NBA Chat With Lang Greene 6/20/12

ralph lawrence

wazzup lang? given that davis, robinson, mkg and barnes would be gone that leaves between beal or drummond for the kings to select.. most analyst are saying that beal would be their choice at #5.. given that scenario kings are stacked with guards.. do you think the kings will trade beal to get some nice pieces or do they trade evans? personally i prefer trading jimmer, T-will and whiteside and maybe the kings future 2nd round pick.. is this enough to be able to get the #2 pick of charlotte? or will other teams trade their first round picks with what the kings would offer? your thoughts?

Lang Greene

What’s up Hoops Freaks? Fresh in the house from doing some yard work and battling foot cramps. No stopping me. Man’s game. There are plenty of questions awaiting, so if I don’t get to you … hit me on Twitter (@LangGreene) … Let’s work.

Well, the problem I see with your question lies with the availability of Brad Beal. I don’t see Brad falling below the fourth overall pick honestly. I think Drummond or Barnes will be there at five if Sacramento wants to go those specific routes.

According to my man Jason Jones, Tyreke Evans has been working out with Kings exec Geoff Petrie which doesn’t exactly signal an imminent trade. I also don’t see the Kings giving up on Jimmer after only one year in the L and T-Williams is a guy who simply isn’t going to net much in return via trade. There’s only so far potential can take you, time for Williams to produce.

Julian

Whats the deal Langg, hope all is going well. Quick question, in your opinion is Carmelo Anthony currently a top 10 NBA player? Love the chats man, keep doing your thing..

Lang Greene

What’s good man? Let’s see, I’d start my franchise with the following players before I get to Carmelo, in no particular order: LeBron James, Kevin Durant, Kobe Bryant, Chris Paul, Dwight Howard, Dirk Nowitzki, Derrick Rose, Russell Westbrook and Dwyane Wade.

So that’s nine guys I roll with right now over Carmelo without question. I’m not sure who gets my tenth spot because you have guys like Carmelo, Joe Johnson, LaMarcus Aldridge, Rajon Rondo, Paul Pierce, Deron Williams, Steve Nash, Andrew Bynum, Pau Gasol, Kevin Love and Chris Bosh making up the next tier. Guys like Nash and Pierce would have gotten the last nod in years past but they’re in the second tier now because they’re a little long in the tooth nowadays.

William The Greatest Faulkner

Let’s talk about how Durant was absolutely nonexistent on both ends and ruined Westbrook’s incredible Game 4. Since after all, if the reverse happened the media would go absolutely nuts on Westbrook.

Lang Greene

I’m not into knee jerk reactions. That’s not how I’m wired. Sometimes you just lose games and no one has to take on more blame than another. One thing that is wrong with our current sports coverage (or fan hood) is the incessant need to ride guys and overanalyze. When it’s due I’ll give it, but someone has to lose eventually.

Durant scored 28 points. He showed up to play. He pumped in his season average which was good enough to win his third straight scoring title. My biggest complaint with Durant isn’t scoring … it was him only grabbing two rebounds. He must do better than that.

Westbrook and Durant combined to score 70+ points. They ARE NOT the problem. My focus would be more on the disappearing acts of James Harden and Serge Ibaka. The HEAT got 25 from Mario Chalmers. OKC needs a role player to step up … immediately.

Alec

Agree or Disagree : after watching every game in the finals, alot of OKC fans or anyone routing for them will need anger management? I seriously do not like LBJ, but damn, dude can ball. If the Thunder lose, do they need to atleast explore the option of moving RW or is the average fan taking everything out of proportion?

Lang Greene

Trade Russell Westbrook for who? And why? Man, please!

If you’re OKC you find a way to make it work. You’re talking about a guy who is already in the top 5 at his position and he’s only 23 years old.

If anything I believe OKC could tinker with moving Russell to shooting guard and bring in a PG who can do a better job at facilitating, but man, oh man, why on earth would you deal a guy averaging 30 points per game in the NBA Finals?

pacquiao punch

Have u seen the new bobcats jersey? Did mj just gave rich cho some love by placing some okc thunder style in it ? It also kinda looks like the mavs for the away jersey.. cool but could’ve been nicer knowing mj owns a cool brand of style . Whats your take lang?

Lang Greene

I like the less orange more “Carolina Blue” look. I also like the transition away from Bobcats to ‘Cats on front of the home uniforms. I’d cop one.

coach brooks gone fishing

Will teague be a trade bait knowing his stock is at its highest of is he the future for atl? And will trading away j.johnson to the nets and get something back in maybe a 3 way deal help atl specially tax time is about to kick in? Maybe get younger and build around al horford and jsmith???

Lang Greene

The Hawks are not dealing Teague unless it nets a starting caliber PG in return. He’s the only PG under contract. Plus the Hawks have no interest in trading Joe Johnson at this point. It would have to net an upper tier player and I don’t believe they’d find a buyer for the price tag.

coach brooks gone fishing

Im a fan of this kid nolan smith. Can the lakers get him in a trade maybe for dmorris or goudelock?? Whats your take on nolan? And will ray felton be intriguing to the knicks,magics or maybe a back up for the spurs?

Lang Greene

The Knicks don’t have much room to offer Raymond Felton anything substantial financially and Ray wants to get paid so make no mistake about that. Ray also wants to start and doesn’t want a bench role. He’s told us he’d be willing to mentor a young guy when the time comes but right now he wants to play significantly during his prime years.

I think Nolan Smith has potential, but he is nowhere close to being a savior type for the Lakers. I don’t believe Portland would find the deal you offered enough to deal him.

Zeeshan

Kings,Raptors,and Warriors all interested in Deng right? On a scale 1-10, how likely is it that the Bulls move up in draft night and give up a guy like deng for a quality playrr and a high draft pick? I loke the kings bcuz of Tyreke Evans? Ur thOughts???

Lang Greene

I rate the possibility very low. I’d say two out of 10 chance. Deng is owed a lot of money, is injured and will miss a good portion of next season.

chuck and shaq wagon

Was dfish in the crucial minutes as a ‘point guard’ the biggest mustake of okc? And game 5 i say wade won it by defense andbi say chalmers step up kinda like the heat’s version of harden. Whats your take on the game? And will okc heat be the next LAL boston,modern day nba rivalry? Lastly lang, who is better,last years mavs or this years okc?

Lang Greene

Lots of questions here …

1. Derek Fisher was signed for his vast experience, but he has been less than stellar with his decision making, especially in game four of the Finals
2. Despite the series being 3-1, this is a great series. I wish I recorded all of the games so I could go back and look at some of the finer nuisances because this is an absolute treat for hardcore hoops junkies.
3. Too early to say if this will ever mirror the old Lakers versus Celtics rivalry which was somewhat by racial overtones.
4. For my money I think OKC’s team this year is better than last year’s Mavericks squad – on paper. I even believe OKC is a better team than the HEAT – on paper. But games aren’t played on paper and I think the youth and inexperience on the big stage is finally catching up with the Thunder.

tapsilog de manila

Did ibaka and harden just hurt their stock for getting max? I know they may not be max guys but okc may see this as thing that might lead to trading harden by july to the cats?

Lang Greene

I never believed either guy was worth the MAX honestly. Just a lot of people starting to cover the Finals after snoozing through the regular season.

Call me old school but MAX deals should only be given to guys who can carry teams to playoff appearances. With all due respect, a team headlined by Harden or Ibaka might get you 30 wins tops.

bulalo sa tagaytay

Years a go people didnt like kobe, then he just gave them 5 rings to shut them up. I see lebron goin 6 ring in the next 7 years. Whats your take?

Lang Greene

I’m going to be upfront … make no mistake about this comment … people STILL don’t like Kobe but his haters have been silenced because he has the hardware (5 rings) to show for his greatness. LeBron is in his ninth year and is probably right in or close to his prime. It’s hard for me to say how many titles he may run off because the NBA landscape will change so much in that time period.

My original projection when he went to Miami was 2-3 titles over the next five years.

big mc jag

Will lebron’s finals ring signify the torch being passwd to him by the last torched keeped kobe? Is it time for the lebron era?

Lang Greene

Tough to say because Kevin Durant is nipping at his heels. This series is only 5-10 plays from it being 3-1 in OKC’s favor.

jonel

wil the rockets make dis trade….okafor for the 14th and the NY pick that they have?draft rivers at 10,marshall at 14 den moultrie wid the NY pick and the rebuilding is over in big easy….

Lang Greene

Emeka Okafor and Trevor Ariza were traded to Washington in exchange for Rashard Lewis and the No. 46 pick earlier today.

del

Do you think that #3 is way too much for future gerald wallace and somebody who can’t be franchise player .MKG is limited in offence and is horrible shooter.You don’t learn that overnight and top3 pick should be ready to contribute immediatly.Would you pick beal over him in washington place?

Lang Greene

Based on the trade Washington made today, I’d select Brad Beal over MKG. Washington could roll out a starting lineup of Okafor, Nene, Ariza, Beal and John Wall – which isn’t all that bad.

I don’t believe MKG is a “horrible” shooter. Is he prolific? No. But can he drill an open 15-17 footer? Yes.

donny

Paul allen wants championship,and he hasn’t left much.If they spent #6 on drummond that definitly wont happen in next 5years.The kid is raw and still doesn’t know playing basketball 29% ft tells you whole story.He reminds me way too much on kwame and that is not a compliment?Would you draft him or send and #11 for veteran help?

Lang Greene

I haven’t been a huge fan of the latest collection of UCONN big men. All of the recent guys have disappointed me … Hilton Armstrong, Josh Boone, Hasheem Thabeet and Jeff Adrian, etc. The only player who has had a very solid pro stint is Emeka Okafor … he’s been a solid pro.

calvinzero

What can you say to the Miami Heat now they are heading to possibly a championship title( most especially on LBJ)?

Lang Greene

All I can say (if it happens) is that they’ve earned it. They took a lump last season in the Finals and came back to exercise their demons. From a respect standpoint, how can you not give their story some R-E-S-P-E-C-T?

lin

Is it tough watching jj reciving 120 through 6years?Is that worse then giving amare 100mil through 5years with his knee history?

Lang Greene

All I can say (if it happens) is that they’ve earned it. They took a lump last season in the Finals and came back to exercise their demons. From a respect standpoint, how can you not give their story some?

wendy

would atlanta deal josh smith and marvin williams for #2 and henderson?Would bobcats?

Lang Greene

Short and sweet. No and No. Josh Smith wants to compete for titles … with only one year remaining on his deal there is NO way he signs a long term extension with the Bobcats.

Aristotle

Langy!! What’s happening!. My HEAT are one game away from winning it all, and I’ll admit I been one of the fans secretly hoping they’d get it together but believing it would be a Celts – Spurs Finals.
Not able to watch the games (at work while they are playing), has Wade and James stopped doing the pre-game show-offing of chin ups on the ring, and chalk powder to the sky? Is this the maturity critics were waiting for from these 2 compared to last year when they were teasing Dirk?

Lang Greene

I haven’t seen any footage of the chin-up routine or powder shower … but I have seen LeBron and Wade’s new shadow boxing routine with each other pre-game.

No question the HEAT have matured and aren’t taking the moment for granted.

Aristotle

Oh and one more Langy… I just got a look of the new Charlotte uniforms and logo, and I hate to say it but all it screams to me is Soft 7N59 Cats… I hear Seattle’s looking for a team

Lang Greene

Lol. I like the new uniforms … subtle changes, but it has my seal of approval.

GS Fan

On GS sites, there is talk about draft a guard instead at #7 instead of forward. Should we go with Lamb who I thought was going to be really good when I saw his championship run at Conn or the local kid, Lillard? Or should we look at someone else? Or should the pick be traded for a veteran forward (i.e. Iggy or Deng, much more my preference)?

Lang Greene

Not sure if you go SG with Klay Thompson looking like the goods as a rookie. I still think Jared Sullinger should be worth a look here for Golden State. I know he’s been red flagged, but with David Lee already at PF I think the move has minimal risk if the health scare is being blown out of proportion.

rodney

hay lang sorry bout first post it was supposed to be

magic trade howard turk
houston trades scola martin lowry 14th & 16th

or

magic trade howard
golden state curry bogut and 7th pick

which do u see more probable to happen and if u were gm of the magic which would be ur fav trade of the two

Lang Greene

Rodney, I’ve been saying this for awhile … I think Houston has the best package available for Dwight … the problem is I don’t believe Houston is one of his “preferred” destinations so …I think that’s where the talk dies.

Allan in Texas

What’s up Brother Lang? Who are the Hawks looking at in the draft and what are all these rumors about the Hawks dangling Smith and Williams as trade chips?

Lang Greene

The Hawks are looking at drafting a guy who can come in immediately and earn playing time nightly .The Hawks have made Marvin Williams available for the past two seasons, but the market for him isn’t the greatest in terms of returning value and the the Hawks aren’t going to take junk in return.

The Hawks have worked out Will Barton, Doron Lamb, Kris Joseph to name a few and Miles Plumlee and Royce White are scheduled this week.

Allan in Texas

I don”t have another question. Just keep doing your thing! God bless!

Lang Greene

Thanks family! I appreciate you and ALL the folks who have held me down the last two years at HOOPSWORLD.

Stephen A.

So, Mr. Greene, I would really like to hear u once again try and b.s. me into thinking Kobe is still the best player on the planet? His will, his determination! Lol enuf of that crap. He’s a walking 40% shooter. King James has been the best since game 5 vs Pistons. Go ahead and talk about rings, I’m quite sure LBJ woulda won 6 by now had he had Shaq, Payton, Malone, Fisher, Horry, Gasol etc. Long live the King! Not 1, 2, 3, 4, 5!… Now that I’m done basking in this, how much of an impact would Marcus Camby have on this heat team for 2012/13? I’m thinking Howard, Curry, Turiaf out, Camby, oden + draft pick in

Lang Greene

LeBron James is the best player in the game today.

Bernard

What about a Horford/Teague for Dwight trade?

A big 3 of Dwight/Jsmoove/Joe could challenge Miami.

Lang Greene

The Orlando Magic aren’t interested in Horford/Teague for Dwight … and Howard isn’t interested in playing for Atlanta.

Curtis

What up Lang! Lemme get a shoutout for my 24th birthday!! Hey do you see Elliot Williams as a potential long term 2 man for P-twn? And if you had to pick 1 do you take Lillard or Drummond?

Lang Greene

Happy Birthday C-Boogie!

Williams could develop into a solid rotation guy but its going to take him some time to fully adjust to the pro game. He’s never going to be a Brandon Roy. Right now, based on UCONN’s recent history of plodding big men … give me Damian Lillard over Andre Drummond.

Deven

What’s the latest on Lebron, Lang?

Lang Greene

He’ll be fine for Game Five on Thursday night from everything I hear.

Lateak

If the knicks was to get nash I know we would be tthe 2nd best team n the east but would we beat the heat?

Lang Greene

No. If Miami wins the title this year then I fully expect the HEAT to command the Eastern Conference for years to come. Those epiphany moments … when teams go through “the Matrix” so to speak … man, they’re going to be hard to beat and randomly adding Steve Nash at his age to the Knicks’ roster doesn’t ensure a victory over Miami.

Zach

Start of next season, Tyreke will be playing for the…? Bulls,KIngs,or other?

Lang Greene

My guess is the Sacramento Kings. Not sure they find the value they seek in return for Reke so I can see him lacing it up again in Sac-town.

Thunder

As a thunder fan, im disappointed. lebron is unstoppable in the post. how do u stop him? thoughts?

Lang Greene

When LeBron is in attack mode and committed to shooting 15 feet and in it is almost impossible to stop the guy. Think about this … LeBron is about the size of Karl Malone with the speed of a two guard.

Where LeBron tends to struggle is when he decides to loiter on the perimeter and dribble, dribble, dribble hoist off balance jumper.

Thabo needs to deny LeBron position on the block where he’s comfortable. But again, this is waaaaay easier typed than done, of course.

dj

how many wins will the bobcats get nxt year? 10 haha

Lang Greene

Way to early to predict. Still must go through draft and free agency. Check back with me later this summer.

Lateak

Should the knicks try to trade amare n tyson for dwight howard is that a good move to u…..

Lang Greene

Yeah, if I was the Knicks, but Orlando doesn’t want an Amar’e Stoudemire who could be in the process of breaking down. Too big of a risk. If the Magic trade Dwight Howard expect them to stockpile on draft picks and young talent in return.

Mark

OK Lang, Sund and Ray Allen have a history. I have no idea how we could pay him. He would start here and we could move Joe to the 3. It makes the Hawks first 5 interesting. You think there is a chance we can get this done? Thanks!

Lang Greene

Hey Mark-

I don’t see the Hawks pulling this off unless a team with cap space decides to trade for Marvin Williams and magically free up $7 million in salary. Yes, Sund and Ray have history but not sure if Atlanta is the situation where Allen wants to end his career. Plus, moving Joe Johnson to the 3 sounds good in theory but part of his advantage is his size over smaller two guards.

Lots of moving parts there … I talked with my guy over at Peachtree Hoops today and we couldn’t see a scenario where Ray joins the Hawks.

Tigermask

It appears evident that the Thunder will lose the series as they tend to struggle with too much iso plays from Durrant, Westbrook, and Harden. It appears when they do score in the half court, the shots they do make are harder and not necessarily smarter. Should OKC attempt to trade Harden for Rondo and move Russell to the two. Wouldn’t Rondo’s play making create a better offensive flow for everyone including easier shots for Durrant and Westbrook? Plus Rondo is on an affordable contract allowing OKC to resign Ibaka.

Lang Greene

Did you see Rondo in the Eastern Conference Finals? Are you seeing James Harden in the Finals? I think Harden is a great player, but he’s not on Rondo’s level. I like the direction you’re going though but your target is outside of the price range.

I like the idea of trading Harden to get a floor general who could better facilitate OKC’s offense while moving Russell Westbrook to shooting guard. But the incoming PG would have to be able to matchup with opposing shooting guards. Like my man Jay-Clay said … it would be asking a lot of Westbrook defensively to matchup with bigger opposing SG’s every night.

lucky

Why aren’t the thunder playing zone? They’re athletic enough and with ibaka on the back line he can protect the paint, Miami isn’t a good shooting team and okc has nobody to handle lebron in the post?

Lang Greene

NO ZONE! Man’s game.

marlo stanfield

Why wont the hawks just blow it up and rebuild, smoove wants out and jj has the worst contract in the nba

Lang Greene

Easier said than done. I can see the Hawks dealing Josh Smith but it won’t be a rush decision. It will come after he refuses to sign an extension and keeps his trade demand in force.

The Hawks are committed to giving the team one more run together and I don’t see the harm in it actually. Enjoy the winning because when the rebuilding period comes … it’s going to be a 4-5 year process of losing and mediocrity.

Tigermask

I know that Durrant is a nice guy and all but I want to see him have more fire in his heart. I seen him get fouled throughout the series and instead of standing up for himself with the refs, he just goes about and maybe shake his head. Can he learn a little from Kobe and MJ and demand more respect from the refs instead of taking a passive approach? How good would Durrant be if he had half the fire as MJ not only with gaining respect with the refs but also with holding his team mates accountable.

Lang Greene

My favorite basketball player of all-time is David Robinson. One of the true gentlemen on the court ever to play the game, but when the refs disrespected him he’d bark at them and get a Tech here and there to let them know he wasn’t putting up with crazy whistles.

But hey, it is hard for me to feel too sorry for Kevin Durant. The guy averaged 10.2 free throws per game in 2010. He knows how to work the refs … maybe, just maybe … he’s not getting fouled as much as you believe.

Lucas

Good day sir Greene, looks like the super friends are on the verge of winning their first ring together. Couldn’t be happier for Bosh, I’ve meet him several times when he was in Toronto. A great guy really. Now the questions, with the CBA in effect, can the Heat keep this cast next year?

What do you think of the Hornets/Wizards trade announced? Who’s the winner here?

Thanks for taking my questions. Have a good one.

Lang Greene

If Miami holds on to win, you have to respect their story and journey. To do so otherwise would be blindly hating.

I think the winner is the New Orleans Hornets. They get to shave $8.3 million off the books this season and save $21 million next year.

But the Wizards are shooting for the postseason and giving John Wall some talent around him … Okafor and Nene could form a solid frontcourt. Trevor is a strong wing defender and if they draft Brad Beal at SG, the backcourt of the future would be set.

New Orleans in my opinion has it from a financial impact right now, but Washington’s play on the court could swing the vote.

marcos from vintar,ilocos Philippines

Nice work bro. Im hoping atlanta gets bigger once horford is in full strength next season. Anyway are u excited that the first domino chip fell? The noh /wiz trade is a nice way to break the ice . Bro u always believed in josh smith but rumors are saying joe and smith are trade chips right now? Why not call jordan for that number 2 pick? Am i crazy? Anyways always love your chat flow and at times your intro rap lines! Fierce brother! Take care

Lang Greene

Marcos! My man … appreciate you rolling with the kid. I’m just having fun covering a game I love. Easy work.

The thing is Josh is entering his last year of his deal and I don’t think he re-signs in Charlotte … so the Bobcats aren’t going to give up the No. 2 overall pick for him.

Ryan

It’s been hard being a hawks fan, they have made countless bonehead moves. I don’t blame Josh one bit for wanting to leave. If we move Josh, would a smooth to sac for 5th pick & evans or either thornton & Thompson or js to Toronto for the 8th pick, Ed Davis, & James Johnson sound good? We need to get some value for him. Houston would also have pieces to get him. Atl needs to add talented young players to build around horford.

Lang Greene

If I had to deal Josh Smith, I’d pick up the phone and call the Houston Rockets. They have first round picks they don’t want and plenty of talented pieces who are on the market with decent contracts.

Alex in Burbank

Hey Lang, what’s a “Restricted” and “Unrestricted” free agent? What does each mean? Thanks!

Lang Greene

Quick version … Restricted means the player’s current team can match any offer another team gives the player in free agency.

Unrestricted means the player can go to another team in free agency regardless of what the current team offers. So if I wanted to go to the HEAT for $1.4 million for a season and my current team is offering 2 years and $10 million … I can leave regardless.

jay

Eric Gordon

James Harden

Bradley Beal

Austin Rivers

Marshon Brooks

Demar Derozan

Dion Waiters

Jeremy Lamb

Marcus Thornton.

Lang Greene

What’s the question?

Q-Man

Lang my dude has it going?

1. Do you see the Hawks movine up in the draft
2. Is David Lightly gonna be on the Hawks summer team
3.Read earlier the Hawks taking a close look at Jamal Crawford & Alonzo Gee. Whats your take

Lang Greene

The Q-Man with the weekly 3-Question stat … Lol. Good stuff.

1. No. I think they believe they can find value at No. 23 from everything I hear from them. I don’t think they have the trade chips to move up.
2. Names have yet to be released.
3. Cleveland is going to match all reasonable offers for Alonzo Gee and I don’t see Jamal Crawford back in Atlanta. Unless he’s in the visiting locker room.

Astro Joe

Amick says Hawks are dangling Marvin and Josh to move up in the draft. What says Mr. Greene?

Lang Greene

No secret about Marvin. I’m not hearing about Josh being draft day trade bait.

Toczik

Now that the Magic have a new GM, what do u think the first move should be…? I think everyone is over trying to keep Howard, Thoughts?

Lang Greene

First move of the new GM should be boarding a flight to wherever Dwight is and laying out a strategy of success and then asking for his buy-in.

Kris

10 years down the road, who do you see being the most successful player from the 2012 draft class, aside from aDavis?

Lang Greene

I think Terrence Ross may surprise some people. He has good size and good athleticism.

I like the Brad Beal kid as well. Pairing him with John Wall in Washington’s backcourt(w/ John Wall) or Cleveland’s backcourt (w/ Kyrie Irving) would be a thing of beauty.

William The Greatest Faulkner

If you gave Dirk Durant’s supporting cast, OKC would be up 3-1 right now and you know it…

Lang Greene

Dirk of 2011 maybe … Dirk of 2012 who showed up to camp out of shape and looked slow all year … not a chance.

Scott

Hey Lang, I probably should have put my resume in for the Cats coaching gig, I reckon I would have got a call back. What is MJ thinking????

Lang Greene

Last question of the night. I tried to work the queue as much as possible. Still pumped in 49 tonight!

I understand the reaction most Bobcats fans have, but I don’t have an opinion on Mike Dunlap’s hire just yet. Just because someone is unheard of among their more well known competition doesn’t mean they don’t have the skills to do the job.

Case in point … Steve Kyler took a chance on me two years ago when I was writing for a smaller publication. He had bigger names he could have brought on board I’m sure. They probably came at a higher price tag and I was a little cheaper … didn’t mean I didn’t have the skills to roll with the big dogs … everyone who is somebody relied on somebody to give them their chance to shine. Think about it.

Have a good week Hoop Freaks!