NBA Chat With Lang Greene 8/23/11

Lang Greene is a NBA Writer for HOOPSWORLD covering the Atlanta Hawks and the Eastern Conference. Lang gets started at 8pm EST every Tuesday night. Get your questions in early. All things NBA related are up for discussion.

  1. johnny c

    whats up langggg! i got a scenario for you. suppose the magic trade dwight howard with hedo and/or arenas for some expiring contracts. then in summer 2012 sign dwight and another elite player like cp3. is that allowed and how much would otis be a gm god

    • Lang Greene

      Johnny C … this is absolute crazy talk. The Magic trade Howard … then re-sign him the following summer? I’m not one to brush off conspiracies easily, but I can’t get behind this one.

  2. Lee

    If the next salary cap becomes so restrictive too the point where the knicks will have no shot at CP3 in FA, what do you see them doing with their future cap space? Could they do something this offseason regarding free agency?

    • Lang Greene

      What’s up Hoop Freaks? Appreciate your patience tonight in advance. Trying out the new chat system on the NEW HOOPSWORLD site … if you haven’t had a chance yet … check it out … http://beta.hoopsworld.com

      The queue is WIDE open tonight. So hit me up … let’s get it … let’s go …

      Presumably the Knicks are going to be somewhat limited in what they can do this year in free agency once the new CBA drops, but I tell Knicks fans all the time … stop banking all of your hopes and dreams on landing Chris Paul.

      I mean, Carmelo and Amar’e is an excellent duo to build around. First and foremost NY needs to target a center to protect Amar’e inside. Doesn’t have to be a top tier guy. Just need someone to give you 20-25 minutes per night, rebound, alter shots and give hard fouls.

      Also need to be thinking backup PG, to limit some of Chauncey Billups’ minutes.

  3. Rajon

    What do you think about lottery teams getting 2 first round picks and playoff teams getting 2 2nd round picks as suggested by NBAPA?

    • Lang Greene

      I’d be up for it honestly. There are so many perennial cellar dwellers in the league that a change is probably in order to the draft. But on the other hand, it still comes down to a team’s executive being able to make the “right” decisions. For instance, there is absolutely NO way a team like the Los Angeles Clippers should have been that bad for all of those years with that many lottery picks!

      Sometimes even when you try to save someone … they’ll still get in their own way.

  4. devonte wilson

    what do you think about iman shumpert playing the point guard for the knicks?

    • Lang Greene

      Living in the Atlanta area I got to see a lot of Iman Shumpert at Georgia Tech. A lot. I think he could potentially be the best value pick in the middle of the draft ultimately, but he’s nowhere close to being the Knicks’ point guard of the future.

      Guys who don’t excel at running the point in college rarely turn into stud point guards at the professional level. It just doesn’t happen. I think he has a good career, but asking him to be a Chauncey Billups replacement is a bit much.

  5. BD

    Yeah Lang. Cheers for the Reggie Williams shout out. If you handled the warriors decision making (understanding Mark Jackson’s desire for defense), would you continue with the Monta/Curry project or look to trade one of them? If looking to trade, who and what type of player would you target?

    • Lang Greene

      For those who missed it … Reggie Williams, who played with the Warriors last season, signed a one-year $1.5 million deal overseas. Major shout to the “lethal lefty.”

      Williams made a habit of torching my Winthrop Eagles in the Big South conference … I was so glad when he left the conference.

      But to answer your question … I’m rolling with the Monta Ellis / Stephen Curry experiment until they prove they can’t win at a high level together. There’s no reason to believe they can’t coexist together.

      What they need is toughness on the interior. I respect David Lee, but he’s not the right power forward backing those guys up inside. The Warriors need Udonis Haslem / Kenyon Martin types in the paint with a smaller backcourt.

      You have to “protect” those guys …. Not surround them with finesse guys in the paint.

  6. JD

    Now that Fernandes is leaving when his contract’s up; do you think the MAVS are going to regret trading Jordan Hamilton?

    • Lang Greene

      Maybe in the long term … but not over the next 1-2 years. The Mavs are in win now mode as Dirk winds down his career. It is VERY rare for rookies to play prominent and meaningful roles in the rotation of championship caliber teams. If Dallas repeats and Rudy Fernandez plays a pivotal role in it … the trade would be worth it from a historical standpoint.

      We live in the present … can’t wait for a rookie to develop with a small championship window to fit through. With me?

  7. Cliffy

    In your opinion, what’s the real deal between DWill and New Jersey/Brooklyn? Is he gonig all the way to Brooklyn, or will he bolt when he gets the chance?

    • Lang Greene

      I’m not sure Deron is sold on the Nets honestly. I’m not saying he’s going to leave … but I think he’s still undecided on the team long term. Brook Lopez inside is a very enticing piece of talent positioned to be a “robin” to Deron’s “batman” though.

  8. devonte wilson

    how do you feel about rookies playing in exhibitions games where they can showcase their talents but also get hurt in the process?

    • Lang Greene

      It’s a risk, but you can get hurt walking down the steps.

      No lie, yesterday morning I slipped down the last five stairs in my house while walking very slowly and holding the railing. I should’ve broke an ankle or something the way I landed, but I didn’t (thank goodness). The point is … injuries happen. You can’t live in fear of that kind of stuff.

  9. clmurf in new zealand

    have been a long time fan of nba but are fed up with lockout so will be watching nfl from now on, who do you support in nfl

    • Lang Greene

      Stop taking this so personally my man. We haven’t even missed games yet. I know its frustrating but it’s just business. It’s a $4 billion industry that’s experiencing growth … I said experiencing growth while so many industries are shrinking! The players must do everything it takes to secure their stake in the money pie … and the owners must do everything they can do to make sure the league remains viable from an operational standpoint.

      It will get worked out eventually. Both sides love money too much.

      I am a Jets fan … grew up in New Jersey. J-E-T-S … Jets, Jets, Jets baby … Super Bowl bound

  10. Saulo

    Ok, completely hypothetical..but if MN offered Wes Johnson, Anthony Randolph & Derrick Williams + picks..for D12 & Arenas..how goog would the wolves be and would that be an attractive combo for a team looking to cash-in on D12 possibly leaving?

    • Lang Greene

      1. Add Dwight Howard to any team in the NBA regardless of supporting cast and they’d immediately be flirting with the playoffs yearly. He’s that good.
      2. If Dwight were to be traded, I’d bet my last dollar on this planet that Minny wouldn’t be his ultimate destination.

  11. devonte wilson

    jrue holiday is a point guard that didnt necessarily do well at the college level why cant iman?

    • Lang Greene

      But that’s my point.

      Jrue is a natural point guard. He came up through the ranks as a floor general even though he struggled at UCLA.

      Shumpert is a physically gifted kid who “can” play point guard at times. There is a huge difference between being a natural and “being able” to do something. in spots.

  12. Anthony

    I realize zones are sporadic in the pros but, what would you think of using trapping zones in Minny? A 3-2 or 1-2-2 so that Love and Darko/Beas/Williams can start the break with 3 guys up the floor? Could help create defensive communication…

    • Lang Greene

      Without a doubt Minny needs an edge that can steal them a few victories their talent level alone can’t win, but if they attempted what you outlined they’d get torched … nightly.

      When you talk pressing and trapping you need ball-hawking guards and gritty defenders. Beasley and Williams haven’t proved they can be that hungry defensively at the pro level. And Ricky Rubio isn’t known for his defensive prowess (yet).

  13. larry

    Sacramento gets: bosh, miller. mem gets: Marcus cousins, jj hickson, Joel Anthony. MIA gets: Gasol (s&t if it still exists) jimmer.. break it down, who says no?

    • Lang Greene

      Last question of the night family. I’m going to like the new chat system, thanks for your patience again.

      Miami says no. Marc Gasol is a good player, but Bosh was easily the second best HEAT player in the Finals back in June. Chris gets a lot of flack from just about anyone who talks NBA …. but I tell everyone the guy is Hall of Fame bound. Like it or not.

      He’ll finish with about 10 All-Star nods, flirt with 20,000 career points, win a couple championship rings, already has an Olympic gold medal and will continue to receive plenty of TV face time playing alongside LeBron and D-Wade.

      Barring injury … Bank on it.