NBA Chat with Stephen Litel 5/29/2012

1. J76

   Who stays and who goes in Philly and who do you target for the team?

   • Stephen Litel

     Hello, everyone! Welcome to this week’s chat! We’re creeping towards the NBA Finals and the Conference Finals are proving to be rather interesting. Let’s get to your questions and, as always, if I don’t get to yours, give me a follow on Twitter @stephenlitel and ask away there.

     As far as their core guys, I’m sure they’ll look to retain Spencer Hawes. The question is how much is he worth? If they can keep him for about the same salary, they will be happy. As far as who they should target, they need more post players who can score the ball. Anyone on the market you like for that role?

2. Brian

   Stephen, how are ya?

   I’m not as high on Kevin Martin as some others are, so aside from him, who should our Wolves target? Would Tyreke Evans fit? And who out of Mayo and Courtney Lee would we be able to sign? Also, what are the odds we can dump Wes and get a real SF?

   Thanks, and I enjoy your chats!

   Brian

   • Stephen Litel

     Hi, Brian…I’m doing well. Thanks for asking.

     I don’t see Evans as a good fit and it’s really a coin flip between Mayo and Lee. Mayo can score with more ease than Lee, but Lee is a better defender. Lee would probably be cheaper, but Mayo may be a better player. What to do? What to do? If I’m making the call–as I’ve said all along–I’d go with Lee.

     Everything I’ve heard is the Wolves are looking to give Wes Johnson one more season, unless a trade comes along where they can include him. I wouldn’t be surprised to see him with the Wolves next year.

3. chris

   would you trade tyreke evans for rudy gay?

   • Stephen Litel

     If I were which team?

     If I am Sacramento, yes, I would. If I’m Memphis, no, I wouldn’t.

4. 123Eric

   do you think the grizzlies would accept a trade of r.gay for derrick william, jj barea, w. johnson and the non-guaranteed deal of b. miller (retiring?)? thanks!

   • Stephen Litel

     More than likely, no…but it’s not horrible. Adds some depth, but Gay is such an important part of their team, they’d probably want even more.

5. Ryan

   Gut feeling, who do you think wins the lottery tomorrow night? I’m torn between the Hornets, Pistons, and Cavs.

   • Stephen Litel

     Gut feeling says the Hornets. They really “deserve” it after the season they had following the Chris Paul non-trade and eventual trade.

6. The JOkeShow

   Which scenario is better for the Jazz?

   A) Trade Milsap + Bell for Igyy?

   B) Trade Milsap, Harris and bell for Lowery and K-Mart?

   • Stephen Litel

     Of the two, I’d go with scenario A. I don’t see either happening though and haven’t heard anything to suggest the teams are discussing any of these.

7. Wilson

   Stephen, out of all of the realistic options to land the #1 pick tomorrow, which team is the best fit for Anthony Davis?

   Would a front line of Davis and DeMarcus Cousins be able to coexist?

   • Stephen Litel

     Anthony Davis would be a great foundation for the Bobcats to build around, but the team with the best chance at landing the number one pick usually doesn’t get it. He would be a great fit in Charlotte, as well as with the New Orleans Hornets.

     A pairing of Davis and DMC would have the potential to be spectacular.

8. Peter

   Hey Stephen, Which team will be the first to blow-up their big 3? Celtics, Lakers or Miami? Assuming that the HEAT doesn’t get outta the Conf. finals, I see Riley making some major changes starting with the coaching staff and the big 3. Your thoughts?

   • Stephen Litel

     It’s going to be a tie between the Celtics and Lakers since both will have some changes this summer. In LA, either Gasol or Bynum won’t return and in Boston, KG and/or Ray Allen will be elsewhere.

     You’d probably be correct that Pat Riley would make some changes should the HEAT not advance to the Finals, but we’ll never know…since they will represent the East in the Finals this year. (Yes, I said it.)

9. Jasen

   Stephen, why hasnt OJ Mayo developed into the star many thought he would become coming out of USC? Is he just stuck behind all the depth in Memphis much like Jermaine Oneal was early in his career with Blazers? What do you think is his best fit in FA? Thanks.

   • Stephen Litel

     Mayo isn’t the greatest of defenders due to his will to play D, not because of lack of talent. However, he played his role in Memphis rather well on most nights, but to become the player many thought he’d become, he’ll need more minutes and more freedom. Call it a homer pick, but with the constant rumors and need, he would be a great fit in Minnesota.

10. Jasen

    Outside of Anthony Davis, who in this draft would best go with the Cavs core of Irving, Thompson, Andy V, and Gee?

    • Stephen Litel

      Thomas Robinson out of Kansas would be a nice fit, as would Michael Kidd-Gilchrist out of Kentucky.

11. Matt

    Thoughts on Lowry saying he wouldn’t come back if McHale came back? Or the whole maybe Howard had Van Gundy fired? What happens when the Owners/ GM’s/ Coaches lose the control? Granted its not really an epidemic, but still.

    • Stephen Litel

      As is the case in the “real world,” sometimes guys just don’t get along. McHale seemed surprised to hear how deep Lowry’s feelings were and I’m sure the two will discuss if they really can co-exist or not going forward.

      As for Dwight Howard, there is no question he played a key role in Van Gundy’s departure. This is nothing new with star players, but unfortunately for Howard, it played out in a public way that hurt his image. As long as the Magic find a way to get back to winning games, Howard will be forgiven…if he’s still in Orlando.

12. Wolves&bucs

    2 quick question! Is Adleman a Courtney Lee fan and what would it take to get him? 2nd What would #18 Dwill and Martell bring back besides the normal Gasol,Iggy and KMart names? Thanks for taking my question SI!#GoWOLVES

    • Stephen Litel

      Adelman did enjoy Courtney Lee while he was in Houston. His qualifying offer is $3,221,933…if I’m the Wolves, I’d offer it and see if Houston matches. I would bet they would at that price, but who knows?

      A package of those two players and a pick isn’t going to do much, to be honest, unless you find a team that is IN LOVE with Derrick Williams.

13. Stephen Litel

    Did the clippers make a mistake by picking up dvn’s contract when there are proven coaches waiting to be hired?

    • Stephen Litel

      Yes.

14. Stephen Litel

    Who should the twolves target during the draft and free agency so that they can make it to the playoffs next yr and any words on rubio’s rehab?

    • Stephen Litel

      The Timberwolves options are well-known, such as OJ Mayo, Courtney Lee, etc. That is their priority…a shooting guard who can create and hit outside shots.

      I’ve seen Rubio a few times at Minnesota Lynx games recently and he’s walking without crutches and seems to be moving well.

      …and the REAL Stephen Litel asks WAY better questions than this. LOL

15. Vinny

    Pau gasol is as good as gone, where do you think he’ll end up?

    • Stephen Litel

      Chicago or Minnesota.

16. panday

    Is it time for us wolves fans to up our standard and assume a championship caliber team? We were always been patient from draft to draft. Is it time for the wolves to be daring and also open the wallet??

    • Stephen Litel

      Going from a non-playoff team to championship caliber doesn’t happen overnight a majority of the time. Yes, the Wolves have young pieces to build around and can add more this off-season, but to demand championship-level play NOW isn’t realistic.

      But, yes, the Timberwolves need to do all they can to continue to improve quickly. After all, the clock is ticking on Love’s patience.

17. paprika

    The lakers are good but cant get over the hump again. Are the management on panic due to the tv deal? They say go athletic,go young…. To be honest,i cant see how,no trade will beat okc and heat next year.dh12 not even deron can.. Trades are hard to pull. I say its time to step down for maybe 3 years and rebuild. Would this mentality be hard to the lakers due to past success and big pressure from the media?

    • Stephen Litel

      It would be impossible…because of Kobe Bryant’s desire to win. He’s not going to allow the team to take any additional steps backwards while he is still in purple and gold. It’s championship or bust.

18. mario saves the princes

    Who is better, prime pau gasol or prime kev mcchale? Lastly, in my own opinion,right now kg is better than pau gasol. He is more clutch. Am i wrong?

    • Stephen Litel

      Kevin McHale by far. Pau has never been known as a great defender…McHale played both ends of the court.

      KG is better than Gasol as a whole for the same reason…he’s twice the player on the defensive end of the court.

19. baboon

    One hw writterbsaid why would los angeles trade bynum for a deron williams .a pg who doint exactly bring it every night,i guess effort wise. Well i see the same i Bynum. Whats your take?

    • Stephen Litel

      Not sure what writer said that, but if there is a way to get Deron to LA, it would be a great fit. I don’t buy the argument that he didn’t bring it every night because he had to carry so much of the load for New Jersey that he had off nights. That has nothing to do with effort.

20. filipino mamba

    Derrick williams for derrick favors?

    • Stephen Litel

      Utah says no…and Minnesota doesn’t need another power forward. They have a pretty good one.

21. Mark (Paper Bag Wearing Blazer Fan)

    Who do you think the Blazers might end up picking out of their 3 finalists for GM? Morway, Olshey or Bower?

    • Stephen Litel

      It would be a pretty Clipper-ish thing to do to keep VDN and let Olshey go.

22. Stephen Litel

    After this post season, would rondo be considered the best pg in the nba or does the title still belongs to cp3?

    • Stephen Litel

      OK, everyone…last question for the night. Time to enjoy Spurs/Thunder!

      “Stephen Litel” asking me questions is really tripping me out right now. lol.

      The title still belongs to CP3 because of his ability to score the ball. Yes, Rondo has nights where he can score, but he is not consistent and we all know his shooting woes. Rondo is right up there in the list of best point guards in the league, but he is not THE BEST.

      Alright, everyone…thanks for your amazing questions! I thank you for taking time out of your busy weeks to spend time with me. Hit me up on Twitter @stephenlitel anytime.

      Until next week…