    • Lang Greene

      I love stuff like that. So if you’re expecting a more “politically correct” opinion you’ve come to the wrong chat. Wade and Bibby were teammates last year, so it was all in fun … Bibby didn’t see it that way though.

      But I also see what you did there, in your question. You brought up the old reliable “kids” angle. That is the old politician go to move. Use the kids … the kids …

      I’ve been to more sporting events at the amateur level and hear parents cursing and acting like idiots in front of children. The children angle doesn’t go far with me … people use it to win arguments.

  6. calvinzero

    Hey Lang.. nice to chat with you again. What do you think are the concerns for the Atlanta Hawks to be in top form again now the Game 3 of the series will headed to the historical TD Garden in Boston? As always, the energy of the Celtics is full via their own crowd.

    • Lang Greene

      The Hawks blew a big chance last night to KO a reeling Celtics team. My goodness, no Rajon Rondo. No Ray Allen. Hawks had a double-digit lead late in the second half.

      And what happens … loss …

      Now the series is tied 1-1 and headed to Boston where the Hawks have routinely struggled to get W’s …

      Going to be a tough road for the Hawks to pull this out, especially with Rondo and Allen coming back … and now with Josh Smith’s knee injury.

  7. Gravity's Rainbow Man

    Lang, are you ready to admit I was right about Durant? A bit of a fraud when it matters most.

    • Lang Greene

      The guy hits the game winner in a playoff game against the defending NBA champions with one of the best defensive players in the game (Shawn Marion) draped all over him and you want me to call the man a bum.

      I know what I see. I’m not blinded by media hype. I’ve watched enough basketball in my lifetime to understand Kevin Durant is a special talent. He’s not a fraud.

      Is he on Kobe Bryant’s level or Michael Jordan’s level … of course he isn’t. When Michael Jordan was 23, were people saying he was on Larry Bird and Magic Johnson’s level?

      Let his career play out a bit and relax. Kevin Durant is a goodie monster.

  8. jc

    amare to nets on draft night??? can this be happen?

    • Lang Greene

      Doubt the Nets take a risk with $65 million still owed to Amar’e and his injuries mounting up. Nothing is impossible … but this is slim to none …

  9. David from Portland

    Hey Lang, do you think my Blazers should overpay for Eric Gordon so that the Hornets don’t match? A core of Gordon/Batum/Aldridge is a nice start right? And maybe fill out the rest with Kendall Marshall/Lillard and Drummond/Zeller. Or should they forget Gordon and focus on Deron, Dragic, and Brooks? Thanks for your input!

    • Lang Greene

      David- The Hornets are going to match any offer Eric Gordon receives. I think Dragic is the most realistic option at guard for Portland.

  10. Roon

    Hypothetical: Bobcats land the #2 pick, the Kings land #5.

    Bobcats trade #2 pick (Kidd-Gilchrist)to Sacramento for #5 (Harrison Barnes) and Tyreke Evans. Kings giving up too much?

    • Lang Greene

      From an “overall” talent standpoint the Bobcats would emerge winners. But this isn’t about overall talent. The Kings are trading Evans for a reason. Harrison Barnes didn’t overwhelm anyone in college.

      On the other side, Kidd-GIlchrist is fresh off a national championship with UK and the Bobcats are dying for star power.

      No way Charlotte does this deal, especially with their history of UNC flameouts … Sean May and Raymond Felton.

  11. Oldschool

    Hey Mate! Love your chats here in Australia. J Kidd has been my favorite player in the league for quite some time, but it looks like its all coming to an end soon. How will he be viewed against the all time great point guards? Obviously below Magic, Oscar, Cousy and Stockton… But where from there?

    • Lang Greene

      Good question, solid list and thanks for checking in … I’d also rank Isiah Lord Thomas ahead of Jason Kidd as well.

      But I have Kidd slightly above guys like Walt Frazier, Steve Nash, Lenny Wilkens and Gary Payton

  12. Matthew

    Lang Greene what’s up brother? <<<<< hulk hogan voice alright so same question as last week dragic or lowry? My take is dragic bigger maybe faster can finish and on ball d is killer and can pass.

    • Lang Greene

      Cool as a steel fan … Matty in the building …

      Right now I’m leaning toward taking the risk on Dragic, especially with Lowry suffering from that sports hernia and not being himself toward the end of season.

  13. Chris

    Hi Lang. With D-Rose’s injury re-exposing the Bulls need for a 2nd star, do you think the Bulls will use the playoffs to showcase their trade assets to potential trading partners (Orlando, LA Lakers, Houston, and Denver)?

    • Lang Greene

      I’m not that down on the Bulls. With a healthy Rose the team was a legitimate title contender. Teams don’t go into the season expecting their star and MVP to go down. The Bulls are built solid. They have size. They have depth. They can get on the break. They can grind you down with defense.

      The only this missing this season was D-Rose’s ability to stay healthy.

      No way Chicago blows this up …

  14. John

    Hey Mr.Greene how are you this fine day I have a Question Do you think Josh Smith and Joe Johnson a little under recognized I feel like they carry the hawks with out Al Horford and get little appreciation what do you think? also other than the hawks if you could put Josh Smith on any other team as a Pf/SF which would it be?

    • Lang Greene

      Don’t know about Joe … but I feel Josh Smith is one of the most disrespected players in the league … excluding no one. Tenth place in voting for Defensive Player of the Year this season? Joke … All-Star snub … was another joke.

      I’d love to see Josh Smith in the Western Conference in an up tempo offense with an elite pass first point guard like Chris Paul or Steve Nash. Could you imagine? Whew-LAwd.

  15. The JOkeShow

    Who was better, Blake Griffen right now or Elton Brand before he got injured?

    • Lang Greene

      I think Elton Brand had the better all around skills at the same point in their careers.

      Blake has the flash, but Brand was putting in major work.

      Give me Elton at the same time period.

  16. Marco

    After the celtic game 2 victory how do you think the series will play out? Can the hawks stop the truth?

    • Lang Greene

      Paul Pierce took the Hawks lunch money last night and then ate the meal right in front of them … cold blooded. If you never saw Paul Pierce going to work, catch a replay of game two. 36 points and 14 rebounds … beast mode.

      No one on the Hawks is capable of completely shutting him down. He’s going to get his numbers.

  17. Mike aldridge

    Will John Wall and Kyrie Irving ever be at the same level as Rose and Westbrook? Why or why not?

    In no more than 2 years from now John Wall should be better than Westbrook.

    • Lang Greene

      Mike – I think Westbrook will always be a step ahead of John Wall. The reason is confidence. Westbrook has a self belief that rivals some of the game’s best. The kid knows he has the game to be the face of a franchise and keeps playing his game despite plenty of media scrutiny.

      There won’t be big separation. A good comparison would be something like Chris Paul compared to Tony Parker.

      CP3 is obviously elite, while Parker is an outstanding PG in his own right … just a notch below Paul though.

  18. Jeff allen

    Will Kevin Durrant lead the league in PPG for at least the next 3 years if not longer? Who are some young up and coming players who could challenge Durrant for the scoring title in the next couple of years?

    Eric Gordon, Marshon Brooks, Monta Ellis, Paul George, Blake Griffin, Harrison Barnes, Austin Rivers, Marcus Thornton.

    • Lang Greene

      Out of the list you provided, I can see Monta Ellis stealing a scoring crown in the right system. The guy seems to go off for 25 some nights without breaking a sweat.

  19. Bill Wallace

    Why do most mock drafts have the Hawks taking Tony Wroten in the draft when they already have jeff teague.

    Tony Wroten has more potential and upside than teague but how would he fit on the team?

    • Lang Greene

      Mock drafts … and the people doing them aren’t sold on Teague being the long term solution for Atlanta at PG, that’s why.

      The Hawks are a playoff team, you guys know my theory … rookies very rarely play big roles on serious postseason teams. Remember how Teague was buried on the bench behind a past his prime Mike Bibby as a rookie?

  20. Brad

    If the Hawks trade Josh Smith this summer which players would be a fair trade for him?

    Also Javele Mcgee seems like he would be a good fit with the hawks alongside Al horford, could they get him?

    • Lang Greene

      I wouldn’t want JaVale McGee nowhere near my locker room … and to be honest McGee and Smith shouldn’t even be mentioned in the same sentence as far as headlining a trade.

      Smith is the Hawks’ MVP this season and basically drove them to a fourth seed in the Eastern Conference playoffs. McGee is a project and nowhere near playing at an All-Star level.

  21. Brian Mathew

    Heyy Langy poo

    With the Knicks team right now, do you see them having any potential next season?
    Is there anyway Woodson would come back as the coach?
    Would it be better for Amare to come off the bench next season?

    • Lang Greene

      I can deal with “Langy” … but what’s up with the “Poo” bro .. lol

      1. Carmelo, Amar’e, Chandler and Lin … yes, they’ll win a bunch of games
      2. I think so, but he has to steal one or two from Miami in the first round …
      3. No. Amar’e is being paid too much to be a reserve player. The problem is the Knicks aren’t getting him the rock where he can be effective. I mean, there is no way in a playoff game JR Smith should have more shots as a bench guy than Amar’e … but it happened

  22. Mac

    If you were a NBA head coach in this years playoffs, who would you prefer as your 6th man and why: Jason Terry or James Harden?

    • Lang Greene

      If it were game 7 of the finals give me Jason Terry. I’ve seen his character under the big pressure and he didn’t burst. Harden is yet to be tested on center stage … his time is coming as OKC continues to improve.

      Don’t get me wrong … Harden is the better player, but for one game … Terry has earned his way into my rotation in a do-or-die situation.

  23. Frank

    Both Kenny Smith and Charles Barkley said Steve Novak is the best shooter in basketball. Rank your top three shooters currently in the NBA?

    • Lang Greene

      There are different types of shooters …

      Ray Allen is probably one of the best shooters I’ve ever seen. An underrated guy is Kyle Korver. IF you give him an inch he’ll knock it down. So will a guy like Steve Nash. But they’re not like Novak in the sense Chuck and Kenny are referencing.

      Mid-Range game … watching Carmelo is a thing of beauty. So is watching Paul Pierce work his angles and feints at the top of the key and elbow extended.

  24. Simmworks

    Lang…what’s up, good sir!

    A question about the knuckle headed antics of MWP and Rondo. Of course Ron-Ron’s actions was more egregious, no argument there. But who do you think will suffer the most fallout come next year? Celtics vets sounded like they were biting their tongues big time in the aftermath about Rondo. Is this the last straw for Rondo or MWP?

    • Lang Greene

      The veterans you speak of in Boston likely won’t be around much longer there. They were likely upset because they know this is there last rodeo together and don’t want to go out on a technicality of any kind.

      It isn’t the last straw for either of those guys. They’ll be back .

  25. Maurice Lessington

    With the recent innjury to Derrick Rose and Rajon Rondo’s instability, is it now a foregone conclusion that the Miami Heat are coming out of the east? Which team, if any, poeses a REAL challenge to them?

    • Lang Greene

      My man … hard to see anyone stopping the Miami HEAT train … choo-choo-choo

      Boston has the best shot, but may not even get past the Hawks in round one.

  26. Alex

    Whats the next step for the knicks in the offseason? Get a healthy Amar’e and a full training camp and give it one more try. Or actively shop Amar’e and free up cap space to get a deron/dwight/cp3/eric gordon or a few quality guys to fit in with lin melo and tyson?

    • Lang Greene

      Amar’e and Carmelo have been together for like 100 games … I think it is too early to give up on them as a tag team. But that’s the NY/NJ media pressure machine for you. W
      hen you compare there progress together versus a team like the Hawks whose core has been together for 5+ seasons, it puts things in better perspective. I’m not sure why the media is putting so much pressure on the team to blow it all up.

      Give them time.

  27. M

    Was there anyone in this shortened NBA season more deserving for the Coach of the Year award than Popovich? Why was Tom Thibodeau overlooked considering the job he did with the Bulls?

    • Lang Greene

      Guessing the voters thought his coach of the year award last season was enough. But he did a good job. If he won it again, it wouldn’t spark a complaint from me.

      Shout to Pop for getting his recognition. I have so much respect for the guy.

  28. Casey

    My condolences to you Lang, I lost a Aunt to cancer yesterday.

    As a Blazer fan, I really hope we acquire a PG for the future this off season, I was wondering who you think we have a realistic shot at via trade or free agency. Or if we should grab either Lillard or Marshall to fill that spot and why?

    • Lang Greene

      My condolences to you as well Casey. Stay strong. I’m actually doing a cancer walk on Friday with my wife.

      I think the Blazers have to take a shot at Deron Williams. He’s not going to Portland though. I think the Goran Dragic kid is a realistic option and fit depending on the new coach’s system.

  29. matt

    I said either last season or the season before, ATL should’ve gone hard after nash. nash for Jamal Crawford+1st rounder. Imagine Nash,JJ,MWilliams,JSmoove,Al – not too shabby.

    • Lang Greene

      Hawks could have tried that scenario all day … but the Phoenix Suns weren’t going to bit on that deal my man … in fact, they would have hung up the phone immediately.

      Takes two to tango in trade talks. This isn’t NBA 2k12 where you can force the computer into making a bad deal.

  30. Chris GuesT

    Ling Lang langerman.
    Can we bitc# slap the media. How the hek does jsmoove get voted 10th in DPOY???
    Travesty I tells ya.
    How ridiculous was that block by Teague last night??? Spilt my coffee on that one

    • Lang Greene

      My man Chris!

      I take up for Josh Smith, but I don’t have a stake in the race. I’ve watched him grow on and off the court over the past few seasons. I get tired of people holding labels over others heads … people grow as they age. I wouldn’t want anyone judging me by mistakes I made 10 years ago.

      But the media is a fickle bunch … and hold long term grudges. There’s a reason they say the “pen is mightier than the sword” at the end of the day.

  31. Big Z

    If you were MJ and the bobcats won the lottery and teams were willing to trade for your number 1 pick.

    Which player, at the very least, would you consider trading for the pick?

    • Lang Greene

      Last question for the night … hope you enjoyed …

      At the very least the guy being returned would have to be a young guy with perennial All-Star potential. I’m not talking about guys like Al Horford or Roy Hibbert. Or Eric Gordon.

      It would have to net the Bobcats someone like Russell Westbrook. A young gunner on the rise.

      But, don’t expect the Bobcats to trade that pick Big Z … they would have to select Anthony Davis.