NBA Chat With Mark Nugent 5/17/12

1. Chris

   Hi Mark. Should the Bulls roll the dice and make the deadline deal they discussed with the Magic (Dwight and Hedo for Boozer, Deng, Asik, and the Charlotte 1st rounder)? Depth wins the regular season but stars win titles (if even for just one season).

   • Mark Nugent

     That deal was never really discussed is my guess. Also, I doubt the Magic would ever take Boozer. If this was the deal the Bulls would probably have to do it. But the deal is usually Noah, Deng, either Asik/Gibson, and the Charlotte 1 rounder and possibly Nikola Mirotic as well for Howard and Hedo. That, in my opinion, is way too much. I would also only trade for Howard if he signed an extension, and I mean actually signed it not some promise, I want it in writing.

2. Cricket

   Last week you said Kevin Johnson’s dunk over Hakeem Olajuwon was one of the all time greats. In your view, what other in-game dunks (not contest) rank among history’s best?

   • Mark Nugent

     Jordan over Ewing in the ’92? playoffs. where he stood over him and yelled at him. That was awesome. KJ’s dunk of course was awesome. Blake Griffin had a bunch these last two years. John Starks had a great one on the Bulls in the playoffs where Jordan was in the picture, but it was really on Horace Grant I think. Shaq when he was with the Magic brought down the entire backboard and stanchion on a nationally televised game. That was really cool. Shawn Kemp had a million alley-oops from Gary Payton. Vince Carter jumping over a seven footer in the olympics. Those are the ones that stand out to me.

3. Mac

   If Mark Nugent was a player in a tied Game 7 of the NBA Finals and are given the choice of two possible outcomes. Scenario A: You can blatantly flop on the final play of the game, get the call, and win the title Scenario B: Play defense like a real man on the final possession of the game, but you only have a 50-50 chance of making a stop and winning the game. Which scenario do you choose and why?

   • Mark Nugent

     Here’s the thing, I’m all about winning, so I would definitely flop. What I want is for the NBA and officials to stop calling all the flops. It’s a pretty easy fix. Review every game and start handing out flopping fouls after the fact, five flopping fouls and your suspended. or make it harsher. Also, tell the officials to only call OBVIOUS offensive fouls and stop letting players on D slide under offensive players to take a charge. It’s really not a hard fix, the NBA just isn’t there yet.

4. Tigermask

   Everyone knows you are not a big Rondo fan, as you see him as a second or third tier level point guard. Has his recent play impressed you or is he still a fringe top ten pg in the league in your opinion?

   • Mark Nugent

     I see him as a second tier PG, but at the top of that tier. I still don’t believe he is in the same class as Rose, Paul, Westbrook, Parker, but he is still in the top 10, he might even be number 6 or 7. I don’t think I’ve ever had him out of the top ten, for most of the year I probably had him closer to ten then five, but lately I’d have to rethink that.

5. Aristotle

   Hey there Mark
   Does Miami have the players to play and dominate with Jackson’s triangle offense?
   Wade=Kobe
   LeBron=Odom
   Bosh=Gasol

   • Mark Nugent

     Yes and no. Miami should be able to dominate with any offense including the triangle. But the offense that would work best for them would be Mike D’Antoni’s pick and roll and seven seconds or less offense. That team is built to run, yet they hardly do it. I think the triangle could work as well because Wade, LeBron, and Bosh can all post up and are willing passers, which is the key to the triangle.

6. keo

   I saw an interview with josh smith saying Boston has the best place and saying he wouldn’t mind playing here…is there a possibility that he might team up with rondo since they are good friends since high school …and try to get rudy gay ….how will this big three be? I’m just dreaming right now as a celtics fan lol

   • Mark Nugent

     You are definitely dreaming. Smith is likely going to be a free agent after next season, so anything is possible. The Celtics should be way under the cap by then, so maybe. Right now, Boston is knee deep in a championship fight, so thinking about anything other than that is kinda silly. As a Bulls fan I’d give anything to be where your team is right now.

7. Mark Conkling

   Hello! Talk to me about flagrant foul rules in playoffs….are they technicals? If you get a flagrant 1 and a technical later on are you gone? How many points during playoffs? ect…. Thanks…need to know with the Heat/Indy series…lol

   • Mark Nugent

     Flagrant fouls are not technical fouls. They are two separate fouls. As far as I know a player can commit a flagrant 1 every game in the playoffs and not be suspended. That is not true with Techs.

8. BB Jammin

   Your thoughts on the following please: Steve Nash tells Phoenix “I’m leaving, definitely.” Sign and trade with Bulls on a 3 year deal with a player option for Nash after 1 year for e.g. 7-8 million per. Bulls trade any combination of their non-guar contracts (Brewer, Watson, Korver) to PHX plus Butler and/or a pick. Downside for Bulls is luxury tax, but plug in Nash at 1 while Rose is out for 12-13, and play them together when Rose comes back. As Nash ages he becomes 20-25 minute backup at 1 and 2. If things go south, he’s out after 1 year. But he gets to play for championship, and not on HEAT. Your thoughts?

   • Mark Nugent

     Couple thoughts here. First, Bulls won’t pay the luxury tax without them believing they will have a legit shot at a championship. And with Rose likely out 12 months, they won’t be paying the luxury tax. Second, Nash is unlikely to come to Chicago, the latest rumor is he hopes to finish his career in Canada, that of course could just be a rumor. Nash is a terrible fit with the HEAT and I think he knows it. Wade and LeBron operate best with a Steve Kerr type PG, a spot up shooter who can defend, not a guy that needs the ball and distributes, Wade and James are the ball handlers. Lastly, Nash on the Bulls does not mean they are championship worthy, without Rose that team is a first maybe second round playoff team, even with Nash.

9. Rudens

   Your thoughts on these moves? Bulls Amnesty Boozer, and then let Watson, and Brewer walk. We then sign Beasley, Hinrich, and work out a deal with restricted free agents Eric Gordon or O.J. Mayo, when Rose is finally healthy a pick and roll with Beasly would be deadly

   • Mark Nugent

     No to Beasley, I’d take Hinrich cheap, but you can’t count on him to stay healthy any more. Gordon is going to cost near max money, which the Bulls don’t have. Mayo I’d like and would be a good fit and I would let Korver and Brewer leave if I thought we could land him. I’m just not sure what his market will be this offseason, so there is definitely risk there. I’d go for Mayo though. Read this, Joel and I break down some options for the Bulls and what I think they should do this offseason.

10. Paul

    Hello, If Nikola Mirotic was in this years draft and he could come over next season where do you think he would get drafted? Would he be a lottery pick?

    • Mark Nugent

      I think he’d be a lottery pick, probably late in the 10-14 range. He is really impressing overseas and can flat out shoot. I can’t wait for him to suit up with the Bulls in a year or two.

11. Deven

    Hi Mark. Is there a chance the Thunder/Spurs meet in the WCF both undefeated in the playoffs?

    • Mark Nugent

      There is a chance, but I doubt it. The Clippers and Lakers are too good to lose four straight.

12. Deven

    With the injury to Bosh, what would you predict in a Boston-Miami series?

    • Mark Nugent

      If the HEAT beat the Pacers, which I fully expect them too, then Bosh should be back and playing close to 100% by then, at least that’s the reports. So I’d still pick the HEAT in 6.

13. Deven

    Here’s a thought: Nash to Chicago…one year deal. Perfect fit?

    • Mark Nugent

      Perfect fit, let’s do it. Sign him up for the league minimum. Will he take that? Bulls have zero money, so he would have too. I don’t think it happens, I think the Bulls starting PG for opening night is CJ Watson.

14. AJ

    As a Portland fan, I feel for the Bulls. I hope it doesn’t happen, but is there fear among the Bulls that Rose could be the next Brandon Roy? Superstar leading his team to the verge but getting derailed by injuries.

    • Mark Nugent

      Sure. At least by me. I am absolutely terrified that we’ve seen the best of Derrick Rose, when before the injury I thought he was just getting started. His work ethic and love of the game is unparallelled so I expect him to return to the top, but with a serious injury like this you just never know. It pains me to even think about, which is what I expect Blazers fans feel whenever they think of Oden and Roy.

15. JRN5150

    Hey mark. Thanks for the chat. Do you think that Utah has a shot at Steve Nash this year? Also, does Millsap carry enough value to trade into the draft to grab Lilard or Marshall? Which of the two fits better in Utah?

    • Mark Nugent

      I don’t think anyone will trade a lottery pick this year, unless it’s for another lottery pick and something else. Millsap is very good and for certain teams would be a great fit. If say the Rockets or Suns had the money available I’d consider trading the 13-14 pick for Millsap. Marshall fits better in Utah because they need a true PG.

      And I have no idea where Nash ends up. I’d love to see him in Utah for a year or two, but my guess is he signs a three year deal somewhere with the intent of retiring there. So to me Toronto and Phoenix seem to make the most sense. But who knows.

16. Mac

    Former Utah Jazz forward Andrei Kirilenko was named MVP of Euroleague. He also won top defensive player honors. Do these accolades put him in position for a decent contract in the NBA? Does he even want to come back? And if Kirilenko ever did return, what average salary do you believe he could get in free agency?

    • Mark Nugent

      My understanding is the then New Jersey, now Brooklyn Nets pursued Kirilenko in the offseason and offered him a pretty decent contract for at least one year with some kind of option for the second year. So if he wants to return I’m sure he can. He would be looking around the MLE which is $5 million or so.

17. Frank

    Shareef Abdur-Rahim was very underrated during his prime: 15,000+ career points, Olympic gold medal. Solid. What do you think contributed to this lack of fan base and exposure? What it because he played for one of the Canadian teams at the time? Or was Abdur-Rahim underrated/under-appreciated for other reasons?

    • Mark Nugent

      He played on some terrible teams in very small markets. If you don’t win, very few people care what type of numbers you are putting up unless they are insane, like Kevin Love dropping 20-20s. Even that could fade if the Wolves don’t start winning in the next year or so. Also, Abdur-Rahim was an offense only player who had a bit of a selfish reputation and was down right bad on D.

18. Mac

    There was a great article on Hoopsworld recently which spoke about accountability in the voting process. Right now, media members who vote for awards (ex. MVP or ROY) remain anonymous. But looking at this years totals, there were votes for Josh Shelby and Derrick Rose even though both played less than 40 games. If names were beside the vote I believe nonsical votes such as these would decrease. Or at worst, members of the media will be discredited and ridiculed by peers which helps self govern itself. Support this rule change? And do you think we will ever see it in the NBA?

    • Mark Nugent

      I’ve always thought any voting in sports should be done public, and if the writers don’t want to do it in public, they don’t have to vote. It’s simple. I liked it that Bill Simmons filled out his ballot on his podcast. Lots of writers do this in an article, but obviously lots don’t. I’d have no problem with making the voting public.

19. Blake

    Is there a more important person to their teams success then Chris Paul with the Clippers?

    • Mark Nugent

      Right now I’d say it’s Paul and Tony Parker. Those two do so much for their teams. Rose obviously as well, as the playoffs proved. But Paul and Parker basically run every play for the Clips and Spurs.

20. paprika

    Watching the lakers last night. There was the start of the 4th when the five guys for the lakers dont have a go to.guy and mwp started to try to be that guy and it resulted to turn overs. Kobe and bynum were at the bench and in my opinion are the only guys who can create shots for them. If they loose this series. what do mitch kupchak need to realize to do or bring a player of what type? Lakers need more players who can give bryant less burden to score.

    • Mark Nugent

      Bryant doesn’t have to score every time down, he just chooses to try. Bynum and Gasol can score. Sessions can score. If anything I’d say the issue is the head coach and Kobe. Kobe is still going into jacker mode at times during games, and that kills his team. Did you know in the last two plus minutes of the game neither Bynum or Gasol touched the basketball in the paint. That’s mostly on Kobe, since he is the primary ball handler. Kobe needs to be willing to accept less burden, and from what I’ve seen he is no where near ready to do that.

21. Mark

    Mac: Who does Portland go after this summer? Do they have a shot at Williams with him being buds with LA? Who’s their next coach?

    • Mark Nugent

      Sorry, the Blazers are keeping a tight lid on everything. I haven’t heard any rumors regarding players or coaches. I don’t think they have a shot at Williams. I think he stays with the Nets or heads to the Mavs. I think Portland looks to build around Aldridge and Batum through the draft as they should have two lottery picks this year.

22. paprika

    Where will this guys go next season? Amare,pau g, joe jhonson? Odom? Boozer? Lou williams?iguadala? Thanks

    • Mark Nugent

      Amar’e, Pau, Joe, Boozer, Williams, Iguodala all stay with current teams. Odom on the other hand is a real question mark. I could see him out of the league for a year. Or I could see him on the Kings of Clippers, somewhere out west though.

23. soup number5

    If the lakers get sweep again. Do u think the management is be blamed? Fans were already crying athleticism from the beggining of the season and yet they signed kapono. Then they didnt persue beasley as a six man role in the deadline. Are they getting scared to spend?

    • Mark Nugent

      I think the two biggest people to blame are Mike Brown and Kobe Bryant. Bryant isn’t the same player he was three years ago, but he still shoots and acts like it. Gasol and Bynum can play and they need to be involved all game, and sometimes Kobe and Brown don’t let that happen.

      The Lakers are hesitant to spend like crazy any more with the new CBA kicking in soon, but they didn’t pursue Beasley because they wanted a PG and they thought he was a head case. I’d take Jordan Hill over Beasley on the Lakers every day. I think Hill is a better player, not a better scorer but a better all around player and much better fit. the market for Beasley this offseason is going to be very small in my opinion.

24. uk magic

    Hi Mark

    How do you think the Dwight & the Magic situation ends? I’d like to think we can keep him & become major players next year in free angency, becoming the next NBA Superteam so to speak. Ellis, Iguodala, J Smoove etc. Your thoughts plese?

    • Mark Nugent

      I think the CEO of the Magic Alex Martins goes to Howard and says you need to sign an extension with us or we are trading you before the season starts. Maybe that isn’t what happens, but that’s what I’d do. I’d tell Howard he has to sign an extension by July 1 or I’d trade him to the Lakers, Bulls, HEAT, Jazz or some other team that gave me the best package. If Howard doesn’t sign he is going to leave and he will be a major distraction again, meaning the Magic won’t have a legit shot at a title anyway, so might as well make a move.

25. Kimbo

    HI Mark, I asked jason this question and wouldn’t mind your perspective on this either. If Dwight refuses to resign, and Orlando commit to trading him, how does a deal to golden state for bogut and klay sound? Works on the trade machine and gsw don’t mind a one year rental. I reckon it’s a reasonable deal for both teams.

    • Mark Nugent

      Bogut cannot stay healthy and no way should the Magic take that risk. I’d rather keep Howard for a year then do that trade. I’d do Klay and David Lee and a draft pick. that’s not a bad way to start rebuilding. But I’d never take Bogut.

26. Cricket

    People are saying if the Lakers didn’t salary dump and kept Derek Fisher, he would have been the one taking that critical 3 pointer last night. Fisher is the definition of clutch and may have hit that shot given the opportunity. Do you buy into this theory? And if Mark Nugent was coach of the Lake Show, who would you prefer taking the shot: Steve Blake or Derek Fisher?

    • Mark Nugent

      Nope, Fisher is a veteran leader, but if he was playing major minutes for the Lakers they would have been getting torched by Westbrook or Harden, whoever he guarded, and that game wouldn’t have been close. Fisher played 15 minutes last night, which is too many. But Blake and Sessions played 24+. those minutes were going to Fisher I think the Lakers would be in even more trouble.

27. iTHINKiamaGM

    If you are Chicago, do you make a call to OKC and offer DRose for Westbrook and Harden? Bulls get the backcourt they want/need, and OKC does not have to make the decision on Harden/Ibaka as well as a great 1-2 punch in Rose/Durant.

    • Mark Nugent

      Nope. You don’t trade DRose. He loves Chicago, Chicago loves him. Fans come to the United Center just to watch him. He is beloved and you don’t trade a guy like that unless you absolutely have to and the Bulls don’t have to. Plus there is no way the Thunder would ever trade Westbrook AND Harden for anyone player in the NBA.

28. john

    who would you pick if you were toronto at 8?

    • Mark Nugent

      It depends on who is there of course. Let’s assume Davis, Drummond, Kidd-Gilchrist, Beal, Robinson, and Barnes are gone. That is a pretty consensus top 6 by most mock drafts. So if those guys are off the board I’d go with wither Kendall Marshall, Perry Jones, or John Henson. I’d probably lean towards Perry Jones because I believe he is a three in the NBA and that is the position they are weakest at right now. To me Harrison Barnes is the perfect fit if they could somehow land him.

29. louis

    What can my cavs do to return to the playoffs? and who do you think in this draft would fit well with us? The general thinking has been beal but i REALLY want drummond, thanks!

    • Mark Nugent

      You don’t need Drummond and I wouldn’t want to take that big of a risk that high in this draft. I think Barnes, Beal, and Kidd-Gilchrist are perfect fits next to Irving. The Cavs have Varejao and Thompson down low, but their perimeter players next to Irving are sorely lacking. I’d go with the best perimeter guy no matter where they pick, unless they land the top spot, where Davis is a no brainer. They are another year or so away then they could be a playoff threat. They are in a great spot though and have done a great job of being relevant so quickly after LeBron left them.

30. Charlie

    The LA Lakers decided not to overextend themselves at the trade deadline by acquiring Michael Beasley. The Lakers would had to pay Super Cool his 9 mill salary plus another 9 mill in luxury tax = 18 million for less than half a season. However, sitting down 0-2 in the Thunder series, how nice would it be to have a guy off the bench who could go for 20 at any time. And how much money does a team make approximately by advancing one more round in the playoffs?

    • Mark Nugent

      No idea what a team makes by advancing a round. There are too many factors, jersey sales, tickets, concessions, tv revenue, all kinds of stuff. I don’t think Beasley is the answer. He can barely crack the rotation for the TWolves, why would he be able to crack the rotation for a legit title contender. yes he can score, but he is so bad defensively that most of that is negated. Plus he hasn’t really done much to make me think he’d be a help in the locker room. If the Lakers want him, they could easily offer him their mini mid level this offseason and I’d bet there is a good chance that would get him to the Lakers. I’m saying it right now, his market is going to be almost non-existent.