NBA Chat with Stephen Litel 5/8/2012

1. benny

   hey, man wat do u think about this trade? rondo and pierce for melo and mayb a pick?

   • Stephen Litel

     Hey, everyone! Welcome to this week’s chat! I always look forward to seeing what great stuff is waiting for me, so let’s jump right in. As always, if I don’t get to your question (and even if I do), feel free to give me a follow on Twitter @stephenlitel.

     No trade…just no way it happens. First of all, I believe Pierce plays his entire career in Boston. Second of all–and most important–we have to remember this is business…and the Celtics could get more than Melo and a pick.

2. John

   are the spurs good enough to beat the thunders and the heats in a 7 game series?

   • Stephen Litel

     Without question they are good enough. Whether or not they do, only time will tell, but the Spurs are more than legitimate title contenders.

3. John

   where would you rank nash and kidd in terms of all time pgs?

   • Stephen Litel

     I don’t have a specific order of all-time great point guards listed 1-10, 1-100 or whatever, but Nash and Kidd rank very highly. To me, they both are definitely in the top ten. No doubt.

4. Cain

   How about this for Jazz offseason, they trade Millsap to Philly for Young (starting SF) then throw money and Dragic to fill the PG spot? Team of Jefferson, Favors, Young, Hayward, Dragic with Harris, Burks and Kanter off the bench?

   • Stephen Litel

     Not bad…not great. The Jazz could get more for Millsap than Young. I still also believe that Jazz fans need to give Harris a bit more time. Not too much more, but more.

5. Cain

   Will Granger be a Pacer next season?

   • Stephen Litel

     Yes. No reason he wouldn’t be. The Pacers are about to advance to the second round of the playoffs and have a nice young core of players.

6. Radu

   Here’s a tough one for you, Stephen:
   Is Greg Popovich one of the best 3 or 4 coaches in the history of the NBA?

   • Stephen Litel

     This isn’t tough at all. Yes, I believe he is. Judge him anyway you want…he stacks up very well with any of the other all-time great coaches.

7. Mutang

   Alright, so my Utah Jazz over-achieved, gave us fans a good season. And they have four studs under 22, and young teammates. Seems we have the possiblity of being another OKC type team that builds through the draft, takes its lumps, grows together and eventually wins.
   But!! We have Favors who showed he’s ready to be unleashed. So a big can go. Is this a possiblity? Atlanta needs a Center so Horford can play PF. Josh Smith has been talked about being moved forever. Smith for AL??? That gives Utah a steller front line of FAvors, Millsap and Smith. Think Atlanta would be interested??? Dreamy lineup…

   • Stephen Litel

     The Utah Jazz had a fine season, despite their playoff exit. There remains plenty of reason for optimism from the team’s fans, but it does seem like somebody has to go. I’ve consistently stated in these chats I believe the player the Jazz SHOULD trade is Millsap…not because he is the “worst” of the bunch, but rather because I believe he would get more in return for Utah than Jefferson would. It’s time to see what Favors can do with starter’s minutes. However, I don’t see Atlanta having interest.

8. Deven

   Hi Stephen. Why did Paul Pierce do a Tebow prayer at halfcourt last week in Atlanta? What was he thinking?

   • Stephen Litel

     Not sure why there’s any reason to criticize it. Pierce stated he’s a spur of the moment player with celebrations and that’s what he came up with on that day. It’s pretty much that simple.

9. Deven

   How good of a coach would Patrick Ewing make for which ever team picks him up?

   • Stephen Litel

     Everything I’ve heard from those more connected to Ewing seems to indicate he should do well, especially on a team that has a solid big or two. He knows the game, but honestly, how many great players made great coaches? Not many.

10. Deven

    What’s next for the Orlando Magic if they lose the game tonight? Is SVG fired? Is Dwight traded during the offseason? What are your thoughts?

    • Stephen Litel

      It seems inevitable that Van Gundy is gone. I believe the Magic will listen to offers for Howard, but I also believe we’re all in for another Dwight Howard trade deadline play-by-play of every move. We’re all looking forward to that, right?

11. Pat Riley

    So if you are me and Miami doesn’t win it all, who’d you tarde Chris Bosh for and who is the new headcoach

    • Stephen Litel

      Unless they are swept out of the playoffs, I don’t see Bosh going anywhere or a new head coach coming in. Yes, Miami is a title contender for sure and it’s always been “championship or bust” since the Big Three joined forces, but they do have legit competition. The Spurs, Lakers and Thunder all can go toe-to-toe with the HEAT.

12. T-Nap in Indy

    Many assume the Pacers will target Eric Gordon, but with his injury history, I like Harden much better. Say Pacers offers Harden a max deal, does OKC match?

    • Stephen Litel

      A max deal would be difficult for OKC to match, but I don’t believe the Pacers would offer that anyway. Gordon is probably more in their price range since he will command less money in comparison.

13. Jacob R.

    Can you rank these Point Guards on how good they will be in 3 years, who will be the best and Why?

    Kyrie Irving
    Ricky Rubio
    John Wall
    Stephen Curry
    Brandon Jennings

    • Stephen Litel

      PURE point guard…Rubio.

      All-around game and impact on their team? I rank them as Irving, Wall, Rubio, Jennings and Curry.

      Can’t really go wrong with any of these players though, can you?

14. Bill Wallace

    Why exactly did Michael Beasley come off the bench for the wolves this season when he clearly was there best Small Forward.

    Beasley is Probably there best overall scorer?

    How can Rick Adelman talk about his defense for being the reason when he coached Kevin Martin who played no defense?

    • Stephen Litel

      The Timberwolves didn’t want to send Wes Johnson to the bench, only to have his confidence completely disappear for good. Obviously, Johnson had a miserable season, but he may have been lost forever making a move like that. Beasley, on the other hand, is always confident, always believing he can take over a game. They didn’t have to worry about his confidence dropping. As far as defense, Martin at least attempted to play D…he gave the effort, but just wasn’t all that good.

15. Dennis

    How well do you think the Spanish Assassin will come back in his second year with Minnesota after tearing his ACL? Knee injuries are big, but Rubio’s game does not seem dependent on explosiveness so it may not hurt him as much as others. Your thoughts.

    • Stephen Litel

      There is very little reason for concern. Players come back from ACL’s with regularity now and Rubio is a young player. He will be fine and you are correct on your assessment that Rubio isn’t dependent on his explosiveness. Even with “normal NBA speed,” Rubio would still see the floor in ways few others can.

16. Jack

    Whos will be the better player in 5 years? Kyrie irving or john wall?

    • Stephen Litel

      Again, can’t go wrong with either player, but I do believe Irving will be better in five years. They are essentially at the same level now, so Irving gets the edge because of his younger age.

17. John

    who should the twolves target in the draft?

    • Stephen Litel

      Any SG who can hit an outside shot with regularity. The ability to play defense would be great too.

18. D

    Should the Magic draft a backup PG like Marquis Teague,duhon is awful.

    • Stephen Litel

      Yeah, it seems like time to go in a different direction. However, if Nelson does, in fact, leave, Orlando will have to address the starting guard spot as well.

19. matt

    Minny needs a SG badly but have assets and cap space. Do you see them getting oj mayo or c.lee?

    • Stephen Litel

      Both of those players are on the radar in Minnesota for sure, as is Eric Gordon. How badly do they want to address the SG issue? The offers are going to have to be high.

20. Jack

    Hi Stephen,
    Love the chats, keep up the good work. Quick one for you. DO you think the additional rest that the thunder and spurs are getting as a result of sweeping the first round will be a significant factor as we continue deep into these playoffs? Is it more important than usual for the players due to the intense regular season schedule. I think with the thunders youth it may not be too important, but the spurs would be just loving it wouldn’t they?

    Cheers mate

    • Stephen Litel

      Thanks for the kind words, Jack. Appreciate you.

      Rest is always a good thing, but I do think it’s an extra benefit this season. While the Thunder may not need it as much, they won’t complain. The Spurs just love the rest and will, obviously, do all they can to finish each series as quickly as possible–should they advance further–to get even more rest.

21. Chris

    What’s your take on Greg Monroe, I feel he should have been an All Star this year over Hibbert. How do you think the two compare and who do you see having a better career?

    • Stephen Litel

      OK, everyone…last question for this week.

      Both Monroe and Hibbert are fine young centers and it very well could’ve been an either/or for the All-Star game, but Hibbert got the nod for team record. Monroe is better offensively and Hibbert is better defensively. Kind of a mini-version of the Bynum/Howard debate.

      Thanks, everyone, for taking the time to come submit these great questions this week! I appreciate all of you and look forward to next week’s get-together. Hit me up on Twitter @stephenlitel anytime, as I’m always up for a good basketball chat.

      Until next week…