NBA Chat with Mark Nugent 9/28/11

Nick, from Australia

Let’s talk Lakers. I believe losing in the playoffs last season was exactly the motivation we needed to come back stronger this season and be ready to take out the championship.
Do you belive that it is best for the team to stay with what they have? because i personally cannot wait to see the draft picks in action, i think they are great and cant wait to see what they can do in the backcourt with kobe.
The story is about all the other positions though do you think it will be benefitial to the team to move bynum and maybe artest or odom out for D12. This could possibly be a good move but leaves a big hole at the 3.
Your thoughts on the whole situation? what do you believe is best for the lakers and what do you think of the draft picks they acquired?

Mark Nugent

I don’t think the Lakers can win with the backcourt they currently have. The Rookies won’t be ready to perform in the playoffs and Fisher and Blake can’t guard anyone. Plus they have to make a big decision about Artest…I mean Metta World Peace. Is he the answer at the 3, or will they consider buying him out if there is an amnesty clause? I don’t think the Lakers are better than the Thunder or the Mavs, if they bring back Tyson and JJ.

Jono

Hey Mark,
Which team has the better future timberwolves, wizards or the kings? and why?
thanks

Mark Nugent

If your looking at just talent from top to bottom its the T-Wolves. But they are run by Kahn, and he might be the worst GM in the league. I’d have to go with the Wizards purely because they have the only player in John Wall that has superstar potential.

Tim

What do u think of the bulls tryin to sign Caron butler maybe Dallas won’t resign him since they won without him an handler an barea is more important to team at this point he can come to a contender an play the 2

Mark Nugent

I’d rather the Bulls go after Jason Richardson, but I’d be fine with Butler. I loved Butler until he go injured, so hopefully he can come back.

Keep in mind, the only money the Bulls will have is if the Mid-level exception survives the new CBA, otherwise they won’t be able to sign anyone.

TJ

Hey if it’s a short season should the suns tank it and get some draft picks or should they compete for a playoff spot?

Mark Nugent

The Suns should tank it no matter what. It’s time for them to trade Steve Nash and commit to rebuilding. They won’t make the playoffs this year, so getting a higher draft pick in a loaded draft should be the strategy.

Andrew

Hey Mark
Have you seen or heard anything about Derrick Favors this off season? Do you believe he can become a all-star pf in the near future?

Mark Nugent

I don’t believe he can do it in the near future, no. I think he has the skills that four or five years from now he could be a starting level PF in the NBA, but being an all-star is an awfully big task. The only thing I’ve heard about him this offseason is that he is working out.

Nick

Do the cavs find someone to take jamison, davis, gibson or sessions off are hands?

Mark Nugent

Jamison, yes. He’s on the last year of his deal. Gibson/Sessions, if they are willing to move them for nothing then yes. And Davis, no chance. They will have to buy him out to get rid of him this season.

Dylan Stevenson

If the lockout ends, do you see a flurry of trades happening before the start of the season? Which team would be most active?

Mark Nugent

No I don’t see a flurry of trades happening. I see a flurry of teams using the rumored amnesty clause to buyout players and I see a very active but short Free Agency period much like the NFL had.

Dylan Stevenson

What is the Lakers most pressing need at the moment? Who do you see them signing/trading for?

Mark Nugent

PG. They cannot win until they get a starting caliber PG that can defend guys like Russell Westbrook and JJ Berea.

Dylan Stevenson

Does the news of the NBA stars meeting in NY Friday give you any hope that the lockout might be coming to an end?

Mark Nugent

No, sadly I’m a pessimist on the lockout. I believe there is no chance the season starts on time and very little chance there is basketball in 2011. I believe a deal might get made around or right after christmas time. I think the stars showing up is a sign that the players are united and won’t take a crappy deal, which will probably just push the two sides farther apart. I hope I’m wrong.

Dong of Dayton

Hey Mark,

The Kings seem to have a lot of young talented players. Do you think Westphal is doing a good job coaching them or do you think he’s just a stop gap til the Kings figure out if they’re moving then find a better coach?

Mark Nugent

This is the year that will determine whether or not Westphal is their coach for the next four or five seasons, or whether he is just the stop gap and won’t be back in 2012-13. I think he’s done an ok job, but not great. The biggest thing he has to do is get Cousins to play like a center and get him into the paint. To often Cousins is shooting jump shots and roaming on the perimeter, that’s not going to win the Kings a lot of games.

This year, he also has to get Jimmer and Evans to play together. If the Kings win say 35 games, I think that will be a very good coaching job. If they win 25 games he’ll be fired.

MaddSteve

Sounds like maybe amnesty with a soft cap and a higher luxury tax… Who benefits now? Chicago, New Jersey, Washington and Cleavland make out alright if Amnesty means they can cut Boozer, Outlaw, Lewis and Davis from the books.

Mark Nugent

Most teams will benefit from the amnesty clause, the teams that won’t are the ones that saved their cap space and have been making shrewd moves, like the OKC Thunder. Sam Presti has to be pissed.

Also, don’t expect the Bulls to buyout Boozer. They are still high on him and believe a healthy Boozer would have helped them get past the HEAT.

MaddSteve

If amnesty happens should Pacer fans be jaded after years of overpaying players, or should they be happy Indy’s one of the few teams with money to afford the players released?

Mark Nugent

Yes they Should!!!

MaddSteve

Would Darren Collison, James Posey, Tyler Hansbrough, Brandon Rush, AJ Price (trade works) and a #1 be enough for Chris Paul if he says he isn’t going to resign? Given the risk of Paul bolting would it be worth it for either team?

Mark Nugent

No, that’s not nearly enough for one of the top 10 players in the league. Really it’s not even close. The Pacers would have to include Hibbert, Collison, George, Hansbrough and several first rounders for the Hornets to even pick up the phone.

Lee

Is it a real possibility that the suns would trade robin Lopez for a measley package of 3 mil and a 2nd rounder? What player in today’s league does iman shumpert remind u of?

Mark Nugent

I don’t believe the Suns will trade Lopez for nothing, but I’ve been wrong before. I think they hold onto him at least until the trade deadline and then make a decision.

Sorry, I haven’t seen Shumpert play, but I’ve heard good things.

erik

what realistic options at the 2(players) would help the bulls win a nba championship next year? Or do you think they can do it with the players they had last year?

Mark Nugent

I think they can do it with the players they have, depending on what other teams do this offseason. Do the HEAT get better or stay the same? Do the Magic get Howard some help? A lot is still up in the air obviously.

That said, I believe if the Bulls can land Jason Richardson or Caron Butler with the Mid-Level Exception I think they will be the team to beat in the East.

AC24

Williams
Morrow/Brooks
Prince
Nene
Lopez

Does that team make it to the playoffs?

Mark Nugent

No. I don’t think it does. That team has a shot in the east and might slip in as the 8 seed, but it has no chance in the West.

Fan from 2010

Lets say both teams agree. Would YOU trade Carlos Boozer for Brandon Roy? Seems that this would guarantee a few rings for the Bulls and also put the Blazers in better contention for a ring. Thoughts?

Mark Nugent

I’d have to see all of the medical documents for Roy. I’d certainly consider it, but I don’t think I could trade for Roy knowing how much money he is owed and how he could just stop playing any day. Boozer has a serious injury history, but Roy’s is just plain scary. I’d have to pass on this trade and hope the Blazers buy out Roy and the Bulls could just pick him up for cheap as a free agent.

devonte wilson

what would we need to let go to get robin lopez in a knicks uniform?

Mark Nugent

Not sure, but if I was the Suns I’d do it for Landry Fields straight up, or I’d trade Lopez and Childress’ and Warick’s crazy contracts for Chauncey’s expiring contract.

I'm sleepy

Why did the entire NBA sleep on Wes Matthews last year? Bulls threw $7milly at JJ Redick, but could have had Matthews for $5million. Out of the current SG’s, I would be bold enough to say Wes Matthers is probably the PERFECT running mate for D Rose. Better than Wade, Kobe, Eric Gordon, etc.

Mark Nugent

Matthews was an undrafted free agent coming out of college, so a lot of teams weren’t sure he was for real. It’s a scary thing to throw 35 million or so at a guy that your scouts didn’t rate high enough to draft in the second round just one year earlier.

As for Redick, the Bulls wanted a pure shooter, and Redick seemed to fit the bill. Matthews is more a slasher, so I’m not sure if the Bulls even looked at him.

Alex from NYC

Mark-Who gets back to the playoffs first, Detroit or Golden State? The east may be weaker for the Pistons but the Warriors roster looks better.

Mark Nugent

The Pistons are years away from even contending for a spot, so it has to be the Warriors, but I don’t think they get there this year.

Jess

Would a trade of Wes Johnson & Pekovic for Jose Calderone work for both the Wolves and Raps?

Mark Nugent

Under the cap? I don’t know, but the Wolves would be mad for taking on Calderone’s 2 years and 20 million that are left on his contract. I would hold onto Johnson and see what he can do in his second year in the league before trading him for a backup PG.

Sam Feinberg

Mark, what do you think Kris Humphries’ value is in this league? I’d like the Nets to retain him, especially because I think the Nets kill their shot at Dwight Howard if they sign West or Nene. But at what dollar amount do you think it makes sense to let him go?

Mark Nugent

I’d let him go if a team offered him anything north of 6 million per season. He is a backup PF who can’t score and can’t block shots and at best is an average defender. I don’t pay a lot of money for guys like that, especially when they have been in the league for seven years and just now are having a breakout season. I’d be very careful over paying for Humphries.

Jess

Don’t you think a tandem of Calderon and Adelman would be good for Rubio’s learning curve?

Mark Nugent

NO! Calderon is better than Rubio, so it would just cause tension, especially because Adelman has said he will coach the team however he wants. If Jose is there Rubio will only get 10 minutes a night, and he needs to play 30 minutes a night in order for Kahn to have any chance at saving his job.

simon

who should the magic sign? Alen iverson or JR smith?????? why?

Mark Nugent

Smith can’t play in the NBA until March or even April because he signed in China without an NBA opt-out clause. I wouldn’t go near AI if I was the Magic. So neither.

Ronnie

Could David West be a good fit in Denver?

Mark Nugent

Absolutely. West would be a great fit just about anywhere. I’m not sure the Nuggets will have much money assuming they can re-sign Nene. If they can re-sign Nene and bring in West they would be a very tough team out West.

simon

who do you like? kobe, d-rose, d12, or james?

Mark Nugent

My favorite player in the league is Derrick Rose. I love everything about his game and I can’t wait for the Bulls to add another shooter so he can average 24 ppg and 10 assists a game. That will be truly fun to watch.

If I was starting a team from scratch though I would rank the players in this order. Howard, James, Rose then Kobe.

simon

who should start for the magic? bass or anderson? why? nelson or arenas? why? should the magic sign david west or re -sign J-rich?

Mark Nugent

Bass should start but it should be a decent time split and then who finishes the game should be based on matchups.

I think the Magic should trade Nelson and try and get a better PF or SF or a backup center. I think the Magic need to hope Arenas can regain his swagger, because he is their best chance at retaining Howard long-term. If Arenas can return to near all-star form, this team could be something, if not, it will be time to rebuild because Howard is going to walk in the offseason.

West is going to cost way to much for the Magic to make a run at him. He’s looking to cash in one final time and there are already teams, like the Pacers, that are interested in him. If the Bird Right’s survive the new CBA, then I would say it makes sense to bring Richardson back either as the team’s starter or as a trade chip. They might be able to do a sign and trade with the Bulls for Taj or Asik. Might.

Sweet Dee

In his chat, Bill Ingram stated that Portland would turn down an Ed Davis for Nic Batum trade straight up. Do you agree?

Mark Nugent

I believe they would probably turn it down. I also believe that would be a huge mistake. With the injuries the Blazers have had to their bigs, they need another and adding a player like Ed Davis would help them a lot, especially when they have Roy, Matthews, and Wallace that can play on the perimeter.

Sweet Dee

As a basketball “purist” I like to ask the identical question every week, even though I am politely told that the audacious claim I am making is nonsensical. Can someone please explain to me how a 6’8″ small forward who is built like Karl Malone, yet is as mobile as a shooting guard can be a good defender. I don’t seem to understand how this is possible??? Deshawn Stevenson would wipe the floor with Lebron James defensively (which is why Deshawn got so much playing time during the playoffs). Agree or do I not watch basketball?

Mark Nugent

I’m not sure I understand your point. If a guy is mobile and has quickness and can get to spots on the floor that he is supposed to be at, then why does it matter what his shape is? James also has very quick hands and rarely gets called for a reach in even when he hits a the offensive players arm, so he gets steals. I’m not sure how you think LeBron is a bad defender but admit he is an athletic freak?

As for Stevenson, he is one of the games best perimeter defenders and he proved it during the playoffs. The things about perimeter defense is a lot of it is done by reputation. If you are getting called for every ticky tack touch to a player it’s impossible to play defense, if you are allowed to body up a little more and swipe at the ball then you can really show what you can do on D. Next season i would expect the refs to give Stevenson a lot more leeway on defense.

Last thought, one on one I think Stevenson is a better defender, and I don’t think it’s close. But as a team defender LeBron is one of the greats because he can block shots, get steals, rotate correctly, and he rarely gets called for defensive fouls. it’s the perfect situation.

Charlie from Philadelphia

Last week, when asked who you would rather build your team around, you listed Carmelo Anthony in front of Deron Williams. This is a bit surprising, but definitely justifiable. What are the reasons why you would take Melo over Deron (given the choice)?

Mark Nugent

Star power for one. If I’m looking to start a team I think he sells more tickets.

Getting to basketball, I think ‘Melo is one of the three or four best scorers in the league and he WANTS to shoot the ball in the clutch and is very good at it. I want a player like that. ‘Melo also has proven he can defend very well. He doesn’t do it all the time, but I think he will now that he is happy. I think ‘Melo is just a little bit more of a dynamic player than Williams and I think PG is a little easier to find right now because it is the glamor position in the NBA. Finding a scorer who can hit the three then post a guy up is pretty rare.

Lastly, ‘Melo forced his way out of Denver, which is bad, but Williams forced out a living legend in Sloan, which is even worse. And that has to count for something.