NBA Chat With Lang Greene 8/8/12

1. MJ5

   Hey Lang,
   I really became a fan of the Nuggets after their playoff run with the Lakers. They have a great, deep young core, one of the most underrated and best coaches in the league, and so much heart. I really love this team, but they are still a step below the Lakers and Thunder. They still have the huge Nene trade exception which I think they should use to gain a difference maker, a scorer off the bench. What do you think about them trading Corey Brewer and the trade exception for Kevin Martin? I love Brewer and he did great in the playoffs, but he is better off at the 3 which is blocked. The Rockets get the trade exception which can offer more flexibility for them to acquire to Dwight Howard.

   • Lang Greene

     What’s up Hoop Freaks? Theme music for the night … a little Tribe Called Quest – Q-Tip … “My title is locked, the abstract poetic, I’m in the idle mode but my energy’s kinetic. So smooth and debonair, especially for the ear, Got to keep my thing in gear because it’s evident and clear … that I will rock … rock … rock”

     The Nuggets are one of my favorite teams to watch ever since the organization traded Carmelo. Nothing against Carmelo who is one of my favorite players, it is just that I respect the heck out of those guys for responding to adversity in a positive way – when most expected them to fold and become a lottery team.

     I see where you’re going with the above deal. I do think the Nuggets need a little more star power to take the next step, but Kevin Martin is not that guy, especially with a near his prime Arron Afflalo steadily improving. I wouldn’t make that deal.

2. Lucas

   Sir Greene, how is your summer so far? It’s been a minute, are you enjoying all the off-season moves and Olympics? Do you know who will start for the Hawks (with their roster as it is right now) and who will get most minutes? Is it right to assume that J. Smith will be the primary focus on offense now? As always thanks for answering my questions. Have a good one.

   • Lang Greene

     Totally enjoying the Olympics when I’ve been able to just sit back and be a fan. Team USA looks unbeatable right now, but we’re in the medal rounds and anything can happen. One and done. Win or go home. Time to separate the boys from the men.

     I spoke with Larry Drew briefly in Las Vegas and I don’t think he knows who will start at shooting guard or small forward yet. PG is set with Jeff Teague. Power forward is set with Josh Smith. Center is locked with Al Horford. There isn’t a true SF on the roster currently and the SG spot is up for grabs with Jenkins, Morrow, Lou WIlliams and Kyle Korver all being able to rock.

3. AJ from cali

   Langy what it do??
   kobe has enough money for 100 life times. who gets in his ear & convinces him to take a HUGE paycut when his contract is over after next year, and does he do it in your opinion? When he complained a few years ago about not having enough help how could he not realize he’s part of the problem making close to 30 milli per?

   • Lang Greene

     What’s good bruh? What kind of pay cut are we talking about? Kobe is not going to take a minimum deal. Or sign for MLE type of money. I can see him taking Kevin Garnett level dough on a multi-year deal to end his career, but there will be no bargain basement discount for one of the greatest players – ever.

4. AJ from cali

   i know youve heard the hype of nash n gasol being a good combo, im not buying it, im re-watching games from this past yr and seeing al harrington push pau off the block, disgusting. so u ready to give up smoove for the spaniard? dont be stingy horford can move to the 4…

   • Lang Greene

     I’m buying it. The beauty of Steve Nash is he hits guys in rhythm and in positions for easy finishes around the basket. I mean, you don’t average 10+ assists without a top tier scorer beside you in the lineup by hitting guys with passes where they have to do additional work? Are you with me?

     The instances you are referring to is exactly why Nash will help Gasol. Lakers offense last season meant Gasol had to try to bully his way in the post for position. Lakers offense this season will be more movement, so expect to see Gasol hit with the rock in stride where he doesn’t even have to take a dribble to finish. That will be the difference.

5. Motown Ball Hound

   After reviewing summer league play which
   player appear to be more NBA ready today Andre Drummond or John Henson? Is Keith Benson ready to receive playing time in rotation for the Hawks this season?

   • Lang Greene

     John Henson appears more ready out of the box. He really surprised me out in Vegas, but you know what they say about summer league …

     Drummond obviously has more upside, but you can only ride the upside train for so long before it is time to produce.

     Benson looked good, but I’m not sure he’s ready to be a rotational player on a playoff team. A 10-12 minute guy on a lottery team, possibly … team competing for a playoff spot I’m going to say, no at the moment.

6. kobe fan

   1 who’s more likely to sign w/ the lakers, meeks/barbosa?
   2 with their current roster, which team in L.A. will win the pacific!?
   3 is it possible for the lakers to reacquire shannon or ariza by trading artest alone or with someone who actually isn’t part of their rotation?
   4 bynum,blake,goudelock =d.williams,budinger,barea and picks maybe 2 first-rounder.
   Is it fair for both teams?! eventhough I know lakers wouldn’t trade bynum unless there’s D12 in return! I just want to know would you agree to that deal!? why?!
   5 lastly, is it better for lakers if they bring back pau as the second option rather than bynum, bynum should focus on defense rather than wasting his energy in posting up and making plays for himself on offense!

   • Lang Greene

     1. I don’t see either guy taking the minimum and the Lakers are only going to ffer their mini mid-level exception to more of a difference maker
     2. They are my preseason pick, especially with Blake’s injury.
     3. No.
     4. Brooklyn says no. D-Will is their star. Not going to happen,
     5. You can’t let Bynum go for nothing. Gasol is moving farther and farther away from his prime.

7. WIZARD

   What grade did grunfeld deserve for wizards offseason so far?Can you name some trade that make sense for wizards and their trade partner.

   • Lang Greene

     If nothing else you have to give the man credit for changing the culture of the Wizards’ locker room … gone are Andray Blatche, Nick Young, etc and in comes veteran guys like Emeka Okafor, Nene and Trevor Ariza. The team is nowhere near contention, but at least they’ve given John Wall some dance partners who understand the game … both on AND off the court.

8. PJ

   Where would you rank these four wing players 1-4.. Clyde The Glide, Domonique, Scottie Pippen, Vinsanity? Also, do you feel Domonique was snubbed on the 1992 Dream Team?

   • Lang Greene

     1. Dominique 2. Pippen 3. Drexler 4. Vince Carter

     I do think Dominique was snubbed from the 1992 team. Wilkins takes Chris Mullin’s lunch money any day of the week. I can see Pip and Clyde getting the nod … but Mullin over Nique … wouldn’t be my call. No disrespect to Bro. Mullin who was a terror in in his own right too, but …

9. Naj

   In an Olympic game if a basketball team won a medal, each player receives a medal but still it is counted as one in medal tally?

   • Lang Greene

     From my understanding, one medal for the country in a team sport like basketball.

10. Simon

    which shaq combo was the best??
    Shaq, hardaway and dennis scott
    shaq, kobe, and fisher
    Shaq, and dwade
    shaq, stoudamire, and nash
    Shaq, and Lebron
    shaq, and celtics big 4

    • Lang Greene

      Depending on the day of the week either Shaq, Penny and 3D or Shaq, Kobe and D-Fish.

11. Chris

    Hi Lang. And the award for “hey, it’ the offseason and we’re desperate for a headline” goes to: A. Kobe open to playing in Europe (Yeah right! Kobe wants to chase records in NBA) B. Lin Says Lebron is best player (I thought he was going to say Carmelo) C. Granger says Pacers are 2nd best in East (Danny Granger’s inferiority complex/Dillusions of gradeur is alive and well).

    • Lang Greene

      Going on your word on this because I didn’t see the Granger headline. But I’m going with Danny on this one. If he said that … I mean, I understand why he said it as a competitor but in the East it is the Miami HEAT, Brooklyn Nets, Boston Celtics and New York Knicks sitting at the top of the pecking order. Throw in the Bulls in that tier if D-Rose was healthy.

      Indiana will be a tough team and a hard out come playoff time, but they are in the next batch when it comes to Eastern Conference hierarchy.

12. Q-Man

    Whats going on Lang! Hope all is well with you and your family.

    1. Is Larry Drew in a try-out of his own to return as HC of the Hawks after next season
    2. Which wing player should the Hawks go after next season to impact their Future( I wish it could be Harden)
    3. Our 2nd draft pick Mike Scott seem to have a nice jumper but he also looks like he could play the 3 (Your take)
    RIP to Mr. Roundfield

    • Lang Greene

      What’s up 3Q? Life is good. The ladies are great. I have no complaints.

      1. Yes he is. Of course everyone is saying all the right things, but we all know when new execs arrive into town they typically like to bring in their own guys. Sund announced the extension of Drew’s contract … not Ferry. Drew will be judged very hard this season to see if he’s the right guy Ferry is looking for long term.
      2. Rudy Gay would be interesting in Atlanta
      3. Mike cannot play the three, but he has solid skills in pick and pop situations. The guy has decent range on his jumper.

      RIP Dr. Rounds … such a sad story … damn.

13. WIZARD

    Who have better season wizards or hawks?

    • Lang Greene

      Taking the Hawks on this one … by far.

14. Luka

    Are people in atlanta optimistic that dwight ending up with hawks next season?If lakers offer is bynum+mcroberts for howard+jrich should magic accept that?I think they can’t get for him melo kind of deal.Do you?

    • Lang Greene

      Yes, fans are optimistic about making a run for Dwight Howard next summer … but until Dwight says he’d be open to playing in his hometown then the informed won’t put any money on it actually happening.

      What Ferry’s moves have done in Atlanta is create positive energy around the franchise. Over $20 million in cap room next summer has fans seeing big things in the future …

15. badax33 and

    Hi Lang, what’s happening?
    Back to Ray’s number being retired. Again I agree that Ray was a key contributor to 2008. However there are 2 players who I feel were key/bigger contributors with better numbers and more rings but didn’t get there numbers retired. Paul Silas played 4 yrs, 2 yrs All-Star, 4-times on all defensive team, plus a double-double machine and 2 rings. Left in a contract dispute. Danny Ainge played 7+ years, All-Star, good numbers and again 2 rings, but his number is not retired. Then factor in that Bill Sharman left in a contract dispute and didn’t get his number retired for 6 yrs after retiring and Max waited 17 years because it was perceived he didn’t work hard enough to rehab a knee injury.

    I just don’t see Ray getting his number retired especially when he said he left because Boston didn’t meet his asking price. That was a slap in the face! Like I said previously, if he’d said, I wasn’t comfortable being a trade asset and wanted to pursue a ring with Miami. No one would have a problem with that. But only 5 yrs and 1 banner were minimal for retiring his number and the bad taste leaving end his bid.

    Ray had the right to go to Miami – Celtics Management – Wyc, Danny and Doc – will make the decision to retire or not retire #20. Can’t see it.

    • Lang Greene

      Man, I told you I’m ready to go twelve rounds on this one. This is week four. LOL. Look, I concede Ray’s numbers in Boston aren’t legendary … but you need to show me the quote where Ray said Boston didn’t meet his asking price. You keep talking about “the way he left” but are so willing to turn a blind eye to how the Celtics tried to TRADE THE MAN TWICE. And those are the times we know about. Ainge was so open to breaking up the big three in recent times … and he was vocal publicly about it.

      You also fail to give Ray credit for not making a stink about losing his starting job to a second year guy in Avery Bradley, who contrary to popular opinion is NOT better than Ray right now.

      Throw in the rumored beef with Rondo and maybe you should just admit it was time for both parties to move on. Everything doesn’t have to be about hatred and holding 20 year grudges. Ray helped lead Boston to two different NBA Finals, one title, and was 5 minutes away from having two rings if they didn’t falter in Game 7 back in 2010.

      Respect the vet. Lift Ray’s number to the rafters. Life is too short for the petty.

16. BLJ

    Who’s your guess for rookie of the year? And speaking of ROY’s, why aren’t teams trying to pry tyreke Evans away from the kings? He’s got size skill and youth. A couple years in sac town can make anyone look bad.

    • Lang Greene

      Word I gathered from summer league out in Vegas is that the Kings aren’t trying to deal Tyreke.

      Damian Lillard has a live shot playing with an All-Star post presence. Anthony Davis will be in the running. So will MKG.

      Sleepers are Jeremy Lamb and I can see Thomas Robinson turning a few heads.

17. Richard

    I saw an article from Alex Kennedy of Hoopsworld, that the Hawks is the dark horse to land Dwight Howard. What do you think of that?

    • Lang Greene

      I can see Alex’s viewpoint. The Hawks are a sleeper candidate or as you say … a Dark Horse.

      The Hawks have Josh Smith who is D12′s longtime friend. Atlanta is D12′s hometown. If D12 signed in Atlanta, they have an All-Star piece in Al Horford they could move to bring in a solid batch of talent to round out the roster.

      But … D12, in my opinion, has no intention of playing in Atlanta. Until I hear differently the Hawks are a solid option only in theory.

18. Tatty

    Hey where do u think tmac is gonna end up? He was a very efficient player last season with the hawks and contributed well during the playoffs

    • Lang Greene

      Brooklyn would have been a good spot for T-Mac in my opinion.

19. chopstixj

    Who do u think would be the hawks main scorer? L.williams is my bet, and do u feel like they still need to sign one more big? Or maybe a trade?

    • Lang Greene

      Hawks main scorers should be Al Horford and Josh Smith. If Lou Williams is leading the team in scoring, safe to say something went wrong.

20. Mark

    Lang: The Hawks are gonna sign a SF out there right? I just don’t see us having one on our roster. Delfino may be too much money. How about a Martell Webster? A shooter with nice size.

    • Lang Greene

      Hey Mark, hope you’re well. A guy like Josh Howard or Donte Green would be worth the gamble on a vet min deal.

21. Lakers #1 Fan

    I heard that the Lakers were trying to trade MWP. Any word on what they are trying to get in return. Will this happen?

    • Lang Greene

      Haven’t heard that. Plus MWP’s value isn’t exactly at a high level right now. He’s past his prime and declining rapidly. Not much left at a high level.

22. Chris

    After watching some Olympic basketball and the last 20 games of last season I think Melo is taking the next step in his career what do you think

    • Lang Greene

      First things first, Melo has stepped up his conditioning and lost a few pounds this summer. I think he’s poised for a breakthrough, but the East may be too stacked for him to lead New York to a title in the next few years.

23. Julian

    Lang, my main man…. What’s good? I Value your opinion a lot so here it goes… The general consensus is that Bynum and Howard are the top two centers in the league. Who then comes in at number three? Thanks homie, keep up the good work

    • Lang Greene

      Last question …

      Call me a homer … but I’m going with Al Horford at No. 3.

      Al Jefferson is definitely in the discussion as well.

      Guys like Roy Hibbert, Marcin Gortat, Brook Lopez make up the next tier … can’t forget about Andrew Bogut, but the man needs to stay healthy.

24. jack

    Hey Lang, how’s it going. I gotta admit, you seem to be,by far, the most outgoing and friendly of the hoopsworld staff. Anyways my question to you is, who do you think will establish themselves as the best point guard in the league when this season is done? Is it just me or does Rondo not get enough love?

    • Lang Greene

      Thanks Jack. Had to show you some love.

      Best point guard in the league after this season will be … Chris Paul.

      CP3 is that dude. There isn’t another natural point guard in the game today who I would rather have as my floor general.

      I have been one of Rondo’s biggest critics, but man after his playoff performance I am a fan. I look forward to watching him continue to grow as a player. To not be an offensive threat he still dominates the game.