NBA Chat With Stephen Brotherston 8/6/12

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

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  1. Steve

    I like this roster for raptors but offensively will we get it done? I think its safe to say we need a legit star go to guy.

    • Stephen Brotherston

      Welcome to this afternoon’s Chat!

      Coach Casey has a defense first approach, but he knew this team needed more offense so he has been adding shooters and this year’s roster should be able to score more easily than last year’s.

      Raptors don’t need to add a star to compete for a playoff spot, but unless someone develops further and faster than expected, they do need to add a star to do more than that.

  2. AJ

    steph-o..
    kobe has enough money for 100 life times. who gets in his ear & convinces him to take a HUGE paycut when his contract is over after next year, and does he do it in your opinion? When he complained a few years ago about not having enough help how could he not realize he’s part of the problem making close to 30 milli per?

    • Stephen Brotherston

      Kobe will be taking a pay cut on his next contract – how big will depend on how he performs in the prior season – Kobe still is a major draw and money-maker for the Lakers and that isn’t likely to change anytime soon and both Kobe and his agent know this and the team acknowledges it.

      Lakers could do a lot more if Kobe played for the vets min – but that isn’t going to happen – the Lakers continue to be willing to fork over big luxury tax payments in order to win – see Steve Nash’s deal! Look for Kobe to get another deal at market prices or above if he decides to keep playing in the NBA.

  3. kabayan jeepney

    1 who’s more likely to sign w/ the lakers, meeks/barbosa? why?
    2 with their current roster, which team in L.A. will win the pacific!? why?
    3 is it possible for the lakers to reacquire shannon or ariza by trading artest alone or with someone who actually isn’t part of their rotation? why?
    4 bynum,blake,goudelock =d.williams,budinger,barea and picks maybe 2 first-rounder.
    Is it fair for both teams?! eventhough I know lakers wouldn’t trade bynum unless there’s D12 in return! I just want to know would you agree to that deal!? why?!
    5 lastly, is it better for lakers if they bring back pau as the second option rather than bynum, bynum should focus on defense rather than wasting his energy in posting up and making plays for himself on offense!

    • Stephen Brotherston

      Meeks is easier = more likely. Barbosa is the much better fit as he is a proven veteran who will play at a high level in whatever minutes are available – even sitting out games if that is what’s asked of him. There aren’t many players who can still produce who can watch from the bench for long stretches and then jump into a game at 100 mph. The issue with getting Barbosa will probably end up being money.

      Pacific? Lakers have a chance to win it all – it depends on a lot of factors though – other teams are getting better too.

      Lakers are not in a good position to acquire additional rotation acquire players by trade – they don’t have the assets.

      Your trade idea – if the Lakers cared about luxury taxes, that’s the type of deal they would be looking at. Once they signed Nash – I don’t believe they’ll trade a player who keeps them in contention for prospects and depth guys. Fair? a star for maybes? no, but also just not what they are looking to do.

      Gasol’s game fits with Nash on offensive. Bynum will feast on put-backs and hand-offs in the post if he’ll concentrate – it wouldn’t hurt if he focuses a little more a defense too.

  4. WIZARD

    What grade did grunfeld deserve for wizards offseason so far?Can you name some trade that make sense for wizards and their trade partner.

    • Stephen Brotherston

      WIZARD,

      Grunfeld started changing the culture in Washington last season with some solid moves, the trend continues. This is a rebuilding team that now has some solid citizen type veterans to mentor the high potential young talent – that’s a fine job by the GM.

      It’s a little early in the rebuilding process to be looking at trades – they need to see what they have first.

  5. LennyShaul

    http://espn.go.com/nba/tradeMachine?tradeId=d2y8wn2
    with 2 first rd picks from chi to orl
    http://espn.go.com/nba/tradeMachine?tradeId=9tgrl83
    with clevelands first round pick to orl
    hou first rd pick to orl

    • Stephen Brotherston

      LennyShaul

      Trade 1 is a 3-way, Lakers get Howard & Turkoglu/ Bulls get Bynum, Davis & J Rich/ Magic get Boozer, Noah & MWP.

      This really doesn’t meet any of team’s goals.
      Magic will be rebuilding – Boozer & MWP aren’t wanted.
      Bulls like Bynum but Davis & J. Rich don’t fit and are expensive adds.
      Lakers love Howard – but Turkoglu is probably going to add $20m to their luxury tax bill in 2 years.

      Trade 2 is a 4-way – really tough to get done.

      Magic getting Kevin Martin, Tristan Thompsion, Waiters, McRoberts, Patterson, Douglas/ Cavs get Bynum & Davis/ Lakers get Howard & Duhon/ Rockets get Varejoa, J Rich & Gibson

      Maybe this is the best the Magic can do – but it isn’t something they’ll jump at
      Cavs & Lakers should be happy
      Rockets just got rid of a bunch of decent players who were not going to take them to the post season, they really don’t want somebody else’s guys who aren’t good enough – Rockets are in this for Bynum or Howard.

  6. Jeffrey

    With Alonzo Gee still not re-signing with the Cavaliers, and them bringing in Miles, would it at all be possible for Brooklyn to potentially snag him? I realize he’s restricted, but the Nets could sign and trade some of their own free agents and they have one trade exception to deal I believe.

    • Stephen Brotherston

      Cavs seem to be waiting for Gee to sign a modest offer sheet so they can match – thus no one is giving Gee a modest offer sheet.

      A S&T is a good idea, at this point the Cavs might take a future 1st round pick or some 2nd rounders for Gee – unfortunately the Nets don’t have much to work with and that TPE is for $1.377 – not enough.

      Gee should take the Q.O. for $2.7m while its still there and become a UFA next season.

  7. Deven

    What are your thoughts about the Raptors lottery pick Jonas Valanciunas in the Olympics right now?

    • Stephen Brotherston

      Check out: Jonas Valanciunas Shines in Limited Time
      for details of his first 4 games. Ignore those foul trouble comments you might have been hearing – through 5 games, Valanciunas is averaging 2 fouls a game.

      Valanciunas is doing well. He knew going in that he wasn’t going to see many minutes – No matter how well he played – and he is handling this well and plays hard. It’s great experience for him – Orders of magnitude better than summer league, practice or pickup games.

  8. Deven

    In two years, based on what was reported by the Boston Globe, what will Paul Pierce being doing: Retire or find another team?

    • Stephen Brotherston

      In two years, PP will know if his knees are done or something else is making the decision for him. If Pierce is healthy and stills loves to play, he’ll be back – most likely in Boston on a 1+1 year deal.

      2 years is forever when you are in your mid-thirties playing pro sports.

  9. Deven

    I know this has probably been asked multiple times this summer but here goes: Fact or Fiction: Dwight Howard will begin the season with the Magic?

    • Stephen Brotherston

      The deals are not going to get any better by October – if nothing happens in the next week, I think Dwight will be starting games in Orlando until the trade deadline.

      Drama – good for the media and everyone except the Magic, but if the Magic are going to get the best deal, they’ll just have go through some rough patches

  10. Deven

    Do you think the Celtics will fall in the top 4 again this season or lower?

    • Stephen Brotherston

      If they can get through the season with minimal games lost to injury, they are a top 4 team. Rondo gets hurt – a top 12 team.

  11. ted the talking teddy bear

    Are the raps done dealing and ready to start the nba with what they got right now? Are u surprise about no team wanting to sign theeyoung,athelitic and defensive minded weems??? Lastly sir,fun question if the raps and kings play in this years finals this year who will win, and mvp of it?! Thanks

    • Stephen Brotherston

      Raptors are pretty much set for training camp – no rush to start though – they have some young guys who need the summer to add some muscle and work on their games.

      I talked to Maurizio about Weems when he was in Lithuania last winter – he didn’t exactly give Weems the stamp of approval. Weems still needs to work on his game and develop his maturity – and based on where he is now – he is going to make a lot more money playing in Europe.

      The Kings will be a fun team to watch this season – but the Raptors roster is a little more experienced and since defense wins championships, Coach Casey tips it to Toronto. If Toronto wins anything – Lowry will have a great season and Bargnani will be his team’s MVP.

  12. oldie but goodie

    Do u feel that the rapz need a veteran guy that players would respect? Kinda juwan h. ,dfish, camby, grant hill. Some one who can be a future gm or coach? I havent seen a good team with out an OG mentor on it.. your opinion???

    • Stephen Brotherston

      Raptors have that guy in Jose Calderon – all the players respect his Bball IQ – but the team leader remain Coach Casey – this is his team. They are hoping that Lowry will take over that role during the season.

  13. jv for ROY

    Lithuania’s coach trusted the vet’s more or i guess have a good respect for his vets that he didnt play JV much. Do u feel that this will fuel jv’s game to prove he is forreal come nba opening day??? Willhe start for toronto???

    • Stephen Brotherston

      Coach Kemzura was going to play his veterans from the start – this was not a point of contention. Kemzura was not at the Olympics to develop young players. JV is not upset by his playing time – he knew this going in.

      As of now, Valanciunas can win the starting job fairly easily in Toronto – how many minutes he plays will depend on how well he does – but its safe to assume JV will be playing more than 20 min a game.

  14. LA downtown food truck

    I feel like j.calderon gets little respect and i think he will be better pg starter if compared to nash. He can exploit mismatches andhe can over power smaller pg like cp3. He has better D compared to nash but ill give the court vision to nash. Why dont a team like ny or the jazz intrested in him???

    • Stephen Brotherston

      The league has gone towards PG who score over PG who create – sometimes even when it doesn’t fit their personnel. Calderon could help teams that have shooters who need to be setup regularly to have success and that role will fit in well with Toronto’s 2nd unit next season.

      NY has to space to get anyone. The Jazz are still deciding on a direction and which players they will keep/ build around. There was lots of interest in the league if Toronto were to waive Jose so he could be picked up on the cheap – and on that basis, Toronto should just keep him.

  15. daily bug

    Will hw have someone cover the miami / orlando area? Do specific chats for the heat,orl? Kinda like LA got pincus, u for toronto etc?

    • Stephen Brotherston

      Hoopsworld Managing Editor & Publisher Steve Kyler is based in Florida – he has the scoop on just about everything in the NBA and can definitely help you out on questions about the HEAT & Magic.

  16. Naj

    In an Olympic game if a basketball team won a medal, each player receives a medal but still it is counted as one in medal tally?

  17. Beau

    What’s up S.B. 2 questions Do you think T-mac should back Kobe up for the Lakers? Next question is do you miss Vince Carter and T-mac being in Toronto despite their depleting careers? I am impressed with the Raptors new lineup.

    • Stephen Brotherston

      Lakers will fill out any open roster spots with min salary vets in the end. T-mac isn’t going to be real high on the list, but…

      I miss both T-mac and Vince, but I wouldn’t want them back now.

  18. dennis

    is quincy acy that much better than soloman alabi? if memphis is struggling come February do you see a calderon expiring contract plus ed davis and a second rounder/terrence ross enticing enough to get rudy :)

    • Stephen Brotherston

      Poor Solo came to the Raptors injured, spent most of his time in the d-league. Never really found the DPOY form he had in Fl and this summer he was injured again. Solo needs to play somewhere – probably in Europe for a few seasons to find his game. Acy still has his confidence and I hope he never has to go through the issues Solo had at the start of his career.

      If the Grizz are at risk of missing the playoffs, I’d expect Rudy Gay to get shopped – that team isn’t going to be a taxpayer in the same year they are a lottery team. Your deal idea could happen – might have some trouble getting Ross out of Toronto if he’s doing well though – that’s Casey’s pick.

  19. Riccardo

    Hi Stephen!!!
    What’s the future for the Suns?
    I think that the Suns’GM have done a great job.
    Very good Beasley, Dragic and Scola by FA and Johnson by trade.
    Could Phoenix do another trade to cover the spot of SG? Reed again?
    I hope that Phoenix could sign Harden next year, because he’s an important all-around player.
    Good luck Steve Nash and thank you for these years!
    Thanks Stephen for the answer!

    • Stephen Brotherston

      Richardo,

      Suns are rebuilding. Gortat & Scola will form a really solid front court – they both play tough and have enough offense that you can’t play off of them – Suns won’t get embarrassed with these two guys on the floor.

      Dragic deserves his chance to run a team – if he starts off like he ended in Houston, the Suns will be better than forecast. Beasley a reasonable risk for a rebuilding team – could be a total bust or a future starter, even star.

      I really like the Kendall Marshall pickup – give him 3 years as a backup getting decent minutes and the Suns should have added really nice piece to their roster.

  20. LA in LA

    Who do you think will be better this year, the Nets or the Knicks? I was leaning towards the Nets based off their starters, but the bench tips the advantage in the Knicks favor. Top 5 Knicks: Iman Shumpert, Jason Kid, Steve Novak, Marcus camby, Kurt Thomas are noticeably better than the Nets top 5 bench players: CJ watson, Marshon Brooks, Reggie Evans, Mizra teletovic, Keith Bogans.
    So I think Knicks have slight edge over Nets.

    • Stephen Brotherston

      LA in LA

      Nets v Knicks is a tough call.

      Nets got a lot better with Joe, but they weren’t good last year with D-Will for 55 games and we need to see how this all fits together.

      Reality – Knicks season was saved by Linsanity, Knicks were headed to the lottery – can they keep up the post-injury JLin pace? If not it’ll be a long season.

      It wouldn’t be reasonable to believe either team will struggle as much as they did at times last season – but either of them could.

      I think we will see 2 teams fighting over 5th & 6th, not much separating them by the time its over.

      Joel Brigham is a little more optimistic about how both teams will do. NYK v Nets

  21. Sean

    I understand why Orlando would try to trade their bad contracts along with Dwight Howard to free up future cap space etc. But couldn’t Orlando actually get a decent mid 20′s pick for J-Richardson or Baby Davis? Couldn’t the Orlando GM say call up Cleveland or some other team trying to make the playoffs this year like Minnesota and offer them J-Rich or Big Baby for a loterry protected 1st Rd pick for and an expiring contract. Some other teams I can think that might be interested in either player in my opinion
    a. Phoenix
    b. Toronto
    C. Milwaukee
    D. Washington
    E. Portland
    F. Minnesota
    G. Cleveland

    • Stephen Brotherston

      Sean,

      Teams interested in J. Rich 3yrs, $18.6m or Big Baby Davis 3yrs, $19.4m?

      Jason is 31 and coming off the worst year of his career – interest is at an all-time low.

      Davis is a serviceable power forward – but not special.

      a. Phoenix – just got Luis Scola (way better) Beasley to develop – no fit
      b. Toronto – Loaded at PF – already have Amir Johnson & Ed Davis at backup PF
      c. Milwaukee – Ersan Ilyasova, Gooden, rookie John Henson…
      d. Washington – could use Davis but those minutes are going to Seraphin & Booker
      e. Portland – might be some interest except Joel Freeland is probably going to get his shot and Hickson is back.
      f Minnesota – is already having problems finding minutes for Williams.
      g. Cleveland – is developing their young players, Davis would be in the way.

      Maybe a couple months into the season after teams can make some evaluations about what they have.

  22. Simon

    which shaq combo was the best??
    Shaq, hardaway and dennis scott
    shaq, kobe, and fisher
    Shaq, and dwade
    shaq, stoudamire, and nash
    Shaq, and Lebron
    shaq, and celtics big 4

    • Stephen Brotherston

      shaq, kobe, and fisher – all in the prime years of their careers (but why are you adding Fisher?)

  23. Beau

    In a 3-way between Houston, Magic, and Lakers, can’t the Magic send one bad contract to the lakers with Howard and one bad contract with Houston along with Bynum while the Magic get all the pics and young pieces? Or am I super off? I think Turk could work well with either Lin or Gasol.

  24. Dustin Bieber

    Big Val is going to face plenty of foul trouble this upcoming season. I guess Amir Johnson is pretty much our center? He’s a great guy

    • Stephen Brotherston

      By the end of next season, Amir will be JV lite – and that won’t be a bad thing. Amir is a great guy.

  25. Hedo "the Turkey" Turkoglu

    Will Andrea Bargnani’s #7 be the first Raptor Jersey retired? Do you see anyone else??

    • Stephen Brotherston

      As of right now – there are no Raptors who should have their jersey retired – none have played here long enough or accomplished enough.

  26. Kuda

    Hope you Enjoyed Caribanna. Im kinda of Happy with the Raps lineup even though they are no big names.Do you think they can make the playoffs and maybe upset a couple teams with the side they have? Bench is looking preety good. Should they also try and scoop someone come trade deadline with the kind of chips they have aquired ?

    • Stephen Brotherston

      Lots of support for the Raps being a playoff bubble team. As long as they don’t run into another season of significant injury problems – Raps have a real shot at getting in.

  27. Pissed Off Raptors Fan

    Are the Raptors better than Philly 76ers?

    • Stephen Brotherston

      Right now – talent-wise Raptors. Coach Collins has his work cut out for him – it’s very hard to argue that the 76ers did not take a big step backwards this off season – good thing Collins is an excellent coach.

  28. Evan Benz

    Any news on some of the more mature players ???

    Like Gilbert Arenas and Barron Davis ???

  29. john

    how far do you think the presently constructed knicks team can possibly go

  30. Paul

    Rumors has it Lakers talking to Keyon Martin does is it mean, Lakers might move Pau to get pieces or maybe a young 3, and move b17 for d12?

    • Stephen Brotherston

      Lakers have a massive payroll – they are taking to KM because they need warm bodies to fill out a roster and he might sign a min deal.

  31. 123Eric

    Do you think another saga (albeit to a lesser extent) is in the waiting after milsap refused the jazz’ extension?

    • Stephen Brotherston

      No one signs extensions under the new CBA anymore unless they are worried about injuries or the team has one of the world’s best salesmen – the Jazz do have big men minutes issues, but not signing an extension doesn’t provide the same clues that it used to.

  32. Paul

    do you see the Lakers sign kenyon martin and move pau, since they would have hill, martin, and jamison to play the 4, and b17 at 5.., so move b17, and the pieces they get for pau for d12?

  33. daniel

    is Derrick Williams going to live up to his #2 billing with the Wolves, another team, or not at all? Why?

    • Stephen Brotherston

      With that roster, Williams is going to have trouble getting enough minutes to impress – he needs to play 24+ min & preferably start. It doesn’t look good for him on the Wolves and with the moves the team made, not sure why they didn’t trade him.

  34. gino

    Which rookie has the biggest impact this year ? And, which rookie would you consider a great sleeper pick for fantasy ?

    • Stephen Brotherston

      For me, the biggest impact rookie is one who leads a team from the lottery to the post season.

      Candidates: Lillard, Portland. Valanciunas, Toronto

      Fantasy isn’t really my thing but Thomas Robinson could give you lots of numbers in various categories.

  35. Steve

    Would the Raps have any interest in Drew Gooden & Beno Udrih for Calderon and a 2nd Round Pick?

    • Stephen Brotherston

      That move doesn’t really move the Raptors any closer to becoming a contender – there’s a good argument the Raps would be just bailing out the Bucks.

  36. Concerned Raps Fan

    Do the raptors have the trade able assets (Jose, Demar, Ross, Amir, Ed) to get a top wing player? Where and how will they do this?

    • Stephen Brotherston

      Usually the only way you can trade average to good talent for a star is if the other team is rebuilding or in luxury tax (financial) trouble – it happens, but the Raptors are not in control of the other side of that transaction.

      Sure the Raptors have assets – right now there isn’t any obvious trade partners, but that can change. The likely targets are still the likely targets.

  37. kyle

    Do you think the Brooklyn Nets will have a big fan base and finally settle down in Brooklyn making that their home forever like Lakers in LA, Knicks in Manhattan, Bulls in Chicago?

    • Stephen Brotherston

      YES – actually I believe the move to Brooklyn will be a huge success – the Nets arena will no longer have attendance issues.

  38. BlazerFan

    How much cap does POR have for next year? Thanks!

    • Stephen Brotherston

      Check out Who has money to spend

      and the team salary page

      Could have $14m, possibly

  39. Jose

    Do the Raptors have a relatively Easy schedule??

    • Stephen Brotherston

      Raptors have an average number of b-2-b 17 – everyone’s schedule is pretty similar.

  40. BlazerFan

    Have you seen any France games? How has Nicolas Batum been doing. I saw 1, France has a good offense no 1 on 1s so Batum cant really create his own shot put is still hitting when hes open. Can he make a leap and start dropping 16-17 points a game??
    Thanks!

    • Stephen Brotherston

      I have seen a couple of France’s games. Batum is playing well – it’s nice to have Tony Parker beside you to open up the floor and create.

      There is a good argument that Batum is ready to have a breakout season – based on last season, nothing to do with the Olympics – but showing he can perform on another team is a good sign. A “leap” to 16 ppg is definitely within Batum’s ability.

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