NBA Chat With Lang Greene 9/20/11

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

  1. diehardNFFLbarnone

    What are the odds of Dwight Howard coming to the Nets?

    • Lang Greene

      Hate to be generic, but a lot depends on the next CBA and how much money MAX guys can make. The new deal could make it impossible for D-Howard to refuse the money bags Orlando brings to his table.

  2. Clint in New Zealand

    Love the chats Lang. I keep hearing this notion that a shorter season will play into the hands of older squads like the Spurs and my Celtics. I’m not sure this would be the case, as surely talent alone and additional rest would also help HEAT and Bulls etc. Your thoughts?

    • Lang Greene

      Veteran teams like the Spurs, Lakers and Celtics have a couple things working for them with a shorter season … the main one being team chemistry. You can’t underestimate the impact of knowing where your teammate will be on the floor or when they miss a shot from a certain part of the court … where the rebound will likely bounce.

      The longer the season, the more chance an injury can occur. We all know as you get older, the recovery time gets longer … so that’s why this belief is the prevailing thought.
      I agree with it. Think back to the finals … I believe the Dallas Mavericks benefitted from team chemistry when undergoing adversity … Dirk, Kidd and Terry fed off each other. The HEAT were still learning each other.
      .

  3. Clint in New Zealand

    If there’s a season, what sort of production can we expect out of KG and Walter Ray? The decline from both in recent years has been evident, but I’m wondering if the lack of depth might see them pressed into playing more minutes and there for better production. Are KG’s days of 20-10, or even 18-9, gone completely?

    • Lang Greene

      Yes, KG is no longer a 20/10 for a full season. I think KG will settle into the 13-14 point 6-7 rebounds per game range. If Doc Rivers maxes his time I can see him putting up 16 points and 8 rebounds. I still see Ray Allen in the 16-17 per night range. Those guys keep themselves in such tremendous shape it’s hard to believe a steep drop-off is on the menu. They have both evolved their games so much and that’s the key to longevity.

      If Blake Griffin doesn’t evolve, by the time he’s 32 he’ll be out of the league.

  4. Kevin Owens

    What’s up Lang? Common sense tells me the rich superstars in the NBA ain’t stressing too much about the lockout. That’s not to say they don’t love basketball and wanna play, but is Kobe, Melo, LeBron sitting at home stressing everyday? I just can’t believe that. Lockout hurts the lower/middleclass mostly.

    • Lang Greene

      Kevin – your common sense is exactly right. I know players who are rocking on minimum level deals who aren’t stressing a solitary thing, while there are rumors some guys who have received huge deals in the past have become stricken with the worry bug.

      It’s all about living within your means. There are CEOs out there who live paycheck to paycheck while some minimum wage workers acquire small fortunes living frugally.
      So in essence I’d say it wouldn’t be wise to say all top level guys are well off … and all lower guys will cave in. I think it’ll be some overflow. Good question.

  5. Chuck

    If Dwight Howard wants a trade, i think trading him and Hedo for Udoh, Ellis, Wright, Biedrins and a 1st rounder might be the best trade to take.

  6. Giovanni Antonini

    What’s up love the chats. How good of a player do you think christian eyenga of the Cavs could become. I know his athleticism is off the charts.

    • Lang Greene

      A more athletic version of Mickael Pietrus comes immediately to mind.

  7. Eddy

    Is Kris Humphries public marriage and rumors of him smoking pot be a concern??

    • Lang Greene

      I keep it on the court Big E … I don’t care who a man’s wife is … he has to go home to her every night. If he made the wrong choice that’s on him forver. If he made the right choice … power to him.

  8. Jon in PDX

    Lang what can you tell me about the development of the Blazer’s Guards? I’m hoping to see Nolan Smith and Elliot Williams get some playing time this year (in back up roles of course). What do you see as the ceiling for each of these young players?

    • Lang Greene

      I really like Nolan Smith. A couple writers I associate with told me I should buy all of his posters because of how much I think he’ll stick in the NBA.

      But let me clarify, I’m not saying he’s an All-Star. I just think a team getting him to play 10-15 minutes per night behind a solid point guard (Ray Felton) got a steal late in the first round. He’s not flashy, but I believe he will be dependable. I hope the young fella proves me right.

  9. Elliot Howitt-Ross

    Heey, Thanks for answering my question. I was wondering what are the trades that are most likely to happen involving the lakers? Any chances of dwight or CP3 coming? Thanks Elliot

    • Lang Greene

      Honestly, CP3 or Dwight headed to LA makes for good headlines and solid pageviews … but I don’t see it happening … especially with how the new CBA will likely look and treat salary caps, exceptions, etc.

  10. Mac

    Grant Hill is now 38 and one of the oldest players in the NBA. The betting line is set at 65 games played next year (assuming an 82 game season). Over or under?

    • Lang Greene

      Take the over. The Phoenix Suns staff has been phenomenal in recent years keeping guys healthy and extending careers. I believe Grant will play in at least 75 games assuming a full season.

  11. Dee

    Jason Flemming claims he is not the one in charge of the Hoopsworld polls. What gives??? Doesn’t seem like anyone wants to take credit for creating the MVP Candidate poll. If one has the courage to leave a guy who averaged 26.7 points, 7.5 rebounds, and 7 assists last year off a list for a REGULAR SEASON award should at least own up to it. Name names Mr. Greene.

    • Lang Greene

      “Dee” … I’m not sure who created the poll in question. I will say again, I disagree personally. But I will also say that a lot of respected basketball minds truly believe D-Wade was the true MVP of the HEAT last season. If that was the logic I can understand LeBron’s absence … but once again I disagree … but I’m also unbiased enough to see all vantage points.

  12. Marcellom Robertson

    m. Gasol and rudy gay to Orlando
    dwight and g. arenas to memphis
    Orlandos rebuilds with two cornerstones and memphis receives a superstar which you never turn down. Better than LAL trade
    Can you see last years mem team with dwight?

    • Lang Greene

      My first instinct was to immediately say this wouldn’t work … but it is very interesting. Dwight Howard and Zach Randolph would be a crazy tandem inside and Orlando wouldn’t suffer a deep slip bringing in so much talent in Marc Gasol and Gay.

      But I just don’t think it happens for two reasons … 1. I don’t believe Memphis is on Dwight’s preferred destination list 2. I don’t see Memphis parting ways with both Gasol and Gay. I can see them offering Gasol [or Gay], Conley, Young and picks.

  13. Charlie

    Rank these supporting casts who have helped a superstar win a championship: Michael Jordan in 1992, Kobe in 2010, or Dirk Notwitzki this year.

    • Lang Greene

      Let me be upfront … I have so much more respect for Dirk because he took out an outstanding trio (LBJ, Wade, Bosh) without a Robin to his Batman.

      MJ had Pippen. Kobe had Gasol … Dirk had J-Kidd. Much respect to J-Kidd who is an undoubted Hall of Famer … but he’s a little past it physically. He’s not in his prime.

      Salute to the German … certified beast!

  14. John

    Have you seen the recent pic’s of andrew bynum and how in shape he is + from his twitter feed hes training 6 days a week how dominent of a force do you think he will be when the season resumes

    • Lang Greene

      I’ve heard some reports about Bynum training maniacally this offseason. If he’s completely healthy I believe he could become the second best center in the league behind Dwight Howard.
      I also respect how he has dedicated his time to getting in peak condition after last season’s “timing” of his knee surgery circus. But until I see him finishing a season playing at a high level and not limping or wearing a suit … I will reserve judgment.

      But I think this will be the year he finally breaks through and makes an All-Star appearance.

  15. zac

    how come we never hear about ramon sessions? i mean hes a solid pg that can pass score and rebound yet no one ever brings him up as a young guard on the rise even if his ceiling is a 6th man timeshare guard

    • Lang Greene

      Ask yourself, how many sixth men get mainstream headlines – consistently? Jason Terry? Possibly because he’s a media favorite who speaks his mind.

      Ramon Sessions gets about the right amount of press in my opinion. But he’s thought of pretty well around the league and that matters most. The Hawks were trying to get him before the trade deadline.

  16. Earl

    SB Nation picked DMC in the top ten NBA players, your thoughts?

    • Lang Greene

      DeMarcus Cousins? Top 10? Right now?

      This big man can’t buy those cupcakes bro. D-Wade, Dirk, LeBron, Amar’e, Carmelo, D-Rose, Dwight Howard, Paul Pierce, Chris Paul, Deron WIlliams, Joe Johnson, Monta Ellis, Blake Griffin, Rudy Gay, Zach Randolph and Nene amongst others all can make their case on being better pros right now!

  17. Lang Greene

    John Wall, Jordan Crawford and Nick Young will be an exciting trio. Throw in JaVale McGee catching lobs and blocking shots down low and the Wizards will be sure to pull off more than a few upset victories in the future. But look at those names … and then look at the beasts at the top and their duo / trios … it then becomes painfully obvious, the Wizards will need to score big in free agency or trade somewhere in the future to compete for a title eventually.

  18. benny

    what seed do u c the knicks in if theres a season?

    • Lang Greene

      I think the Knicks can compete for the 4-5 seed and push either Atlanta or Orlando into the sixth spot … and a certain first round elimination for the Hawks or Magic.

  19. Jake

    Have you been reading ESPN’s nbarank? Where to begin with the errors… Chris Andersen ahead of McGrady and Arenas, and Ronnie Brewer over all three?

    • Lang Greene

      Nope. I rarely pay attention to the “four letter”

      Shoot me a link LGreene-at-hoopsworld.com

  20. Jake

    Of the veterans who weren’t all-stars last year, who do you see as most likely to make the cut this year? By vets I mean age 30+

    • Lang Greene

      Nene. I can see the big man snagging an appearance being the main guy for the Nuggets (if he re-signs).

  21. Jake

    Sorry for the repeat questions but one more came to mind, what is your favorite jersey of all time? Mine is the retro nuggets rainbow jerseys

    • Lang Greene

      Off All-Time? That’s a hard one.

      I’m really feeling the new Golden State Warriors unis and the Denver Nuggets’ powder blue. I always like that powder blue.