NBA Chat With Stephen Brotherston 1/14/13

Join HOOPSWORLD’s Stephen Brotherston for his weekly NBA Chat covering the Toronto Raptors and all things NBA every Monday at 3pm ET.

Remember chats fill up quickly so get your comments and questions in now.

You can follow Stephen on Twitter @stevesraptors or subscribe on Facebook

  1. big lev

    I really like what I’m seeing from the Raptors without Bargnani but with all of the injuries, I feel like they should add one or two more bigs if possible.

    What do you think about the Raps adding Kenyon Martin or Samardo Samuels ?

    • Stephen Brotherston

      Welcome to this afternoon’s chat

      Toronto Raptors have been playing better of late – more home games – a bit easier schedule – a lot more effort (they were embarrassed by all the losing) have all had an impact.

      You are correct, the Raptors are thin presently at the 4/5 spots because of injury – but that could resolve itself by the end of the month – should get 1 of them back by then at least

      Raptors are not in a spot to offer much to a veteran like Martin. Raps will not take minutes away from Ed Davis, Amir Johnson or Jonas Valanciunas or Andrea Bargnani (when they return from injury). Raps are NOT going to compete for anything more than an 8th seed and quick playoff exit AT BEST. This is Not exactly the situation Martin is looking for.

      Raptors already have 2 rookie big men to develop – they don’t need to add a project like Samuels to steal away the few minutes the team can offer Acy.

  2. Deven

    Hi Stephen. Do the Raptors have a chance to make a playoff push?

    • Stephen Brotherston

      Short answer – YES

      BUT – they dug a deep hole. They need other teams to lose games and its a crowded field to move up in.
      Tied for 8th, Celtics & Bucks have a big advantage at this point – then Raps would still have to outperform – Philly, Detroit & Orlando

      Raps are not a good bet to make the playoffs – but yes they still have a chance

  3. Deven

    Which of these players is mostly likely to be dealt by the trade deadline:

    Paul Pierce
    Rudy Gay
    Pau Gasol
    Josh Smith
    Amare Stoudemire

    • Stephen Brotherston

      Rudy Gay – for monetary reasons. Grizz can save about $10m with the right trade and still be a 2nd round playoff team. Grizz cannot keep that roster/payroll together long term in that market – they have to make compromises sooner or later. (Coach is hoping it’s after the season ends, but that’s expensive)

  4. Deven

    Will the Lakers turn their season around?

    • Stephen Brotherston

      By the standards of most NBA teams, the Lakers can turn the season around and compete for a playoff spot – But that’s not a standard I expect the franchise or its fans are willing to accept.

      Lakers were built to contend for the Finals this season – can’t see how they get turned around that far.

  5. Deven

    Who’s the better team: Clippers or Thunder?

    • Stephen Brotherston

      Thunder – OKC is a better team than last season. It’s not a huge gap, Clippers are pretty good.

  6. Deven

    Will the Maloof brothers just sell the Kings already? Why is this process taking so long?

    • Stephen Brotherston

      One-Half Billion Dollars of real cold hard cash

      This deal could net the Maloof’s $400m to 500m cash or be a deal with a lot of paper and a minority stake in a business they don’t control – it’s really really worth the time to get the deal done right.

  7. Deven

    Will Dirk be traded by the deadline? He doesn’t seem to be too happy about Dallas’ recent struggles.

    • Stephen Brotherston

      Dirk shouldn’t be happy – but that’s more about not winning than being in Dallas.

      Dirk & Cuban have a solid long term relationship – it would be a big surprise to see Dirk playing for any other NBA team now.

  8. Brian

    what’s the chances for the blazers to a get free agent like m.redd so they have some fire power off the bench

    • Stephen Brotherston

      Portland has 15 players under guaranteed contracts now – they are better off giving Will Barton some more run to see what they got. It’s not like they expect to go to the WCF this season.

  9. Chris

    Hi Stephen. Do you get the sense Chicago may finally become a top destination for superstar free agents (in their prime) in the near-future? Thibodeau’s ability to maximize talent is unparalleled in today’s NBA. These Bulls, without a superstar or perennial All-Star, are within striking distance of the 4th seed. If not for a few off nights against lesser teams, they could very well have the 2nd seed.

    • Stephen Brotherston

      Chicago hasn’t been a top destination for superstar talent and they haven’t moved the city to FL or Cal recently. They have no cap room next year to work with either – and it wasn’t that much help when they did.

      Great coach, great system – good drafts – Bulls don’t need to add another superstar talent to contend – they do need to get Rose back at 100%

  10. Deven

    Does Eric Pincus still work for Hoopsworld? Haven’t seen his Tuesday chats in a while.

    • Stephen Brotherston

      Eric now cover the Lakers for the LA Times & the Clippers for Hoopsworld.

  11. Jim in CyberSpace

    Stephen, while Miami may still be the best team in the League.. If you compared the top eight teams in the East vs West? There is cream on top of the East, but you skim it off and it’s pretty much non-fat milk after that?
    Why is the West more competitive?
    If there were a “League Pass” for all WC or EC games…I for sure would rather watch the WC?

    • Stephen Brotherston

      West still has SAS, Thunder & the Clippers are coming up, Grizz & GS tend to be overlooked
      East has Miami, but Boston is fading, Bulls star is injured and Pacers are unproven/injured star

      These things can change fast (except for the Spurs who refuse to change)

      I like to watch the East – those games ending after midnight are just too tough to stay up for

  12. Silassie

    Hi Stephen.

    I am relatively new to being an NBA fan and have been wondering why the East is so weak compared to the West? Can you throw any light on why this is? And has this always been the case?

    • Stephen Brotherston

      It is a bit misleading. The conferences play unbalanced schedules – you really have to do some digging to compare how the East fairs against the West each season – team records don’t really tell you much.

  13. Steve

    As a raptor fan I have watched many raptors games in the past and specifically the post bosh era, it seems like raptors don’t have a player in the 4th quarter to make clutch plays and finish games out. This bucks game wasn’t over but raptors just can’t close out games. Is there a solution and would rudy gay in a raptor uniform solve this

    • Stephen Brotherston

      Fair observation – Gay would help, but he isn’t even the best player on the Grizz.

  14. Cain

    Paul George has been amazing, however he doesn’t seem to be getting foul calls when he gets hit at the basket how come?

    • Stephen Brotherston

      Mark Cuban could give you the straight answer on that situation – he writes the league checks for just such queries on a regular basis. It’s just the way it is, sadly

  15. Steve

    Raptors can’t lose games like that, prior to the start of the season most of the playoff hope came by the likes of kyle lowry, you mentioned many reasons why raptors could make the playoffs, do you still think they could sneak in to the playoffs?

    • Stephen Brotherston

      correct choice of words – at this point, the Raptors can only sneak into the playoffs. They closed the front door themselves. But – can’t ever count out how bad some teams can be over the 2nd half, its not impossible to sneak in.

  16. Huni

    The reason? The asking price is far too high. As I mentioned last week, the players most coveted include the likes of Jose Calderon, Terrence Ross and one of the young bigs — and I know Jonas Valanciunas’s name has come up in conversation — and I would suggest GM Bryan Colangelo should have no interest in that kind of chatter. – Toronto Star
    I totally agree with this, do you?

    • Stephen Brotherston

      There is only 1 player who might be available that I’d consider trading Valanciunas for – DeMarcus Cousins

  17. dub

    The jazz may be in need of a PG if Mo stays out for a while, what would you think of sending bargs+lowry to utah for milsap+hayward+watson?

    • Stephen Brotherston

      It’s pretty interesting.
      Only concern is Milsap walking away in July as a UFA

  18. Richard

    Hey Stephen,

    I’m torn. At this pace we can finish anywhere from 7th-10th in the east. Like most raps fans I’m thirsty for the playoffs even if it means a quick sweet by the heat in the first round. On the other hand it wouldn’t be the worst thing to miss the playoffs this year. We give up a crappy draft pick in an even worse draft class and now we know we have our pick in the future. What do you think? Thanks Stephen!

    • Stephen Brotherston

      You just described the team’s plan from day 1. Compete for 8th, but 9th or 10th is good too – just get better

  19. Blake

    Which Raps players would you say are closest with Dwane Casey and which players share the closest relationships with eachother from what you have seen? Are there “cliques”?

    • Stephen Brotherston

      The cliques of 2 years ago are pretty much gone – they don’t fit with a Casey dressing room.

      Casey is closest to his vets – that’s not really much of a surprise

  20. Andrea Bargnani

    Why did it take me getting injured to get an exit from the starting lineup? Shouldn’t coach have seen my struggles and lack of energy? Perhaps I am best fit off of the bench? Agree?

    • Stephen Brotherston

      Don’t be shocked if Bargnani is eased into the rotation off the bench – don’t be surprised when he plays his way back into the starting lineup (assuming Bargnani isn’t traded first).

  21. big miv

    Hello stephen

    looking at the potentional trade for for rudy gay made me look at this team and realize we dont have not one all star caliber player and i dont see who becomes one in the next 3yrs, how do we take the next step if we have no potential all star caliber talent?

    • Stephen Brotherston

      Assume you are referring to Toronto and the lack of All-Star talent – Colangelo needs to do something about that. Rudy Gay isn’t exactly a sure-thing for All-Star either, but he would arrive as the perceived best player on the team – Colangelo has some work to do…….. fighting for 8th isn’t supposed to be a goal, more like a step.

      It does look like a lot is hanging on the development of Jonas Valanciunas

  22. piston

    What is the deal with pistons?Defeat four in row including heat and hawks and then loose to the bobcats then destroyed bucks away and lost against jazz at home?

    • Stephen Brotherston

      Young team = inconsistent results – Pistons are playing a lot better lately – there’s hope

  23. beal

    What will my numbers be with john wall next to me?Can he launch me into roy conversation?

    • Stephen Brotherston

      First get your fg% up to 45%, then….. won’t matter if Lillard still leading his team into the WC playoffs.

      We all want to know if your shooting %ages will go up with Wall setting you up for better shots.

  24. Kevin

    How many games of the 8th seed must the raptors be come all-star break to still have a legitimate shot?

    • Stephen Brotherston

      about 29 games left at the break – any further than 5 back is very tough to make up – really should be closer

  25. wizfan

    Why did ernie went for rudy gay offering beal?We want make playoff this season with or without rudy?He would just eat our cap space next 2,3 years and he showed in memphis that he can’t bring title with excellent supporting cast(way better then wizards)Whay don’t grab another top 5pick?

    • Stephen Brotherston

      The rumor doesn’t make a lot of sense.
      1) it’s a really bad signal to be sending out to Beal (deny, deny, deny)
      2) Wiz, like the Cavs (and other teams) need to build thru the draft with top picks – its the only practical way to acquire star players in some markets

  26. Kevin

    Are the raptors still in post season contention or did the loss to the bucks, spell the end to that?

  27. Mutang

    Hey Stephen, when in the world are the Raptors going to fix the PG problem??? I know they are waiting for the right move, but it’s killing Lowry’s game and people wont want him. Unless of course they’re STILL showcasing Calderon for a trade.
    Either way, what do you think is going to happen, who gets moved out of the two, if at all, and for what/whom?

    • Stephen Brotherston

      What PG problem?

      Up until Lowry’s game against the Bucks – he was playing his most effective ball of the year.

      It does create the very obvious opportunity to trade one of Calderon or Lowry – depends on which one gets Colangelo the impact player he needs back.

  28. Kevin

    If you were BC, what moves would you be looking to make for the Raptors to push them closer to the playoffs. Bc is in his final year and I can that he would like to make a strong final playoff push.

    • Stephen Brotherston

      The obvious moves are to go after Pau Gasol & Rudy Gay – He needs to add a player that will have an impact – or really – why bother?

  29. Mike in Utah

    If the Jazz offred a deal centered around Jefferson or Milsap, could they convince Toronto to give up Lowry or Calderon? Would the Jazz need to take Bargs from Toronto to get any consideration?

    • Stephen Brotherston

      It’s an interesting idea.
      Both Jefferson & Milsap are expiring deals – Colangelo already passed on 1 expiring deal because he couldn’t control the player for next season (which makes a lot of sense)
      Pretty sure the Raptors would be a lot more interested in Favors or Kanter

      Jefferson makes $15m – pretty much ensure the deal would include Bargnani just to make the $ work – if the Raptors could be tempted

  30. Kuda

    Hey Stephen, l dont know about you but the smaller Ellis man handled DD. DD D was weak that day shouldnt Casey switch the assignments?

    • Stephen Brotherston

      Defense hasn’t been DeMar’s strength – it’s been getting better each season, but good scoring guards still take advantage – Casey can only hide so many guys – at some point, you have to be able to at least slow your guy down. DeMar did a good job scoring on Ellis at the other end for most of the game

  31. the brain

    Why dont the raptors trade for bledsoe? Send the injury proned kyle lowry and take some to the clippers salary garbage for them to say yes? Kyle can be the clippers starting 2 guard in a win now team that he always wanted and tor gets their athletic pg mentored by cp3 and now calderon?

    • Stephen Brotherston

      Clippers have shown zero interest in trading Bledsoe – Clippers suffered thru the nightmare of turnovers to develop Bledsoe and now that he has become a useful player, they don’t (no surprise) want to give him up.

  32. Steve

    What do you think Bargnani’s current trade value is. I’d put it at a guy like Okafor. Who is on a large contract (with one less year). A useful player that could use a change of scenary.

    • Stephen Brotherston

      Colangelo is looking for a deal that will actually make a difference – improve the team. There isn’t a lot of incentive to just get a guy who doesn’t change the team’s fortunes in any way

  33. Lazy Professor

    Watching yesterday’s game, a thought that came to me was “raps could sure use Bargnani” did you think the same?

    • Stephen Brotherston

      Raptors are undersized at the moment – they do not have enough big men when they play teams which either are deep in bigs – Bucks or have true big man – Monroe – Pistons, Perkins & Ibaka – Thunder, Cousins – Kings.

      Casey would have liked to been able to put Bargnani out there – even the inexperienced Jonas would have helped with his length

  34. Tom Brady MVP

    If the raptors want to make the playoffs, it’s likely a team needs to collapse to make it happen. My question is: do you see any teams ahead of the raptors collapsing? I see the bucks crashing down but not so much the celtics. I’d also pick Atlanta too

    • Stephen Brotherston

      Raps best hope is the Bucks slip like they did last season and fail to hang onto a .500 record.

      It’s still going to be tough on the Raptors – they have to go 27-18 to finish at .500

  35. LaBaron Jumes

    What’s the deal with lowry? The coaching staff, Casey in particular ruined him!!! Lowry isn’t even playing his own style. Can we official label the Lowry trade a failure?

    • Stephen Brotherston

      Lowry has played most of this season injured or coming off injury – outside of those first 3 games, we haven’t really seen Lowry play the way he can.

      But Lowry is adjusting his game – sometimes with great success, sometimes not – Lowry has played a better brand of basketball since he has been backing-up Calderon – I’d say he is learning new skills and it will make him a better player. I do agree Lowry has looked tentative at times, but it’s hard to tell if that isn’t mostly due to the injuries he has suffered this season – I doubt he has ever been 100% since the start of the year

  36. Raps Fan

    Do you see T Ross comparable to what Jr Smith is once T Ross gets toward his prime?

    • Stephen Brotherston

      And Terrence is just such a nice quiet unassuming kid – I would never have put Smith & Ross together in the same idea. Similar skills, but Ross might be a little more coach-able as a young player.

  37. pdizzle

    What are the possibilities that we can trade a toronto pg for a utah big…neither team is going to win anything with their current roster…I think it is a good scenario for both teams…do you this possibly happening

    • Stephen Brotherston

      its a scenario that makes sense, likely right at the deadline when both teams have a better understanding of their prospects

  38. James

    Do you think the Spurs can get Rudy Gay without giving up any of the big three or Leonard?
    Blair+jackson+picks
    Two expiring contract there.

    • Stephen Brotherston

      no
      Grizz are not doing a salary dump – but if they are, they can do better

  39. Mike

    Hey Steve.With rumours going on Gay being traded which team would be the best fit for him if he’s been dealt before the deadline.I’m hearing that Wiz offered Brad Beal package for Gay.If this trade is done do U think it would make Wiz better maybe 7yh 8th spot team .

    • Stephen Brotherston

      The Wiz already have 28 losses – there a deep holes you can try to climb out of and then there are deep holes where you are closer to getting out if you just keep digging (for lottery balls). Wiz success this year was always tied to John Wall, but Gay would be a huge add for next season

      If true – offering up Beal for Gay is making a statement about your rookie I’m not sure any team would want to be in the public.

  40. Mike

    Hi Stephen.Love your chats.
    With the All-Star approaching and JR Smith and Jammal Crawford playing very good basketball,do u think one of them or even both deserves a spot at the event.Thanks.

    • Stephen Brotherston

      Both Smith & Crawford are impact players on good teams so they deserve All-Star consideration, but it shouldn’t be a surprise if one or both are passed over – not every good player having a good season makes the team. Those last couple of All-Star spots are easy to dispute – Knicks & Clips should be well represented with or without them.

  41. Kyle

    Do you think the Bulls are still a center away from being legit contenders? Noah sure could use another Asik to back him up

    • Stephen Brotherston

      Bulls have been legit contenders the past 2 seasons (with Rose) and they’ll be a legit contender this season if Rose gets back and is 100% healthy/effective. They don’t need to add another player to contend

      Yes – the Bulls could sure use Asik – it was only money – but owners sometimes have to make tough decisions

      That’s all for today.
      Thanks for all the great comments & questions