NBA Chat With Mark Nugent 10/5/11

Join HOOPSWORLD’s Newsline Editor Mark Nugent for his weekly chat this Wednesday at 5pm EST.  Mark is based out of Chicago and covers all things NBA so get your comments and questions in early.

  1. Peter

    If Memphis can’t afford to have 4 high salary players and can’t resign Gasol do you see the Bulls trading Asik and possibly Korver/Brewer (Grizzlies choice) for OJ Mayo and then have the Bulls sign Battier to be backup SG/SF who plays hard defense, has postseason experience, good leader, and can shoot 3′s efficiently. Also have Bulls resign Thomas to backup Noah

    • Mark Nugent

      I believe if the Bulls were willing to trade Asik they would have done it already. They really like Asik and athletic 7 foot centers on decent contracts are the hardest thing to find in the NBA. I don’t believe the Bulls will trade Asik.

      I think it’s much more likely the Grizzlies give away one of their SG/SF players for a future draft pick. I think either Sam Young, OJ Mayo, or Xavier Henry is likely to be traded away for virtually nothing to help free up some extra space to sign Gasol. That leaves the Grizzlies with Gay, Allen, rookie Josh Selby (Who everyone seems to be raving about) and whichever two players the team decides to keep to play the 2/3. That’s plenty of depth, in fact, they may trade away two guys if the right deals come along.

  2. Dong of Dayton

    Hey Mark,

    Do you think Noah and Boozer are a good combo together? On paper they seem like great fits but they get injured and can’t really create consistent chemistry. Who do you think would be the best fit at the 4 for Chicago if you had your wish?

    • Mark Nugent

      I think they are a good fit together when healthy. There is no question their injury histories are scary, but that is why they most likely won’t trade backups Taj Gibson or Omer Asik. Keep in mind, when Noah and Boozer where healthy at the same time in December, they tore it up together for like 8 games. I think if they can each play 65-70 games this season it will be a tremendous pairing.

      My idea four man would have been Chris Bosh, going off of last summer’s free agency. He is the perfect fit for the Bulls and is younger than Boozer. Overall, the best PF in the game is Dirk, so I’d take Dirk if I could choose anyone in the league.

  3. Bill simpson

    This may be ridiculous, but why don’t all the players just go play in the Canadian league or something until the lock out ends?

    • Mark Nugent

      Insurance and money. the players need to get insurance to protect themselves in case of injury and that is often times expensive. Plus there are only so many jobs outside of the NBA that pay well. I’ve had several friends that played overseas and they made 30 grand. That’s not enough for an NBA player to risk injuring themselves. The high priced jobs are there for the superstars, but they shouldn’t need the money as bad as the mid-tier guys.

      Plus, China, which has money, is willing to let players out of contracts until the season is over.

  4. gzoll

    whats the next move for OKC? core in place, bench seems to miss only a offensive minded swingman to fuel the second unit when the bearded one jumps into the s5. is nate tradeable? and who could okc get in return?

    • Mark Nugent

      Nate is tradeable, but they couldn’t get anyone in return for him. The next move for the Thunder is for everyone to play together for a year or two and for everyone to be healthy come playoff time. Perkins was clearly injured during last year’s playoffs and they still made it to the Western Conference Finals. I think any moves they make will be small moves to improve their bench.

  5. gzoll

    has marcin gortat reached his full potential? will he ever be a low post threat demanding double teams?

    • Mark Nugent

      I don’t think he’ll ever demand a double team, but I do think he is going to get better. I could see him being a 15 and 9 guy, but I don’t think he’s a future all-star.

  6. Dan

    hey mark, who are your favorite 3 pt shooter of all times and who are your top 10 point guards of all times?

    • Mark Nugent

      My favorite three point shooters are Reggie Miller and Ray Allen. Those are the two best ever and the two I’ve followed the closest.

      As for my favorite PGs, it’s not a huge list. Derrick Rose has to be number one, since he plays for my favorite team. Then Kevin Johnson, outside of Michael Jordan, he was my favorite player growing up. Then Isiah Thomas, even though I hated him, he was just so great to watch. Steve Nash, he is the last of the true PGs. Then Magic. I grew up in Chicago, so I didn’t stay up late enough to watch a lot of Magic, but there is no doubt he is one of the greatest players ever. And currently I love Chris Paul, he can do it all on both sides of the ball.