NBA Chat With Stephen Brotherston 8/27/12

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. Shaullenny

    i tried this rade on excel
    to atl d.williams, n.pekovic, l.ridnour, a.goudelock, d.cunnigham, m.morris, 2013 2nd rd picks from hou, min and por
    to min p.gasol
    to hou z.pachulia, e.williams
    to lal l.aldridge, c.fortson, g.smith, w.barton
    to por j.smith, c.budinger, p.patterson, m.lee, d.simpson
    lakers then waive fortson and smith
    atl waives goudelock
    por waives simpson

    • Stephen Brotherston

      Welcome to this afternoon’s chat.
      It’s going to be another busy chat session today.

      These 4 team trades are rare, but when they work – everybody gets something that meets their goals, needs or their greed – they don’t just happen to help someone else out.

      Houston is looking for a Star – Pachulia isn’t the guy to get them interested in a deal like this.
      Portland is building around Aldridge – not looking for a fair asset back and spare parts.
      Atlanta moved out Joe Johnson so they could keep Josh Smith – this trade isn’t going to get their attention.
      The trade just isn’t hitting these teams’ hot buttons.

  2. Blake

    Do you know BC’s standpoint on being a tax team?

    Looking at the teams who are tax teams (as it currently stands) are: Boston, Brooklyn, Chicago, LA Lakers, Memphis, Miami,and New York.

    Do you notice the trend? They are all contenders (or projected contenders).

    Not every team can be OKC and draft Kevin Durant and Russell Westbrook so can you please tell me what you know about this to maybe help ease Raptor fans minds as to why this wealthy ownership hasn’t forked over the dough to be a real threat?

    Thanks so much,

    • Stephen Brotherston

      We know what Colangelo says about paying luxury tax – but with the ownership change that just happened, those words didn’t mean a whole lot. Raptors basically can’t be a tax team this year – at least it would be really hard to get there under the current CBA – the test will come next season (or the season after that) when they try to extend or re-sign Kyle Lowry.

      The new owners Bell (TSN) & Rogers (Sportsnet) make their money from TV viewership/programming – we’ll see if they believe TV revenue increases will more than offset any luxury tax costs when the time comes to make that decision – there is hope they’ll spend like the OTPP wouldn’t.

      Current tax teams aren’t really a trend, more like history repeating itself. Big market teams can afford the tax, small market teams dip their toes in occasionally then run away soon after.

      Cleveland has been building on the OKC model – almost exactly, but getting 3 high lottery picks in 2 drafts is hard to do – possible to copy – just really hard.

      New MLSE ownership in Toronto might be willing to spend in the future – other Pro teams owned by media companies often do – wait & see. They SHOULD

  3. LA in LA

    Stephen, I understand that Raptor fans want a star wing player so they can be legit contender. They have a capable starting supporting cast between Lowry, a top 10 pg, Landry and Bargnani. JV is to be determined. But adding Rudy Gay/AI (no longer an option)/Luol Deng will NOT put this team over the top. At best if you add any of those guys Raptors probably don’t even get home court.
    Raptor fans should wait on a legit star and hope they can trade for him….

    • Stephen Brotherston

      Elite players don’t come available very often – Toronto is going to have to draft & develop or trade & develop their next star SF. In the meantime, I guy like Deng or Gay should move Toronto into the middle of the pack playoff wise and that’s a pretty nice move if they could make it – but don’t hold your breath waiting.

      After 4 years in the lottery – Any playoff position would be good IMO

  4. Steve

    Do you think its possible for the raptors to make a move for wilson chandler? Or will they play until trade deadline to see what their options are.

    • Stephen Brotherston

      Wilson Chandler could become available and the Raptors could be a trade partner for Denver – but both teams need to assess what they have first before deciding if the move fits – probably a closer to the trade deadline type of deal.

  5. Wil

    Hi Stephen, used to live in Niagara and loved trips to Toronto. About Calderon, who I feel is an underappreciated player, two questions: (1) Can he make it work with Lowry, as I see them as a deadly combination; and (2) I am surprised there is not much interest in him in the league, esp. from teams like Sac that cry out for a true PG, why is that?

    • Stephen Brotherston

      Calderon can backup a PG if the move makes his team better – watch him play for Spain and accept any role that gets his team to the Finals – I believe he’d do the same in Toronto (his agent wouldn’t be happy about it, but Jose is his own man)

      Jose is the ideal change of pace PG behind Lowry. Completely different style of play and Jose will set up the guys in the 2nd unit who usually need more help finding their shots.

      Pretty much every team interested in Jose wants him for the same role as in Toronto – as a backup – and his contract is too much for that role.

  6. Riccardo

    Hi Stephen!
    I think that Suns’ transactions and picks (Beasley, Scola, Dragic, Johnson, Marshall) are perfect.
    Now Phoenix needs a starter SG: could Phoenix re-sign Reed?
    Thanks for your time.

    • Stephen Brotherston

      The Suns have pulled together a nice roster – could be a real surprise team.

      Look for the Suns to give Wesley Johnson a real shot at taking over the SG role – 2010 4th overall pick has the potential to be a steal given the change in scenery.

  7. LA of La

    Stephen , steve nash can create outside shoot and a great passer , can i see him pass the ball to the open shooter ?

    • Stephen Brotherston

      If you watch the LAL play this season, you’ll see Nash pass to the open shooter every time – that’s what he does.

  8. LA Fans

    Choose a Player That you think Raptors will trade for Jose Calderon ?

    • Stephen Brotherston

      Right now, I think Jose starts the season in Toronto and fills the backup role so well – thoughts of trading him disappear. (A trade could still happen if a playoff team loses a starting PG by the deadline)

  9. Paolo from Philippines

    have you heard of asian jones cup? Philippines won the tournament.Do you think Filipino’s can play in NBA? :)

  10. Luka

    i know that it wont happen until next cba but if superstars contine to act like melo and howard do you think that teams will vote to have right for franchise tag of a player?how would players react?

    • Stephen Brotherston

      Players generally hate the franchise tag – it would be easier to just let teams extend their own guys for 5 years (instead of 4) or let teams re-sign their own guys for 2 years longer than other teams (instead of just 1 year longer)

  11. piston

    what season do you predict for pistons?who could be gone?Are they playoff material?

    • Stephen Brotherston

      Too many things have to go right (or much better than reasonably expected) for the Pistons to be a playoff team.

      It’s not the overall talent level, rather too much duplication, chemistry issues, bad contracts, etc….

  12. WIZARD

    what john wall do you predict this season?If you can chose between him and irving who would you choos and why

    • Stephen Brotherston

      I think Wall will have a very good season, his best so far – I do like Wall’s game better than Irving – they are both good but Wall has a more well rounded skill set (and more experience).

  13. jerry

    greg monroe will play four most of time.do you see his production goes up or down?

    • Stephen Brotherston

      Tough call – Greg will likely split time at the 4/5, he can play either spot effectively.

      Greg had a good season last year and I’m only expecting incremental improvement this time.

  14. Matty

    Hey Steve,
    Do you think Terrence Ross stealing the starting SG spot within the first few months of the season would do a lot to hurt Demar’s trade stock?
    Thanks

    • Stephen Brotherston

      If Ross takes DD starting spot (not expected this season), DeMar’s trade value drops, but not as much as fans are likely to believe. DeMar’s strengths & weaknesses are very well understood around the league. We are all looking to see what’s DeMar has improved on during the off season

  15. Lenny Wilkens

    If Vince Carter hit that fade-away on the Sixers in 2001 and won the game… would they have gone on to beat the Bucks and advance to the NBA Finals to play the Lakers?

    • Stephen Brotherston

      Everyone in Toronto would like to think so – but you don’t get a do-over in sports.

  16. Scottie Jordan

    Rank ‘em (what they could have done)
    Michael Jordan & Scottie Pippen
    Vince Carter & Tracy McGrady
    LeBron James & Dwyane Wade

    • Stephen Brotherston

      Pretty straightforward – we know what MJ & Pippen did – #1 as good as it gets.
      We’ve seen LBJ & DW for 2 seasons now – they’re good! #2
      Vince & Tracy suffer from the same issue – they just didn’t play up to the level of their incredible talent on a consistent basis.

  17. Ismail

    Which raptor is most likely to be selected by the coaches for the all star game

    • Stephen Brotherston

      If Bargnani plays like he did to start last season & stays healthy & the Raptors are in the playoffs when the coaches are picking players for the All-Star game – he’s the Raptor with the best chance.

  18. Musa

    Out of the Bulls, Hawks, and Sixers, which team is most likely to drop out of the playoffs this season

    • Stephen Brotherston

      Sixers will be going through a big change in how they play and what type of play will be successful for them – that puts them at the biggest risk – not counting injury risk.

      The Bulls face the biggest injury risk – their depth is suspect – Rose may or may not be back and if Deng guessed wrong about not having wrist surgery, the Bulls are in trouble.

  19. Musa

    Is this the season Andrea Bargnani finally proves he deserved to be a #1 pick

    • Stephen Brotherston

      If Bargs doesn’t get hurt – this will be his year. Bargs has really responded well to Casey’s coaching.

  20. Raps4ever

    Hi Steve, After giving DD, 3 years to develop and we still don’t see any significant improvements, Don’t you think it is time for BC, to move or trade him?
    This is for me a wasted pick and a huge disappointment.

    • Stephen Brotherston

      There is a lot of that feeling going around – but if DD has not improved over the summer, the trade offers are not exactly going to blow anyone away – and if DD has improved, the desire to trade him is not going to be very strong. Wait & see.

      The 9th pick in a draft can be good, bad or just another guy. I wouldn’t put DeMar below the just another guy level just yet – let’s see what he’s got in training camp. I believe he will have put in the effort – let’s see if it worked first. (then I might be joining you in that assessment)

  21. dub

    Is it just me or do you see the next Junk yard dog in Quincy Acy? The dude’s a work horse. I think he could be a fan favorite in toronto in the comming years.

    • Stephen Brotherston

      Was thinking more Reggie Evans, but JYD fits pretty good too.

      Like all these young guys coming in, we don’t really know if the talent level is high enough to keep him here until we see him play some, but Acy is a guy I want to see play – like the hustle.

  22. dub

    The raps are in that grey area for just making, or just missing the playoffs. What must they get in order to really be a contender. I think they lack sg and sf starting players with championship capabilities. What do you think?

    • Stephen Brotherston

      That’s my assessment – a team equally likely to be 7th as 10th.

      Too make the playoffs, they can’t lose so many games to injuries – the last 2 years have been ridiculous. The become a contender – a couple of these young guys need to develop into near star level talent. Ross has a chance – Don’t count out DeMar yet. Fields really could be this team’s Shane Battier. Bargnani has a chance to become an All-Star, as does Lowry – but everyone has to get better & stay healthy if this team is going to contend – There is no Dwight Howard coming to Toronto to save the day.

  23. Jim Socks

    Does Landry Fields practice or does he just party with his girlfriend all the time?

  24. Jim Socks

    Who is the biggest surprise for you on the Raps this years?

    • Stephen Brotherston

      Lowry was a huge surprise after nothing happened at the draft, but I didn’t see Fields coming to Toronto at all.

  25. dub

    This may be a long shot, but remember how eric gordon wasn’t “all-in” on rejoining the hornets. What about mid season he’s not sold on the decision to stay. The raps send calderon (the starting pg New Orleans needs)+ Derozan + Kleiza or ed davis and raps get Eric Gordon and grevais vazquez back. New Orleans gets 2 starters plus flexability in the summer. The raps get starting sg and backup pg. Would this grab new orleans’ attention?

    • Stephen Brotherston

      I am not a fan of trading for disgruntled players – If someone will force their way out of one city, they could do it to you too. Hopefully Eric just gets on board in NO and helps build that franchise.

      If you have a player who doesn’t want to be there, it’s best to move them quickly & quietly for as much as you can get – I think NO could do better than DD and LK for EG

  26. Jon

    I’m always curious from all NBA writers which team they think have the best fans? “Best” meaning support, noise, and allegiance.

    • Stephen Brotherston

      Ignore the Playoffs – Thunder fans are impressive during the regular season.

  27. David

    I heard K-Mart was interest in joining Lakers and would even sign with vet-min. Why has not Lakers showed interested in him? He will be a good fit especially with DH may out for a while, and we are not really sure Jordan Hill would play consistently as he showed flash at the end of the last season.

    • Stephen Brotherston

      Lakers have 14 players – It costs them double to add a guy – luxury tax – and the 15th guy is wearing a suit.

  28. egg yolk

    Any gerald henderson for derozan ? Fair deal?

  29. burger mapple shot

    Is there health issues with kenyon martin aand barbosa? Wouldnt this guys be a good add to toronto’s bench? And why not just trade derozan for wilson chandler straight up? With me?

    • Stephen Brotherston

      No known health issues.
      Raptors have no minutes to give either of these veterans.
      Can’t trade DeRozan for WC straight up – diff in salary is too great.

  30. Better Question

    If the refs didn’t botch the 2001 Eastern Conference Championship series for Milwaukee, do the Bucks hang another championship banner in the BMO Harris – Bradley Center? Bucks were 4-0 vs the Lakers that year in regular season play.

    • Stephen Brotherston

      I’ve had lots of complaints about how the Refs seem to favor certain players & teams & blow important calls, but no one listens to me either. Best solution is to remember the NBA (NFL, NHL, MLB, etc) is an Entertainment Business first and foremost – for (mostly) pure sports, watch the amateurs – but they usually are not as entertaining.

  31. Orb

    Am I the only one who thinks cousins is better than bynum, and potentially Howard?

    • Stephen Brotherston

      Today, you’d be standing alone. Another year or 2, things could look very different. Everyone sees the potential in Cousins – when he grows up.

  32. a.c buford (R.C's cousin)

    How far can the Lakers actually spend over the salary cap before they hit a hard wall this season (tax not an issue)? And do you think that it would be wise for the spurs to look look for a younger star to replace one of their aging ones and could Manu possibly be trade bait?

    • Stephen Brotherston

      The hard cap doesn’t apply to the Lakers this year. Special rule involving teams under the tax that use their MLE.

      Wise to trade an aging player for a young star – sure, who’s the sucker?

  33. Jay

    What do you foresee the blazers starting 5 to be?
    Lillard, Matthews, Batum, Hickson, LA?

  34. Sam

    Last move for the Lakers? Which, of these 3 is more likely? Pietrus, K-Mart, or Barnes.

    • Stephen Brotherston

      Lakers are in no rush to make a last move – it costs double to add a vet to the end of the bench and if some one gets hurt, you may just end up cutting them to get some one else.

  35. Steven

    I know you said b4 that the Grizz are not looking move Gay but if things change, do you think the Raps should go all out after him? Something like DeRozan + Amir/Ed + Kleiza + a future 1st rounder? (I personally think they should since Gay still has 3 years in his contract and can grow with the team)

    • Stephen Brotherston

      Timing isn’t right to try & make this trade. Things need to shake out for a while. Look for an opportunity when the Grizz aren’t so confident about their playoff chances.

  36. Mutangclan

    What do you see happening with Utah when the start out NEXT season, 2013. Will they have moved Paul/Al? Build around all the youngs, and bring in some other superstar?

    • Stephen Brotherston

      From the moves Utah has made so far – I don’t think they know what direction they are going in yet. Right now, they built a team to fight for a playoff spot.

  37. yoni

    how would u rank the raptors bench compared to the rest of the league. also at the end of this season bargani looked locked in and focused on next year. u think if he stays healthy and consistent he can be a top 5 PF in this league?

    • Stephen Brotherston

      I like the Raptors bench – looking at Jose, Kleiza, Amir as a very strong bench.

      Raptors are counting on the Bargnani we saw to start last year as the guy going forward and he was pretty much unguardable.

  38. Pauly D

    Amir Johnson, Ed Davis, Quincy Acy, who’s our back of PF and will any of these 3 gentlemen play center of Aaron Gray can’t match up in the reserve role? Who is likely to get the minutes.

    • Stephen Brotherston

      Gray & Amir will play center based on matchups. Ed should still get his minutes at PF to see if he’s a keeper, but Casey will have a much shorter leash on him than last year. Ed could lose minutes to Amir pretty fast if he isn’t performing.

  39. Jay Butler

    What is your take on Quincy Acy? Is he to replace Ed Davis when his contract is up? Will he be an effective player in limited minutes? What’s his impact?

    • Stephen Brotherston

      way too soon to call – Acy has a chance to be an effective energy guy – think JYD or Reggie Evans. Ed still has a chance to be a rotation player, even a starter if he starts to play up to his college potential.

  40. Eric Cartmen

    Instead of Jonas, who were you expecting the Raptors to draft in 2011 and why?

    • Stephen Brotherston

      Jonas was supposed to be gone – Cleveland was not supposed to let him pass. IMO Kawhi Leonard was going to be the best player available – and after seeing him play with SAS, I still believe that.

      Raptors were extremely lucky to have Jonas fall to them.

  41. gino

    Who is the sleeper rookie this year ? And biggest 2nd year impact player ? KThompson ?

    • Stephen Brotherston

      The 2nd year guys so often take a bit of hit that they are hard to call. Faried early favorite.

      Sleeper Rookie – Ross in Toronto. Zeller in Cleveland. Drummond will either win this one or we won’t even notice that he’s in the league.

  42. Neha

    Instead of Terence Ross, who were you expecting the RAtpors to draft and why?

    • Stephen Brotherston

      I thought they would take Jeremy Lamb. They are very similar players. Lamb better shooter, Ross better defender & better motor – but they are very close in skill set. Mostly I thought Raps would take Lamb because he was the better known pick – safer pick, but Casey had seen Ross practice & play in person and liked him better – that’s hard to argue with.

  43. The Prime Minister

    I never viewed Very manY Kyle Lowry games but how does he perform against the elite PGs such as rose westbrook rondo Paul and D-wills?

    • Stephen Brotherston

      Lowry is considered to be one of the better defensive PGs in the league. Good lateral quicks & strong – but no one completely stops the top PGs on a night-to-night basis under the current rules. That’s why scoring from the PG spot has become so important.

  44. Ronald McDonald

    Is this current Raptors Squad better than the 06-07 raptors playoff team?

    • Stephen Brotherston

      That 06-07 team had big time chemistry (thanks Garbo) – we won’t know that answer for a couple of months into the season (Landry’s turn?).

  45. Bargnani's Dad

    Imagine Bargnani if he had Casey coaching him since the rookie season. How good could he have been?

    • Stephen Brotherston

      It’s too painful to think about.
      But it’s more like imagine if the Raptors had a coach that commanded as much respect as Casey going back to Vince’s days with the team………. would we have witnessed some of the bizarre crap that happened?