NBA Chat With Mark Nugent 4/26/12

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. Jazzfan

    thanks for the chat, I believe Milsaps contract is up after next season, he has really turned up his game this year if he continues it into next season but Favors really turns his game up as well like he’s expected to, do you try to keep Milsap or do you let him walk/trade him and let Favors take over?, Milsap has made it known he wants to be starter but if Favors turns out to be what many expect I dont see him over starting over Favors

    • Mark Nugent

      The Jazz are going to have some big decisions to make very soon. If Favors progresses it will be hard to keep him out of the starting lineup and with the new CBA going into affect soon, the Jazz may have to let Milsap walk. The bigger question is whether or not Enes Kanter can play Center at the NBA level. Then they can let Jefferson go. It’s going to be near impossible for the Jazz to keep Milsap, Kanter, Favors, and Jefferson in the next few years.

  2. keo

    I can see ray Allen with the bulls next season …how will that move effect the bulls ?

    Do you think anyone will make more threes than ray Allen?

    • Mark Nugent

      I think Ray Allen will keep that record for Decades. I don’t see him going to the bulls, in fact, his career could be in jeopardy with his new injury and his age. But I doubt the Bulls go after him, I think they are more likely to keep the current team they have and bring back Korver and Brewer.

  3. Brad

    What are your thoughts on Andre Drummond? Do you think he’ll be a bust due to “motivational issues” or will he be something big in the NBA with the right team?

    • Mark Nugent

      I think he’ll be at least a decent rotational center. He’s just too big and athletic to be a Kwame Brown type bust.

  4. Dr. J

    If the Bobcats get the first pick what would it take for them to trade it? The Jazz have some very good trade assets (Jefferson, Millsap, Harris, GS pick) any chance they work something out. Favors and Davis at C and PF could be the best pair of defensive big men ever. What about Millsap, Kanter, and a future 1st rounder or Jefferson, Harris, and the Golden State Pick for the number 1 pick.

    • Mark Nugent

      the only way any team trades the top pick in this year’s draft is if it lands them one of the following: Derrick Rose, LeBron James, Kevin Durant, Blake Griffin, Kevin Love or maybe one or two other players. Essentially, the only way that pick gets traded is for a top ten player in the NBA.

      So no, none of those deals would ever happen.

  5. Deven

    Hi Mark. Do you believe Steve Nash has played his final game with the Phoenix Suns? If so, where do you think he’ll up next year?

    • Mark Nugent

      Yes I think he’s done as a Sun. I think he ends up in one of several places. The Knicks, the HEAT, maybe the Raptors to finish out his career in Canada. Those are my best bets.

  6. raps4ever

    Hi Mark, According to Mr. Bill Ingram, Harrison Barnes, is the guy Toronto should pick. I respect his opinion, but I think that will be a wasted pick if it happens. I agree w/ Mr.Joel Brigham, that Barnes is too one dimensional and a big disap,pointment during the NCAA final 4. So base on that why should the Raptors, pick him? Wouldn’t it be safer to pick Lillard or our home grown Andrew Nicolson?

    • Mark Nugent

      Nope, depending on where the Raps pick I think Barnes would be a great fit. He can shoot, he can score, he can defend and he has a NBA small forward body, which the Raptors need. I think Barnes is an excellent player, he just needs a pg to play with, but I see him like a Joe Johnson type. And that is pretty good, he’s an all-star after all.

  7. John

    Which rookie are you the most excited to watch next season and how will you remember Nash, Dirk, Duncan, and Kobe on and off the court when they retire?

    • Mark Nugent

      I’m pretty excited to watch all the rookies, this is going to be an exciting class. Barnes however, is tops on my list. I believe he is going to prove all his critics wrong and be an excellent NBA player. Also I want to see if Austin Rivers can play, I’m skeptical.

  8. John

    Which team do you think should take a chance on Andre Drummond when he enters?

    • Mark Nugent

      I think the Kings, Hornets, Trail Blazers and Pistons could be good fits for him. I worry a little about the Kings, but Keith Smart seems to have turned that team around and his skills would be a perfect fit next to Cousins.

      The Bobcats if they miss out on Davis, although they should probably take a safer player since they’ll be drafting in the top four.

      The Wizards, Cavs, Raptors, and Jazz should avoid him. They don’t need a big.

  9. John

    Would you ever consider being a gm or a coach in the nba?

    • Mark Nugent

      Of course. I’d do that right now if I could. You know those jobs are pretty hard to come by.

  10. John

    What is your favorite basketball moment and what inspired you to become a basketball writer?

    • Mark Nugent

      I went to the first two games of the Bulls/Magic series back in 1996 in the eastern conference finals. The first game the Bulls dominated, the second game I was in standing room only in the upper rafters with my brother. The Bulls were getting crushed all game and they came back and won. It was awesome.

      But the biggest moment is easy. I was in 8th grade and won a random contest to participate in a 7′ hoop slam dunk contest during half time of a Bulls game. I won the contest and won an autographed team ball. I still own that ball and have it displayed in my house.

  11. John

    which superstar do you think is the most overrated in the league right now? I think its blake griffin just because the only thing hes good for is dunking the ball

    • Mark Nugent

      Chris Bosh? If Bosh is still considered a superstar.

  12. Charlie

    Lang Greene called Dirk Nowitizki the best international player in NBA history. There may be a Houston Rockets 7 footer out of Africa who may have something to say about that. Do you agree with Lang or do you consider someone else is the best?

    • Mark Nugent

      I don’t think he was including Hakeem because he played at the University of Houston. I think he was referring to players that came straight from overseas. In my opinion of course Hakeem is the best.

  13. Mac

    Who was the “flashier” point guard during his rookie season: Jason Williams (aka White Chocolate) or Ricky Rubio (aka the Spanish Assassin)

    • Mark Nugent

      Jason Williams because he came out of nowhere and he played the whole season.

  14. Frank

    Rank these pair of players (assume all in prime): Team #1 – Steve Nash and Dirk Nowitizki, Team #2 – Stephon Marbury and Kevin Garnett, Team #3 – Charles Barkley and Kevin Johnson, Team #4 – John Stockton and Karl Malone

    • Mark Nugent

      Team 1
      team 3
      team 4
      and team 2

      For the record, Kevin Johnson is one of my all-time favorite players.

  15. Bill

    Nugent: Do my sixers have any chance against the Bulls?

  16. Dennis

    When Steve Kyler was asked if the Toronto Raptors would trade DeMar DeRozan for Tyreke Evans he stated, “Evans value is really low… I don’t think Toronto gives up DeMar for Evans… I think they have the better guy.” Do you agree with Kyler evaluation and DeMar is the better player?

    • Mark Nugent

      I think DeMar is probably the better player right now, but I think Tyreke has more potential. Whether he reaches that potential who knows.

  17. jaleel

    I think Ant Davis is overrated. Way to skinny not much on O. Will not be a franchise player. What are your thoughts. All the writers think he has almost no flaws.

    • Mark Nugent

      He has flaws, but I actually think he’ll be better in the NBA than he was in college. He can shoot, defend and will put muscle on his body. I think he has Kevin Garnett upside and I expect him to be an all-star within four years. I see him being up there with Kevin Love and Blake Griffin by 2016.

  18. Bobby

    Who do you think will win when the Bulls and Heat play in the conference finals. (assuming they make it that far)

    • Mark Nugent

      Right now I still have to take the HEAT, which kills me as a lifelong Bulls fan.

  19. Mark ryan

    if the kings draft Barnes or MKG or sign a starting small forward in free agency but also keep Tyreke Evans, who comes off the bench Marcus Thornton or Isiah Thomas?

    • Mark Nugent

      I think Evans is proving he is not a PG, so Thomas pretty much has to start. so that means Thornton gets sent to the bench. It’s possible at some point the Kings look to move either Evans or Thornton if they draft Barnes or MKG.

  20. Bill Wallace

    Will Kevin Durrant win the scoring title for the next 5 years? Who are some young and up coming players who could challenge Durrant in the next couple years?

    Eric Gordon, Marcus Thornton, Marshon Brooks, Monta Ellis, Paul George, Austin Rivers and Harrison Barnes.

    • Mark Nugent

      I think it’s between KD, ‘Melo, and LeBron for the next five years.

  21. Louis

    Hey mark how are you doing today? I am an avid cavs fan and im wondering which direction you think we will go in the draft? I REALLY want to get drummond or beal. What do you think we should do because i do want drummond but im not sure if he is an upgrade over varejo. i think we should draft drummond and trade varejo for a 2 guard what do you think though? do we keep andy and draft a sg or sf? or do we go the route that i suggested?

    • Mark Nugent

      I’m decent, thanks for asking. I don’t think you will see the Cavs go with a big man in this year’s draft. They have Varajeao under contract and want to develop Tristan Thompson. So I doubt very much they go big. I see them targeting a scorer to play with Irving. Either Bradley Beal, Kidd-Gilchrist or Harrison Barnes is who I think they will pick. and one of them is likely to be available with whatever pick they end up with.

  22. jon

    mark what do you think the nets will do this offseason to keep williams and do you still think howard is brooklyn bound?

    • Mark Nugent

      I do not think Howard will end up in Brooklyn during the offseason, I could see it before next year’s deadline. However, if I’m the Magic I trade him at this year’s draft or before next season starts to get as much value as possible. I think a lot of teams would still want him despite his injury if they had a full year of him.

      I think the Nets try and sign the best players they can, but I think Williams leaves for the Mavs and goes home.

  23. Mac

    Watched the replay of the Artest elbow and I agree with the commentators “that was a disgrace.” You cannot argue it was apart of the celebration as he clearly winds up and Bones Jones elbows Harden in the side of the head. If you were a Lakers fan, would you be ashamed at the actions of Metta World Peace and wish he was permanently off your team? Why or why not.

    • Mark Nugent

      I have no idea how I would feel if I were a Lakers fan or if someone on the Bulls did that. Hopefully I never have to find out. I will say I wish World Peace’s suspension was as many games as Harden missed, plus ten!

  24. Frank

    Rank these players in terms of ability to rebound despite not having NBA center size: Kevin Love, Dennis Rodman, and Charles Barkley

    • Mark Nugent

      Rodman is first, and it’s not close. I think Barkley is next, because Love does have center size in my opinion.

  25. Mac

    Now that the playoff bracket is set, what is your prediction for the biggest upset in the first round? (if you believe there will be one)

    • Mark Nugent

      The bracket isn’t set yet. The nugs/Mavs and 76ers/Knicks could still change. I’m actually saying the Hawks beat the Celtics, although that’s not an upset based on home court. I’m also saying the Knicks and HEAT go to seven games if they end up playing each other. I’m taking the Grizz over the Clippers which is a minor upset..

  26. Frank

    If you were starting a team from scratch, which center do you choose and why: Javale McGee, DeAndre Jordan, or Marcin Gortat

    • Mark Nugent

      Jordan. McGee has the most potential, Gortat is the most consistent, so I’ll take the guy that’s in the middle. Jordan is a defensive monster but will never be great on offense, but he’s not the head case that McGee is. So that’s my pick.

  27. Charlie

    Ranks these coaches in terms of the job they did this year despite missing the playoffs: Kevin McHale, Dwayne Casey, Alvin Gentry and Rick Adelman

    • Mark Nugent

      Adelman, McHale, Gentry, Casey. But the top three are pretty close. Casey is a big step below.