NBA Chat With Mark Nugent 4/5/2012

1. SGM

   Do you think there’s a chance the Bulls try to cash in on their Charlotte pick for something in this years draft? I herd Porland would be open to trading their picks this year since they already have good/great players at the positions this draft is deep in. Dangle something like their late 1st, CHA pick, and maybe even Taj (with the hope of drafting their future pf). I know its getting ahead of myself but Bull’s games just aren’t that interesting to watch at the moment, need the playoffs to start.

   • Mark Nugent

     I do not think the Bulls will trade that pick. I expect essentially the exact same team for the Bulls next year, unless they lose before they play the HEAT. But even if they face the HEAT and lose I still expect their top 10 guys to return next season. It’s the season after, when Nikola Mirotic will be coming over, that’s when I could see the Bulls making major moves, like trading that pick and maybe moving a big man.

     Winning makes every Bulls game interesting to watch.

2. Codey

   Do you know what the deal with Lin is in the offseason can the kincks offer him more than the MLE? I’d like to see them keep Lin, Davis, Smith and Novak just wondering if that’s possible.

   • Mark Nugent

     The Knicks can offer him whatever they want to because he will end the season on the Knicks roster, so they will own his Bird’s Rights. I believe that is true anyway. For further info see Larry Coon. He’s the salary cap genius.

3. calvinzero

   Let us forget about stats and ranking. In terms of leadership, who do you think is the MVP of this NBA current season?? Why? Do you think he has a higher chance that he grab that trophy?

   • Mark Nugent

     I think Durant has been a great leader. But LeBron is having an insane year, so my vote would probably go to him.

4. andok's lechon manok

   Who has the edge in a finals series and does home court be the x factor on winning the rings. Miami or the thunder? And can the celtics stop the heat ?

   • Mark Nugent

     Home court will definitely be a factor in the Finals. It’s nearly impossible to win 3 straight games at home, meaning the lower seed has to win at least two games on the road, and that is hard to do. I say the Thunder are the best team in the NBA right now, but that could change.

     I don’t see the Celtics being able to beat the Bulls or HEAT this year.

5. paprika

   I wana say that svg desrves to be the magics coach beyond next year but whenever i watch their games even early in it i see the plays are given to guards or r.anderson and even turkolu. I see frustration on dh12′s face whenever he doesnt get the ball. I think he deserves the touches for being the number one center in the league oh and hey bynum is almost about to over take.is svg the right coach for dwith?

   • Mark Nugent

     Van Gundy has turned Howard into the defensive player of the year and has taken them to the Finals once. Not sure what else he can do to prove he’s one of the top coaches out there. I’ve watched a lot of Magic games, and Howard needs to be more aggressive in getting positioning, and he needs to do something with the ball once he gets it. Lots of times he just holds it for 5 seconds and then passes it out, which forces the perimeter guys to make tough shots. I think SVG is a great coach, but if Howard is unhappy, then I expect him to be fired at the end of the year.

6. paprika

   Hi mark,watching the miami okc game ,i saw a bit of a team rattled in the end.okc did a good job but wasnt able to get other guys involve. And playoff basketball is like that. Pure defense.i know im wrong but my take on the last minutes were durant was trying to tie the game with a 3. I wish he rather attack and get an and one or give it to westbrook to do it.i know kd is clutch. But i want them not to fall for 3s too much. Whats your thoughts? Thanks

   • Mark Nugent

     I thought the 3 KD took at the end of the game was a terrible shot, he was too deep and LeBron was flying at him, a shot fake there and he probably would have been wide open. I don’t think the Thunder were rattled, I think he just got beat and made some bad plays down the stretch, that happens all the time. They are still my pick to win it all.

7. box noodles

   Now that linsanity is almost the past. Can u tell me what is lin’s ceiling? And maybe being under a wing first by a pg like nash be better for him rather than forced as a starter. Dragic really is a good example. Being a back up the mn after few years getting the start help the kid,plus the fact its contract year for him. I wish lin is mentored first by barron d and be a back up pg first. Whats ur take?

   • Mark Nugent

     I think Lin would be best suited as a JJ Barea or Jason Terry type. A sixth man off the bench he can play both guard positions. Lin is definitely the best PG on the Knicks roster right now, and I expect him to be their starter next year as well, but he and the Knicks would be better served if he could be a change of pace guard off the bench, in my opinion.

8. Kris

   Bynum or Cousins, both immature but Bynum is older and has battled injuries. Cousins also seems to be maturing the better he gets, while Bynum seems to be getting more full of him self the more success he has.

   • Mark Nugent

     I’ll take Bynum. He has proven when healthy he is a beast on both ends of the floor. Cousins still shoots too many jumpers. I think both could be in the top 5 at the center spot by the end of next year.

9. Wil

   Mark, dumb question but what is the real difference between C and PF? Is it just size or the way the position is played? Can most players adjust to either?

   • Mark Nugent

     These days there really isn’t a difference. Kevin Garnett is proving that. He’s been playing PF his whole life and now he is thriving as a center.

10. Cricket

    Dirk Nowitzki self-admittedly came into camp this season out of shape. However, management decided not to bring back his title winning squad in an attempt to free up cap space for next year (essentially giving up hopes of repeating). Is this a convenient excuse or a legitimate claim as Disco was not as motivated to come into this season full force. Your thoughts.

    • Mark Nugent

      The Mavs brought in a team they believed could compete for a title all while giving themselves options in free agency this year. I don’t think Dirk being out of shape had anything to do with anything.

11. Sweet Dee

    Steve Nash is a team oriented guy, so he doesn’t demand a trade from the Suns. If he acted like a d#$$k (ex. Carmelo Anthony) then he would have forced a trade and be competing for his first championship rather than booking a tee off time. What does that say to the rest of the league? Cry and complain and you’ll get your way. But I’ll be the douche with the championship trophy over the nice guy without all day every day. If you were Steve Nash, would you be respectful for the good of the team or selfish for the good of yourself (be honest)?

    • Mark Nugent

      Playing in the NBA is an honor and a privilege and I think sometimes players forget that. I have no problems with players doing things within the rules, my problem occurs when guys start tanking because they want to be traded. That’s when I get upset. I had no problem with LeBron leaving, because I never thought he tanked for the Cavs. I hated the way he left, but I’m ok with his decision to leave. ‘Melo was different, there were reports he was mailing it in with the Nuggets because he wanted to be traded, that to me is unacceptable if it’s true.

      So what I would do is never demand a trade, I may ask for a trade, but I’d never stop playing hard.

12. Charlie

    If you were starting a team from scratch, which backcourt would you take and why: Marcus Thorton / Tyreke Evans or Monte Ellis and Brandon Jennings.

    • Mark Nugent

      Neither? I’d take Ellis and Jennings because I think both players have better trade value.

13. Mac

    If you were starting a team from scratch, rank your preference for these pair of players (assume all in prime): Michael Jordan and Tim Duncan, Magic Johnson and Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, Kobe Bryant and Hakeem Olajuwon

    • Mark Nugent

      Jordan and Duncan. The best player ever and the best PF ever. It’s really not even close.

14. Frank

    The Sacramento Kings have a lot of redundant talent on their squad. If you were the GM, which current players do you consider apart of “the core” to build around for the future and which one`s are viewed as expendable.

    • Mark Nugent

      I think Cousins is the one guy I wouldn’t trade, at least not yet. I’d give him at least one more year on the team. I like Evans as 2 guard, but not a PG. So I’d keep Cousins and either Evans or Thornton. Everyone else is expendable.

15. Mac

    The play of Marcin Gortat this year has exemplified how poor of a GM Otis Smith really is. If the Suns ever decided to put Marcin on the trade market (not sure they would) how much more would they return in a trade than players like Jason Richardson, Hedo Turkoglu, and Earl Clark.

    • Mark Nugent

      Smith has done a pretty poor job of utilizing the assets he had after the team made the Finals in ’09, that is definitely true. Gortat is a starting level center in the league, Bogut was just traded for Monta Ellis, so someone along those lines makes sense to me. That was a terrible trade for the Magic and I said so at the time.

16. Charlie

    Kevin McHale has gotten far too little publicity this year. Everything we hear in the media is Vogel, Collins, Pop, Thibs and even Corbin. But this guy has lost his starting backcourt of Kevin Martin and Kyle Lowry, only had center for a few games now, and still has his team in the playoffs in the West. Questions: How would you grade McHale’s coaching job this year? And what rank approx. do you think he’ll finish in coach of the year voting?

    • Mark Nugent

      I’ve always like McHale as a head coach, as an executive not so much, but he clearly has the respect of his players.

17. Cricket

    Some believe Rajon Rondo is a star you can build a team around, while others are fixated on his lack of jumpshot and leadership skills. If you were the GM of Boston, and your team was eliminated in the first round this year, do you build the future around Rondo or are you actively looking to trade him for young players and/or picks to start the rebuild?

    • Mark Nugent

      I’d always be looking to trade Rondo, if for no other reason it seems to really motivate him. I don’t believe Rondo can be your first or second option, but I do believe he can be a number 3 or 4 option. So can you build around him, no, but you can build with him.

18. Sweet Dee

    Speaking of overrated players, one player who truly deserves the title of most overhyped phenom is Paul George. Dude averages 12 points a game, yet EVERY media outlet heralds this guy as the next great superstar. How long can the Granger card be played to justify these stats? I’ll go against the grain and say he NEVER averages over 19 points in a single season during his career. Agree or Disagree?

    • Mark Nugent

      Have you watched George play? He is smooth, a defensive force, and is just starting to tap into his offensive abilities and he’s playing out of position. I wouldn’t be surprised at all if the Pacers look to trade Granger this offseason, George is that good! I say he averages between 18-20 points for at least four separate seasons.

19. Dennis

    Which team has the stronger one-two punch out of the point guard spot: Houston – Kyle Lowry and Goran Dragic or Denver – Ty Lawson and Andre Miller

    • Mark Nugent

      Denver, I’m a huge Ty Lawson guy.

20. Mac

    In your opinion, which team has overexceeded expectations the most this year: Houston Rockets, Minnesota Timberwolves, or Cleveland Cavaliers. Justify your decision.

    • Mark Nugent

      Expectations, I’d have to say Houston. They are in the playoff hunt and few gave them any chance. The Cavs have really struggled lately so you can’t count them and after Rubio started the season so hot lots of people picked the ‘Wolves as a surprise playoff team. So I’m going with the Rockets.

21. Frank

    Golden State drastically underperformed this year. There was at least one writer on Hoopsworld (who will remain nameless) who was adamant GS would make the playoffs this year under Mark Jackson. In your opinion, what were the specific reasons the team struggled during the year forcing them to make a splashy trade. Can we blame it all on Steph Curry’s ankles or does the problem run deeper than that?

    • Mark Nugent

      It wasn’t me. I don’t think the Warriors have underperformed at all, this is exactly where I thought they would end the year. And no I don’t blame injuries at all. I blame team makeup and poor coaching.

22. lugaw at tokwa

    Looking at the past. Why did the magi traded cwebb for penny? Cwebb plus shaq equals super versitile big guys. Cwebb has pg skills and some olajuwon footwork. I know penny was jordan like before. But they say never trade a big with small specially if both are young. Explain please. Thanks

    • Mark Nugent

      The Magic didn’t believe Webber and Shaq could co-exist because both played the post. Back in the day, Webber didn’t have much of a jump shot, he developed that over his career. Plus Penny was a stud and they needed a PG.

23. Cain

    Hayward-Turner-George who is better now? better in 3 years and why?

    • Mark Nugent

      George and George. I think he has the most talent. I do like Turner and Hayward, but George is the only one with All-Star potential.

24. s baller

    Do you think with the latest infractions of Andrew Bynum, will the lakers trade him? Or will they let go of Mike Brown? What pieces can they get for Bynum?

    • Mark Nugent

      No, Lakers management loves Bynum. I would be very surprised if he was traded, unless it was for Dwight Howard.

25. Stan

    Why is Rondo never considered in the MVP conversation? He doesn’t have to be the favorite, but still, what he has done is amazing. He has more triple doubles than the rest of the league combined, and he is a great player.

    • Mark Nugent

      Because he is playing next to THREE HALL OF FAMERS!

26. BSaintM

    Hey Mark hows it going?

    I was wondering what your opinion is on the Dwight Howard drama. Is this damaging his reputation more than the “Decision” harmed LeBron’s? I wish he would just be honest about it and then go out and play hard. Thanks.

    • Mark Nugent

      Going great.

      In my opinion this entire season has damaged his reputation, but I don’t think it is anywhere close to ‘the decision’ yet. Now if Howard gets Van Gundy fired, then leaves the Magic, then we could be talking about a ‘Decision’ type avalanche. I think Howard has brought all of this on himself by not making a choice and sticking to it. This constant waffling is only hurting his rep.

27. John

    hey mark, who do you see going in the top 5 in this upcoming draft and do you agree this draft is overhyped?

    • Mark Nugent

      I do not think this draft is overhyped. I think Davis is a potential star, in the KG mold. I think Kidd-Gilchrist and Barnes have all-star potential. Plus I think the draft is very deep and any pick in the first round could result in a starter, that can’t be said most years.

      I’d say this.
      1. Davis
      2. Kidd-Gilchrist
      3. Drummond
      4. Barnes
      5. Robinson.

      This could all change, except Davis first, based upon who gets what draft position.