NBA Chat With Stephen Brotherston 2/6/12

1. # 1 bulls fan

   Do u think the bulls can get super man at or before the trade dead line?? Would that be a wise choice??

   • Stephen Brotherston

     Welcome to the Chat.
     Lots going in the NBA these days – this month will be fun!

     Better question would be – do the Bulls want Superman right now?

     Dwight would make almost any team better in a fair trade – BUT- The Bulls are legit contenders as constructed – Do you really want them to mess with that chemistry mid-season? I’d be very surprised to see the Bulls try – except in a lopsided deal.

     In free agency before next season in a sign & trade – that would make sense. You’d know Dwight really wanted to be in Chicago and there would be time to build him into your systems – Dwight would represent a big change.

2. Mutang

   Stephen! Sounds like Toronto really wants to get Wilson Chandler later. They also are shopping Calderon, and want a 10mTPT, right? I believe Utah has a 10mTPE, and Devin Harris is also not working out there. Could Utah and Toronto do business? Calderon and pieces to Utah for Devin and TPE?? What do you think?

   • Stephen Brotherston

     Toronto wants Chandler – BUT Chandler might be making his Chinese team too good and he might not be available for Toronto to take a run at until the summer. A TPE could be the ticket to getting him out of Denver then.

     Devin Harris has $9.3m and $8.5m left on his deal. Jose Calderon has $9.8m & $10.5m on his – so there’s basically no TPE available to Toronto in this trade – and the deal doesn’t really help Toronto on the basketball side. Those “pieces” would have to equal Harris’ salary in order to get a TPE of $10m.

     Colangelo is looking for creative ways to create deal possibilities though and Utah needs PG help – assuming the Jazz are still in the playoff hunt at the end of the month.

3. Eric

   Stephen! My fave chat! Glad you are back.

   I’m a huge raps fan and wanted to know your thoughts on their trade prospects this year (Barbosa, Calderon etc.). What’s a best case scenario for our tradable assets?

   Also starting next year with the draft, JV coming over, and free agency what are our options. Where do you see us at the end of next season?

   Thanks!
   Eric
   Go raps!

   • Stephen Brotherston

     Colangelo keeps saying everybody on his roster is available in the right deal – Calderon & Barbosa fit with what a playoff team just might need at the trade deadline – but its going to take that kind of pressure to get what Colangelo is going to want.

     Best case is going to be a playoff team in desperate need of guard help who is willing to jump through flaming hoops to get a veteran guard. Think Chicago is RIP were to be lost for the season in Feb. as the example. Toronto best case will be determined by circumstances.

     Next season – the Raps should be impressing – young, highly talented, great future prospects – if you want season tickets, the time to get good seats will be this spring.

4. Abdul Alkhatib

   What do you think is stopping Demar DeRozan from continuing his growth?

   • Stephen Brotherston

     Its easy to forget just how young DeMar is – and he is a young 22-year-old. DeMar said – after playing LBJ on Sunday – LeBron made him feel like a kid.

     Its a ton of pressure to be the face-of-the-franchise, especially when you haven’t proven anything at this level yet. Casey puts a lot of responsibility on him – with Bargnani out of action – there has been no where to hide out there.

     Tough new coach – demanding new system – high expectations. Its like being a rookie all over again – except this time it shouldn’t take all season to get over it and start playing like he can.

5. HoBo

   Hi Stephen, I’m not a Knick fan and would like to see them crash and burn for trying to buy a ring instead of building a team but I can’t help wondering why they would want JR Smith on the team. He’s another guy that will demand the ball. Regardless of what JR may say now he will never be happy coming off the bench. What are they thinking about?

   • Stephen Brotherston

     I believe the Knicks already have more than enough guys who need to be setup by the PG the team doesn’t have.

     Signing JR would be adding talent – but talent that has been difficult to manage and isn’t going to solve the team’s problem.

     If they sign him – I’ll agree with you – but there are a few bright basketball minds in NY – they wouldn’t go down this path?

6. Newmarket Brian

   Our team is getting younger, and will be even more so next season when Jonas V & our lottery pick join. Has Coach Casey shown any ability to nurture young players, particularly when it might cost him some wins?

   • Stephen Brotherston

     Coach Casey has been more than willing to nuture players at the cost of wins – as has Bryan Colangelo. Colangelo sees something in DeMar that he believes has been well worth starting him since rookie days – as he sees more of DeMar than any of us – we’ll differ to his judgement.

     This entire season is devoted to playing the young guys to see who’s worth keeping & who will develop (not just DeMar).

     Next year’s team could look very different – Colangelo plans on adding 2 free agents – rotation players/ maybe-probably starters.

     Willing to nuture players in place of winning – this year in spades.

7. Mo

   do u think the raps can somehow get 2 more draft pick and who do they have to trade and to which teams will they trade with ?

   • Stephen Brotherston

     Raps plan to put 2 rookies in the rotation next season – last season’s pick Jonas Valanciunas – this year’s lottery pick t.b.d. Harrison Barnes? Jeremy Lamb? … depending….

     Adding 2 more draft picks isn’t likely – too many rookies – think Wizards, Timberwolves

     Maybe 1 more pick if its a player they really covet – but no GM in their right mind is just giving away lottery picks in this draft.

8. JPE

   1-If you are Larry Bird and Minnesota offers the following for Paul George: Beasley – W Johnson – Pekovic – 2015 1st round pick (lottery protected). Would you trade him? If not, is it possible to have it done without dealing Rubio, DWilliams and Love? 2-Minnesota Timberwolves: Receives Utah’s 2012 first-round pick (top-14 protected in 2012, top-12 protected in 2013, top-9 protected from right to swap in 2014, else 2014 second-round pick) via the Al Jefferson trade on 7/13/10. I was told that it can only be used if Utah makes the playoff. Therefore, how high can it be the pick we receive from them: top 3-top 10?3-Can we get Anthony Davis from the Utah Pick or some trades are a must to move up in it?4-Would you have the following roster: Rubio-Barea…George-M Lee…Williams-Webster…Love-Randolph…Davis-Tolliver and 2 prospects (picks –> Trades in draft night)? How would can it be?

   • Stephen Brotherston

     Larry Bird isn’t trading George. They love their team right now.

     Trading the 6′ 11″ 290lb Pekovic as of now would be nuts – averaging a double-double in games he’s played 30 min +

     Center prospects are just too hard to find – find another route to getting a SG. If you want to win now – trade Williams…….

     T-wolves are not going to be able to draft Davis.

9. Matty

   Any word on what’s going on with Gilbert Arenas? Granted he has a bit of baggage, but I’m shocked that he is still getting unemployment checks.

   Has he gotten offers, but they are too low and his pride is getting in the way? Is he getting no offers at all?

   Do you think he may be done in the NBA? if not, where are some places you think he could land?

   • Stephen Brotherston

     If you watched Gilbert attempt to play last year – you’ll have noticed his legs are done. No ability to drive, no lift on his shot.

     If he can prove he’s got it all back in a workout – he might get a min offer for the rest of this season to show he can do it in a game.

     I wish him well – but I’m not expecting much – and apparently no one else is either.

     Look at how long it took Tinsley to get another shot.

10. Mac

    If I was Kevin Love I would have already decided to opt out of my contract with Minnesota after the 3 mandatory years. I play my heart out, tear the league up on the boards, am the first of MANY lottery picks that finally worked out. But my owner has already showed me how important I am to this team (by not assigning the franchise player spot). This may seem like a harsh/rash decision, but it is human nature: go where you feel valued. Your thoughts.

    • Stephen Brotherston

      Easy to see how that could be true – but 3 years is a long time and if the T-wolves become a contender – a lot can be forgiven.

      Hopefully over 3 seasons Love plays with his heart on his sleeve but treats the NBA like the business opportunity that it is and looks past the contract side as just part of something you have to go through to play here.

11. Mac

    In your opinion, which owner would be least desirable for a player/ fan (in terms of their willingness to spend money to win): Neil Oshley (Los Angeles Clippers) or Glen Taylor (Minnesota Timberwolves).

    • Stephen Brotherston

      Right now – the Clips are close – so close to being really, really good – legit contenders – if that doesn’t open up the checkbook – nothing will. Seems like maybe it has.

      Hopefully a taste of success has the same effect in Minny and these stereotypes are forgotten.

      For now Minny hasn’t shown us the willingness to spend – but they can correctly argue it isn’t time yet – for a little while longer.

12. Charlie

    Which new up and coming team has a greater chance to win a first round playoff series this year: the Philadelphia 76ers or the Denver Nuggets

    • Stephen Brotherston

      Both teams have a good shot at winning a round. Both teams could upset a higher seed. Two great coaches.

      For now – edge to 76ers as they basically have their whole team together under Collins longer. No one should want to face either team in April.

13. Charlie

    If you were starting a team from scratch, which pair of players do you choose: Evan Turner/Spencer Hawes, Paul George/Hibbert, or Stuckey/Greg Monroe

    • Stephen Brotherston

      Strong bias to grabbing a starting center – so from your pairs – Hawes, Hibbert, Monroe. They are just too hard to find.

14. Anthony Pascua

    Why do not avialable players want to play for the Lakers; is their a conspiracy going on? All the players the Lakers are looking at … Kenyon Martin or J.R. Smith or Chauncey Billups have signed elsewhere or considering signing elswhere regarding to J.R.Do players really have a disgust for the Lakers?

    • Stephen Brotherston

      You might have noticed – the Lakers are NOT the flavor of the month anymore. The Clips have all the attention – are seen as the future.

      Free agents often want to go to the team that is seen as being on the move – the Lakers – while still really good – are looking old and vulnerable – which might be a good thing if it motivates them.

      Besides the Lakers are way past capped out – under the new CBA – being 10s of millions over the cap isn’t a good place to be.

      I don’t believe players have any disgust for the Lakers – just better opportunities elsewhere.

15. Drew

    Did Love deserve 2 games? Also between Mayo, C Lee and Morrow who helps the most at SG? And what would each cost to get?

    • Stephen Brotherston

      2 games – seems fair.

      If this is a SG to Minny question – put Derrick Williams on the table and watch the proposals roll in.

16. Murray

    use a player to evaluate the best and worst case scenairo for demar… i think best case iggy worst case gerald green

    • Stephen Brotherston

      DeMar DeRozan – at the draft – my projection after much discussion – Jason Richardson – still seems about right for the good case. Gerald Green seems too low for the worst. DeMar will never be Iggy – just not built that way.

17. joe from waterloo

    steve,

    i hear the raps want wilson chandler- he would be great! your thoughts on him and if they could get him?

    • Stephen Brotherston

      I loved Chandlers game for a few years. Good fit – but I am still hoping James Johnson finds his offensive game and his discipline – its coming – and wins the job.

18. Vlad

    Do you think Rondo is better then Rubio? While rondo is a known commodity, Rubio is a better rebounder, even better distributor and hits big shots all the time. I think they are at the same level considering that Rondo is more experienced in NBA..
    And who would you rather have as a starting PG Rubio or Westbrook on your team?

    • Stephen Brotherston

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

      I’ll take proven star talent over rookies every time. That’s assuming you want to win now! Rondo is one of the top PG in the league – still young – a player you know with certainty that you could build your team around.

      I love Rubio’s game – going back to the Spanish National team – I believe he will develop into a star NBA talent – might even be better than Rondo eventually. How fast that happens might depend on how good the talent the T-wolves put around him.

      BUT Today – I want Rondo, or Westbrook, or Paul, or Rose, ahead of Rubio – Tomorrow could be a different story. And there are other up and coming young PGs in the NBA too.