NBA Chat with Stephen Litel 6/5/2012

Stephen Litel will stop by for his weekly chat at 8:00pm EST on Tuesday, June 5, 2012. Drop your questions in the que.

  1. Martin Lopes

    Tx 4 your time, Stephen. How would you rate Ty Corbin as a headcoach?

    • Stephen Litel

      Hi, everyone! Welcome to this week’s chat. I see a good amount of questions in the que, so let’s get right to it. If I don’t get to your question, hit me up on Twitter @stephenlitel…

      Ty Corbin is a solid coach right now. I wouldn’t say great yet, but he’s more than adequate. Just like any job, it takes a while to truly get your feet wet and understand everything and he’s doing a fine job of that so far.

  2. 76ERS4LIFE

    do the 76ers have any shot at rudy gay? if not, who will they go after?

    • Stephen Litel

      The Sixers certainly could work a deal for Rudy Gay if they truly wanted him, but I haven’t heard anything to indicate they do. I’m not sure if he is a great fit in Philadelphia and, if I’m making the call, stick with AI.

  3. NuggetJim

    Stephen, what’s up ! Will the Nuggets be able to sign JaVale McGee and do they trade Wilson Chandler, where does he go ? Andre stay or go ?

    • Stephen Litel

      McGee’s QO is $3,494,144 and I think it’s reasonable to make that offer for him with how he played at the end of the season. Maybe he’s finally figured a few things out…but how many times has someone said that about him before? I also believe Chandler and Andre stay in Denver.

  4. Deven

    Hi Stephen. What’s next for the Spurs if they lose tomorrow night? Will Duncan retire, or make a another run at it next year?

    • Stephen Litel

      Tim Duncan moved into a secondary role for San Antonio beautifully this season and I would expect to see him come back for another year or two. He can still do what he did this year going forward.

  5. Charlie

    I love the San Antonio Spurs team concept, chemistry, ball movement, etc. But watching the flop show of Tony Parker and Manu Ginobli last night was downright embarrassing. I understand everyone flops, but each of them hit the floor 5+ times in the 4th quarter in attempt to get star treatment. Is it too much to ask to stand up and play like a man?? If you were a Spurs fan: Embarrassed or not embarrassed by the flop show?

    • Stephen Litel

      Maybe it was a bit much, but I don’t have a problem with players using whatever tricks they have in their bag to get a win. That’s exactly what the Spurs played tried to do last night and that’s what players around the league do each and every game. The embarrassment, if any, is that the league doesn’t tried to fix the situation.

  6. Frank

    Hypothetical Situation: We reverse the Jeff Green / Kendrick Perkins trade from a few years ago. Does this sway the situation in any of the Conference Finals series? Boston with more size to battle the Boshless HEAT. Or less of an inside presence from OKC against the bigs of SA?

    • Stephen Litel

      Fun question, Frank. If the trade hadn’t happened, I still think both Boston and OKC would be in the Conference Finals. While Perkins hasn’t done much for OKC in the series, he was key to Boston while there. The Celtics would be better equipped to beat the HEAT and OKC wouldn’t quite be the same team…although I still believe they would have made another significant step as a team this year.

  7. lazeric

    What’s up Litell? So I got 2 trades for u:
    1. Orlando gets both Portland picks and Miami 1st rounder and Joel Anthony, Portland gets Bosh and Chalmers, Miami gets Dwight and QRich. Portland gets the Pf they need and a nice young PG, Orlando gets a ton of picks and s serviceable C, Miami gets the best big man for that team.

    2. Timberwolves get Jason Richardson for their 1st round draft pick. Minny gets their 2 guard and Orlando gets another building block on the cheap.

    • Stephen Litel

      1. Orlando says no because they will want much more than that for Dwight (and QRich in this scenario.)

      2. Richardson’s salary isn’t bad…he’s set to make $5,799,625 next season, but the Timberwolves would want a player with more consistency and leadership skills than Richardson. Not a bad move, if they believe they can’t do better.

  8. Ax from Manila

    Regardless of where the C’s current playoff run ends, if KG returns to Boston, where will he play? Back to his old 4 position or he’ll stay put at the 5 position?

    • Stephen Litel

      If Garnett returns to Boston, he’ll stay at the five (without knowing any unforeseen trades). Playing that position is one of the reasons he’s been able to turn back the clock in the postseason.

  9. Walt

    Tyreke Evans & Francisco Garcia for Rudy Gay? Memphis saves money and gets depth for their bench and Sacramento gets a sf

    • Stephen Litel

      Not bad. Man, would Sacramento be fun to watch with Gay and Thornton. Would there be enough shots for Cousins as well?

  10. TJ

    Twolves need vets at the 2 & 3. Im hoping for kevin martin and gerald wallace. Any chance you see this happening?

    • Stephen Litel

      Any chance of seeing BOTH in Minnesota? No, but one or the other is very possible. I’d put money on Martin over Wallace. (See my Timberwolves article that will post later tonight).

  11. Focus

    DEN is looking to offer big money to both Lawson and McGee. Do you think a top 5 protected 2013 lottery pick and the agreement to absorb Mozgov and Chandler is enough to entice Denver?

    • Stephen Litel

      No…because Denver doesn’t want to rid themselves of Chandler. They believe he is a part of their core going forward.

  12. Focus

    What makes MKG better than Jeff Taylor, Will Barton, Moe Harkless and Royce White OTHER than age? Looking at the stats he isnt a better rebounder, scorer or defender than those guys. Is it just potential? If so, is he really worth the 2nd pick in the draft?

    • Stephen Litel

      He’ll be a good player for sure, but I’ll say I agree with you.

  13. lateak

    Do the knicks improve next season… i think we get tha 2nd seed n make the ecf..

    • Stephen Litel

      I think they do. They will finally have a full training camp together to try and figure themselves out before the season begins.

  14. Ryan

    In my opinion Jeremy Lamb seems so under rated in mocks, and as a cavs fan I’m really hoping the cavs see his potential and take him at 4. What’s your thought?

    • Stephen Litel

      I think he’s being evaluated pretty correctly to this point, as most see him as a top ten pick. To take him at 4 may be a stretch only because of his need to bulk up and get stronger. Also, for a shooting guard, you’d hope he would shoot a much higher percentage at the line…when he gets there, since Lamb doesn’t as much as he should.

  15. Ryan

    How about a dwilliams, Webster, and 18th pick to Atlanta for Josh smith and 2nd rd pick or rights to serge gladyr?

    • Stephen Litel

      Josh Smith isn’t the greatest fit for Minnesota because he doesn’t shoot the three well. Sure, it would be ridiculous to watch the alley-oops thrown by Rubio to Smith, but that’s about it. Also, this deal really doesn’t do much for Atlanta anyway.

  16. Brian

    Hey Stephen, hope you are doing well!

    Doesn’t it seem like Kahn is disinterested in the 18th pick? It’s like he hasn’t learned from his past drafting debacles that you can actually get a good player lower in round 1 if you know what you are doing. The guy is not creative and he’ll probably throw the 18th pick and Williams away for another Martell Webster.

    Thanks for allowing me to vent!

    • Stephen Litel

      I wouldn’t say disinterested, but I do hear what you’re saying. However, if you look at the players expected to be there for the Timberwolves to select, none of them are great fits. That is why I expect to see the pick traded in one way or another…either to move down in the draft or in a package for a player and/or picks.

  17. Phil

    Hey Stephen, I’m a timberwolves fan and I really enjoy reading your chats. I have a three team trade proposal (would probably require some sign/trade):

    Houston: Gasol & Berea
    Lakers: Lowry, Beasley, & Wes Johnson
    T-Wolves: C. Lee, Budinger, & Delembert

    What do you think? Do you think the T-Wolves can get Courtney Lee and I like Budinger on the wolves a lot.

    • Stephen Litel

      The Lakers say no. They will want more for Gasol (whether they are misguided or not is another question.)

      The Timberwolves have other avenues to land Lee if they want him and Budinger would be a nice fit too, but I don’t see him landing here.

  18. JD

    What do you think the Wolves are going to do in order to solve their SG problem and don’t you thisk it’s about time for them to try and move one of their PF/SF because they’re already deep at those positions?

    • Stephen Litel

      Great question…and instead of answering, I will also direct you to my article that will be posted later tonight. (Shameless plug!)

  19. Dave

    With Neil Olshey out as GM of the Clippers, i’m praying that Sterling doesn’t promote Del Negro GM. Instead i believe that the Clippers should promote Kiki Vendeweghe to GM. He was experience and already works for the organization. His good moves include drafting Carmelo Anthony, trading for Marcus Camby and hiring George Karl as coach. Is he a good realistic option. Who do you have in mind?

    • Stephen Litel

      You and I are on the same page, Dave. The job should go to Kiki.

  20. Willie

    Is there any chance Cleveland will go after Ersan Ilyasova or Chris Kaman or maybe both in free angency?

    • Stephen Litel

      Ilyasova would be a nice fit and more realistic. Kaman makes way too much money, historically, and would have to take a SIGNIFICANT pay decrease.

  21. Nes

    What do you think the Raptors will do on their 8th pick? Trade, keep it or even move up? Dont you think they should grab a legit center in the FA. And also maybe trading Derozan for some veteran?

    • Stephen Litel

      If Jeremy Lamb is there at 8, they will snatch him up. If not, they would attempt to move the pick.

  22. Chris

    Good evening Stephen. Assuming Orlando hires Jeff Bower (I hope Brian Shaw is the coach), if the Magic resigns DH12 to an extension, do you think the Magic will make a play for Rudy Gay and sign Steve Nash for the vet minimum?

    • Stephen Litel

      There are a lot of ifs there, Chris, but I’ll say this…if ALL of those things happened you suggested, Orlando would at least be in the Eastern Conference Finals next year.

  23. Mitsuaki

    Hello Stephen!

    Where do you think KG going to next year. Staying in Boston or other team? KG seems playing more hype so that he hopes to get contract from Boston after this season.

    • Stephen Litel

      Everything I’ve heard suggests one of two places…either back in Boston or in Brooklyn. However, KG wants to win, so if those are the two options, he ends up staying with the Celtics for the best opportunity to do just that.

  24. K Sharma

    Why wont miami use eddy curry after making him lose soo much weight?

  25. young california

    How about pau and blake for iggy and holiday ? Iggy is one of the only players who can bother durant aka the future of the west. Conf. He can guard any position 1-3. It works

    • Stephen Litel

      Philly would be giving up too much of their team that advanced to the second round of the playoffs. Keep as much of that team together as possible.

  26. Callen

    Based on league value and salary, wouldn’t it make more sense for the Lakers to trade Bynum instead of Gasol? Same with the Heat trading Wade instead of Bosh if they don’t win the Finals? Hey…maybe I just came up with a trade…

    • Stephen Litel

      Salary-wise, yes. Real world, no. The Lakers chose Kobe over Shaq pretty much because Bryant was the younger of the two…they’re probably going to do the same now because Bynum is the younger of the two and a big part of the future.

  27. force23

    what do you think about Roy Hibbert and the Mavs?

    • Stephen Litel

      Ok, everyone…last question for this week…

      Indiana isn’t letting Hibbert go after the way he has developed…plus, his QO is only $3,655,089. They will offer it. Hibbert isn’t going anywhere.

      Thanks so much for taking the time to chat with me this week, everyone! I appreciate all of you. Hit me up on Twitter @stephenlitel to continue the conversation anytime…