NBA Chat With Stephen Brotherston 9/3/12

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.

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  1. Christian

    Do you think Tomislav Zubcic will ever play for the raptors?

    • Stephen Brotherston

      Welcome to this afternoon’s chat.
      Time to talk basketball when there is absolutely nothing going on (yet) – but its still the best way to spend an afternoon!

      Zubic is 22-years-old – he slide back last season – especially in the Eurocup play and that’s after decent Euroleague play (higher) the season before.

      He’s 6′ 11″, he can rebound, he’s supposed to have a good jumpshot – not last year – so he’s got a lot to make up for to get back on an NBA track. Typical late 2nd round intriguing prospect that the Raptors have historically been terrible at picking out the winners from.

      As of right now – odds aren’t good he’ll ever play in the NBA – But maybe he turns things around this season? It’s easy to see why the Raps used a pick on him even though he’s no where near ready to play in the NBA – 6′ 11″ with some skills – if you throw enough mud at the wall, some of it sticks.

  2. Steve

    Last year the raptors failed to close out games. With this new roster is that problem solved or do we still have that problem?

    • Stephen Brotherston

      It’s a little early too call how well everything fits together in Toronto, but Coach Casey got what he wanted to fix the Raptors inability to score. He added shooters – Lowry, Ross, Fields can all make shots.

      Too often the Raptors had to go to DeRozan in the fourth quarter because Bargnani missed half the season – DeRozan was working on his shot, but he isn’t a shooter and when you’re main scorer is somewhat one-dimensional and there aren’t many scoring alternatives, defenses can and do adjust over the course of a game.

      In short – yes this roster will be able to close out games better than last year as it has many more scoring options – especially if Bargnani can stay healthy and spread the floor/ keep a big guy out of the paint (for DeMar).

  3. NBA MANIAC/Shaullenny

    where do you think josh howard will land.

    perhaps CHI, NYK, CHA or suprise team

    who do you think nets will sign
    d.james or d.green or j.childress, or s.young, or curry

    what about the heat who will they sign as a big

    who do you think orlando will cut (they have 17 players) what about cleveland

    what teams do you think are done for their offseason?

    • Stephen Brotherston

      You can tell we are hitting the bottom of the FA barrel when we start focusing on the players with highly suspect knees. Josh Howard shouldn’t land anywhere at this point – he might as he used to be a really good player, but those days are long over. It doesn’t matter where he lands, I don’t see him helping many teams anymore. Too bad about his injury problems.

      Nets have 13 players under contract – they don’t need to add anyone – not much playing time available either – really the same story in Miami. Maybe these teams add another player – but since they haven’t taken what’s left yet, they’ll probably wait to see who gets cut/ released before the season starts. They have no reason to rush.

      Don’t look for much to happen anywhere until training camps start – there will be a few moves as teams have non-guaranteed players on their rosters, there will be teams with too many players at the start of camp – And somebody is bound to show up injured and cause a team to make a move to replace the body. But for now, it’ll be pretty quiet.

  4. Mister Costec

    Hello Steven!

    I’m a Bulls fan.

    Carlos Boozer for Kris Humphries. Who says no? Brooklyn don’t care about money and get a slight upgrade over Humphries as well as reunite Boozer with Deron. Bulls save 3M$ a year and get rid of pain-in-the-ass Boozer contract.

    I know that the move would be impossible until probably the 1st of december, but than? Who says no?

    • Stephen Brotherston

      I like. It’s crazy, makes no sense and perfect sense. Boozer would do better in Brooklyn with Williams and he could maybe be a star again? Hump fits the style in Chicago with Rose (when/if he returns this season).

      Timing isn’t right until Rose is back – Bulls need Boozer’s scoring while they wait for Rose.

  5. Luka

    Which rookies will get a max deal next summer

    • Stephen Brotherston

      Market dictates who gets the max – but Harden is going to get that offer if the Thunder let it happen.

      The rest aren’t really max candidates- but if Steph Curry plays like he can without getting hurt – that’s what it will take to get him.

      Check out:
      Rookies eligible for extensions

  6. WIZARD

    In your article you haven’t named john wall as player primed for breakout.Why is that.He finally have serious team that is ready for him to lead,he can’t shoot threes worse then last year and he worked out with select team this summer

    • Stephen Brotherston

      John Wall has already put up great stats on a bad team, he’ll be hard pressed to significantly better them.

      Wall could have a breakout in terms of showing us what we believe he can already do, but didn’t have the teammates to do it with – Leadership – he might lead this group of reliable veterans and young players to a playoff berth and that would be a breakout season for him. Just being consistent and seeing growth from the young guys under Wall makes for a good season and shows leadership (I expect this to happen), but no one is going to call that a breakout.

  7. ivan

    I m from croatia and i hear yesterday that tomislav zubcic wants in nba next year.I watched a lot of his games here and i don’t think that he is nba material.He is soft,does’t play defense,lousy rebounder for tall 3 or 4,hasn’t developed much in last 2 years.What do you think about him?

    • Stephen Brotherston

      He definitely wasn’t NBA material last season. It’s the classic – young big guys take longer to develop – but I agree he has not shown the steady progress which would lead someone to believe that he is going to make it.

      Based on last season, I agree with you. Soft, not deserving of more court time. Maybe he figures out how to use his size & skills, but at 22-years-old – kind of hope we’d already seen some of that.

  8. piston

    pistons-francisco garcia,t evans
    kings-prince,daye,2013 2 round pick
    Who says no and why?

    • Stephen Brotherston

      Prince is a guy you pick up if you believe you are 1 piece away from being a playoff team (or next step as a playoff team) – Not sure Kings are that team, but if they believe they are, they do this deal for Tyreke.

      Pistons can’t say yes fast enough (Want anything else – you sure?)

  9. will

    How much will lowry ask for next year?I think a least 10 mil.You

    • Stephen Brotherston

      His play will dictate his value, but if he does 14pts/4.5rbs/6.6asts/1.6stl – $10m per won’t be a stretch, might not be enough to ink him to an extension. If the Raps make the playoffs, they will pay him more than that to get him extended.

      Look for Lowry to have a big statistical year and get paid for it.

  10. sean

    which rookies will get max deal next summer?Is monroe that kind of player?

    • Stephen Brotherston

      See early question/answer and link

      Harden is a max player.
      Monroe still has this season and next season on his rookie deal. Project him out and if Hibbert is a max big man, Monroe will be.

  11. Ronny

    The worst team in nba is bobcats or houston?I would pick houston.When will they trade at least one of they pf?

    • Stephen Brotherston

      Tough call – don’t forget Orlando is best served by getting a top 3 pick too!

      If Houston develops all that young talent, they will fight it out for last – really Bobcats, Rockets, & Orlando need the top pick (So do the Cavs even if they don’t admit it and could avoid it)

      Last place isn’t easy to call right now – Let’s see the player moves yet to come – but Rockets have a good case.

  12. Eddy

    Just watched SonicsGate recently..
    Great film. Shows that Seattle needs a NBA team.
    Wouldn’t it be an obvious idea for the Maloofs to move the Kings to Seattle? It almost makes too much sense.

    The King fans can just go over the bridge to GSW and support those guys.

    Seattle Royals doesn’t have a bad ring to it.

    • Stephen Brotherston

      Seattle is a proven NBA city, the team would be a success there.

      There is something inherently wrong with cities investing $100s of millions of dollars for someone else (who’s RICH) to make more money though.

  13. Kevin

    My question is: what does it take from a team with talent, veterans and a goal, to build chemistry by the playoffs? Does battling threw 82 games and 7 months together do anything for chemistry? Does it take a team full of veterans knowing this may be their last chance, help to pull them together and build chemistry? Yeah, Lakers fans are getting a little too excited, but for reporters to start writing articles saying the Lakers won’t be able to win because they can’t build Chemistry, is just dumb! I expect un-bias, experienced and knowledgeable commentary and articles like that don’t do it for me! So, how does a team build chemistry? Remember, these aren’t kids, their veterans some of which took a lot less money to do anything to win!

    • Stephen Brotherston

      Chemistry can take time – but with veterans who are willing to put team first, it doesn’t take much time.

      With the Lakers, Gasol & Nash will put team first ahead of themselves. Kobe is mature enough to do it if he believes in his teammates – he believes in Nash. The only real question mark is Howard – he hasn’t played with guys who are at his talent level before – if Howard will play his role – chemistry will come fast in LA. If not, the Lakers will underachieve.

      Lakers did a good job of adding the right kind of talent/experience around their stars this off season. Should be an exciting season

  14. T.J. Wilson

    Wassup Stephen!…..Here’s my question……How long do you think it will take the Orlando Magic to become playoff/championship contenders now that the “Dwightmare” is over
    and the rebuilding process has commenced. Also do you think Arron Affalo or draft picks Andrew Nicholson and Moe Harkless can blossom into all-star/superstar status?

    • Stephen Brotherston

      Short answer – years. the 1st step in rebuilding is still in progress – the roster as constructed screams more moves coming. The Magic’s next “star” is still waiting for them in the draft.

  15. Steve

    would you think terrance ross and derozan would be vince carter nd tracy mcgrady from the year 2000. y is it that derozan dunk with styl like vince back in the days

    • Stephen Brotherston

      VC standing Vertical 36″/43″ max. TMac 40″ max, 7′ 2″ wingspan

      DD standing vert 29″/max 38.5″, 6’9″ ws. TR 37.7″ max vert, 6′ 7″ ws.

      These guys will never be VC & TMac.

  16. ny sub speed

    Fans and reporters keep doubting the knicks. For the first 2 seasons with melo, i know the problem is consistency and chemistry. Now the core group has a year together plus training camp, an 82 game ahead plus alot of good vets, kidd, camby, brewer and felton who has something to prove. I think they are deeper than the heat and celtics. They can win series against this top dogs and stretch it to 7 games. With me? And lastly why not bring kenyon martin and barbosa to toronto? They would be good vets???

    • Stephen Brotherston

      Get NYK off the rollercoaster and show some consistency and the doubts will subside.

      No room for vets who take minutes from youth in Toronto this season – at least not at the start.

  17. peperoni

    Im getting worried JV might turn out to be the next darko or kanter? Is he the real deal? And would he be bigger than bosh or vcarter?

  18. Jerome Talburt

    Hey Brother! Where would you place Kyle Lowry on a list of starting Point Guards of the East? We know he’s below the superstar group of Rose, Rondo, and D-Will, but would you consider him above some established young veterans like Jennings, Teague, Wall, Irving, George Hill, & Holiday? Do you consider him above older veterans like Felton, Jameer, and Chalmers? He should be considered better than some youngsters like walker and knight right? Whats your take? thanks for the answer!

    • Stephen Brotherston

      Lowry at 4th on the list in the East – hoping for better (its only hope) then Wall & Irving

  19. Mark ryan

    who will have a better rookie season Jonas Valanciunas or Donatas Motiejunas?
    Who is more NBA Ready? Who will have the bigger Impact?

    • Stephen Brotherston

      Valanciunas made the Lithuanian National team, Motiejunas didn’t, if that’s any indication.

      Motiejunas does look a lot like Andrea Bargnani and he is not ready to contribute on the defensive end – but maybe if he’s turned loose (and he should be), he’ll have a big statistical year offensively. He doesn’t have to be NBA ready to play in Houston.

      Valanciunas is a more traditional in-the-paint/ mix-it-up big man, well ahead of M defensively and will be more effective in the paint on p-n-r plays, tip-ins, put-backs, offensive rebounding. He’s as NBA ready as a rookie can be.

      Both players show lots of promise, both will have a big impact on their teams – Valanciunas has the opportunity to have the bigger impact and should have the bigger impact.

  20. burger boy

    How much does bynum impact his team? And will phillie and wilson chandler make sensed? Tyoung doesnt look like the answer at sf, he looks like a small pf?

    • Stephen Brotherston

      Bynum (and all the changes) in Philly signal a change to more offense focus, less defense-first mentality. It’s a BIG change.

      Thad is going to get more of a chance to show what he can do. Not sure WC is the answer. I would not rush into that switch.

  21. jenequen from puerto rico

    why the nuggets dont trade wilson chandler for tyreke evans ? now with igudala its set at the 2 guard but maybe he can find his rhythm and starts playing for the team not for his stats and even play them together. i want to know if you defer from me ?

    • Stephen Brotherston

      Nuggets are over loaded with Wings who are really SF, so trading WC for T Evans makes sense. Evans is more of a guard – fits Denver’s needs, Chandler is more of a SF – fits the Kings needs.

  22. Mike aldridge

    Rank these Young Up and coming Shooting Guards on who you think will be the best in 5 years? Who has highest potential and Upside?

    Who Will ever get the closest to a scoring title?

    Eric Gordon
    Marshon Brooks
    Jeremy Lamb
    James harden
    Demar Derozan

    • Stephen Brotherston

      That’s a real crap shoot as at least 1 of these guys could be hurt or gone in 5 years.

      1. Harden
      2. Gordon
      3. DeRozan, Brooks, Lamb

      I don’t see a scoring title (or close) in this group

  23. Albert

    Would the Raptors have traded J. Val, #8 pick and another player for the Number 1 pick in Anthony Davis? Would you have done it?

    • Stephen Brotherston

      I don’t see a trade of Valanciunas & Ross(#8) for Davis(#1). No, I wouldn’t do it – too much

  24. Jim

    With a need at shooting guard, and at the small forward, why don’t the raptors take a chance at arenas? You could sign home to a non guaranteed contract.

    • Stephen Brotherston

      Arenas is basically done, & very poor fit on a young team trying to develop talent. Raptors have no minutes for a backup vet SG or they’d have signed Barbosa (who could still actually contribute something)

  25. Will walker

    With Derrick Rose going to Miss the All Star game this season, who takes his spot?

    John Wall, Kyrie Irving, Brandon Jennings, Kyle Lowry i assume those 4 would have the best chances.

    • Stephen Brotherston

      I expect Rondo & Williams at PG for the East. If they take a 3rd PG, it’ll depend on individual & team performance. You got to know, the league would like Irving to be there. Lowry should be the next best PG. Wall has the talent, but not the team. Jennings? really Jennings?

  26. jenequen from puerto rico

    regarding my last question, with wilson chandler in my kings it would be perfect because he is a perfect defense presence at the 3 spot and would balance the team perfectly with marcus thornton being the scorer and cousins developing in to a great center now with thomas robison and arron brooks and not to mension isaiah thomas they could be a great team

  27. Bargnani's mother

    I like Amir Johnson for the Raptors and hope he can play a role similar to Collison on OKC Thunder. Do you think he is capable of fulfilling such a role? Is he that type of player?

    • Stephen Brotherston

      That’s a fair description for where Amir fits long term – one that he’ll likely even get better at filling as he matures.

  28. jenequen from puerto rico

    my last question lol, marcus thornton to me can be one of the premier scorers in the nba he scores with ease for me he can average more than 20 points in given the ball more consistently throught hes career what are your thoughts ?

    • Stephen Brotherston

      Maybe. Have to remember Marcus was scoring on a bad team and it can get harder to score and be a good teammate on a better team – Marcus is definitely a scorer, it’s just a little early to say he’ll be a 20+ ppg player on a good team that has other scoring options and requires him to play defense. We’ll see how he develops as his team gets better around him.

  29. RUDY D, DACSILA

    Do you think the Lakers will beat the Heat provided they come out champion of their respective conferences?

    • Stephen Brotherston

      The Lakers will be a tough out in every round of the playoffs. Do they have enough to win – absolutely, but it would sure be nice to actually see them play a few games before deciding if they can beat the Thunder first.

      Lakers start the season as Real Contenders – and that should be enough.

  30. Channing Tatum buff show

    Do you think another team will offer demar Derozen a ridiculous contract? One of those “poison pills”? I hope not.. I don’t want BC matching some outrageous contract.

    • Stephen Brotherston

      Based on his play so far – no DeMar won’t be a poison pill candidate – we can hope he plays well enough that there is a reason to worry about it during the season.

      If DeMar takes another positive step on o & d this season, have to believe Colangelo would match a PP contract like the one he offered to Fields.

  31. Aaron

    Will Demar Derozan finally put up 20PPG this year and have the raptors in the playoff picture and get All Star consideration?

    Also if Eric Gordon got a max deal and James Harden will get one, Demar Will easily get atleast 10mil a year

    • Stephen Brotherston

      DeMar will have to up his shooting percentages significantly to be a 20ppg player this season, its possible, not expecting it. DeMar isn’t on the All-Star radar.

      DeMar isn’t in the same conversation as Harden or Gordon and will have to take HUGE strides this season to see anything close to $10m per – right now, more like MLE

  32. Barney Simpson

    WHat were your initial thoughts on BC drafting Quincy Acy? Could he be a diamond in the rough? Were you secretly hoping for Quincy Miller like many others of the Raps fan base so he could be our young 3 of the future?

    • Stephen Brotherston

      Acy is an energy guy who has a decent set of hands so he can score a bit too – diamond in the rough is a good description – and he’s very likable. There were more polished players available, but the Raps didn’t have any minutes for them.

  33. Moe from the Simpsons

    Do you miss James Johnson yet? Will you miss him during the season?

    • Stephen Brotherston

      I liked James. Great guy to talk to in the locker room. I will make sure to see him when he’s in town next season. Right now, I miss all the guys, let’s get training camp started already!

  34. warrior baller

    Manu blair and a pick for derozan ,one of tor pf? Who says no?

  35. Tim Tebow

    Which Raptor will be guarding Lebron James full time when the Raptors(8th sees) meet the Miami Heat(1st seed) in the first round for this upcoming season?

    • Stephen Brotherston

      First up, Landry Fields. Landry is a big boy – his style fits well for guarding LBJ too. Relies on position rather than athleticism (you aren’t going to out athlete LBJ)

      That’s all for today. Thanks for all the great comments and questions on this Holiday Monday

  36. Warson Gu

    If not Acy, who did you prefer the Raptors to draft?

    • Stephen Brotherston

      I didn’t see anyone available who would make the rotation for the Raps in the 2nd round this season.

  37. Warson Gu

    If the Raps don’t make the playoffs, does the Lowry trade ultimately become a failure and a regret?

  38. Collins

    Will the Nets win the division this year? What’s your projected statline for Mirza Teletovic? And if Josh Smith suddenly become unhappy in the ATL, since Danny Ferry and Billy King are good friends, J-Smoove for Kris + fillers possible? Hawks would lose some scoring but Kris is athletic like Josh and rebounds better.

    • Stephen Brotherston

      Nets could, Boston will.
      Hawks will be building around Smith! Not a good trade for the Hawks.

  39. josh

    tyreke will be an all star !!!!not a question but a STATMENT!!!!

    • Stephen Brotherston

      Okay – he has the talent to make this come true (can’t see it unless he gets traded to a good situation)

  40. Matt

    Hi Stephen,

    How long do you think the Raptors hang on to Calderon? It doesn’t seem like he would be too happy to play all the way to the deadline in a backup role.

    Also what are the Raptors going to do at PF? Bargnani certainly starts, but then both Davis and Johnson will fight for backup minutes. Does Amir get some time at C as well with Gray and Valanciunas there? Or would one of them (probably Davis due to age/potential/contract) be a candidate to be packaged in trade with Calderon?

    Thanks

    • Stephen Brotherston

      Calderon at/near the trade deadline is the most likely scenario, but I’m hoping he takes the same stance he does on his National team and willingly backs up the better PG – Lowry.

      A package trade with Calderon makes the most sense (only sense) – Raps need an upgrade in talent if they move Calderon or they’ll make the team weaker.