NBA Chat With Mark Nugent 2/9/12

Join HOOPSWORLD’s Newsline Editor Mark Nugent for his weekly chat this Thursday at 6pm EST.  Mark is based out of Chicago and covers all things NBA so get your comments and questions in early.

  1. Jay

    With D Rose & Rip struggling with injuries, do you think Chicago should look strongly at signing JR Smith

    • Mark Nugent

      I don’t. JR isn’t really the type of teammate the Bulls like to bring in. The only position the Bulls may look at is another back up big.

  2. nilagang baka

    I know the bulls seem like a very good team but at times they seem inconsistent. Do u believe they can win against the heat or maybe the thunder in a best of 7. I thought they will have a hard time beating the clipz with chauncy. Am i wrong?

    • Mark Nugent

      The HEAT, Thunder, and Bulls are the top three teams in the NBA. When those teams play it will come down to who makes the clutch basket and defensive stops. I think the Bulls are as good as the HEAT and Thunder, but it will come down to who can score in the clutch, Rose, Durant, or LeBron?

  3. kilawing tuna

    Fantasy question. Hope u dont mind? Who will win in a best of 7. Lakers with shaq n kobe. The team that went against 76ers in the finals who never lost in the play offs against the 72-10 bulls of jordan? And why.. my answer is the lakers kos no one can guard shaq. Whats ur take?

    • Mark Nugent

      I always take Jordan’s Bulls. They had the three greatest defenders at their position in history, Jordan, Rodman, and Pippen. That is a trio that can shut teams down, even Shaq and Kobe. That Bulls team is arguably the best defensive team in history the way they played. Arguably, some of those old Celtics teams were pretty great as well.

  4. bananaque

    Would u take a challenge of being the gm of orlando? Catch is u will only get paid at the end of 3 years and u need to at least produce one championship? Lets say dhoward stays. What moves will u make to win the coveted trophy? Thanks for the time.

    • Mark Nugent

      YUP!!! I’d love to be a GM, and any team can fixed in 3-4 years. You can’t promise a title to anyone, no matter who is on your team. Injuries, another team getting hot, a bad call, anything can cost a team a championship, so much has to go right. But if Howard stays, the Magic will have a chance every year, and a couple of minor tweaks and they could be right back in the hunt with the HEAT and Bulls.

  5. Hurricane Game

    what do you think was the worst front office move over the past 2 seasons?:

    1. the clippers trading the #1pick in the 2012 draft and davis for williams.

    i will never understand why they made that deal at that moment, why not wait and see where it falls to make that decision? its not like williams was running away, or the cavs wouldnt take a deal like that during the draft, imagine had they amnestyed davis, kept the pick and traded irving for cp3, and kept gordon?

    2. Warriors amnestying charlie bell instead of andres beidrins?

    3.Minnesota resigning Love for only 4 years with an opt out after 3?

    probably the worst decision of 2012, they basically gave themselves a 3 year window, basically forcing them to somehow become a contender in the west, in 3 years, or watch love walk in freeagency.

    4. clippers giving up gordon and a pick for cp3, when they probably could have given up bledsoe instead and kept him?

    • Mark Nugent

      It’s easily the Clippers trading a known lottery pick just to get rid of Baron Davis. They could have amnestied Davis this year, kept the pick, and absorbed the contract of Williams last season for free. It’s terrible.

  6. Juan Cruz

    In the last 2 or 3 weeks John Lucas has proven he can play a few minutes per game if needed. However, wouldn’t the Bulls be better if they have kept Mike James or signed Ben Uzoh? Uzoh is a big guard who plays defense and could develop into DRose’s backup if they can’t keep CJ Watson. Any updates on Przybilla’s status? Could the Bulls also bring another guard while Rip is out?

    • Mark Nugent

      No updates on Joel P. Last I heard he was choosing between the Bulls and HEAT and a decision was forthcoming. I like Lucas over both those guys.

  7. Vlad

    I think Rubio deserves a spot on All-star team this year. People just need to watch the Wolves when Rubio sits down. It is a totally different team. While Oklahoma is not even loosing that much with Westbrook resting. Also Rubio is a superb PG defender! He doesn’t gamble for steals. He gets then within the defensive team flow. Rubio doesn’t produce a lot of points himself, but his team produces so many points more with him on the floor. Replace Wesbrook with Rubio and Oklahoma would be even better. Ricky would make the all-star game a lot more fun. Your thoughts?

    • Mark Nugent

      Rubio has been great, and is going to be even better next year, but he isn’t having a better season than Nash, Westbrook or Paul.

      I agree having him in the game would make it a lot more fun. The way he moves the ball is always exciting and would make for a great game. Next year I believe he’ll be in the All-Star game.

  8. Vlad

    Why people think Kobe is a great clutch shooter vs LeBron? I remember numerous games and series when Kobe would disappear and someone else would make the shots. Even the last championship, Kobe was lost and Artest went insane. Even Fisher has made more big shots in my memory. Sure Kobe made some too, but considering the amount of big shots he is taken, he percentage is very low. BTW where was Kobe when they lost to Dallas 0:4 in second round? And nobody blames him. James takes his team to finals and lose to the same team 2:4 and it’s James fault. It is ridiculous IMO. Where was Kobe in Finals against Boston for 2 years in a row? LeBron had the best clutch performance in the history vs Detroit’s best defense by scoring 25 point straight to close that series. As good as Kobe is, he is always overrated. Cassell and Regie Miller were clutch most of the time. Kobe is not great in those situations – one of three or four shots at best on the last shot. Who does worse? Pierce, Dirk, Duncan, Wade, LeBron, Nash, Melo? Seriously? Who is worse clutch then Kobe historically?

    • Mark Nugent

      Because Kobe won two championships as the best player on his team and the closer on three other teams. And he hits crazy shots in the clutch when he is double or triple teamed, so he gets all the highlights. LeBron gets blamed for last year’s meltdown, and somewhat rightfully so. He was terrible in the fourth quarter’s of those Finals games. As for who is best in the clutch, I’ll take Dirk right now.

  9. Wallace

    Any chance Brook Lopez is traded in a deal not involving Howard at the deadline? He could be huge for a contender down the stretch for a contender in need of a big while clearing salary for NJ in the summer and providing insurance draft picks in the event D12 signs with Dallas or LA.

    • Mark Nugent

      Sure. Lopez, Okur and some other picks or players for Howard and Turk works under the cap and makes some sense for the Magic. I’m still hoping they hold onto him and make him walk and leave 30 million or so on the table. But that trade does make some sense so it’s possible it could happen.

  10. devonte

    j-lin real deal or bust?

    • Mark Nugent

      He is a decent player in the perfect system for a PG. I think he will be a decent play for them all season, but he isn’t the long-term answer at PG for the Knicks. I have been very impressed so far, but once teams start planning their defenses around him, I think we will see a big drop in his production. He’s still their best option at PG, unless Davis comes back and is strong and healthy.

  11. devonte

    j.r. smith signing with the knicks the right move?

    • Mark Nugent

      I think he would help the Knicks some as a scorer off the bench, but I don’t think he signs there. He wants as much money as possible and much playing time as possible. And he get more of both in places like Minny and maybe even the Clippers with Billups out.

  12. devonte

    who’s some possible trade partners for the knicks and what should the knicks trade for?

    • Mark Nugent

      Unless the Knicks are willing to trade Fields, ‘Melo, or Chandler I don’t think there are a lot of partners out there for the Knicks. What they need is a true PG. If Lin is the answer then they don’t need to make a trade, if not, then that is what they need.

  13. likeabull

    Bulls need to shake things up a bit. I believe we could use JR. So trade korver for beasly and sign JR if he would come. I LOVE the bulls but we need more swag to be champs

    • Mark Nugent

      The Bulls have the best record in the East, they are blowing out teams on the road, they lost to the HEAT because Rose choked, which doesn’t happen often, and you want to shake things up? That doesn’t make sense. Beasley is a terrible fit for the Bulls. No defense, no rebounding and he doesn’t play offense well within the system and he is a bit of a problem child. JR Smith is pretty much the same thing. I don’t see either of these things happening.

  14. Jason (Calgary, Alberta)

    Rondo for Pau.. Good for both? And why hasn’t it been completed yet!?

    • Mark Nugent

      I’m not sure where this rumor came from, but I love it for the Celtics. I think it’s a mistake for the Lakers. To me, it makes the Celtics a legit contender in the East and makes the Lakers about the same. I’m not as huge a fan as some on Rondo and I don’t think he’s a great fit for the Lakers, because the PG needs to hit open jumpers, and that is not a specialty for Rondo. As for the Celtics, I think Avery Bradley could fill in at least a little and Pau is such a huge upgrade down low for them that I think that makes them competitors with the Bulls and HEAT.

  15. Phil

    Is loul an all star? If not, then Rose HAS to be MVP again, if he plays with no other stars. Your thoughts?

    • Mark Nugent

      I’ve heard that argument, and it does make some sense. I think Deng makes the all-star team, we’ll find out soon enough, but he’s been a rock and does a little bit of everything. I think he gets noticed this year for all the positives he brings to the team.

  16. Charlie

    I remember back in the day Shaquille O’Neal and Hakeem Olajuwon were supposed to play 1 on 1 (for $10,000 a point) on pay per view. This event ultimately never happened as “The Dream” had an injury. But what are the reasons why other NBA players didn’t steal this blueprint? Thought it was a great idea. Could generate millions of dollars for players in the offseason (yet never heard anyone propose something like this during the lockout). Your thoughts.

    • Mark Nugent

      My opinion is big name superstars don’t want to lose in a 1-on-1 matchup against other superstars. Also these stars are so rich it’s not like they need an extra 200 grand. That’s pocket change to a guy who signed a 100 million dollar contract. I’d love to see it, but I don’t think we ever will.

  17. Charlie

    In your opinion, which accomplishment as a coach is more difficult to attain – taking a medium tier squad and improving them into a perennial playoff team (ala Doug Collins in Philly) or having a good team and taking them deep into the playoffs (ala Eric Spolestra with Miami)

    • Mark Nugent

      Both are extremely difficult to do. I’d say it’s harder to take a good team and make them a championship level team. However, Spo is a bad example of that. He has three of the top players in the NBA and two of the top five. What Collins is doing is much more impressive. The real question is, are Collins and Vogel more impressive than Brooks (Thunder) and Thibs (Bulls). I’d say it’s really close, but right now what Vogel and Collins are doing is the most impressive coaching in the league.

  18. Sweet Dee

    Nikola Pekovic has come out of nowhere to grab the starting center spot in Minnesota. What factors have contributed to his vast improvement as a player this year. And do you think he can start and play heavy minutes on a playoff team?

    • Mark Nugent

      I do think he can be a starting center on a playoff team. Right now he is the third best player on that team. If he was the fifth best player, that team would be a serious threat out West. He is a big body, with excellent footwork who doesn’t commit dumb fouls down low. He’s not a big shot blocker, but he’s a good help defender. That’s what most bigs should focus on, but they don’t. Pekovic is already better than Darko and is likely to be a starter for the Wolves for the next few years.

      What they need is a SG, like JR Smith.

  19. Jay Dee Miller

    Who do you like more tonite Rajon Rondo or Steve Nash?

    • Mark Nugent

      Nash! The crafty veteran can really play and can shoot. Something Rondo still hasn’t learned to do.

  20. Mac

    If you were starting a team tomorrow, who do you take and why: Paul George, Loul Deng or Josh Smith

    • Mark Nugent

      George. I think he has the most upside. He can play three positions, can guard three positions, can shoot the three, and is starting to develop an iso game. He’s going to be very good. I love Deng, and SMith is who he is, but George has serious upside.

  21. David James

    Are there any current nba franchises that are interested in moving into Pittsburgh’s newly built conosol engery arnea?

    • Mark Nugent

      Not that I have heard. With how poorly the Pirates draw, I think Pittsburgh will be a tough sell.

  22. atosh

    if jeremy lin is on the all star list for next year, would that mean he will start since he is from asia and all of asia will vote for him

    • Mark Nugent

      I doubt he will out vote Wade and Rose who are huge overseas. It’s certainly possible, but Lin isn’t Yao Ming, who was a Chinese national hero.