NBA Chat With Stephen Litel 1/11/12

1. Aj Crisp

   Like many Wolves fans, my biggest question/concern is the contract extension situation with Kevin Love. What is the latest on that? Are Taylor & Kahn even working on Love & his agent on a deal?

   Welcome to the chat, everyone! It’s great to be back in chat mode with all of you after taking a hiatus during the lockout. With so many Timberwolves home games to start the season, I am back into the mix very quickly and ready to take your questions. Let’s have some fun…

   All indications are the Timberwolves are prepared to offer K-Love a max deal by the deadline, which is coming up soon. While many debate whether or not Love is worth a max deal, his play early in the season is an indicator that he is. There is a lot to be hopeful for in Minnesota, despite their record right now. They are infinitely more competitive than in year’s past, Ricky Rubio is living up to most of the hype and Rick Adelman has a solid team in the Timberwolves. Now, they just have to learn how to win and make a couple more difficult decisions.

   I would expect the Timberwolves to offer Love his extension shortly. What he ultimately decides is up to him, but how many players in NBA history have turned down a max deal?

2. AJ

   If you were the GM of the Suns, Rockets, Bucks, or Jazz would you commit to rebuilding and look to trade their veterans?

   Loaded question, so I’ll go one at a time…

   The Suns…I play this year out, but I’m not doing my job correctly if I don’t listen to offers for Nash.

   The Rockets…To a degree, it seems as if they are in rebuilding mode, even though they have a solid team. I say they are rebuilding because they are looking for the identity post-Yao.

   The Bucks…They have some young pieces, but definitely need more to compete with the big teams in the East. If that means trading vets to get more talent, you have to do it.

   The Jazz…They are somewhat of a combo of the Rockets and Bucks since they have some pieces for sure, solid players, but need more to truly compete. Sure, if the right trade came along to bring more talent, I’d do so.

3. AJ

   Do you see Ben Gordon, Boris Diaw, Corey Maggette, Rashard Lewis, or Antawn Jamison getting traded from their bad teams?

   I haven’t heard much about any of these players on the trade front, but any of them could be a fine addition to the right team. The running theme of a problem with these players is their contracts may be difficult to trade. A LOT of work would need to be done for a team to acquire them and I’m not sure that there are many teams out there who would want to go to the trouble. As of today, I wouldn’t expect any of these players to move this season. That’s always subject to change if I hear something and, of course, if I do, I’ll let you all know first.

4. Anthony Pascua

   I do not think the Lakers should push for D12. At this point, they need to address the pg position and push for DWill, what do you think?

   I’m with you. As much of a stud Dwight Howard is, if I’m the GM of the Lakers I’m looking to upgrade the point guard position. Obviously, that is a big weakness on the team and if there is any way possible to trade for D-Will AND keep Andrew Bynum, I jump at the chance. If that means Gasol is gone to New Jersey, which he probably would be in this scenario, I have to do it.

5. Bill

   I’m a Hornets fan and have watched Chris Paul play with the Clippers now. I don’t think that they are using CP3 correctly. He needs the ball in his hands and then concentrated pick and roll with Blake. What do you think?

   I hear what you’re saying, but from what I’ve seen, the Clippers have the ball in Paul’s hands quite a lot. Yes, there are other point guards on the team, but Paul has the ball a lot. I’ve seen quite a few pick-and-rolls with Blake…and, of course, a lot of highlights.

6. JP

   If you are Minnesota and you have the first round pick of this year. Would draft Anthony Davis or Drummond?
   Is it possible a Beasley for O.J.Mayo trade before the trade deadline?

   See the answer below for even more on potential Wolves trades, but…

   To be honest with you, I’m not much of a college basketball at all. I really don’t pay attention to it until tourney time and don’t research players until they’ve entered the NBA draft. So, I’m going to defer the first part of your question to the much better collegiate basketball minds here at HOOPSWORLD.

   An OJ Mayo for Beasley trade is possible, sure. However, it’s not going to happen straight up like this. There would be other players involved. However, another wrinkle in this theory is that the Grizzlies are rather happy with Mayo right now and he’s happy there as well. When they came through Minny a few games back, all was well in Grizzlies world…and that was the day they announced Randolph’s injury would keep him out for 6-8 weeks.

7. Charlie

   Why is Flip Saunders the only one catching grief for the Wizards poor start? I personally blame the GM (Ernie Grunfeld), he signed zero veteran’s this offseason then is in disbelief when this young, immature team can’t find a way to put it together. Phil Jackson would struggle with this group. If you were the owner of the Washington Wizards, who are you blaming first: the coach or the GM?

   You’re right. It seems like Flip is getting most, if not all, of the grief for the Wizards and that’s wrong. It’s easy to blame the coach when things go bad and that happens quite a lot. Maybe that’s not fair, but that’s the way it goes in the NBA a lot of the time.

   The GM has a lot of blame in the situation for sure. Where’s the leadership on the team? Who’s teaching the young guys how to be professional at all times?

   But, of course, the players deserve a lot of blame as well…including Mr. Wall, who has been rather inconsistent.

8. Drew

   Above all else we need a SG. Between Ellis, K Martin and Mayo who should we go after? And what would it take to get him? I say Ellis but I think we would have to give up the most to get him. Beaz, Wes and 2 1st is my guess

   Most believe the Wolves would go after Mayo, if they aren’t already, but out of these choices, I go with Kevin Martin. He has a history with Adelman and is a veteran, which would be a great help to the Timberwolves. Also, he may not come at as high of a price as the other two.

   With what Houston was going to take in/get rid of in the cancelled Chris Paul trade, I would think they would take Beasley, Wes and one first round pick. Is Martin that valuable to the Timberwolves?

9. Drew

   Who should be starting for Tpups? Also can A Randolph play/handle Center long term or is he best to be the Pf/C man off the bench?

   Man, this is a tough one, isn’t it? Randolph is such a tease for the Timberwolves, as he’s been in his other NBA stops. However, on this Timberwolves team with Ricky Rubio, Randolph has really played some relatively good basketball the past few games. My personal belief is that he should move into the starting lineup at the center position and give him more minutes. Let’s see what he can do with big minutes when he’s probably playing the best basketball of his career.

   If I’m the coach, your starting five immediately is Rubio, Barea, Williams, Love and Randolph.

   I know Adelman is attempting to figure out each player and what combos work, but this is the lineup that has played the best together for the Timberwolves so far this season.

10. Josh

    Perkins and Westbrook for Dwight Howard this summer.

    Who says no?

    This is a decent trade without checking the numbers, but Oklahoma City says no here. With how they are playing–even with the “drama” the fans and media believe may be there–they are title contenders. They are playing great basketball and just need to figure out some of the kinks.

11. Josh

    Which team would you rather have

    G Magic Johnson
    G Micheal Jordan
    F Kevin Durant
    F Dirk
    C Shaq O’Neal
    6 Reggie Miller
    7 Gary Payton
    8 Karl Malone

    G Chris Paul
    G Kobe Bryant
    F LeBron James
    F Tim Duncan
    C Patrick Ewing
    6 Scottie Pimpen
    7 Dwayne Wade
    8 Dwight Howard

    My answer comes easier than you probably would think, but it’s also a simple response…

    I pick the first team 100 times out of 100. Two of the top three players in history (in my opinion) in Magic and Michael on the perimeter AND Shaq down low? Forget about it.

    Throw in the scoring of Durant and the Mailman, along with the defense outside from the Glove…this one was too easy.

12. Mac

    If you had to vote for the Western Conference all-star team reserve shooting guard tomorrow, who would get the nod: James Harden or Marcus Thornton?

    Both are studs, no doubt. Both are having fine seasons as a whole. Both WILL make an All-Star team in their careers, but if I’m making the choice right now, I go with Harden.

    The respect that man has around the league for his all-around game is amazing. While Thornton is great as well, the NBA players I have chatted with about Harden believe he can flat out ball. He is feared and admired around the league.

13. simon

    If dwill demands a trade with the poor performance by the nets, can he be traded to the magic? jrich and nelson for dwill and jordan williams or johan petro? magic could put jj at the starting position and nets get two good starters.

    Yeah, he COULD end up in Orlando, but that’s complete speculation. It does seem as if he and Dwight are close and there have been reports of the two of them spending time together and, of course, D-Will would’ve loved for Dwight to have been in NJ by now.

    However, I don’t see New Jersey doing that trade…at all.

14. Mike Peden

    After Anthony Randolph, Ricky Rubio and Anthony Tolliver started the second half of Minnesota’s contest against Chicago, when will Adelman switch his starting five, and whose names should we expect to be announced during intros?

    Loads of questions/comments in the system like this one and I answered earlier…but had to give a shout out to my man, Mike! If you haven’t checked out his writing, you’re missing out, Minnesotans. This man covers everything and does a great job.

15. Curtis in Portland

    Aldridge and Wallace as all-stars this year? Blazers in the WCF?

    I would not be surprised if either/both make it to the All-Star game this year. Aldridge deserved it last year and I know that it’s easy to think he didn’t get in because Kevin Love did. Yes, there’s a bit of bias there since I watch Love night in and night out, but his selection was just. Aldridge had better complaints with other players who made it over him last year.

    Wallace is really fun to watch and, obviously, productive as well. Again, it wouldn’t be a shock if he made it, but I’m guessing right now that he doesn’t. Just a guess.

    Blazers in WCF? I can see it…against OKC. Man, wouldn’t that be fun? Only time will tell.

16. herb hardy

    any chance magic go after wilson chandler?

    I haven’t heard anything specific on that, but will check into it. There are some ways it makes sense, but I don’t think that would be enough to keep Dwight in Orlando.

17. Steve

    If Dwight leaves & I think he does,will Otis smith change professions? Also how much blame gets placed on Stan van Gundy?

    I don’t think much blame goes to Van Gundy. He can only coach what is in front of him…he’s a good coach as a whole and has done a decent job. If Dwight isn’t there at some point, again, he can only coach what’s in front of him.

    For the first part of the question, I bet Orlando fans who don’t already want Smith to change professions will want him to if/when Howard is gone.

18. Lewis1201

    What type of trade market is there for jameer Nelson redick and anderson what type of player can they get for them?

    Not much. To either question.

19. Sweet Dee

    If you were an NBA owner, which point guard would you prefer to build your franchise around and why: John Wall, Ricky Rubio, or Kyrie Irving.

    Everyone is going to think it’s a homer pick and there may be a slice of that in there, but to be honest, I go with Rubio. The reason I say that is because I’m a bit of an old-school guy and although Rubio is flashy, he’s flashy with substance and I would prefer a much-more traditional point guard. I want my scoring to come from SG and in the post, which is why there is frustration over the 2-guard position in Minnesota so far this season.

20. Pac

    Would the Lakers trade Fisher if he has to be apart of a deal for D Howard or D William. Or for any upgrade at this point in time.

    In a heartbeat for Howard or Williams. The other “upgrades” would be a case-by-case basis because of Fish’s history with LA.

21. Juan Pablo

    Would you take Kevin Martin at that price when you know he plays NO defense? Twolves needs young SG who potentially can make it all. Harden is always the dream choice but they would not deal him if Minne does not give Rubio or Love for him (I think). Your thoughts?

    No, I wouldn’t take Martin for the price discussed earlier, but that’s just me.

    Anything to get Harden, as long as it doesn’t involved trading Love or Rubio, I’m just fine with that. He’d look great in a Wolves uniform, but there is no substance to that pipe-dream. That’s completely in response to what you said and not “inside knowledge.” OKC isn’t giving up Harden.

    Well, everyone, that’s my time for this week. It was great to start up my weekly chat again and hope you’ll make it a regular part of your week! If I didn’t get to your question, hit me up on Twitter @stephenlitel.
    

22. Juan Pablo

    I`m with you in that lineup for now. But Webster should start ahead of Barea once he is fully fit.
    It would be really awesome to get Mayo. You can use Mayo as your starter and Barea and Webster as your second unit with big minutes…Or Webster as starter and Mayo and Barea of the bench with Tolliver.

    I’d agree with that…give Webster the start at SG when/if healthy. Barea is used to the role off the bench and as long as the Timberwolves are making progress and winning games, he’s accept it without complaint.

    I know people love to talk about Mayo, but I don’t believe it until I see it. I haven’t heard much of anything from those you would expect me to have heard from if there was much of a chance of landing Mayo. Take that for what you will.