NBA Chat With Susan Bible 10/1/11

Please join Susan Bible for her NBA Chat each Saturday at 11:00 am EST.   Susan is a Newlines Editor and a member of the fantasy team at HOOPSWORLD.  She covers the Oklahoma City Thunder and the NBA at large.  Drop in your questions now.

  1. end lockout!

    alright this might be a dumb question but do you think the thunder will ever get a new logo…..or atleast different uniforms just saying i think they can do better thanks!

    • Susan Bible

      That’s not a dumb question at all. Many, including me, share your opinion. I remember when the grand unveiling was made – the hoopla around here leading up to it was unreal – and I really remember the profound disappointment I felt when seeing the logo, the name, the colors….everything. Now, three years later, I still don’t like it. I was thinking black and gold with a name like “Twisters” or “Barons” (the latter is taken now – by an OKC hockey team). Unfortunately it’s too late for the name…I haven’t heard anything about a logo/color change.

      Check out this link – really captures the issue: http://www.jamesrobertwatson.com/thunderlogo.html

  2. paul

    Hello, Espn has James Johnson ranked at 355 he was actually one of my favorite players when given time. I think he needs to be higher than that his Toronto stats are 9.2 pts 1 stl 1.1 blk 3 assist and 4.7 rbds in 25 minutes I think he should be ranked higher since he got no playing time under Thibs. What do you think?

    • Susan Bible

      I studied the Raptors in great detail last week for a HOOPSWORLD article (here’s the link: http://www.hoopsworld.com/solving-problems-raptors-desperately-need-defense/) I like Johnson’s ability to contribute in many areas (he averaged 28.0 mpg, not 25.0). With Casey’s vow to return to the fundamentals of defense, Johnson could really stand out. I appreciate that you feel his ranking is too low, but I’m not a fan of these kinds of lists. Case in point, I almost became unglued seeing ABBA ranked higher than Pearl Jam, even Steely Dan, last night on VH-1’s 100 Greatest Artists of All Time. Crazy.

  3. Hicksy in OZ

    Hi Susan love the chats!! Do you feel that Mayo needs to come into the starting line up? Just seems with Perk/Ibaka/Thabo only really 2 scorers in the starters? Although progressing neither Durant or Westbrook are classic playmakers? Thanks

    • Susan Bible

      Thanks! I think Mayo needs to remain the sixth man for Memphis for now. I know he shined in the OKC playoffs, and that’s a good start, but I’d keep him as the scorer on the second unit. He still has much to prove. (Did you mean to say “Harden”, not ‘Mayo?”)

      The era of classic or traditional point guards has been redefined in many cases; the Thunder has embraced the concept of players being able to play multiple positions. And – important to note – Westbrook was fourth in total assists in the league last year. This was higher than Derrick Rose and Jason Kidd. Westbrook can set up plays.

  4. Jimmy

    Its frustrating how everybody says this or that person is a bonafide pf..best this best that..nobody ever mentioned the people that should of crack it like my man Elvin Hayes..put up better than 20 10 in eight seasons with the Rockets plus 2 plus blocks..seems like the media is corrupt. Also, what ever happened to Desmond Mason?

    • Susan Bible

      The problem with list-making is that it’s totally subjective. I agree, HOF Hayes doesn’t seem to get the credit he’s due: he averaged 21.0 ppg, 12.5 rpg, 2.0 bpg. 1.0 spg at 38.4 average minutes – what’s truly amazing is that in his 16-year career, he played in 1,303 games out of a total 1,312 played. I’m a fan.

      Desmond has taken up residence in Oklahoma. He opened an art gallery in midtown OKC and can be seen in local events around town. Last week, he participated in a tennis/charity thing

  5. LSO

    Chats seem way shorter the last few weeks. Is NBA interest waning with the Lockout – or is it the new HOOPSWORLD formatting? Is it just me – and nothing’s really changed…….

    • Susan Bible

      It’s just you! I have noticed less questions asked in my chat in the past few weeks.

  6. alberto del rio

    good morning susan:) do you think durant will take up artest on his offer and 1 more do you really belive wade and sterns confrontation yesterday was serious? Thanks

    • Susan Bible

      I haven’t heard Durant reply to Metta’s challenge issued via twitter: “Truwarier’s verses Kevin Durants team. I got 200k or 300k on it!! Winner take all. For now I’m in LA!! Email my management if yal want it!! Anybody in america who really want to to play against my team forth money email Artestamg@gmail.com I’m tired of this! I run NYC streetball! If the goodman league wanna holla at the most consistent NBA streetball player holla. You can’t just start doing street ball. My squad here. I’ll take my squad with no pro players against any squad and there pro players.”

      I believe the Wade/Stern thing happened as reported.

  7. gage

    Do u think the grizzlies and the thunder are a rivalry?

    GO GRIZZLIES!!!!

    • Susan Bible

      No doubt. The OKC vs. Grizzlies showdown in the NBA Western Conference semifinals last season sealed it.

  8. Jacob

    If there’s a season, is there any chance Iverson signs with a contender? Bulls might be a nice fit. They get a scoring 2 and a backup to rose at the one, and their locker room could handle him well enough.

  9. akeo

    Do u see ibaka as a all star caliber PF in the next five years

  10. diehardNFFLbarnone

    Where do you see Dwight Howard ending up?

    • Susan Bible

      That’s impossible to speculate without a new CBA in place — I’ll say he stays in Orlando, but really, who knows?

  11. marc

    i’d be reluctant to trade brewer or korver just for a minor upgrade at the two.. but can they hold the spot against the elite teams with how one dimensional they are?

    • Susan Bible

      You hit the nail on the head…both Korver and Brewer are too one-dimensional. With their current cap situation (plus the unknown implications of a new labor deal), the roster may well stay the same…unless some really creative trading takes place to land more than a minor upgrade.

  12. Steve

    Hi Susan.. Espn is doing their 200 best players. How about Hoops World doing the same sort of deal only rating the players in trade value taking in consideration there age and contract.

    • Susan Bible

      Feedback is good — maybe Kyler will see the suggestion.

  13. Steve

    Hello Susan, which Rubio will Wolves see? The prodigy or the journeyman?

    • Susan Bible

      Tentatively, I’ll say prodigy.

      Appreciate the participation this morning. I’ll see you again next week!