NBA Chat With Stephen Brotherston 3/26/12

1. marc pal

   Hello Stephen,

   Who’s left out there for the Lakers to possibly scoop up to reinforce their bench before they start their playoff run? When is the deadline for picking up players that will be eligible for playoffs?

   • Stephen Brotherston

     Welcome to the chat.

     Larry Coon is your best source for eligibility rules but I believe the deadline to sign players to be eligible for the playoffs passed us on Friday – which is why you saw players been waived early last week and a few signings.

     There really wasn’t anyone who could help the Lakers at this point – They have great talent and if their best players play at their best – and aren’t sidelined by injuries when the playoffs start – they’ll be a tough out.

2. RaptorFanatic

   After Anthony Davis, what is the Raptors big board looking like?

   • Stephen Brotherston

     It is still early but Kidd-Gilchrist, Beal, J. Lamb, Barnes, Robinson are on the board if they are picking top 7. Things can still change a lot!

3. RaptorFanatic

   There are a lot of good players available in the draft but each poses difficult challenges for the Raptors:

   Any PF (besides Anthony Davis) creates a larger jam at PF than already exists.
   Beal makes DeRozan have to play SF, can he?
   MKG and DD would be the worst perimeter shooting wings in the NBA.
   Barnes and DD would be the worst dribbling wings in the NBA.
   No one else is worth a top 7 pick.

   What current Raptors do you see as ‘highly probable’ to be moved this off season?

   • Stephen Brotherston

     I agree about Davis – the bigs after him will force other moves by the Raps, possibility even attempts to trade picks.

     It doesn’t bother me if Beal or MKG compete with DD for playing time – unless DD jump shot & defense improves (it should by the way) – it would not look pretty to have DD out there with a rookie.

     Moves will likely be free agent/ unbalance trade dependent – I don’t expect Magloire or Alabi to be back. Bayless is a S&T prospect.
     One of Ed or Amir could be moved depending on if the team adds another big.

     no one is 100% safe

4. Doug

   If you had to pick between Ed Davis or Amir Johnson, which would you go with?

   You have to pick just one! No cop outs!

   • Stephen Brotherston

     Today.
     Amir is the sure thing & under contract. Probably gets the least back in a deal. Solid reserve.

     Ed still plays like a rookie too often – can be traded on potential because he has potential – so he’s the guy I’d move if I had to with JV coming over next season. I think you get the best return.

5. Doug

   Are you aware of any teams in the league who would be interested in Calderon this offseason?

   • Stephen Brotherston

     Same teams as at the deadline – Portland, Lakers, its a moving target. Calderon is a great pickup for a tax team as his deal is expiring.

6. Deven

   Hi Stephen. What did you notice differently about the Raptors against the Knicks the other night, after they blew em out at the garden?

   • Stephen Brotherston

     Raps played defense the way they were supposed to in Toronto – did it again against Chicago too (for the second time). We’ve been seeing it all season – just not every night or every quarter, but getting closer.

     That’s the Dwane Casey zone – Chandler recognized it but couldn’t do anything about it.

7. cebu gems

   In a half court style of game like the play offs,who wins? Heat vs thunder? Heat vs lakers? Bulls vs heat? Who your dark horse of each conferences? Ill take boston and san antonio that might win it all.thanks for your time.

   • Stephen Brotherston

     The Conference finals and Finals are going to be great series this year. Edge goes to the Thunder for depth.

     HEAT should be able to beat the Lakers but I’m not sure if they can handle Gasol & Bynum in a series.
     The HEAT will have a tougher time with the Bulls than last year – LBJ on Rose won’t work this time – Rose will pass out of it. Toss up series.

     Dark Horse – don’t overlook the Grizz – Zach will be in shape for the playoffs and this will be there 2nd trip. Pacers will beat you up – should be too young to win but they won’t go quietly.

     I don’t see Boston having the legs to get it done. The Spurs are contenders, I wouldn’t call them a dark horse.

8. pacquaio punch

   Someone ask who the fans wana have ,cp3 and mcroberts or pau and sessions.alot said good thing cp3 got cancelled and we fans got a good session and pau still rockin the purple n gold. Yea thats cool. But my answe would be. If cp3 is a laker i bet howard would have been a laker before the trade deadline now thats a lil more intresting wouldnt u think so stephen?

   • Stephen Brotherston

     Tough call. If you’re asking for the next 5 years – easy CP3 and anybody. If you’re asking for this year’s playoffs – I’ll take Gasol + a decent PG like Sessions as he’s been there, done that and is still in his peak years.

     Howard stayed in Orlando because he wants people to like him – really made him never truly available this time. Future – like next season – acquiring CP3 could have made it possible to get Howard – it might still be possible anyways.

9. Eric Aldridge

   Why Does everybody think that Jonas Valanciunas is the steal of the draft? After watching all the rookies this year would you still take him at 5?

   Whats his potential and how much can he contribute next season?

   • Stephen Brotherston

     Re-do the draft – Jonas goes #2 easily, Toronto would never have had a shot at getting him at 5 – but he couldn’t get #1 consideration without a buyout in place and Cleveland would have taken Irving in any case.

     JV potential is very high. He should be more NBA ready than anyone else in this year’s draft. Huge steal.

10. Eric Aldridge

    Why is Demar Derozan having a down year after playing so well last year? Where would you rank him amongst the up and comming 2 guards in the NBA? Could he make the All Star team with Wade and Joe Johnson getting into there 30s.

    • Stephen Brotherston

      DD had a bad first month of the season. Since then, his play has steadily improved and is better than how he was playing last year. Best explanation is Casey was far more demanding on DD and it took DD a while to adjust to not having Bargnani to play off of – Bargs is the only player the Raps have who can open the floor for the rest of his teammates.

      It’s hard to rank developing guys like DD – he has potential to be a good starting SG – he has Jason Richardson potential – not just yet but it’s there.

      It’ll be a while before JJ and Wade slide enough to open room for a very young player like DD to get serious All-Star consideration – but players often dip or miss games due to injury as they get older??

11. paprika

    Do u see amir j. And calderon Gone on draft night??and are we gona try and get a center in the draft please!? Haha lastly can austin rivers be a raptor? Thanks

    • Stephen Brotherston

      Would a draft night deal be a surprise – hardly. Amir could be part of a trade, as could Ed depending on what comes available. Calderon is only moving if the Raps are getting a starting PG – or someone they see as a future star PG coming back.

      Jonas is the team’s center of the future – they aren’t looking for a center – but if they are picking #1 – it’ll be Davis. The other centers available aren’t all that exciting.

      As things stand now – its unlikely Rivers becomes a Raptor – but draft night is usually busy with deals so no one can say it won’t happen.

12. Ryan

    Ok draft hypothetical. Raps are picking 3rd, Davis and Drummond are off the board who do they pick at this point? Has to be Beal or MKG right (with Lamb a close 3rd and Barnes 4th)?

    • Stephen Brotherston

      That’s pretty much it. Except I’m not sure the Raps would take Drummond even if he was still there

13. RapMan

    Hey Stephen,
    Who do you like more, Harrison Barnes or Michael-Kidd Gilchrist? Between these 2 who do you think the Raps would draft.

    • Stephen Brotherston

      Kidd-Gilchrist has played himself ahead of Barnes – Raps are interested in Beal & Kidd-Gilchrist

14. Josh

    Stephen,

    If Lowry is out for the rest of the season and Dragic continues playing as well as he is do you think the Jazz could pull of a Al Jefferson or Milsap and Harris for Lowry and Martin deal? That gives the Jazz the PG they need and that gives the Rockets the big guy they need…

    • Stephen Brotherston

      I’m certain Martin is available. Lowry should demand more. Everyone knows/assumes Al Jefferson is available for less than that.

      Right idea – both teams do have the players the other guy needs.

15. Newmarket Brian

    A number of Raps fans I’ve spoken to or read on fan sites believe the arrival of Jonas V presages the departure of Andrea. I’m baffled by this idea, as I’d much prefer to see the Eurotowers at the C & PF spots for at least half the season before trading anyone. What’s your thought on this?

    • Stephen Brotherston

      The plan has always been to play JV and Bargs together – they are seen as complimentary players.

16. Jazzaholic

    The Jazz had won 6 straight and then lost in the quad OT.

    Do they get some ping-pong balls to play with or a seeding in the playoffs?

    If so where?

    • Stephen Brotherston

      Jazz are at risk of making it but the likelihood is they’ll fall just short of the playoffs – either way, the team isn’t going to be that concerned. They have more than enough young pieces to work with – they don’t really need to add another rookie to this group – but with this draft, they won’t turn a lottery pick down either.

17. Jeremy Mercer

    Any way the Raptors can get Harden out of OKC this summer? He is what they need. Derozan/Bargnani for Harden/Aldrich/fillers? That work for both sides?

    • Stephen Brotherston

      I can’t see anyone even getting the Thunder to answer the phone on calls about Harden. They like their team – great chemistry. Raptors aren’t trading Bargnani (except maybe to get Davis in the draft)

18. Matty

    Hey Stephen,

    From what you’ve seen of the NCAA tourney, have Beal and MKG near cemented themselves above Barnes on the Raptors wish list?

    • Stephen Brotherston

      Solidly. Both players have performed at a high level – upward trend. Barnes has just confirmed what we already knew.

19. ogrobc

    Do you think the grizzlies are better off with Z-bo coming off of the bench at least for now? Do you feel that Gilbert Arenas can have a major contribution down the stretch this season?

    • Stephen Brotherston

      Zach just needs to work himself back into game shape – he was off for a long time. I’m not worried about him.

      I’ll be surprised if Arenas contributes anything substantial – but it would make a nice story if he did.

20. Adrián

    hi stephen, i’m a raptors fan from argentina! 2 questions:
    what happend if the raps take the n°1 pick? anthony davis? what whoud happen with ed and andrea?
    if not, calderon, derozan, barnes, bargnani, valaciunas for next year?
    thanks, i love your chats!

    • Stephen Brotherston

      If the Raps add a big thru the draft, Ed Davis becomes redundant but a very good trade asset. Bargnani will still be the teams starting PF next season.

21. Vino

    Do you think the Raps have a realistic shot at signing D Will?
    I find it hard to believe he would be interested in New Jersey as Brook Lopez is an often injured non-rebounding center and the rental of Wallace mortgaged their draft pick in a deep draft. I know that Dallas is the choice most expect but I see Toronto as having a very similar yet younger team going forward. Andrea has been compared to Dirk for years and Casey seemed to get him to buy in despite his struggles of late. We have an unknown quality pick coming in and a possible franchise center in Val to anchor Casey’s defence. What are your thoughts?

    • Stephen Brotherston

      Raps have zero chance at signing D-Will – Nets vs Mavs

      Best signing the Raps have made in years was Dwane Casey

22. BallKing

    Comment Re interest in Calderon: Lakers traded a pick for Sessions why would they have interest in paying 10 mil for a back up? And Portland has gone a completely different direction and are building thru the draft.
    comment re: JV: Wow you are abviously a Raps fan! love it, but hard to say for sure who goes second, alot of player are really showing their potential and JV hasn’t played a game yet. Possible but not a lock by any means!!!

    • Stephen Brotherston

      Next season is a team’s last crack at a championship under the old luxury tax rules – the Lakers will be willing to throw money at another shot at winning.

      Don’t expect Portland to want to go through a 5 year rebuild in the end. (maybe they should but I’ll believe it when it happens)

      I’ve followed JV through last summer and this year’s schedule and talked to the Raptors personnel who have watched him play – I did get to talk with JV a couple of times too – that kid is a lot more impressive than most rookies. A sure thing? – nothing is for sure until after they play in the NBA for a few seasons – but JV is as close as you are going to get to a lock.

23. kyle

    hopefully the mavericks get some young guys mixed in with some of the guys they have now i thinks age is hurting despite them having an ok season im surprised they didnt try doing something durring the deadline they must be really confident

    • Stephen Brotherston

      Mavs are confident they can sign D-Will this summer!

24. ALEX

    WHO are FA. RAPTORS will go after?
    thanks

    • Stephen Brotherston

      The free agents the Raps will be most interested in will be impacted by the draft – so this is definitely a moving target.

      2012 Free Agent List

      Steve Nash sells the most tickets – never underestimate the impact of making money – even if he isn’t the PG of the future.

      OJ Mayo or C. Lee would look good at SG.

      Ersan Ilyasova has had a breakout season in Milwaukee.

      Aaron Brooks at PG is a maybe.

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