NBA Chat With Lang Greene 9/27/11

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. mike

    Lang do you have a hoopsworld email or anything? These question limits are annoying and I cannot ever get my point across in them.

    • Lang Greene

      Easiest question I’ll get all night …

      Mike you can hit me at LGreene-at-hoopsworld.com … to talk hoops anytime.

  2. Nick

    Do the cavs find someone to take jamison, davis, gibson or sessions off are hands?

    • Lang Greene

      I can see the Cavaliers finding takers for everyone except Baron Davis. He’s just owed too much and is too unpredictable to give up any real assets to acquire. Unless he comes out in beast mode … Davis’ value will be extremely low based on his contract.

  3. Dong of Dayton

    Hey Lang,

    Joe Johnson’s stats seem to have digressed last season. Would you say it was due to his injury/recovery from surgery or do you believe his skills are on the decline?

    • Lang Greene

      DoD … there were a couple of things working against Joe Johnson last season.

      The first blow to his production came when Larry Drew was named head coach and began touting his motion offense and then planned to limit the affectionately known “Isolation Joe” package all ATL fans know about.

      The second blow came from the early season surgery on his shooting elbow. You have to remember Joe came back 3.5 weeks ahead of schedule. Sharpshooter James Jones of the Miami HEAT told me early last season that when it comes down to injuries on shooting arm/hands it could take a full year or two to get back to normal.

      The third blow was the combination emergence of Al Horford coming into his own and Drew giving the green light to Josh Smith to hoist three-pointers.

      So no … I don’t think JJ has started to regress. I think he can still give you 23-24 points a night if he had too, but it looks like the Hawks don’t want to ride him that heavily. The organization wants him to turn it up in the postseason.

  4. Jackson

    Do you think AK47 would be a good fit in Milwaukee?

    • Lang Greene

      No sir. I’m not sure where AK truly fits and makes a difference. He’ll be playing the Peja Stojakovic circuit pretty soon.

  5. Jackson

    Who you got breaking out next season? I have Wall, Harden, Gortat & Jrue making a big leap

    • Lang Greene

      I like JJ Hickson as a breakout candidate. I saw a lot at the end of last season when things started to click for JJ in Cleveland.

      I think Gortat average a double-double and establishes himself as a top ten center in the league. Sky is the limit for Jrue Holiday … kid could make a big leap under Doug Collins who he said makes the game fun again in Philly.

      Don’t forget about my man Jeff Teague here in Atlanta. He didn’t embarrass himself going head up versus the league MVP Derrick Rose in the playoffs. If Atlanta hands him the keys to the offense and lets him go through growing pains on the job, he could have a breakout season.

  6. T in the Nap

    Man, Lang, you are like fried chicken to my sports appetite! Rock on sports genius! The Pacers came close to nabbing OJ Mayo for table scraps. Do you see him available now, after he played big during the playoffs? If so, what do you see the asking price being now?

    • Lang Greene

      My man … I appreciate the kind words. I try to bring it every week for my Hoop Freaks.

      I can’t believe the Pacers almost got OJ Mayo for the tried and true $1.99 two-piece chicken and a biscuit meal. No disrespect to Josh McRoberts … but … well, you know …

      When you look at what the Pacers need right now … many will point to power forward, but there is also a hole at shooting guard. I think Paul George is going to be an outstanding player, but he’s a small forward just gaining experience and waiting until Danny Granger gets dealt in order to play his natural position – full-time.

      I say there’s no way the Grizzlies ship Mayo at this point for a similar package like they were about to settle for at the All-Star break.

      The whole situation reminded me of going to a store and taking an item marked $49.99 to the register. The cashier scans it and comes up $7.99. At that moment you don’t ask any questions and just try to get out of dodge as quick as possible before someone notices. LOL. Too bad for Indiana the deal got rescinded.

  7. Cain

    Hey Lang,, how would Carl Landry and Nick Young go in Indiana? Young has been working with Granger and George this Off-season.

    • Lang Greene

      If I was Indiana my top target at power forward would be David West. If I couldn’t sign him then I wouldn’t go Carl Landry. I just don’t think Carl is the difference maker the Pacers need next to Roy Hibbert inside.

      Nick Young is also a guy I’m not investing huge dough in … he puts up a lot of numbers, but they don’t translate into victories. I’d go JR Smith before Young because Smith has at least been part of a winning environment as of late.

  8. Aaron

    I can off the top of my head think of at least 10 small forwards who are better defenders than Lebron james. After watching every single Maverick player humiliate him in the Finals, why do people insist lebron is this great defensive player? and on the other hand, why does dirk never get the credit he deserves on that end? for example in game 3 dirk had 14 rebounds and 5 blocks–why does no one ever give dirk his props on the defensive end?

    • Lang Greene

      My man … now you know I can’t let you toss something weak out in my mailbag without me contesting it. You say you can name ten small forward better than LeBron defensively right now … then name the names bro. Let’s debate it right …

      LeBron is a three-time All-Defensive first team selection. While I don’t consider him one of the best lockdown defenders of all-time by any stretch, LeBron does cause plenty of havoc with his athleticism and efficiently playing the passing lanes.

      In regards to Dirk, no one (at least me) is saying he “can’t” play defense. It’s just not his primary strength. I think Dirk can lockdown for short periods but he’s not in LeBron’s league when it comes to defensive prowess over the long haul. Thanks for the question.

  9. Tyree

    Do you think Chicago can give up Carlos Boozer a 1st rd pick Ronnie Brewer fo Luis Scola Kevin Martin and will it help!

    • Lang Greene

      What’s up Tyree? I know Houston is trying to make major moves to appease their fans base, but I don’t see them taking on the contract of a faded former All-Star like Carlos Boozer.

      Don’t get me wrong Booz still has game left in the tank, but giving up Scola AND K-Mart for him at this point in his career is a step in the wrong direction for a franchise trying to get back to the postseason.

      This deal is too heavily slanted toward Chicago honestly.

  10. devonte wilson

    prediction: iman shumpert averages what by the end of the season? who wins ROY?

    • Lang Greene

      Shumpert preobably averages 6-8 points per game in about 15-18 minutes. The only way he consistently sees the court is if he’s playing great defense. Pretty hard for a rookie on a team with three All-Stars to come in the league averaging big time points.

      The way he gets on the court is defense. And if he’s on the court in D’Antoni’s frenetic offense … then the opportunity will be there to score the ball.

  11. HotshotGG

    Hey lang, hows your day coming along? Also, how would you remember nash on and off the court when he retires?

    • Lang Greene

      A true professional. Quick story …

      Earlier this season Steve Kyler and I presented him with the Tweeter of the Year award on behalf of HoopsHype. We recorded the presentation and Steve absolutely had fun with it … I can’t imagine most top guys let alone two-time MVPs just having fun with it …

      Class act. The Hall of Fame awaits.

  12. Aristotle

    Langzzz G’Day mate. Hope all’s well. Few Q’s for you on my Miami…
    Should Miami chase Curry based on reports his training the house down & trimming up? Would it make sense? And could Miami (is it possible) get Battier and Grant Hill to push LBJ to PG? Starting 5: Curry, Bosh, Battier, Wade, James & 2nd Unit: Anthony, Haslem, Hill, Miller, Chalmers. We saw what LBJ did to Rose…

    • Lang Greene

      Aristotle …what’s up my man?
      I don’t think Miami should be “chasing” Eddy Curry. They should be “chasing” guys like Samuel Dalembert and Tyson Chandler. I think they should look into a new and improved Eddy Curry though. I mean the guy could score the ball inside when he was motivated and that’s something the HEAT sorely lacked.

      But unless he shows up with a physique looking like a prime Kevin Willis, just call me skeptical of this newfound work ethic.

      Battier is a veteran guy who I can see going to the Celtics or Spurs. Look at Battier and tell me you don’t see San Antonio and coach Popovich. Miami is a possibility too …

      Miami was only two games away from hoisting the championship hardware … don’t expect LBJ to be running point guard full-time.

  13. HotshotGG

    Hey lang, who are your favorite big 3 of all times?

    • Lang Greene

      In no particular order …

      Magic, Kareem and Worthy
      Bird, McHale and The Chief
      LeBron, D-Wade, Bosh
      Ray Allen, Paul Pierce and Kevin Garnett
      Michael Jordan, Pippen and The Worm

  14. HotshotGG

    hey lang, would you ever consider being a coach or a gm? if so which team would you want to work for?

    • Lang Greene

      Ha! I couldn’t coach those guys … they are too good and I don’t have the cred. I’d love a shot to work in a front office and try to build a contender. I mean … wouldn’t that be an awesome job?

  15. B-Man

    Would you deal Josh smith for rip Hamilton and Ben Wallace plus their first round pick just to get stronger now when Joe Johnson is in his prime?

    • Lang Greene

      I’m not sure how much Ben Wallace has left. I like the RIP idea, but you’ll need Joe to move to small forward in order for it to work. Does Joe move to SF for a past his prime RIP? I don’t think so.

      Indiana isn’t dealing Danny Granger, but they need a power forward. Atlanta needs a small forward … I’d get behind that deal.

  16. Aaron

    Lang–

    andrei kirielnko, shawn marion, luc mbah a moute, andre iguodola, tayshaun prince, ron artest, thabo sefealosha, tony allen, josh smith, manu ginobli, deshawn stevenson, shane battier are all better in my view

    • Lang Greene

      Good job Aaron … but here’s my rebuttal.

      Josh Smith plays power forward.
      Thabo plays shooting guard, so does Deshawn Stevenson. And Deshawn is nowhere close to LeBron defensively.
      Battier and Artest were better defenders … but they’re past their physical prime right now man. Did you see Artest last year? He’s past it.
      Marion played great defense on LeBron in the finals, but you don’t confuse one series with a full season – night in and night out.

      Agree on Iguodala and Prince.

  17. John

    Hey Lang,
    Do you think we will have bball this season. Cant wait to see DRose on the floor again

    • Lang Greene

      $4 billion in revenue is a lot of money to turn the nose toward the clouds to … if you know what I mean.

      So yes, I eventually think there will be a season. A shortened season … but one with plenty of basketball.

  18. Cherrell Rene

    are you actually based in atl or do you report on the hawks from afar?

    • Lang Greene

      I live in the Atlanta area. I cover most games at Philips Arena.

  19. Aaron

    Lang,

    deshawn guards small forwards (he guarded durant and lebron). Marion has been locking up guys for years. He was the best defender in the league against Dirk. he also locked up durant in the previous series.

    • Lang Greene

      Actually, I can see your point on “the matrix” … but I’m not sold on Stevenson.

      So you’re telling me … Game 7 … six seconds to go … up one point versus the Lakers … you’re putting Deshawn Stevenson on Kobe over LeBron James?