NBA Chat With Stephen Brotherston 1/23/12

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

Get your questions and comments in now.

  1. AJ

    Who do you see making serious trade offers for the C’s big three?

    • Stephen Brotherston

      Welcome to today’s 3pm chat!

      It’s too early for the Cs to be seriously looking at pulling the trigger or for another team to make an offer – but if trends continue this will become the hot topic.

      First – Paul Pierce should remain a Celtic – the team basically owes it to him for his loyalty – and if they can, they should be looking to get him one more crack at a Championship.

      Possibly trades of the other 2 – who both have expiring deals the Cs just might want to keep.

      If the Lakers believe they are not going to contend this year – they have huge payroll issues and just might want to restructure before the Kobe window closes (not saying things won’t turn around but what if they don’t?)

      I’d like to see a KG and RA for Gasol, MWP, and Blake deal – just might give both of these teams what they need – just saying….

  2. Jeremy Mercer

    Hey Stephen! I know this is a blockbuster but why not;

    Bargnani/Derozan/Alabi
    for
    Harden/Aldrich/Ivey/Williams

    The trade makes both teams better in the short term (thunder) and the long term (raptors). Thoughts?? Thanks!

    • Stephen Brotherston

      That would be a blockbuster – which also makes it not likely.

      Raps want to build around Bargs and his very reasonable contract.

      Harden is a big part of the Thunders much anticipated run to the finals this season.

      Teams don’t like to move key building blocks – they’d rather add to them so this deal doesn’t have much of a chance.

  3. Dylan

    What is wrong with the Bobcats? Do you see any major changes coming?

    • Stephen Brotherston

      Bobcats traded away most of the Players that made them a playoff team and are rebuilding. Changes have already started, haven’t finished.

  4. Newmarket Brian

    Word is that Reggie Evans was not offered a contract by Raps, so he’s a Clipper. Do you know if this is true? If so, why would BC lose interest in a veteran warrior like Reggie? I’m not a big “positive locker room influence” believer, but I am with Reggie.

    • Stephen Brotherston

      After suffering through two seasons of foot injuries with Reggie, it shouldn’t have surprised anyone that the Raps didn’t re-sign him.

      Note – Reggie started out this season on the sidelines with a foot injury – nice to see him back so quickly.

      Reggie was a great locker room guy – good with the young players and well liked by all. It was just time to move on.

  5. Patrick E

    Is the best thing about the Wizards’ season really going to be their new jerseys? Do you think McGhee is worth keeping? I think most people agree that Young and Blatche aren’t.

    • Stephen Brotherston

      Everyone agrees the Wiz new unis are great!

      McGee is a keeper – athletic 7′ centers are worth a very long look.

      Blatche & Young could easily be traded if the Wiz could find someone to give them something – no reason to dump them for nothing now – these guys could both turn around nicely under different circumstances.

  6. Drew

    Who says no Beasley, Luke and a 1st or Ellis (G.W) or K Martin (Houston)? Also assuming we could make either trade which one would be better for TWolves?

    • Stephen Brotherston

      That 1st would have to be a future 2014 pick – this year’s pick goes to NOH

      Warriors would want more for Ellis but that’s the right team to approach.

      Houston is looking to add a star and this doesn’t solve their problems.

  7. Jazzfan

    What kind of value do you think the Jazz could get for Devin Harris?

    • Stephen Brotherston

      DH is having a down (and sliding) year – owed $8.5 next season.

      Any deal is likely to be for another player in need of a change of scenery too.

  8. Mac

    Phil Jackson is the most overrated coach in sports history. Many point to his multiple championships, but don’t people realize who he had on those teams? I’m sure he was good at dealing with big personalities (i.e Dennis the Menace Rodman). But I think even Mark Jackson could coach a Jordan / Pippen or Kobe / Shaq combo to the title. Superior coaching skills or superior talent? (note: let’s see how he does with a 500 NYK team next year – many who disagree with me now may acknowledge later).

    • Stephen Brotherston

      Its hard to overrate success – but I do understand the point.

      A coach does make a huge difference – someone successful with a group of star players could easily struggle/fail even if left with a developing group of prospects – similarly a good teaching coach could fail with a group of veterans who don’t take instruction well.

      No one should question Jackson’s ability to get the most out of a good team – he did keep all those personalities headed towards a common goal.

      NYK would be a huge test for any coach – watching Phil there would be fun.

  9. Sweet De

    What’s the problem with Ed Davis? Dude looked like a beast last year, leading me to believe he would be a major part of our rotation moving forward (and possibly forcing us to trade Amir Johnson to give him more minutes). But he has been straight-up dreadful so far. What factors have led to his digression this year?

    • Stephen Brotherston

      No question Ed Davis has struggled to start the season. Coach Casey has demanded a lot from him and he wasn’t prepared for the change.

      Slowly there have been signs of Ed starting to meet the rebounding and defense expectations but there is a long ways to go – this is just his 2nd season – don’t expect his offense to come back together while he struggles learning the d.

      I think we’ll start to see some of the “old” Ed Davis sometime towards the end of Feb – early March after he adjusts to the much demands from his new coach.

  10. Sweet De

    After Toronto’s promising 3 -3 start, we have gone severely downhill. Some struggles can be contributed to the injury to Bargnani, but having watched the games: I’m accusing them of tanking. They play Magloire for long stretches (even when the other team makes a big run), they insist on playing their young guys (ex. Johnson over Kleiza), they have zero desire for a w. All interviews from players/coaches swear they are trying to win, but their clearly playing for a lottery pick next year and its obvious. Agree or Disagree.

    • Stephen Brotherston

      Issues – 3-fold.

      Carter was only supposed to be the 3rd string, minimal usage PG – the team really missed Bayless off the bench – BAD.

      Jamaal should have always been behind Gray but the team lost Gray to that heart procedure.

      Since last year – take Bargs off the team and the Raps offense goes with him – Bargs doesn’t just put up the most points, on this team everyone else gets open because Bargs draws the defense to him. Raptors just are not as effective without him on the floor.

      Note: Kleiza only just got back and may take a while to find his rhythm – he’ll play a lot once he’s able.

      The players want to win – Colangelo had a lottery pick in 2012 in his plan since day one.

  11. Eric

    How about a paul pierce for rudy gay swap? griz get to save $ in the near future,get a vet, a champion and a clutch player to win now and the celtics have a solid building block to start new era with rondo.

    • Stephen Brotherston

      Celtics would do this in a heartbeat even though PP bleeds green.

      Grizz have someone who gives them as much as PP would and will be around for years – not a chance they move Gay to save money.

      If the Grizz wanted to save money – Mayo would be the one gone – and he’s still there.

  12. Ryan

    Any starting SF available for trade? Will the Raps be in on any of them?

    • Stephen Brotherston

      Too soon – Yes the Raps are very interested in starting SF – but again too soon, Raps are still evaluating JJ and now LK.

  13. Mitch

    I’ve watched every game thsi year and am very worried as a Raptor fan. This team appears farther away than JV, 2012 first round pick, and notable free agent from competing. Raptors fans are panicking about the ‘core’ (ED, DD, Amir, JJ, Bayless). Do they have reason to be?

    • Stephen Brotherston

      No panic needed. This is the plan and despite the pain of watching the team without Bargs – this gives the coaches and managers exactly what they need to evaluate which guys are keepers.

      Colangelo plans on adding 4 new rotation players next season from the draft & FA – players who don’t improve know what that means. Fans should too.

  14. herb hartog

    Any way the magic either aquire W Chandler or JR smith once available?

  15. TL

    GS wants Tyson, NY wants D12.
    How about three way trade, GS get Tyson,jrich . NY get D12,Nelson,qrich . Orl get Amare, Ellis ?

    • Stephen Brotherston

      That’s a fun look but the NYK need is at the point/guard spots – they need two ball handling guards who can make plays.

      (Sorry didn’t notice you had Nelson in your trade idea – makes this more interesting)

  16. alex

    Hey stephen! Would a trade of Barbosa for Devin Harris be denificial for borh teams. Your thoughts thanks.

    • Stephen Brotherston

      Doesn’t do much for Toronto – DH isn’t a move Colangelo would get excited about.

      Colangelo likes LB a lot – great low maintenance veteran.

  17. George

    Stoudemire & Chandler for Howard and filler? Who says no?

    • Stephen Brotherston

      Magic should be all over that – except for concerns about Amare & Chandler injury potential (just a not so minor issue).

      NY is giving up too much of the team without solving their real problems unless that filler includes Jameer Nelson.

      No one believes the Magic is ready to do any deal yet.

  18. James

    Stephen A. reported that the Magic approached NYC about Chandler and Stat for Howard. Wouldnt make since to ship out Melo and Parts for D12? Him and Stat fit like a glove.

  19. Derek from London, On

    Do you know what BC logic of keeping Leandro Barbosa and not trading him for some future assets?

    • Stephen Brotherston

      LB always – I mean always plays hard – no matter what the score – no matter how badly his teammates are performing. He is a very good influence on young players because he plays through adversity. That’s not easy to find.

  20. matt

    I would like to see BC continue 2 get players who haven’t fit in where they r. He did this with bayless,jamesjohnson last year. Maybe twill from houston if the ROX don’t ask for much in return.

    • Stephen Brotherston

      That is a Colangelo type of deal when rebuilding – no one should be surprised if he gives another young guy who isn’t getting a fair shot elsewhere – but came into the league with upside – a chance at some point this year.

  21. Derek from London, On

    Any chance we could put a package of players together to try and aquire another 1st round draft pick and build toward a solid core going forward?

    • Stephen Brotherston

      Derek,

      Raps have a pick this year, are bringing their pick from last year over to start next season – that equals 2 rookies who need to be in the rotation. That’s about all the rookies a coach can handle and give minutes to in any one season.

      The Raps need guys in the rotation who can bring the rookies along as well – there just aren’t enough minutes for most teams to play more than 2 rookies and still have guys on the floor who can make sure they are not learning bad habits – or just not learning.

  22. BallMan

    How Much impact does the compressed schedule have on the season? Increased Injuires/more wins for deeper teams/harder or easier to break out of slumps/better or worse for vet teams?

    • Stephen Brotherston

      That’s all for today.

      There certainty seems to be more injuries than normal and the impact on teams is far worse because of the number of games they are playing each week. Injuries don’t heal any faster just because teams are playing 4 or more games each week. Definitely can/ has created some slumps.
      Deeper teams always handle injuries better – nothing new there.