NBA Chat With Mark Nugent 10/12/11

1. adam

   Can you please tell me why Brooke lopez gets so much more credit than bargnani? He can not shoot the three and is more of a post player, yet his rebounding statistics are about the same. Bargnani gets a lot more heat for his poor rebounding when he is mostly outside the key on the offenisve end where lopez is down low in the post.

   • Mark Nugent

     I don’t think Lopez got a whole lot of credit this past season. Most everything I read about him was how he was playing soft and wasn’t willing to get down and dirty despite his size. For the most part, Lopez was blasted in the media for almost the entire season.

     As for Bargs, he has some of the same issues as Lopez. he is a poor rebounder for his size and isn’t willing to go down low, the advantage he has of course is he is an excellent shooter. The biggest difference between the two in my mind is Lopez should be a true center, while Bargs is best suited to playing power forward.

2. dyrese

   if the owners wont give more than 50/50 of bri y not lift the lockout to prevent furthrr loss and jus give the players back tht nearly 200 million(160)the league owed players.since they only are 120 million apart the other 40 million can go toward paying the lower and midlevel player contracts which basically will go back to owners

   • Mark Nugent

     It doesn’t work that way. The owners already paid back the 160 million they owed after this past year so that money is already to the players. If the owners lift the lockout right now there is no CBA in place. So what do the players pay free agents? Do they still have a salary cap? Without a CBA in place it’s impossible for the owners and players to determine what is fair value and what teams are allowed and aren’t allowed to spend. With no CBA the Knicks could sign everyone, which would be fine with the players, but not with the owners.

     Until a CBA is in place there won’t be any NBA games. I’ve said the whole time I think a best case scenario is a Christmas day start, but most likely either January or February, or sadly no season at all. The owners aren’t just hell bent on a 50/50 split, they want the system changed and it seems like they are willing to miss the season to get a hard cap or something pretty close to a hard cap into place.

3. dyrese

   billups shumpert and rautins can handle the pg fields and walker are both great sg/wing i think the knicks should trade td for a back up 3 or a decent 5 tht can at least rebound and block. what do you think the knicks can get for td?

   • Mark Nugent

     I don’t think the Knicks can get much for Toney Douglas. He is an undersized scoring PG, those don’t have a lot of value in the NBA because there are so many of them. I don’t think the Knicks could get a center and I’d be surprised if they could land a backup 3.

     As for Fields, he’s solid and fits in very well with ‘Melo and Amar’e, but to say Walker is great is a HUGE overstatement. Walker is barely a rotation guy.

4. paul

   I have been watching the Chicago Bulls since 1999 Twelve years through thick and thin mostly thin and now that i finally have a team worth watching there is no basketball F the owners F the players bunch of greedy A-holes after 12 years I’m DONE watching basketball THEY DONT GIVe a rats behind about us why should i want to watch these idiots (I MAKE 25,000 A year and i go to at least 6-7 home games a year)

   • Mark Nugent

     If it’s any consolation I make way less you and I still love the NBA. Your opinion is the opinion many people have right now about this lockout. Why should I care about Billionaires and millionaires? I don’t have an answer for you. I love basketball and I make part of my living covering games, so no matter how long it takes I will always come back to the NBA, but I don’t think all the fans will.

     This is a very serious issue that I don’t think the owners are paying enough attention to. I believe if the NBA loses half a season or a whole season they are going to feel the effects of the down turn economy a lot more than they would have if they just accepted a percentage point or two higher then what they wanted. Your average fan doesn’t have a ton of money and can’t afford to just throw it away and if the lockout lasts much longer I believe lots of fans will feel like they are just throwing money away by going to games. I hope I’m wrong.

     One last thing, this is a labor negotiation and isn’t just about greed. Any negotiation has a lot of factors behind it. Players want to be able to move to teams and cities that they want to play for, they want guarantees on contracts because their playing careers are so short. Owners don’t want to have to pay a guy for five years if he sucks, like Eddy Curry, and they want their franchises to have a chance to be competitive so their city and fans will support the team. This isn’t as clear cut as too may rich people want to make more money, yes money is the biggest factor, but there is a lot more involved in this than just money.

5. GarPax

   U mentioned last wk, Memphis looking cut payroll–Would OJ Mayo for Bulls Charlotte pick interest them, interst Bulls–Put Bulls over the top?

   • Mark Nugent

     I’m not sure. I truly believe that deal makes a ton of sense for both teams. I cannot imagine Memphis keeps their entire roster heading into next year. they are a small market and now have three pretty big contracts in Gay, Conley, and Randolph and Gasol is a restricted free agent who they really need to keep. My advice to them would be to cash out one or two of their young chips that may not play that much for them and try and get the most possible for them. Guys like Sam Young, OJ Mayo, or Xavier Henry. I like trading Mayo because he makes the most money of those guys and his skills can be replaced.

     I’m not sure the Bulls offer would be the best the Grizz could get, but I think that Charlotte pick has a lot of value and to me that trade helps both teams.

6. dyrese

   what up mark..iman shumpert and josh harrelson are both underrated players i think they will shock ppl more than fields did your thoughts

   • Mark Nugent

     I haven’t seen or heard anything on Harrleson, but according to reports, Shumpert has looked really good in exhibition games and in workouts. I’m not sure if he is a true PG, but it sounds like he is a combo guard who could be a potential sixth man for the Knicks this season.

7. Jhayee

   chis kaman & mo will for nash & gortat & dudley…

   tnx…

   • Mark Nugent

     If the Suns trade Nash they will want young talent and draft picks. The trade would be Kaman and the T-wolves unprotected first rounder for Nash. that’s a good trade for both teams.

8. Jhayee

   Robin Lopez, Hakim Warrick for Glen Davis,2nd round pick..

   tnx…

   • Mark Nugent

     The Suns would do that in a second to get out from under Warrick’s contract. But this trade doesn’t even come close to working under the salary cap and Davis doesn’t have a contract currently.

9. Thomas Pynchon

   Why is it that when Dirk would put up monster numbers and lose in the early rounds he was a choker, soft, and not a leader but when dwight howard loses to a mediocre hawks team it’s because his teammates let him down and he’s a top 3 player?

   • Mark Nugent

     Early on when Dirk lost in the playoffs he failed to hit big shots and could be seen as a choker and he wouldn’t get down and dirty in the post. Then he single-handedly beat the Spurs in 2006 and everything changed. Since then I don’t think anyone has called him a choker, even when they lost to the Warriors in ’07 with the best record in the league.

     As for Howard, I think he choked a bit and I think his team was terrible. Howard cannot be counted to make free throws and therefore cannot be counted on the last three minutes of a close game. he’s definitely a top 3 player, and I wouldn’t call him soft on his worst day, but if you expect him to carry a team at the end of games you are going to be disappointed. that might be choking I guess, but I don’t expect him to do that.

10. tony

    What do u see happening from here on? 50 game season no season or a 70 or 60no game season? Thanks

    • Mark Nugent

      If I had to bet on it, I would say no season. Secondly I would bet on a 50 game season that starts in late January.

11. Mynor

    Hello Mark,

    Don’t you think a Chris Kaman for Danny Granger deal would benefit both sides? I mean Granger dropped significantly from last year and Kaman could technically play Power Forward, with Hansborough guarding quicker 4s? Kaman and Hibbert would cause nightmares for the HEAT and Magic, as well as the Bulls. Plus they get to move Paul george into the starting lineup, and the Clippers get exactly what the doctor ordered.

    • Mark Nugent

      No, it would be great for the Clippers, but the Pacers would never do it. They really like Roy Hibbert and believe he can be a top 10 center in the league as soon as next year. They also are building around Granger and are looking to add pieces via free agency (I believe they are the farthest under the cap of any team right now) not getting rid of pieces thru trade.

12. Steve

    Hi Mark,
    If a new NBA were starting with teams, arenas, advertising and sponsorships in place, what sort of a deal would the players union be able to get for the “talent”?
    I’m guessing much less than the old CBA because lots of talented foreign players would come and play fairly cheaply and the big starts make a lot of money on endorsements anyway.
    Is there any real reason that an NBA team shouldn’t hope or expect to make a nice operating profit, like 10%??

    • Mark Nugent

      There are no guarantees in life, so I don’t believe the NBA should have a guarantee that teams will make a profit. If your team is run terribly like the T-Wolves or the Knicks under Isiah Thomas then you shouldn’t make a profit. What business right now (other than the NFL) can guarantee it makes a profit? I don’t think there are many if any. I do believe, if teams are run correctly and put a good product on the floor while not breaking the bank in spending then I believe they should make a profit and most of those teams always do make a profit. The ones that don’t could probably make a profit once the new revenue sharing plan kicks in.

      Also, I don’t think NBA players should be guaranteed long-term contracts. Again, there are no guarantees in life and I believe either guaranteed contracts need to be shortened, made into partially guaranteed or done away with altogether so the NBA goes to NFL type contracts.

13. Steve

    Isn’t Kobe’s reported Italian deal brilliant?
    He keeps his market value very high by agreeing to just one game at $2 million and doesn’t wear himself down.
    Other players are playing entire seasons in Europe for that.
    He can keep adding an additional game here and there as long as they come up with the cash. Smart.

    • Mark Nugent

      I think it’s incredibly smart, and I cannot believe a team would pay him that much for one game. Keep in mind, I would imagine if the deal goes through that means the Italian team is allowed to sell their jersey with his name and number on it, and that could be worth a lot of money to the team. That’s the only way I can see how this makes sense for the Italian team. If this happens, it’s one of the most amazing things Kobe’s ever done. 2 Million for one game is just insane.

14. Steve

    Mark,
    Seems like many people, including NBA players, still don’t get that the old CBA required teams to pay high salaries for players since they are limited to 15 players but must contribute 57% BRI to players. Isn’t it true that if all teams stayed below the cap, they would just pay the difference out of escrow to the players at the end of the season anyway?

    • Mark Nugent

      That is true that no matter what, players were going to earn 57% of all basketball related income. There is an argument that a hard cap will actually hurt small market teams financially because they will have to spend more money every year, because the base that a team has to spend will most likely be increased. Example, last year the Kings spent some 45 million on salaries. If there is a hard cap 75 million, that would most likely mean there is a minimum of 55 or 60 million that each team has to spend. That’s 10 million more out the door for the Kings that they don’t have that they have to spend because the Lakers can no longer spend 95 million a season.

      I’m not saying this is completely right, but an argument can be made a hard cap will hurt some of the smaller markets.

15. Mutang

    Here’s the deal; I’m a Utah Jazz fan. All we’ve ever had for pro-sports in Utah is the Utah Jazz. Thats why the arena there is always the toughest to play, we eat, drink, breath Utah Jazz. You know how many kids and now adults out there are named Stockton?? We live Jazz basketball, and have no other professional outlet to cheer for. And when the NBA does start back up, they’ll see that fans are not coming back. And thats just Utah fans. Imagine those fans that support the Knicks, or Clippers, whoever and actually have other sports teams to cheer for???? The NBA players are going to be STUNNED…..owners too. They blew it.

    • Mark Nugent

      I believe the longer the lockout drags on, the more fans the NBA will lose and I question how quickly the fans will come back. It took the NBA about 10 years to get the fans back after the last lockout. I expect it to be quicker because Michael Jordan isn’t retiring at the end of this lockout and the talent pool is very deep, but there are lot of sports out there for people to watch and spend their money on and the NBA may be the odd man out if this lasts much longer.

16. Michael

    KB24 over / under 6 rings when its all said and done?

    • Mark Nugent

      Under, I think he’s done winning rings. The Lakers certainly will be one of the top teams in the league once it starts up, but it’s possible they will have to make some changes due to the new CBA. Also, I think Kobe has lost a step and it’s going to be a lot harder for him to do the things he used to do. The only way I see them winning another title is if Bynum and Gasol dominate and Kobe allows them to carry the Lakers. Neither of which I see happening.

17. devonte wilson

    kyrie irving- 14pts 6ast (starter)
    brandon knight- 11pts 4ast (starter)kemba walker- 13pts 5asta(starter)
    jimmer fredette- 16pts 5ast (20-23mins)
    iman shumpert- 14pts 5.5ast 5rebs (20-23mins)

    this is what i think could be the numbers and the roles each of the will have. over/under on each players role and numbers?

    • Mark Nugent

      Irving is about right. I don’t think Knight will be a starter in his rookie year, but those numbers seem close. I don’t think Walker will start either unless they trade DJ Augustine, which I don’t think will happen this year. So I think those numbers are high. I’d say 8 points and 3 assists. I think Jimmer starts, but he is going to struggle to get shots with Evans, Cousins, Salmons and Thornton all wanting the ball. So I’d put his numbers at 12 and 3. Shumpert’s numbers are way to high. His minutes will probably be around 15-20 tops so I’d peg him at 5 points 2 assists.

18. devonte wilson

    which is a must sign undrafted free agent? scotty hopson, jacob pullen, or xavier silas

    • Mark Nugent

      I don’t think any of them are must sign. Bring them in, work them out and if they fit what your team is trying to do sign them, if not let them go. Wes Matthews is a rare player, that doesn’t happen that often.

19. devonte wilson

    i think the knicks back court deserves a equal distribution of mins between iman, chauncey, landry and toney but somebodies going to over achieve and get more mins. who ends up keeping their starting spots or loses it?

    • Mark Nugent

      As long as he is healthy Billups will start no matter what. He’s the veteran leader so that’s a done deal. Landry is perfect for that system and I think plays very well off of ‘Melo and Amar’e. the real question is whether Shumpert steals minutes from Douglas, which I think is a huge possibility. I’m not a huge Douglas fan, so it wouldn’t surprise me if he is relegated to the bench by mid season.

20. devonte wilson

    more people going overseas? any rooks?

    • Mark Nugent

      Thabo Sefalosha just signed today. I think every day a new player will head overseas. It looks pretty bleak for the NBA so why not make a million or two while you are sitting out. heck even a couple hundred thousand is pretty good money.

21. devonte wilson

    surpise team in the east is washington
    surpise team in the west is kings
    tell me im not right

    • Mark Nugent

      Your not right. The Wizards are going to be terrible. John Wall is a stud and if healthy I believe will be an all-star, but the rest of the team is mediocre at best and none of them play defense.

      The Kings are on the way up, and I liked the Jimmer pick to pair with Tyreke, but lets not get ahead of ourselves. If they win 35 games that would be a great year for them. Cousins is one bad call away from blowing up and they also don’t play any D.

      My surprise teams would be the Bucks, who hopefully will have better health and i like the trade for Stephen Jackson and I say the Clippers, but everyone is picking them, so I’m going to say the Jazz. I don’t think they’ll make the playoffs, but I think they will be in the hunt until the last week of the season.

22. JR

    What impact will a federal mediator have on negotiations?

    • Mark Nugent

      honestly, I have no idea. I don’t believe anything will force the two sides into an agreement. They have to come to this on their own.

23. Larry

    Go back to the playoff loss to PHX and WShawn Marion Gave him fits. Look at the box score from the last game 6. Marion 38pts,16 boards and Dirk 9-25. Think that’s why Cuban got Marion?

    • Mark Nugent

      Not sure why Cuban got Marion, but my guess is because he is a veteran who had something to prove after poor stints with the HEAT and Raptors and because he can play several different positions.