NBA Chat With Lang Greene 8/1/12

1. ATL Fan

   Lang my man, fantasy situation (its nice to dream)

   D12 plays out the season, Hawks lure D12 in with his buddy Monta Ellis and resign other buddy J-Smoove… All sign for a little less $$$ as FA to make it work. Horford is traded for a young SF (eg on a rookie deal) and a draft pick or two (Philly perhaps? they are missing a 4 and Horford would be a little redudant on this roster – Smoove is not a 3) solving the 3 problem, getting young talent and a couple picks.

   Lineup
   Teague
   Ellis
   SF
   J-Smoove
   D12

   Fill out the roster with whatever else fits into cap.

   Would you be a happy man? Reckon they would pose problems for the C’s Heat & Bulls?

   • Lang Greene

     What’s up Hoop Freaks … Theme music for the night … a little Biz Markie. I get the crowd jumping, get the girl’s hearts pumping, all the party people say, “Isn’t he somethin?” Rock from New York City all the way down South, saying rhymes and making music, with my mouth. Lol, let’s go …

     Of course I would be excited to cover such a talented team. But until Dwight shows interest in returning home, I say its a dream. A dream if the right pieces fall in place can happen, but I just don’t see it.

     The scenario you provided above would be the ideal way to handle it. Couldn’t envision a scenario where D12, Smoove AND Al were on the same squad.

2. lawson

   good evening big bro I would like to know going 1 on 1 who do u think would win the battle tyreke evans or james harden and why? also do you think demar derozan is in the raptors longtime plans without being a good 3pt shooter on the wing.

   • Lang Greene

     Right now I’m going with James Harden. Yeah, I know he had a horrific finals, but I see more confidence and self-belief oozing from James these days and more of a killer instinct.

     Yes, I think Demar figures heavily in what the Raptors are trying to do. I think that’s the reason the team went out and drafted T-Ross … everyone isn’t a great 3PT shooter in the league. For example, I’d live with D-Wade shooting five threes a game. In the end it comes down to if you’re a player and I think Demar continues to develop into a solid one. Not quite All-Star level, but a respectable 14-16 point guy for the majority of his career.

3. JJ of Blueberry Bay

   I am trying to understand the logic of the new contracts poison pill option which effectively allows teams to rob established players from their former teams. A team that developed a player essentially has to choose to a]let the player go with no compensation or b]overpay baloon payment year effectively screwing their cap and/or limiting their ability to field a balanced,competitive team as the team submitting the contract offer can average out ther baloon payment where the current team cannot.Sign and trade’s are now also severely limited.Shouldn’t the team that made all the investment in a player at least be on equal footing?

   • Lang Greene

     I like the poison pill provision. It helps drive a little more parity around the league and encourages other teams to take a chance on a young player where in the past they may have decided to remain on the sidelines.

     It makes the current team decide if the player is truly that pivotal in their plans or not. I’m all for it.

4. Johnny

   hey lang. what up? you seem like a real straight shooter so give to me straight up. whats your opinion of dwight howard? being a former fan of his game and personality, i feel pretty betrayed. id love to hear what you have to say about the man though. thanks bud

   • Lang Greene

     What’s up Johnny … I’ve only been around D12 a few times so I can’t truly give you an assessment of him as a man so to speak. What I do believe is the young man has been a bit misguided and has listened to the wrong advice flowing into his ear from time to time. But at the core, I believe the guy is a good person who is handling this particular situation in not the greatest fashion.

     Keeping thing in perspective he’s not out their getting in trouble with the law or anything. As soon as this free agent stuff is over, quite sure he’ll be liked again by the casual fan.

5. Q-Man

   Whats good Lang! I have to ask my question on the 31st I have and entrance Exam on the 1st (Atlanta Metro)

   1. James Harden is a restricted free agent in 2013, can the Hawks give and offer sheet
   2. I’m kind of worried about the Hawks small back-court on the D end with Lou being 6’1 and Teague 6’2(Your thoughts)
   3. Is Josh Smith the 1st option for the Hawks this year

   Alrite my friend gotta touch up on my Math skills (Havent use them in a while)

   • Lang Greene

     Q! Good luck on your entrance exam. Wishing you the best!

     1. In actuality, the Thunder could offer Harden an early extension and he may never hit the free agency market. If he does, I can see the Hawks making an offer to shore up their shooting guard spot … but I’d be surprised if OKC didn’t match any offer for him next summer. But hey, at least Atlanta fans can have these types of questions now with the cap space D-Ferry freed up this summer.
     2. You’re not the only one worried. I hear it from fans all the time. A smallish backcourt can work … but you need either a very physical squad inside or an elite shotblocker backing them up. I still believe Anthony Morrow gets a strong look at the starting spot with Lou filling a similar role he did in Philly.
     3. From everything I hear Josh Smith is priority one in re-signing. But with all things under new management (Ferry), nothing is quite set in stone.

6. Matthew

   what’s up my brother whooooooooooo Ight ur dmorey what kind of deal are you doing if no howard or bynum? Hey bro we have 11 power forwards u want one lol

   • Lang Greene

     Wooooooooo ….. my brother.

     I’d make a strong play for Rudy Gay at small forward. Please don’t bring up the number of PFs around Bill Ingram … lol …

7. Timoth

   I would like to see iggy in a bulls uniform soon. Any way it happens? Hes a FA next year. Hes not gonna get another monster cintract right? That would be sick with Rose and Iggy together.

   • Lang Greene

     You’re forgetting about something … Bulls have Luol Deng already in the mix. I think he’s a better fit.

8. Adh

   I know this is not an actual rosyer but contender or pretender?
   PG-Rose,Kirk,Nate,Teague
   SG- Iguodala,Belineli
   SF-Deng,Butler
   PF-Nikola mirotic,Taj
   C-Noah
   Plus draft pick and maybe bobcats pick too

   Contender or pretender roster?^

   • Lang Greene

     I mean any roster with a healthy D-Rose is in the discussion … but the team you outline above is very weak in the frontcourt as it relates to consistent scoring. None of the PF/C’s you mentioned above are putting big fear into anybody offensively.

9. badax33

   Hey Lang

   Thanks for chatting with me about Ray Allen. I guess we are going to have to agree to disagree on Ray’s number being retired. I agree with you that he had every right to sign with any team he wants as a FA. I’m sure he was upset being shopped at least twice. And I’m sure he wasn’t happy about losing his starting job to Bradley, but let’s face it; there is absolutely no way he will start in Miami. As for his not feeling like a priority, I take exception. PRIORITY ONE was KG!!! The team just doens’t work without KG. Every Boston FA knew that and they were aware of what was going on with KG. Besides, there is absolutely no way that Ray would come back if KG left. Was he miffed because they recruited JET? I sure hope not. Heck they needed more scoring, especially someone who can create his own shot; and Jet can play some backup PG. BTW, the next 4 players to be retired to the rafters will be PP, KG, Danny and DOC – but I don’t see Ray Allen. In fact, I wouldn’t be surprised to see a player wearing #20 this season.

   • Lang Greene

     Had to edit your comment because of length, but left your strongest points intact.

     We’ve been “battling” on this for the last three weeks and trust me I’m ready to go twelve rounds, lol. Of course KG was priority one for Boston, but what I meant was the team tried to woo Jason Terry THEN tried to bring back Ray Allen. Think about that for a second. Add in the fact Boston tried to trade Ray Allen TWICE. Now, TWICE is what the public knows. How many times did Danny try to pull the trigger on him in the past? Ray lost his starting spot to Avery Bradley, but let’s not act like Avery is better than Ray right now. Ray-Ray was hobbled by bone spurs.

     Ray is a prideful guy. He went to a situation where he felt wanted. He left money on the table and a “no trade clause” out there to do so. Tells you a lot. I think he gets his number hoisted into the rafters. Celtics don’t win a title in 2008 without him.

10. Hap Hanes

    Just wondering…..how did a bright guy like you from New Jersey end up down the road from me in Orangeburg, SC? Other than a bus on I-95……

    • Lang Greene

      School … I headed south for educational purposes. Received my Bachelor of Science and Master of Business Administration in the great state of SOuth Carolina.

11. RapsFan

    My man Lang, long time no talk. What do you think of jonas valanciunas? The lithuaina coach has him on a pretty short leash. Think he can be 1st team all rookie this season?

    • Lang Greene

      Long time indeed. Stay in touch, bro.

      Yes. I think the kid is talented, but the opportunities may not be there with Lowry, Andrea, T-Ross (lesser degree) and Demar figured to get a lot of touches. We shall see.

12. Soda Popinski

    Is Dwight’s physical condition after the injury any concern for the Lakers at all right now, does it affect their decision to trade for him? or are they more worried about Bynum’s knees? At the end of the day, is Dwight-for-Bynum a big upgrade for them at all?

    • Lang Greene

      D12 is the more dynamic player than Andrew Bynum. But back injuries are no joke. Guys overcome knee injuries and still play at a decent level. Back injuries take guys out completey … see Larry Bird and David Robinson (in his later seasons).

      I think D12 is a big upgrade if the Lakers ever decided to blow things up from scratch. He’s the better guy to build a team around. But if you’re rolling with the talent already in place I can see why the Lakers are content to just roll with Bynum and not rush into anything.

13. josh

    how about a iggy for tyreke and john salmons trade!!!Tyreke will be a star!!!!

    • Lang Greene

      Not sure Philly will be interested in that deal with them trying to develop Evan Turner.

      Tyreke has game and will have a long career … don’t see superstar potential though.

14. Bruno from Brazil

    Hey Lang, the Warriors looks like a playoff team if healthy, right ?

    • Lang Greene

      David Lee, Andrew Bogut, Stephen Curry, Richard Jefferson, Carl Landry, Klay Thompson and Harrison Barnes. Yes I can see them making a run at the playoffs … but man, Steph and Bogut haven’t exactly been the epitome of good health the last couple years. Let’s see if they hold up.

15. Sweet Dee

    If you were starting a team from scratch, which trio would you prefer: Team #1 – Kyrie Irving, Jonas Valancious, and Thomas Robinson or Team #2 – Kyrie Irving, Tristan Thompson, and Dion Waiters. If Cleveland had selected differently during the draft, they could have had Team #2. Your thoughts.

    • Lang Greene

      Team 1 without hesitation. Solid PG and great size. Not sold on Waiters, but it is still way too early. Hope the young man proves me wrong. The game needs more strong players so hopefully he lives up to his billing.

16. Mac

    I’ve read many reports which claim teams in the Top 5 will regret not selecting Damian Lillard after he dominated Summer League. Looking at the past draft, I see no team that would change what they did. Question: Do you think a team in the Top 5 is regretting not taking Lillard. And which player in the top 5 would you personally replace with Damian?

    • Lang Greene

      Way too early for this type of talk. But if there is any team in the top five regretting not selecting Lillard I would say … maybe the Charlotte Bobcats? But then again MKG is a beast and was on pace for a strong summer league of his own until he tweaked his knee.

      So yeah, I don’t see any team who would change what they did … as of now. We’ll see in a couple years, though.

17. Charlie

    As rosters stand today, who would Lang Green predict will win more regular season games next year? Justify your decision: The Golden State Warriors or Minnesota Timberwolves

    • Lang Greene

      Going with Minnesota. I believe the T’Wolves have the better franchise centerpiece in Kevin Love. Plus adding a guy like Kirilenko was a solid signing. Brandon Roy. Good summer for Minny.

      Like I said, the Warriors will be better but I believe Minnesota has the edge on paper.

18. ALEX

    RAPS. fan. How much value CALDERON will have in FEB.
    great chats

    • Lang Greene

      Expiring contracts have lost a little value in the new CBA, so I can see Calderon getting a buyout and then becoming a HOT commodity on the free agency circuit (at a much lower cost) as playoff team’s look to solidify their postseason positioning. That’s how I believe it will play out for Jose.

19. adobo in my burger

    Lang if u got your own team whou would u want to back up yor main PG, duhon or s.blake? And i think basketball wise all the moves of the knicks have been solid. Lin n fields are not a game changer yet. Your opinion?

    • Lang Greene

      Steve Blake. Better shooter. Better player at the moment – for the money. I think the Knicks moves were solid. Ray Felton and Jason Kidd are upgrades over Jeremy Lin, Mike Bibby and crew.

20. kape at tapsilog

    Who do u think wouod take a chance on barbosa, arenas and jermaine oneal? And do u think the lakers really need cj miles or just reaign ebanks? Thanks

    • Lang Greene

      It’s about the end of the line for Gilbert. Knee injuries are serious!

      I was in Vegas and saw Jermaine O’Neal working out in front of the Lakers and Bucks. Still looked like he had pop left in his legs. I think he has something left. I can see him in Milwaukee. They need size. And Jermaine is looking for a decent role on the offensive end. Seems like a goosd match for one year.

21. Jon

    I am confused over the hornets’ decision to trade jarett jack, a solid pg, to golden state for nothing. Now they have no real pg on the roster. I think that the jack move means that they think rivers—a high volume shooter— can be a point guard. I am not buying those cupcakes. Your thoughts?

    • Lang Greene

      Saw Rivers up close in Vegas and no I’m not buying those cupcakes. But let’s not put too much stock in summer league. It’s a big difference playing with those level of guys than playing with Eric Gordon, Anthony Davis, Ryan Anderson, etc as a young guard. Remember that … it’s all about adjusting to the pro game. In a way Rivers was humbled … I’ve seen many a guy get humbled and it drive them to work even harder. Maybe Austin will show up for veteran camp ready to play in another gear.

22. Big Z

    Prime Shaq, Prime KG, Prime Lebron James, Prime Kobe, Prime J-Kidd VS 1992 Dream Team Starting 5. Who wins?

    • Lang Greene

      Hard for me to go against 1992 team because those were the guys who were running the show when I was growing up. But I’m not foolish enough to believe the team you mentioned couldn’t push that team to 7 games in a best of seven series. Shaq really had his way with Ewing and D-Robinson back in the day.

23. G

    Why doesn’t Demarcus Cousins get mentioned as a top center in the league. I think he’s easily a top 3 center right?
    People always say he has a bad attitude but he’s been great since Keith Smart took over. It’s not like he’s taking cheap shots at jj barea, and sitting by himself during timeouts like Bynum but it seems like people think he’s more immature than Bynum. And Bynum is doing this stuff when he’s been in the league a while unlike DMC. So why does DMC get a bad rep? And shouldn’t he get more respect as a great center in the league?

    • Lang Greene

      DMC is not a top three center. But he has the potential to one day be in that discussion. If he ever gets it mentally … mark my words … watch out.

24. beers and hoopla

    People including yourself said joe wont be traded but i guess no one really saw the new good direction of the new management . Now would they trade al horford? The kid is past prime ,he wont improve no more. I hope they talk trade with houston. Thanks

    • Lang Greene

      Yes, the Joe move caught me off guard. New management … always expect the unexpected.

      Horford is nowhere near HIS prime, let alone past it. Horford could be a 20/10 guy if he could play power forward full-time. Mind you, PF is not a position the Rockets should be looking to fill at the moment.