NBA Chat with Stephen Litel 4/17/2012

1. devonte wilson

   as a knicks fan i dont really think jeremy is the best option to go to at point guard nor is baron davis obviously. do the knicks go after somebody like brandon jennings in 2012′s free agency or could they some how acquire a low 2012 1st round draft pick and draft a guy like tyshawn taylor who has alot of potential?

   • Stephen Litel

     Hey there, everyone! Thanks for joining this week’s chat. My apologies, but I do have to cut tonight’s chat short, so I’ll get right to it. Hit me up on Twitter @stephenlitel anytime and I’ll answer your questions there as well.

     I’ll agree with you that Baron Davis isn’t the best option at point guard, but I’d give Lin more time before making a decision. Obviously, he lit up the basketball world with Linsanity this season and showed a lot of promise. However, he does need to learn how to run the point without turning the ball over. Jeremy Lin is a smart guy and I’m sure he can figure it out.

2. calvinzero

   What do you think is the weakness of the Oklahoma City Thunder for this coming playoffs?? Can they made such remedy regarding these weaknesses? Maybe I think because of the intense scouting made by the other teams(most especially in the playoffs already)..

   • Stephen Litel

     Experience. That’s it.

     I picked Oklahoma City to represent the Western Conference in the Finals this season and I’ll stick with it until proven wrong. They have a good amount of playoff experience for how young they are and will make another long postseason run this year.

3. Geoff

   Harrison barnes in a sac kings uniform. Thoughts?

   • Stephen Litel

     I’m assuming you’re wanting to trade Tyreke Evans then, huh? Man, there have been a lot of questions about that recently.

     Barnes will be a fine NBA player, but as of now, I don’t see All-Star written all over him. He will have a long and solid career, but of course, he can change my opinion after he’s played in the league for a while, making adjustments and improvements after his rookie season.

4. Eric123

   do you think the wizards would amnesty blatche in the offseason?

   New orleans is looking to drop the “hornets” tag, any suggestions?

   • Stephen Litel

     Yes, I believe the Wizards will part ways with Blatche and they probably should. It’s just best for the team and player to start over.

     New Orleans wants to change the name…would it be horrible if they took “Sonics?” J/K…I would hate that for those amazing NBA fans in Seattle.

5. ralph lawrence

   do you think trading Tyreke Evans for a solid piece good for the kings? especially adding a good SF at the draft like maybe Kidd-gilchrist or harrison barnes.. kings could be a playoff contender in a couple of years.. your thoughts?

   • Stephen Litel

     Another “trade Tyreke” question, but sure seems like fans are ready to part ways.

     Well, if that’s the case, the Kings could get a decent amount in return for Evans in a trade. In theory, trading Evans and adding someone like Kidd-Gilchrist or Barnes would add to their already good core of young players. Sacramento is on the right path…on the court, that is.

6. Alex in Burbank

   So are we setting up the next debate after Kobe retires with Bynum/Howard? I’m starting to see it all over now. I mean I still think Howard is better but Bynum is catching up. Does the NBA always need these types of debates? As a Kobe/Laker fan I’m kinda tired of these types of debates. Just saying…

   • Stephen Litel

     I don’t think anyone is purposely setting it up, but rather, it’s happening naturally. The conversation would have begun a few years ago, but didn’t due to Bynum’s injuries. Now that he’s healthy (knock…on…wood), it’s natural to compare/contrast. These are the kind of debates that create a buzz around matchups of teams and stars and they are good for the league.

     For the record, I’m split on the debate. Right now, I would select Howard if I’m building a team around one player. However, if Bynum didn’t have his injury history, I would go with him.

7. Josh

   Stephen,

   What moves make sense for the Jazz next year? Millsap wants to resign long term which should mean that jefferson is the odd man out. Do you think Harris and Jefferson are traded?

   • Stephen Litel

     I still believe there is a way to keep both Paul and Al, believing they’ve already shown they can play well together. How many great centers are there in the league right now? Not many…so that’s why you can get away with playing them together most nights.

     If the decision is to trade one, I trade Paul. While I do believe he is the better of the two players, I trade him because Al is more than solid and you can get more out of a trade if you send Paul out.

8. Cain

   Will George Hill be the starter for the Pacers the rest of the year? I love what he brings to our team.

   • Stephen Litel

     The Pacers should stay with what’s working…and right now, George Hill is one of the best things going on with their team. If it ain’t broke, don’t fix it.

9. Bill Wallace

   Why don’t you realize how good Austin Rivers is. He is the Only Lottery Pick who gets talked about most about the things he cant do rather than the things he can do. Of course he needs to get stronger and work on his shot selection but the kid is only 19 years old.

   Rivers is an Elite Prospect which made him the Number 1 recruit in High school. He has Elite NBA ready Ball handling Skills, Quickness and shooting ability. His size isn’t a big deal when 3 of the top 5 SG in the league are “undersized” in Dwyane wade, Monta Ellis and Eric Gordon. I will truly be shocked when its all said and done and hes not one of the top 5 players to come out of this draft.

   • Stephen Litel

     Not sure why you think I “don’t realize how good Austin Rivers is.” He’s a great college player and should have a fine NBA career. He’s still young and still has a lot to improve on, but will be a great addition to whatever team he goes to.

     I wouldn’t be shocked if you are correct and Rivers is one of the five best players out of this draft…but again, not sure why you think I don’t realize how good he is. I’ve never knocked the guy in the slightest.

10. Cynical Jason

    It’s obvious that Nikola Pekovic is a warrior, and he’s to be commended for wanting to continue playing, but is anyone in the Wolves organization pushing for him to sit and have his surgery as early as possible?

    • Stephen Litel

      Nobody is “pushing” him to sit, no, but it does sound as if Adelman is considering shutting him down for the year soon. At this point, why not?

      Pek’s surgery isn’t that big of a deal, as I’ve been told. While bone spurs are painful, for sure, it shouldn’t take him long to recover and be ready to go.

      I mean, are you going to bet against Pek?

11. Efrain

    if you were the GM of the Nets and the draft pick will play second or third player would you choose?

    • Stephen Litel

      See above. I’m big on Austin Rivers, even though most mock drafts don’t have him going that high in the draft, surprisingly.

      I’d take the gamble.

12. alex

    what player you would attempt to bring to new yersey to help deron williams

    • Stephen Litel

      Ok, everyone, last question for this week. Sorry to have to cut it short, but as I said, hit me up on Twitter @stephenlitel or make sure to get your questions in for next week’s chat. I’ll spend some extra time with you next week.

      Dwight Howard. He is the only player who could arrive in New Jersey that will keep Williams there. If Howard doesn’t end up there, everything points to Williams ending up with the Mavericks.

      Great chat this week, everyone! Thank you for spending some of your valuable time here with me…I appreciate all of you. Tell your NBA friends of our weekly chats and bring ‘em along next week.

      Until then…