NBA Chat with Stephen Litel 3/27/2012

1. alan

   which of the bulls non guranteed contracts (korver, CJ watson, Brewer) do you see the bull picking up for next year? I would like to see them all, but money is an issue

   • Stephen Litel

     What’s up, everyone? Thanks for joining this week’s chat…always appreciate the great questions you submit, so let’s get right to it. Always feel free to give me a follow on Twitter and hit me up there @stephenlitel…

     Hi alan,

     If I could only pick one of the three, I’d go with Brewer. I’m an admirer of his game and think he’s one of those solid “glue guys” that every team needs in order to be successful in the league. Plus, his age is a factor in play here too.

2. manila jeepney

   Hi stephen thanks for the chats! I just wana be the first one to call this. If magics loses first round this year. Howard will be traded to the lakers. Bynum is doing a good job convincing he is the 2nd best center but the best offensive center in the nba. Thanks for the time!

   • Stephen Litel

     Hi manila jeepney,

     While there isn’t a question for me here, I’ll still post it to give you your spot to “call it” in public. Now, if it happens, you can point to this chat as the place where you showed your great basketball mind. Thanks for your kind words and thanks for joining the chat.

3. Mark ryan

   What are your thoughts on Marshon Brooks and what do you see his Potential and upisde being? He has alot of Kobe in his game.

   • Stephen Litel

     Hi Mark ryan,

     Brooks is fun to watch, isn’t he? He has a lot of upside to his game and he should only continue to get better and better. There may be small similarities between his game and Kobe’s, but let’s slow down…he’s got a long way to go before getting to that level. I think he’d be happy enough to be MarShon Brooks…and should be.

4. calvinzero

   Hello Stephen!! What can you say about benching Kobe Bryant into the dying minutes of the game?? Is it justifiable?

   • Stephen Litel

     Hi calvinzero,

     I was watching the game, but had it muted since I was spending time with my kids as well. I kept looking at the time and score, wondering “why the heck isn’t Kobe in the game?” It was odd. However, I’ll take my cue from Kobe (although you could tell his words weren’t whole-hearted) and not make a big deal out of it.

5. Ray

   Hey Steve, What kind of interest do you think Jeff Green will get this offseason? Given that there is probably nobody else to spend their cap space on do you think Boston will bring him back?

   • Stephen Litel

     Hi Ray,

     I think there will be plenty of teams who will give Green a look, but with his health issues, the price will have to be right to bring him to their team. When I spoke with Green last season, he was very happy in Boston and wanted an opportunity to really show Celtic fans why they traded for him. I think his personal preference would be to stay in Boston.

6. Jazzfan

   Who do you see in the draft that could be the potential PG of the future for the Jazz? also Devin Harris has stepped up his playa lot since the all star break if he keeps this up do you still draft a PG in the first round (if we still have a pick that is) or do you hold off?

   • Stephen Litel

     Hi Jazzfan,

     With the spots the Jazz have in the draft, they’re going to have better options than the point guard position (if form holds). Many mock drafts right now have players such as Jared Sullinger or Austin Rivers there for Utah to pick. Sullinger may not fit what the Jazz needs, but Rivers would be a great addition.

     I mentioned a while ago in one of my chats that Jazz fans should give Harris more time and people were surprised. I feel a bit justified with his recent play, but, of course, if there’s ever an opportunity to improve your team, you take it.

7. Souvik

   Which wings you like for the Wolves if they got the Utah pick?

   • Stephen Litel

     Hi Souvik,

     Mentioned Austin Rivers in the last response, so only makes sense here too if the Timberwolves get the Jazz pick. The skills he brings to the table would be a great addition to Minnesota and I believe if he were on his way to the Timberwolves, you put him in the starting lineup from Day One. Guess we’ll have to wait and see how the season plays out and if the Timberwolves will even have the pick…

8. Souvik

   Loving the idea of Ray Allen as a FA!! I know bringing KG in as well is pushing it too much but whats your call on this?

   • Stephen Litel

     I’m assuming you still mean this for the Timberwolves, Souvik? If so, Ray Allen would be alright, but I don’t think he’d end up here. I’m sure he would have other options for teams with a more immediate chance at winning a championship.

     I really don’t see Kevin Garnett coming back to Minnesota. While some may champion the idea, many wouldn’t.

9. Eric

   Read on the site that anthony davis is similar to KD. Hoopshype compares him to a g.wallace. after reading draftexpress’ description of him, i tend to think he’s similar to jsmoove (pf). what do you think?

   • Stephen Litel

     Hi Eric,

     From what I’ve seen of Davis, I don’t see the Durant comparison much. Yes, he can handle the ball well for someone his size, but I think of him more as a Chris Bosh/Marcus Camby kind of player. Hey, if he was a combo of Bosh offensively and Camby defensively, whichever NBA team (Charlotte, probably) lands him will be very happy.

10. jake

    let’s pretend the original chris paul trade went through and the hornets ended up with Martin, Scola, and Odom. Would the Lakers, Rockets, and Hornets each be better or worse? Why?

    • Stephen Litel

      Hi jake,

      If the original trade happened, I believe Los Angeles and New Orleans would be better, but Houston would be about the same as they are now. The Lakers would have a great three-headed monster of Paul, Kobe and Bynum…that would be fun to watch for sure. New Orleans would, well, just have better players than they have now, so they’d be a better team. The Rockets, while they’d still be good, wouldn’t have a lot to work with outside of Gasol, Lowry and Courtney Lee…but there would be plenty of hope for the future there.

11. clark

    Who makes the all star team first at each position?
    PG- John Wall, Kyrie Irving, Ricky Rubio, Jeremy Lin
    SG- Monta Ellis, Tyreke Evans, Eric Gordon
    SF- Paul George, Derrick Williams, Marshon Brooks
    PF- Josh Smith, Derrick Favors, Tristan Thompson
    C- Javale McGee, Demarcus Cousins, Greg Monroe

    • Stephen Litel

      Fun question, clark!

      PG- Probably the toughest of these options, but I’ll say John Wall. He is the best all-around player of these four.
      SG- Tyreke Evans.
      SF-Paul George. (There were some who argued he could’ve made the team this year.)
      PF- Josh Smith. (He SHOULD HAVE made the team this year.)
      C- Cousins, if he keeps going as he is lately. Monroe is very close behind.

12. clark

    Does Mike Woodson stick around in NY?

    • Stephen Litel

      He probably should, but I don’t think he will. If the Knicks haven’t already taken the “interim” tag off his title with how the Knicks have played under his watch, then they are probably going to go in a different direction. It’s too bad, if that’s the case, because Woodson is a good coach.

13. the joker

    Hows the chemistry of love and barea now a days?

    • Stephen Litel

      Hi the joker,

      There were some fireworks while the Timberwolves were on their road-trip, weren’t there? It was interesting for sure. However, after the home game the other night, I’m really not concerned about any “division” between the team. Before the game, the entire team was joking around with each other, telling some rather hilarious stories and, generally, having a good time with each other. The only player who wasn’t really taking part in that was…Darko. Is anyone surprised?

14. Cricket

    If you were the Toronto Raptors GM and were offered Tyreke Evans for the #5 overall pick this year (plus filler to make salaries match). Do you accept? Why or why not?

    • Stephen Litel

      Hi Cricket, (Always love your questions, by the way),

      I would think about it, but it would really depend on what the fillers are. Again, looking at mock drafts out there, many project the Raptors taking Harrison Barnes out of North Carolina. I’m pretty big on Barnes myself, so it would be hard to pass on him.

15. cebu gems

    Now that bynum is near dwiTh howard and he is even better offensively in my opinion. Now when howard cries for a trade next season my question is who calls first,m.kupchak or otis s.? Anyways i wish the wolves get in the playoff! Go allen barea iverson!

    • Stephen Litel

      Hi cebu gems,

      The two players really are becoming 1A and 1B as far as centers in the league, aren’t they? You are completely correct…Bynum is superior offensively and Howard is the better of the two defensively. I would think that Smith would pick up the phone first, but it would be a last resort to call the Lakers. He has other options out there and would look to explore those first.

16. manila jeepney

    Hi stephen.thanks to all writters of this site! Anyways can u please tell me why there are not much players being scouted in asia? Philippines? China? Japan? Is it to good of a talent already in america and europe? Thanks for your time sir.

    • Stephen Litel

      Thank you for reading and joining in the conversation! Always appreciate it.

      To be honest, the scouting side of things is not my biggest forte, but I will say this…I know that it is more difficult to scout on that side of the world. There’s a lot of hoops to jump through in order to get an opportunity to see the players. There are plenty of teams who do so, but to what extent? I’m not sure.

17. master splinter.

    Hi stephen,just to let u know im an nba fan and also an avid laker fan. Would u agree that the spurs being rejuvinated with s.jax and boris diaw can beat any team in the west and can be this years mavericks!? Tell me im wrong haha kos even tho i hate that team i respect coach pop and future legend big tim! Thanks for the time bro

    • Stephen Litel

      Hi master splinter (Great name, by the way),

      The Spurs were already title contenders before the additions, but now they are even more dangerous. Both were great adds and can bring a lot to this squad. Sorry to tell you, but I think you’re correct. It would NOT be a shocker to see the Spurs take the whole thing this year with the championship experience they have. Of course, they want to rectify the bad taste left in their mouth from last year’s playoffs as well.

18. Thomas Pynchon

    switch Durant with kevin Love and the Wolves don’t sniff the playoffs and the Thunder win a championship. Is Durant the most overrated athlete ever? He has one good game against miami and now he’s the second coming. I guess tonight when he flops against Portland and goes 9-27 it will all be Westbrook’s fault, right? And you heard it from me first-Durant will have a typical 9-27 game today.

    • Stephen Litel

      Hi Thomas Pynchon,

      Sorry…have to disagree with you here. Kevin Durant is one of the top three players in the league and had my vote for MVP even before the game against the HEAT. He is the truth and is only going to get better, which is incredibly scary for the rest of the NBA. Everybody is entitled to their opinion and I hear yours about Durant…respect you, Thomas…but disagree here.

19. Dwight

    Hi Stephen. Are the Celtics back on track? They are tied for 4th with the philadelphia, and that could mean they could play the bulls (who are in 1st right now) in the second round. If this is the case, can you see boston beating the bulls in the second round, and making a run for the title? Thanks.

    • Stephen Litel

      Hi Dwight,

      Winning six out of their last 10 games is nice and the Celtics are playing on heart, pride and experience right now. Gotta respect them for that. If they were to get the fourth spot in the playoffs, they’d face the Pacers in the first round right now (and don’t overlook Indiana). However, I do think the Celtics would find a way to get past them and set up a showdown with Chicago in the second round, as you stated. That’s where Boston’s season ends though…the Bulls would advance to the Eastern Conference Finals.

20. vlad

    are Wolves gonna have capspace this summer? We’d have to not pick up a few players. Do you think we’d try to keep Beas and Randolph around? would we amnesty Darko at this point?

    • Stephen Litel

      Hi vlad,

      The Wolves are going to have a decent amount of room to work with this summer, but they’re going to have to make some decisions. Do they keep guys like Martell Webster around? As you said, what about Beasley and Randolph? I believe Randolph will be gone, but Beasley is up in the air, even after all the trade rumors at the deadline.

      And, yes, if I’m making the call, I amnesty the heck out of Darko. I tweeted during the game the other night about five feet from Darko at the end of the bench, he sure seemed comfortable sitting there, not getting any playing time…even though the Wolves were killing the Nuggets. There just didn’t seem to be any sort of competitive spirit there and it’s sad.

21. LL cool jon

    do you think the knicks still have a chance to win the division were only 2.5 back???

    • Stephen Litel

      Hi LL cool jon,

      It’s going to be tough for New York to win the division, but you’re right…it’s not impossible. Right now, I think they should be more concerned with getting healthy before the playoffs begin. (Yes, that answer means I believe they will be in the postseason.) If healthy, they can do some damage…here’s hoping Amare’s back is better by then.

22. matt

    do you think deron goes to dallas?

    • Stephen Litel

      Hi matt,

      Everything I’ve heard seems to indicate that he does end up in Dallas. I wouldn’t be surprised if Jason Kidd finally hangs up his tennis shoes and Williams takes over the point guard position in Dallas for years to come.

23. Mac

    Hi Stephen. Do you think the Knicks can hold on to a playoff spot without Amare? And why is everybody mentioning the Spurs as darkhorses to win a championship? The “favourite” OKC was blown out by the Spurs twice this year.

    • Stephen Litel

      OK, everyone…last question for this week. Thanks for the great questions and I hope you enjoyed my responses. Again, hit me up on Twitter anytime to chat ball @stephenlitel.

      Hi Mac,

      I somewhat answered this one a bit ago, but yes, I think the Knicks hold on and are in the postseason. They have played pretty well since the coaching change (for whatever reason you want to think), but obviously, their focus needs to be on their health.

      I’m assuming you mean why “isn’t” everybody mentioning the Spurs as darkhorses? Well, they should be if they aren’t. Championship pedigree, a good team all season…and new additions that make them even more dangerous? They could really make some noise.

      Ok, that’s it, everyone! Have a great week! Until next time…