NBA Chat With Stephen Brotherston 8/13/12

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. WIZARD

    Where would blatche better fit spurs or heat?Should okc look at him?After all he is 25 years old pf who can score and rebound?

    • Stephen Brotherston

      Welcome to this afternoon’s chat.

      Blatche needs a fresh start with a new tough-minded coach who can actually find minutes for him if he does as he is told – To me it seems like San Antonio would be the right spot to see if the young man is starting to grow up.

  2. ROCKY

    wizards or raptors?Who have better season?

    • Stephen Brotherston

      I expect the Raptors to have the better season and be in the fight for 8th in April. The Raptors did the culture change thing last season, the Wizards are going to go through it this season.

      The one thing that could surprise in Washington is John Wall – who has played well and could actually explode onto the scene with the more favorable/supportive roster around him. I don’t think we have seen the real John Wall yet – he could be a lot better than any of us realize – but actually leading his team to the playoffs would be an unfair amount of pressure to put on Wall in his first season playing without the knuckleheads.

  3. Steve

    Could kyle lowry or bargnani be an all star this year?

    • Stephen Brotherston

      Lowry and Bargnani could play like All-Stars this year – but you know they are NOT going to be voted onto the team and they will have to make a huge impression early on plus the Raptors will have to be at least a middle-of-the-pack team in the playoff race for them get picked by the coaches. Possible, but not likely as there are “name” candidates who do not have to perform like All-Stars to get picked ahead of them.

  4. Winston

    What’s your opinion on the Mavs’ ceiling/basement performance-wise this upcoming season?

    Also, amongst the Hawks, Lakers, Nets, Mavs, rate them according to likelihood Dwight joins on a long-term deal.

    Thanks!

    • Stephen Brotherston

      When a team keeps making changes, expectations become fuzzy at best – Mavs should sneak in to the playoffs in one of the 5-8 slots – but they had better hope a couple of last year’s bubble teams don’t step up – And they could, probably will. Mavs made some nice moves to give themselves a good chance at remaining a playoff team but they are not one of the sure things anymore.

      Dwight 2013 – 1. Lakers, 2. Mavs, 3. Hawks, Nets no longer on the list.

  5. Steve

    Between the raptors, magic, bucks, philly, which two teams will make the playoffs?

    • Stephen Brotherston

      2 teams out of this group MIGHT make the playoffs – but its probably just 1.

      Philly & Raptors down to the wire in April going for 8th. (Unless the Knicks implode or the Hawks are worse than expected – or some other team has a rash of season-ending key injuries – Bulls maybe?)

  6. Steve

    What are the chances of raptors getting luol deng at trade deadline in exchange for calderon and draft picks? Would deng be financially and game-wise a fit for this raptors roster?

    • Stephen Brotherston

      The Bulls are acting like they are willing to pay luxury tax for the first time (ever) – if the Bulls want to compete with the HEAT, they have to be a tax team – that = no Luol Deng availability.

      It is still hard to believe the Bulls went to the “hard cap” voluntarily and are currently a tax team – so if they go back to their usual “cheap” ways, then maybe Calderon (plus) for Deng could happen – especially if the Bulls fall out of the playoff race – not expected but possible.

      Deng would move the Raptors a long ways towards their goal of becoming a contender – no cap issues in Toronto

  7. LA in LA

    I loved the 4 way blockbuster trade for all teams but Magic. Can’t judge them until we see how their rookies and Afflalo develop.
    I honestly think 76ers and Nuggets won this trade (assuming Bynum resigns) as much as Lakers.
    What do you think?

    • Stephen Brotherston

      Like with all trades, the real winners can’t be identified until after a season or 2.

      Lakers went from pretenders to contenders provided DH back is okay – become the mostly likely to sign Howard long term – that’s a winner

      Iguodala is one of the best defenders in the league, a natural leader and has a solid all-round game. Denver got better. Only issue is Iguodala will not make Denver a contender on his own, he needs a star to play with and his contract is BIG – that’s why Philly traded him. Denver will need to develop their own guys to play with Iguodala and they have a good start on that.

      Philly got full value for Iguodala with Bynum – the question will be – did they get any better? If Iguodala was playing with Bynum – that would have been a powerful duo, it’s hard to know if Philly didn’t just get better offensively in the post, but lost a playmaker and got weaker defensively. End result, Question Mark??

  8. edva

    hello,

    1) can you explain me, why Orlando took A.Afflalo (average 7.75 milllions per year) and A.Harrington ($6,68 next year)?
    or Harrington can be released before 2013-14 season?
    according salary page, his contract non-guaranteed.

    2) how good Nikola Vucevic and Moe Harkless are?

    3) what’s next move for Orlando? another trade? or they will start season with current roster?

    4) I think Magic has too mush forwards: Glen Davis, Gustavo Ayon, Justin Harper, Al Harrington, Josh McRoberts, Andrew Nicholson, Kyle O’Quinn, Nikola Vucevic. do not you think so?
    who will be in the final roster, who not?

    5) Is Magic still playoff team?

    thank you!

    • Stephen Brotherston

      1) No, other than they had to to dump J Rich and Duhon. (I do like Afflalo – not sure why the Magic want him right now)
      2) no one really knows yet, but they are nice prospects.
      3) Rebuilding year! Tinker if they can, but it’ll still be a rebuilding year(s) – Talent for picks, prospects
      4) Absolutely, but that tends to happen in these situations – see Houston.
      5) No, but with a couple more moves, they could challenge Charlotte for the most ping pong balls. Moves they should be making.

  9. La in LA

    Here was Rockets package (allegedly): “The Rockets offered the Toronto pick they got for Kyle Lowry along with a pick from Dallas and were open to adding a pick of their own. They would have sent two players from among Patrick Patterson, Marcus Morris, Donatas Motiejunas, Jeremy Lamb, Royce White and Terrence Jones. And they would have taken back two large Orlando contracts – Hedo Turkoglu and either Chris Duhon or Jason Richardson.”
    Except for a potential high lottery pick, the picks wouldn’t be better and the 4 way trade have equally promising rookies, Moe Harkless and Nikola Vuceic, plus an above average player in Afflalo. So unless Rockets youngin’s develop better, I guess we can stop saying Houston had the better offer.

    • Stephen Brotherston

      The word I got was the Rockets would not take back those bad contracts and give all those assets – if they would have, the deal was theirs.

      Between the deals, that lottery pick would have been the difference but the deal you described is not significantly better except for the lottery pick. Which package of young players is better depends on how you project them out. Magic is making the best out of a bad spot.

  10. Zeeshan

    Can you see Rudy Gay opting out of his option and joining a rwam like the Bulls in 2014? A duo of Rudy Gay and Derrick Rose would be sick!

    • Stephen Brotherston

      With the new CBA, opting out of old deals just became incredibly stupid in most cases – unless the player doesn’t like money? 2014 is the last year of Boozer’s deal and maybe the Bulls could stomach an Amnesty then – doubt it, but maybe if it created space to get a player like Gay.

  11. Nick

    These Bulls fans are waiting for Boozer to be amnestied!!!!!!!!!! When will it happen?!?!?!?!??!!

    • Stephen Brotherston

      Can’t happen before next July now – even then, if the Bulls Amnesty Boozer – odds are really good he joins the HEAT for the minimum while the Bulls pay his full salary – OUCH!

  12. Ray

    The Bulls have a bright future rigth..?

    • Stephen Brotherston

      Bulls are good, but the bright future comes after Rose returns and is 100%. (It would help if Deng comes back at 100% and Noah isn’t hurt – injuries can lay waste to the best laid plan)

  13. Jones

    What stars specifically do you see the Bulls targeting?

    • Stephen Brotherston

      Stars? Bulls are already a tax team team – I can’t imagine them choking down Boozer’s deal to sign another star and having an even bigger payroll.

  14. Sils

    Raptors still kinda suck lol no offense..

    • Stephen Brotherston

      Offense will be better – but Raptors cannot afford to lose Bargnani.

      Raptors will win because of their defense – depends where your “sucks” line is for how you should rate this team. They will be much better than the last 2 seasons

  15. Nikolas

    Rudy Gay > Luol Deng

    true or false?

  16. Rob

    Iam a big lakers fan however I’m scared this is the year Kobe starts to show his age and Howard can’t make a free throw. I think Kobe averages 18pts on 41% fg%. Should I be worried?

    • Stephen Brotherston

      There is reason to be concerned – in that gold medal game Navarro scored at will over Kobe in the first half – Kobe is still very good offensively – but he is not getting any younger to chase those fast 2 guards with deep range. Then of course there are his knees, fingers, and assorted lingering injuries that will never heal – no one is betting against Kobe yet.

  17. bibingka at chokolate

    If the knicks fall short and loose again in the first round will amare be amnestied or melo traded?if im the knicks ill trade melo for gay now. Make sense? Lastly sir will will jlin be a borderline star this year. He got his own team now?

    • Stephen Brotherston

      I’d trade Melo for Gay – just for the fit, but the Grizz won’t. (Melo is the better scorer.)

      You don’t amnesty any big contract on the Knicks except for career ending injuries – and these guys will be hard (impossible, not quite) to trade – team is what it is – keep looking for the pieces to fill in around and hope it works – next up – Raymond Felton.

      not anticipating Lin to be a borderline All-Star, 2nd time he gets a starting gig? lets give him some time.

  18. Mutangclan

    Hey Stephen, so two questions. The first, now that Millsap did not sign the extension, which makes sense, what do you see happening with him? I mean, as we’ve seen once again, teams with money swoop in and offer a good player “great player” money and he’s gone. See that happening with Paul? Utah has their bigs, I dont see them matching some offer from say Portland for 14m per.

    Second question, what do you see as the starting lineup if Paul is here? I like MO/GH/Marv/Fav/Al with a nasty bench unit of Burks/Paul/Foye/Kanter. Thanks!

    • Stephen Brotherston

      It looks like no one signs extensions anymore – means nothing.
      Jazz have some decisions to make – do they want to win now or rebuild – doing both at the same time usually results in finishing 9th. Jazz should make a decision – keeping Millsap would be a good one, it will be expensive.

  19. Earl the Swirl

    Since the Sixers picked up Bynum, where does that leave them in the atlantic and in the east? Are they better than the raptors/nets/knicks?

  20. William Fox

    Who is the best NBA trash talker YOU have seen in person?

  21. Makan

    What is the issue with you and DeRozan did he burn you on a interview or something you don’t seem to fond of him or his Basketball abilities…..With Sixers landing Drew is it possible to have all five Atlantic division teams in the playoffs or will they just beat up on each other?

    • Stephen Brotherston

      DeRozan is a nice kid – he talks to everyone. He just has not developed as fast as the Raptors have pushed him – and they have pushed, since the day he arrived – few rookies get the opportunities the Raptors have given , nay forced on DeMar – I hope it works out, I just haven’t seen it yet – just signs. I haven’t given up on the young man.

      The NBA balanced schedule means a tough Atlantic division could mean it’s just tough on everyone else. It’s possible all 5 teams in the AD make the playoffs.

  22. Alex in Burbank

    Stephen, “Howard will miss the start of the season” What exactly does that mean? A week? A Month? January?

    • Stephen Brotherston

      something we would all like to know……. but it can’t be too serious or the trade would have blown up.

  23. Murray

    Like your article today but I think your way to optimistic on the raps playoff chances. The raps need a leader and/or someone the team can bank on for big or crucial moments I just don’t think we have that guy on our roster yet and won’t take the next step till we do

    • Stephen Brotherston

      Lowry will take over this team by the time the season starts – he is a big time scoring PG. 8th isn’t the same as being a contender, you don’t need as much to sneak into the last spot.

  24. Jazzaholic

    Last year the Jazz had a projected 82 games (at 54.5%) for 82 games = 44/38. With further development of the core 4, 3 nice player upgrades and an addition to the brain trust, how much improvement will the Jazz make over last year?

    How many wins do you see as the cutoff for #8?

    Do you think Coach Ty will finally embrace and incorporate the 3, now that he has the shooters?

  25. Michael

    I know the lakers are pretty stacked, but what’s the chances the lakers look to signing Donte Greene? He’s a 6’11 small forward with potential, And with Okc being the other elite team in the west, I believe his size could come in handy against a guy like kevin durant, opinion?

    • Stephen Brotherston

      Lakers are done and don’t need anything else. They’ll likely sign the best available big man at the vets min. for depth

  26. Erik

    I would argue that the lakers now possess the best front court tandem (4-5) in the nba along with the best backcourt tandem (1-2). Do you agree?

  27. dub

    any idea where tmac will end up?

  28. Tommy

    Where do the Magic go from here? Al Harrington and Aaron Aflalo. How good can Moe Harkless be? Lottery bound?

    • Stephen Brotherston

      Lottery – and it should be to go as low as possible. Ping Pong Balls = success!

  29. Steve

    What can the Raptors get for Jose Calderon?

    • Stephen Brotherston

      Right now, nothing. Waiting for injuries on contending teams. I’d rather JC accepts the backup PG role in Toronto

  30. Steve

    What is the starting lineup this year for the Raptors? Is Amir Johnson starting or Valanciunas?

  31. eddy

    Why do people overrate the Celtics? They got lucky Atlanta was hurt in the playoffs. They shouldn’t have gotten out of the 1st round. You know you have bad injuries when Dampier and Collins log in +25 minutes a game.
    Boston has a good back court (bradley, rondo, lee, terry).
    I’m worried about their frontcourt with 2 rookies expected to play big minutes.
    I can’t imagine them ranking higher than 4.
    Miami, Indiana, Brooklyn and MAYBE the 76ers are better

    • Stephen Brotherston

      It is really hard to bet against KG & PP, everything comes to an end, but they didn’t look finished yet. To me, the Celtics live and die with Rondo, no Rondo = lottery team, with Rondo = very tough to beat.

      I’ll be ranking the EAST on Tuesday – check back then.

  32. Ismail

    Is Wilson Chandler worth trading amir/ed davis for

    • Stephen Brotherston

      I’d make that decision closer to the trade deadline – after we see what Fields does in Coach Casey’s system – we might not even want WC in Jan.

  33. Ismail

    Who do you think will have the better career. Terrence Ross or Jeremy Lamb

    • Stephen Brotherston

      Got a coin? Ross looks like he has the better motor – but they are very similar players – too hard to tell.

  34. Ed Davis' brother

    After the Bynum trade I guess the Raps are the worst team in the Atlantic….? This tough division should make for great games

    • Stephen Brotherston

      I wouldn’t say that – but Atlantic will be a very tough division – likely 4 playoff teams.

  35. Raptor Fanatic

    Do you think Toronto makes a big trade before the deadline or do they wait until the off season? They are missing that one big talent wing. How do they get it?

    • Stephen Brotherston

      Toronto isn’t sure if they need a star wing (they’d like one) and will have a better idea after the season starts. Really looking at finding a trade partner who has a piece that no longer fits on their team (Roster or money-wise) who will make a deal for a player the Raps are wiling to move – they just have to wait and be ready to act.

  36. Raptor Fanatic

    What other elite wing is rumoured to be available besides Rudy Gay?

    • Stephen Brotherston

      Right now – can’t even be sure about Rudy Gay being available. We are in the dog-days before training camp starts, trade season is ahead of us again.

  37. Seagall Steve

    Do you see Demar Derozen sticking around after next season? I know he isn’t as great as some may have thought after his sophomore year, but he’s still a great person and I’d hate to see him leave :(

    • Stephen Brotherston

      DeMar will determine his own fate this season – 4th year in the league, it’s time to show some real progress or it’s make room for the next guy.

  38. Jorge Garbajosa

    Are the Wilson Chandler to the Raptors rumors legit? Or is it a case of a good player fitting into the Right place? But wouldn’t he over stack our wings? I can see why he’s a good fit but after getting fields it seems redundant!

    • Stephen Brotherston

      WC to the Raps always seems to hanging out there – maybe at the trade deadline depending on how both teams are doing – maybe. Right now, Raps don’t need him and Kleiza has a role to fill with JV arriving – not to mention Kleiza has been playing very well this summer.

  39. Bargnani's Papa

    Do you see Barg’s averaging 20 points next season and being our #1 option and leader? How much will an All star appearance do for him in terms Of confidence and signifance to him, us fans, and the franchise? I’d love for him to be an all star!

    • Stephen Brotherston

      This is Barg’s year – he’ll average over 20ppg and be one of the team’s leaders. All-Star is probably too much to hope for with Garnett & Bosh out there.

  40. Lauro

    Can you rank the teams in Atlantic division

  41. George Simpson

    Thank god the nightmare of an Olympics is done for Jonas! I believe Duane Casey will know how to utilize Jonas much Better than his olympic coach allowing Jonas to be more effective. Would you agree?

    • Stephen Brotherston

      Jonas knew what he was getting into with his Lithuanian coach and handled it well. Kemzura had no interest in developing Valanciunas and trusted his veterans ahead of him even when it was obvious he should not have.

      Casey will be developing Valanciunas – JV’s development will come ahead of the Raptors playoff aspirations (fortunately, I think they are linked anyway)

      Casey won’t really care if JV struggles at times or gets in foul trouble early, JV will still get his minutes and a ton of coaching and encouragement – JV will thrive under Casey

  42. Ned Flanders

    Forget the 8th seed… Can the Raptors get the 7th or even the 6th seed? Or do the Raps need everything to go perfect which includes a healthy Bargs and effective rookies to get higher than 8th??

    • Stephen Brotherston

      It’s the if everything goes right for Toronto and a couple of other teams struggle with the changes they made – or run into injury problems – situation.

      YES, of course Toronto could find themselves ahead of a team like the Knicks who had chemistry and injury concerns last year, 7th or even 6th is possible – Toronto could also end up in 10th behind the 76ers & Bucks if Toronto runs into injury or chemistry issues. That’s why we play the games.

  43. JimyB

    How long before the Magic can retrade the filler they just received in the dwightmare trade?

    • Stephen Brotherston

      Start the trade rumors now if you want to – it’s not really the season for it but….. There are fixed waiting periods for signed players (FA), extended players, S&T, extend & trade. Can’t trade players back to their old team – that could be a little messy in this case.

  44. Bart Scott

    What would moves would GM Steve Brotherston make before the season starts? Or will steve brotherston stand pat?

    • Stephen Brotherston

      My preference is to stand pat in Toronto. This is not typically a good time to make deals, especially if other teams think you need one. See what the Raps have in training camp and even into the first month of the season before deciding on what the next move should be.

  45. Lenny

    Do you think The Raptors will end up paying Jonas a 5 year-100$$ million dollar contract in the near future once his rookie contract is over?

    • Stephen Brotherston

      I’d like to see him play a couple of seasons before rolling out the max deal – but off the rookie contract, JV can’t get a $20m per season average per the CBA – that’s the next one. Look a what Eric Gordon and Roy Hibbert just signed for – its closer to $14m per season

  46. Lakers #1 Fan

    Hi Steve. Thanks for taking the time to answer our questions. I want to know if you think the Lakers will use their Amnesty Provision on anyone? On who? When?

    Thanks,

    Go Lakers!!!!

    • Stephen Brotherston

      Lakers are waiting to see if Kobe or Gasol get seriously hurt because that would be the biggest bang for the buck with Amnesty – It’s not worth the risk to use Amnesty on say MWP and not have that bullet in the event a $20m player can’t play anymore.

  47. george

    You have to think that with the addition of Ross who is basically DeRozan with a much better shoot and motor that DeMar will be on his way out if he doesn’t start playing a mans game and attacking the basket like he can. What is his value? If JV and LK playing well do they package him with ED or AJ at the deadline?

    • Stephen Brotherston

      One has to love that the Raptors finally have someone they want to push DeMar to get better or get out. It should bring out the best in both players.

      If Ross shows better than expected, DeMar becomes very trade-able. Ed is really in the same spot – get better fast or find himself on the trading block. This type of competition should drive the Raptors to be better, faster. Trade value? The rest of the league has seen the Raptors young guys play too, their value is not as high as most would like to think (can hope somebody needs to move out salary for younger cheaper players)

  48. Christian

    What’s the ceiling for this Raptors team?

    • Stephen Brotherston

      I put the Raptors ceiling this year at 6th place – and that will take a couple of teams to under perform – possible this year with all the roster moves. BUT – I expect them to fight it out for 8th and end up somewhere between 7th-10th.

      That’s the hour for today. Thanks for all the great comments and questions.
      With all the changes we’ve seen to rosters in the NBA – it’s going to be an exciting season with surprise teams more the norm than usual.

  49. BR

    Is this it for the Lakers or do you see them making another move?? Kenyon Martin maybe. Thank you for your time

    • Stephen Brotherston

      Lakers have spent it – min salary deals only if any. Just keep Goudelock and call it a day.

  50. Freddie

    Any chance that Ed Davis or Amir Johnson have a better season then Valanciunus?

    • Stephen Brotherston

      2 chances, slim and none. Just don’t use November as the basis for comparison. January on…

  51. RG

    SB! Love the chats. (a) Why are star players so eager to join other star players? Good for ratings/bad for (real) basketball fans. (b) I think there should be a rule against certain players signing with super teams for the league minimum. Teams should only be allowed to go a certain amount below market value or it becomes unfair. thoughts?

    • Stephen Brotherston

      Once 1 super team forms, the need for other stars to join up and form another super team increases. If players will take less to join a super team, there isn’t much the league wants to do about that.

      I agree the trend is good for TV – but bad for most of the rest of the league.

      The real need is for teams to be able to offer much better deals for their own guys than they can get from another team or by S&T – it’s not enough right now. For example, max 3 years with a new team vs 5 years with your old club. Extensions that go out for 5 seasons (instead of 4). Restrict signing bonuses to your old team & don’t count them against the cap – say 20% 1st year’s salary. Make it really enticing to stay.

  52. RG

    Do people forget that Bargs was playing out of his mind before he was injured. I am baffled by the out cry of “trade Bargnani that I have been hearing all year.

    • Stephen Brotherston

      You won’t hear trade Bargnani from me (at least not now) – Raptors success this season is tied to how well Bargnani plays and his health – they will be hard pressed to score enough points to be a playoff team without him – the East is better this season than last year.