NBA Chat With Mark Nugent 5/31/12

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. Quan

    Have some questions for ya, Mark.

    First, your thought on which way Spurs gonna go when Tim Duncan retires? Manu Ginobili’s stock gonna decline and Tony Parker’s years of playing will take his toll on his body. I cannot see any role player like Danny Green step up their game in the future.

    Second, about the Knicks. Do you think they will keep their current roster and improve the chemistry or will trade a star? And if it’s the latter, who will be traded?

    • Mark Nugent

      1. The Spurs will rebuild in about 3-5 years, which is when Duncan will retire, Parker will be too old to play at his current level and Manu will be done. I thought last year was going to be it for them, but with the way Duncan still play defense and Parker’s dominance on offense they still have another 2-4 years of contending. That is assuming the role players keep hitting corner threes, which is a trade mark of Popovich’s offense. As long as that stays there is no reason they can’t contend for several more years and then once Parker declines they will start rebuilding. It’s an amazing team and the envy of the entire league. No team, including Jordan’s Bulls has had a 14 year run like Pop and the Spurs (no team since the 80s anyway.)

      2. The Knicks have very little options this offseason. They won’t trade ‘Melo or Chandler. They can’t trade Stoudemire, at least not this offseason, maybe next offseason. They used their Amnesty provision. They are over the cap and need to re-sign Jeremy Lin using the MLE. The Knicks are pretty much stuck, I wouldn’t expect them to do much of anything this offseason.

  2. Drak

    who won did philey or did the Celtics

  3. ken

    really have my fingers crossed for the sas-okc series. I love both teams but I really want Duncan to get another ring. Question: Where would you rank Greg Popovich on the top coaches of all time?

    • Mark Nugent

      The Spurs look pretty much unbeatable and with them up 2-0 on the Thunder I’d be shocked if they didn’t make the Finals. Also, I have whoever wins the west winning the Finals.

      I rank Pop way up there. Probably in the top five with Red, Phil and pop. The others are up for debate, but those three are in there for sure. This is NBA only by the way.

  4. Robert

    No one seems to be talking about Boston and their cap space this off-season. What moves are they likely to make? Will they make a big free agent splash with their cap space?

    • Mark Nugent

      There are no big free agents this offseason except for the Deron Williams who seems destined to either re-sign in Brooklyn or head to his home town of Dallas. Other than that the free agents are all mid-tier and below guys. I look for the Celtics to bring back KG at a reduced rate for maybe one year with a team option. Then go after a young wing player like OJ Mayo, Nick Young, or Maybe make a big offer to Eric Gordon. Those guys are all restricted free agents so who knows what will happen. I do think they let Ray Allen leave unless he is willing to sign for a lot less, since they like Avery Bradley. I think the Celtics are looking at two or three years from now for free agency.

  5. Thomas

    Has Rondo changed your mind yet that he still is not an allstar caliber PG? Has he at least moved up in your list of PGs where he might be ranked higher than Darren Collison, Ricky Rubio, Jose Calderon, or maybe even DJ Augstine? What more does the man have to do to break into your top ten PG list?

    • Mark Nugent

      In my last chat I ranked him about ninth. he is far superior to everyone you just listed. With his recent play and his ability to hit jump shots he’s pretty much in the top five I would think. If he can hit jumpers at the same rate next season as he is doing during the playoffs, Rondo and Paul could fight for the top spot between all PGs.

  6. FG7

    With Chicago recovering next season, Boston rebuilding, do you think East Finals will be Miami vs Knicks/Indiana? And where will Chicago be seeded? I think it will be the 2 seed but will lose to Indiana or the Knicks

    • Mark Nugent

      I think with Rose out until at least February I think the Bulls will be seeded 4-6. I think miami will be the top seed with Indy second. I’m confused by the Knicks, so i have no idea where they finish. I thought they’d be the three seed, four at worst this season. Don’t look for the Boston to do anything crazy this offseason. Ainge talks a lot about breaking up the team, but he won’t do it unless he has a vision for how to make them better within a few years. And right now there is no way to do that. plus the Celts are in the conference finals, you don’t just break up the team unless you can really set up for the future.

  7. Brian

    I thought Wade and Lebron were elite defenders, but they let a above average PG that can’t score put up 44, 10, and 8 on them. Given that Parker and Westbrook are head and shoulders above Rondo, do you see either getting on a minimum scoring 50, 10, and 8 on the heat in at least 1 game in the next series?

    • Mark Nugent

      LeBron can be an elite defender. When motivated he is the best perimeter defender in basketball. But really LeBron likes to cheat on defense on go for steals. he also has the advantage that the refs refuse to call fouls on him, he has been called for 9 fouls in his last 8 games. that’s insane.

      As for Wade, he is not a good on the ball defender at all, never has been. He is average at best. What he is good at is getting steals and cheating on D. But last night he made the biggest defensive gaffe of the playoffs. He left his man to try and get a steal on KG and then he didn’t hustle back into the play. That led to an Allen three, which he then yelled at James for trying to help. Crazy.

  8. 123Eric

    Much has been written about the appearance of impropriety regarding the nba draft and the consequent disgust of several league executives. My question is, technically, can the owners vote to remove stern? Would you know the grounds for the removal of a commissioner, process that should take place for such removal and the number of votes necessary for to effect a removal? Thanks!

    • Mark Nugent

      Stern works for the owners, so yes the owners can vote to remove Stern. There is a process they would have to go through, but I can tell you that most of the owners love Stern. He’s made the NBA huge and made almost all of the owners a lot of money. I do not know the process to remove Stern, but I can promise you he will be commissioner until the day he decides he wants to retire.

      And by the way, the grumbling about the lottery is coming from executives, not the owners. You rarely, if ever here an owner gripe about anything Stern related.

  9. Josh

    Cavs trade #33 & #34
    Mavs trade #17 and Marion

    Who says no?

    • Mark Nugent

      I would think the Mavs would. They have the money to sign Deron Williams to a max deal without trading away Marion and the #17 pick, so there is no reason to do this. I would think the Cavs would jump all over this trade if the Mavs made it available.

  10. jey

    Magic: Lowry, Okafor, NO # 10 pick, Hou #14 pick

    Houston: Howard, Magic #19 pick

    NOLA: Scola, Hou #16 pick

    How does the trade workout for all involved? Salaries works

    • Mark Nugent

      I don’t think Hornets want Scola, so they wouldn’t give up the #10 pick for him. I think it’s pretty good for the Magic, because I don’t think they are going to get a great deal for Howard. The question is would you rather have two draft picks and Lowry for Howard, or Andrew Bynum. I’d take the picks. For Houston it’s great because they would love Howard even if it’s just for a year. So the biggest issue for me is I don’t see anyway the Hornets would do this. They want to get younger, they are thinking 2-3 years from now, plus Scola plays the same position as Anthony Davis, PF.

  11. Robin Smith

    Cleveland has the option to swtich picks with Miami if they dont will miami draft Fab Melo?

    • Mark Nugent

      I think Size is going to be what the HEAT are after, so I think Fab Melo will definitely be in play, if he’s still around. I think they take the best big man available.

  12. paprika

    Whats the beef between wally and kg? How come wally seems bitter about the past?

  13. manila tapsilog

    If the celtics loose this one. Would they rebuild? Can jordan try and get rondo for the second pick ? And maybe dj agustin?

    • Mark Nugent

      I think the Celtics are always looking to get younger, but I don’t think they have a lot options right now. It appears they are going to run with this team until it’s clear they can’t compete for a championship. They are in the Conference Finals after-all. I see them making small moves this offseason and then in a year or two really blowing it up and bottoming out to get into the lottery. But they will fight as long as they are competitive.

      I don’t see them trading Rondo, but I would probably consider that deal if I’m the Celtics. no way would I do it if I’m the Bobcats. The Bobcats are bad and need young cheap talent to build around. Plus a lot of what Rondo does is because defenses have to respect the Celtics outside shooting, that wouldn’t be the case in Charlotte. not that Rondo wouldn’t be good, but he wouldn’t be the stud we see now.

  14. tinola manok

    How likely will this year’s lakers will stay intact and be awarded with a full training camp? And do u think mike brown is overrated? I’d rather have larry brown to coach them, lastly can a jerry sloan co exist with a kobe bryant with the lakers?? Thanks for your time.

    • Mark Nugent

      I think the lakers trade Gasol and possibly Bynum (Only if Bynum returns Howard though). The way the year ended i think Gasol and the Lakers are ready to split ways. I’ve never thought Mike Brown was considered that great of a coach, so I think he is rated about where he should be, middle of the pack. I’m not a Larry Brown fan. he comes to teams, demands the roster be turned over to the way he wants it, blames everyone else when things go wrong, and then demands to be let out of his contract when things go south, because of the demands he made on player personnel, he is not the guy I would ever hire to coach my team. Sloan can coexist with Bryant, but Brown isn’t going anywhere, they just signed him.

  15. Matthew 'EL CAMPEON' Crawford

    hello Mark, thanks for the chats, really appreciate the insight.

    any realistic options for the Mini-MLE for the lakers? After seeing it wasted on Mcroberts this year, can any real talent be brought in that can help now at 3.1M?

    And also, is there any chance Houston/Philly/Minnesota includes a first rounder in a package for Gasol?

    Thanks!

    • Mark Nugent

      The mini-MLE will only bring in a bench player. That’s pretty much it. The Lakers won’t be getting a starter for that kind of money.

      Of course, Houston would probably trade both of their first rounders for Gasol.

  16. a celtic in purple

    Do i still see the passion in ray allen to be a celtic? He seem burn out and ready to move on.

    • Mark Nugent

      I think he moves on, but there is a lot more to his decision then just basketball. He has a child that has health issues and the Boston healthcare system is apparently doing a wonderful job with him (I believe it’s his son). So Allen may take less money to stay on a competitive team and play in a city that is helping his child.

  17. pinoy mamba

    Watchin the heat. U really would noticed that lebron is the most talented one but he lacks basketball iq, last seconds one on one against rondo. He attacks with a jumper. Not even thinking of over powering rondo. Dwade on the other hand is fearless to attack the bigger kg. Will lebron ever be great and realize his gift? Or is he really just a very good robin to batman.?

    • Mark Nugent

      I think LeBron has a good basketball IQ, i think he struggles in the last minute of the game. Some of that is he struggles at the free throw line when the game is on the line, so I think he would rather shoot an open twenty footer then end up getting fouled. That’s just my thought. I think LeBron is the best player on the planet for 44-47 minutes a night and those last minutes he is more of a facilitator than scorer. I think that will change if he ever wins a title and then a lot of the pressure he feels will fall away from his shoulders. Again, this is just my opinion.

  18. paprika

    Now that rondo showede his goods. Im guessing he will be in a celtic uniform for at least 5 years…. Ur take?

    • Mark Nugent

      I don’t think the Celtics ever really planned on trading him unless it landed them a Chris Paul type player. So yes, I think he stays with the Celtics and most likely even signs another deal when his current one is up.

  19. kobe

    Are scouts travelling in asia too?

    • Mark Nugent

      I assume scouts travel everywhere, however with the economy in bad shape, even NBA teams have cut back. My understanding is there are not nearly as many scouts as there used to be and there isn’t as much traveling either. I bet scouts end up there every once in a while, but it’s not like it was 8-10 years ago.

  20. mike

    Hi Mark,
    Does it make sense for the Wizards to use their amnesty this summer and continue their rebuilding plan? If so, who do they use it on?

    • Mark Nugent

      They should use their Amnesty on Andray Blatche. His skills are already declining, he’s complaining about his playing time, and he has four years left on his deal. the wizards don’t need him around Wall, Vesely, and whoever they take this year with the third pick. So I would definitely use the Amnesty on Blatche. There is no reason to use it on Lewis, because he is now an expiring deal, so one more year won’t hurt anything.

  21. Mikel

    Where would you put the odds of the Mavs signing Deron Williams now that we know the Nets don’t have any picks this year.

    • Mark Nugent

      50-50. It’s pretty much the same to me as it has been since the Nets didn’t land Howard at the trade deadline.

  22. Mikel

    Do you see Atlanta giving in to Josh Smith’s trade demand?

    • Mark Nugent

      I see them taking offers for Smith, but they won’t just give him away. I’ve said it for over a year now, I believe a Josh Smith and sign-trade Kirk Hinrich for Pau Gasol makes a ton of sense. But other than that I’ve struggled to come up with trade scenarios that make sense for the Hawks in trading Smith.