NBA Chat With Mark Nugent 4/19/12

1. Rich

   With salary cap limitations which Bulls will be with the team next year?

   • Mark Nugent

     I think all of them. I think they bring back the entire team including Asik (Restricted free agent), Brewer (Team option) and Korver (Team option). It’s the following season, 2013-14 where I think things could look very different. That’s when the new harsher penalties for the luxury tax go into effect and the Bulls want to bring over Mirotic that year. So that team could look completely different then this current team. Especially if they consider using their amnesty clause on someone (Boozer?).

2. ralph lawrence

   if the kings opt to trade evans this offseason should they trade him for bargnani from the raptors and maybe a draft pick for tyreke evans?? I think its a great deal for both teams and i could imagine a lineup of Cousins, bargnani, SF from the draft maybe kidd-gilchrist or barnes, thornton and thomas.. your thoughts?

   • Mark Nugent

     I think a straight up trade of Evans for Bargs makes some sense for both teams. But it all depends on where the Kings and Raps end up drafting. If the Kings end up with a pick that looks like Barnes or Kidd-Gilchrist, then they might be more likely to move Evans. If the Raps end up with the first pick and Anthony Davis, then I doubt they would move Bargs. It’s clear Bargs needs to play PF or at least be next to someone who could be a stud defender and rebounder like Davis.

3. calvinzero

   As far as you know in the NBA history, which team had make a so-called “Cinderella run” to grab a spot for the playoffs? If you don’t get that, for example, Phoenix Suns placed no.12 in the start of the season but they had a huge run by winning games and they get no.8 spot before the regular season starts.

   • Mark Nugent

     Lots of teams have made Cinderella runs. The latest that sticks out in my mind is the Bucks from a few years ago when Jennings was a rookie. No one thought that team would even sniff the playoffs and they ended up being the 6th seed.

4. Deven

   Fact or Fiction: Boston will rebuild this summer by letting KG and Ray Allen walk and trade Paul Pierce.

   • Mark Nugent

     I think fiction. The Celtics don’t have any major cap space, even if they let those two guys walk they still won’t have a ton of space. And even if they did, who would they get in free agency. No, I think they ride this out until the bitter end and bring both guys back on one or two year deals for a lot less money. And then in the summer of 2013 or 2014 they start to rebuild. But remember, rebuilding is likely going to mean they miss the playoffs and stink for a year or three.

5. keo

   What are Ur thoughts of both Paul pierce and keven garnett drinking the fountain of youth? And whats happening to avery bradely he seems like hes been in this league for years ..is he a piece of the future for Boston?

   • Mark Nugent

     I like Bradley, liked him in college. I think he could be a solid 2 guard, but he needs to improve his range. If he is your fourth or fifth best starter, like right now, then you are in good shape.

     Paul Pierce isn’t drinking the fountain of youth, he’s always been this good. He just hasn’t slowed down yet. KG on the other hand has shocked me. I thought he was DONE! and I mean DONE!. They should have moved him to center years ago if he was going to be playing like this. This move has extended his career by probably two or three years. It’s been amazing.

6. T-Harry in Naptown

   I like Darren Collison, but he doesn’t seem to have very good court vision. Would Dragic be a good offseason target for Indy? (Assuming Nash/D-Will look for bigger markets to play in).

   • Mark Nugent

     I think the Pacers will target a shooting guard either thru trade of free agency. I think they want to move Paul George to the 3 full time and I expect them to look at ways to do that. Yes that means I think they consider trading Granger. It may not happen, but they love George and he won’t be able to reach his potential until he moves to small forward. They’ve already indicated they would be pursuing Eric Gordon, but after his injury plagued year that may change.

7. Ruben

   Mark do you see Houston using any combination of Martin,Lowry,or Scola to move up in the draft?What do you think Lowry would get them?

   • Mark Nugent

     I don’t believe any of those players will move the Rockets any higher in the draft. It should, especially Lowry. But by all accounts this is one of those drafts that GMs are afraid to trade out of for fear they miss a marquee player and then of course lose their job.

8. Jeremy Mercer

   Who says no to this deal,
   Kemba Walker, Bismack Biyombo, Reggie Williams for Andrea Bargnani? Thanks!

   • Mark Nugent

     probably both sides. The Raptors want to win now and next year, and the Bobcats are building for the future and don’t want to take on that type of salary.

9. Benny

   Hey Mark, I got a couple of questions for you.
   Which power forward/center and point guard do you see the Knicks going after in free agency to back up Amare/Tyson and Lin? I’m thinking Andre Miller for point guard.

   Do you see them advancing to the 2nd round this year even if they play the Bulls or Heat?

   Do you think Tyson deserves DPOY?

   • Mark Nugent

     The Knicks don’t have any money and are going to be up against the luxury tax very soon. I wouldn’t expect them to do much this offseason, instead I’d look for them to keep their current core. I wouldn’t be surprised if they brought back Davis as a backup and they already have Steve Novak, who is a stud.

     I don’t think the Knicks will beat either the Bulls or HEAT, but I could see them beating the HEAT. That is a better matchup for them, in my opinion. The Bulls size I think is too much for the Knicks, but the HEAT don’t have that. The Knicks/HEAT is my dream first round matchup, i think it would be great drama.

     I think Chandler is in the mix. I’d probably vote for him, if I had a vote.

10. Mac

    In this week’s chat, Bill Ingram stated “Hard to see Portland going Perry Jones (in the upcoming draft). They could keep Hickson and have the same thing in a more developed player.” This was a surprising statement, as Hickson was a waiver wire pick-up this year vs. Jones (sure-fire lottery pick in a loaded draft). Would you agree with Ingram and Hickson-Jones is basically a wash. Or do you believe Perry Jones holds much more value?

    • Mark Nugent

      I do not believe they are basically the same player. I actually like Jones quite a bit and think he could end up being the second best player in the draft after Davis. He has had a hard life, and once he gets into the NBA I think he could really flourish and be the player everyone thought he could be.

      That said, I agree that the Blazers are unlikely to take Jones. I think they want to win now and I think Jones is more of a prospect then a player that will immediately help a team.

11. Dennis

    The Orlando Magic held off trading Dwight Howard to get maximum value in return (assuming their star does not want to resign long-term). However, this plan may have backfired as Howard’s back issues have now become public. Do you think the questions regarding Dwight’s health will scare teams away and impact the offers the Magic receive from now on vs a healthy Howard they were shopping at the trade deadline.

    • Mark Nugent

      I do not think Howard’s back issue will impact his trade value, IF the Magic choose to trade him this offseason. If they wait, and his issues continue into next year then it could be a problem. Right now I think teams would jump at the chance to rent Howard for a full season. Once the season starts I think it’s less likely the Magic get full value for him, especially if he is still dealing with back issues.

12. Frank

    In your opinion, which frontcourt would be better defensively: Thunder with Kendrick Perkins and Serge Ibaka or Charlotte with Bismack Biyombo and Antony Davis (assume Bobcats won lottery).

    • Mark Nugent

      Right now I go with the proven starters of Perkins and Ibaka. But three years from now it would likely be very close. Davis has a KG type upside to me. I think he is a franchise changer, the problem with this scenario is Perkins is a true center, and neither Davis nor Biyombo is.

13. Charlie

    Greg Popovich is notorious for sitting his veteran players during the regular season to rest for the playoff. When he did this last week, he listed Tim Duncan – “DNP-Old” However this was met with public outcry to the point Pop was quoted “I wont be doing that again. Some people didn’t find it too humorous.” Question: Did people have an issue with Pop was coming out with honesty (instead of listing a fictitious injury). I thought that was both hilarious and honest, why did people have such a problem?

    • Mark Nugent

      I have no idea why people had a problem with it. I though it was hilarious and ingenious. I used to hate Pop, but I love him now. He’s the best coach in the NBA and he actually has a sense of humor…at times.

14. Mac

    If you were the GM of Portland, you may be worried about the point guard spot for next year with Raymond Felton struggling for most of the season. Do you give Ray another chance to redeem himself or throw money at a free agent point guard (ex. Goran Dragic, Aaron Brooks). Justify your decision.

    • Mark Nugent

      Felton has proven he is not really a starting level PG, unless he plays in a free wheeling Mike D’Antoni type system. He wasn’t great in Charlotte and he isn’t great now. If I’m Portland I’d actually look at drafting a PG. I’m a huge fan of Kendall Marshall and think he would be a great late lottery pick for them.

15. Sweet Dee

    In his chat, Lang Green called Allen Iverson the best player in NBA history at 6′ or smaller. Do you agree with Lang or would select someone else?

    • Mark Nugent

      Isiah Thomas, and I don’t think it is that close. I’m not sure how tall Bob Cousy is, but he’s up there as well.

16. Suspicious

    Billy Hunter convinced members of the NBPA’s executive committee to kill an independent audit of the union’s finances and practices (advocated by PA president Derek Fisher),“The executive committee recognized the review was unnecessary since there had been a recent independent audit of the NBPA’s finances which raised no issues,” the NBPA’s memo said.
    Am I the only one who thinks this is sketchy? Clearly Derek questions the accuracy of the numbers presented by the owners during the lockout (which claimed 24 of 30 teams were losing money). Why would Hunter and co. be so adamant to not have this audit if there was nothing to hide?

    • Mark Nugent

      No, that seems a little sketchy to me as well. I’m not sure what that is all about, but any time someone ducks an audit I’m a little skeptical.

17. Charlie

    If you were the GM of Portland, and Nicolas Batum signs a 4 year / 40 million dollar deal. Do you match. Why or why not.

    • Mark Nugent

      Yes, anything higher than that and I let him walk. I don’t think he gets that much though and I wouldn’t offer him that much. I’d offer four years and 32 million and I’d hold firm to that and make him sign with another team before I offer more.

18. Sweet Dee

    If you were getting a vote for the all-NBA teams. Its a given Dwight Howard and Andrew Bynum are the centers on team #1 and team #2 (in whatever order). Who would you vote as center for the all NBA third team? Brigham voted Tyson Chandler. Agree or someone else?

    • Mark Nugent

      Actually, I’d put Bynum first, Chandler second, and Howard third. Howard’s been such a distraction this year, that I truly believe Bynum and Chandler have had better years.

19. Frank

    It was reported Danny Ainge attempted to trade Ray Allen to Memphis for OJ Mayo and a first rounder. Then once that deal fell through, he traded Allen to New Jersey for Okur and a first rounder. If you were Danny Ainge, would you glad the Big 3 get another chance in the playoffs or are you disappointed you lost out on a lottery pick to help with the rebuild?

    • Mark Nugent

      I think the Mayo and first rounder would have been a good deal for the Celtics, and if the Nets pick was unprotected I think it’s good as well. I would have made both those trades. That said, the Celtics look pretty tough right now.

20. kris

    Isaiah Thomas is a stud, 31 assists to 3 turnovers last 5 games, as a starter his per is amazing and he has a better ts% ast and turnover rate than Irving. His efficiency is crazy for a rookie PG and he’s 5 8. Why isn’t he getting as much love as other rookies?

    • Mark Nugent

      Because they keep losing. However, look for him to make the second team all-rookie team. I’d be surprised if he didn’t.

21. Ronnie

    What is the point of divisions in the NBA? Teams play conference rivals the same amount of times in the regular season and a division title doesn’t even mean automatic home court advantage. With that being said, what is the point of the the division winner being guaranteed a top 4 spot if it doesn’t mean home court advantage either?

    • Mark Nugent

      In a regular season you play division opponents four times, you only play the other conference teams three times. What the NBA is trying to do is create division rivalries. I like the divisions personally.

22. John

    Hi mark, which rookie are you looking forward to watching next season and how will you remember nash, kobe, dirk, and duncan on and off the court when they retire?

    • Mark Nugent

      I’m really excited about Harrison Barnes. I’m a believer. I’m not saying Kobe, ‘Melo or LeBron, but I think he could be a more exciting version of Joe Johnson. He can shoot, finish and I love his game. Obviously I love Davis as well, but I’m excited to see how Barnes’ skills translate to the pros.

      I love Nash and Dirk, I respect Kobe and Duncan, but was never a huge fan of either of them.

23. John

    Hi mark, who do you see being a sleeper in this upcoming draft?

    • Mark Nugent

      Tons of sleepers. It all depends on where they get drafted. To some John Henson is a sleeper.

24. John

    where would you rank nash and kidd in the all time pg list when they retire?

    • Mark Nugent

      Nash higher then Kidd, I’d have to really look at it. Top 20 for sure, but I’m not sure how high, not top five though.

25. luis

    Had the clippers gone after Tyson Chandler instead of giving that money to Jordan,would the clippers had won it all this year? random thought thanks.

    • Mark Nugent

      No. and I’m not 100% sure the Clippers could have afforded him, I don’t know what their cap state was when all that went down. But no I don’t think Chandler would have made them that much better than Jordan.

26. John

    who is in your top 5 for pg all time?

    • Mark Nugent

      Magic, Oscar, Isiah, Stockton, Cousy. My favorite PG of all-time is Kevin Johnson. I love that guy!

27. Mac

    Tommy Beer tweets “Under Mike Woodson, New York has been top-3 defense by nearly every metric imaginable.” This shows how good of a coach he really is as he transformed this team despite injuries. If you were the GM of New York, do you bring Woodson back for next year or look to sign a splashy big name coach?

    • Mark Nugent

      If I can get Phil Jackson, I get Phil Jackson. Otherwise I’d probably keep Woodson and sign him to a three year deal, with the third year a team option. Much like the deal Thibodeau is currently under.