NBA Chat With Susan Bible 12/24/11

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. LSO

    Where did Peja go? Why? Is Dallas stronger with all the trades????

    • Susan Bible

      Stojakovic, 34, announced his retirement just last week after 13 seasons in the NBA. He’s battled back and neck issues for a long while, and decided it was time. He indicated his second career would be around basketball and the NBA in particular. He leaves the game with career averages of 17.0 points, .895 in free-throws, 2.2 in three-pointers at .401 percentage. Awesome that he closes out his career with a championship. He thanked four cities where he’s played (Sacramento, New Orleans, Indiana and Dallas) – I thought it would have been nice to include OKC in there. He was a crowd favorite there when the Hornets relocated.

      As for Dallas, they lose Butler, Chandler and Barea (and now Peja) and gain Odom, West and Carter. I wouldn’t say they’re stronger, but I understand why they did it. It’s all about maximizing cap space for next years’ run at free agents as cornerstones going forward.

  2. Steve

    Merry ChrisPaulMas Susan,
    What does OKC have in mind for back-up SF?
    Seems like they are set everywhere else.

    • Susan Bible

      Merry Christmas! Yeah, I’ve been saying they need a backup SF for a long time. Conventional thinking says Lazar Hayward was picked up as Durant’s backup; those are some awful big reins to give a newcomer. Brooks is so tight-lipped on rotations, but he did indicate he’s going to stick with the same rotation as last year to start with…perhaps tinker with Harden’s and Sefalosha’s minutes?…perhaps Aldrich sees more minutes? Otherwise Hayward may see up to 10 minutes per game while Durant takes a breather.

  3. Brent

    Like the rest of this planet I’m lovin the thunder product right now. The team is stacked, which is rarely a bad thing. I say rarely because James Harden is going to be stunted, in terms of growth as a player, because he’s on such a stacked team. Russel distributes, Kevin scores, and there’s a role for Harden to score, get to the stripe, and do a little distributing. But were talking a role made for a role player, and Harden is no role player. Do you REALLY think he’ll be in OKC after that rookie deal?

    • Susan Bible

      Everyone sees how valuable Harden is to this team. It took some time – he had to develop and shake off the considerable nerves – but there’s no question now. At Media Day, folks were hounding him and Sefalosha about the starting/not starting issue. Sefalosha gave the politically correct answer: “work hard, whatever Brooks does is for the team, I’m fine either way”. But Harden (who seemed a lot more mature to me) always says “I don’t care” to that question, but he said, rather frankly, he wanted to win the Sixth Man of the Year title. I think he stays because he’s got a great thing here…the young guys are like brothers…and Presti will give him a good deal. Plus he has a shot at a title.

  4. Lakers Fan

    Would you tell me why people are still high on the Lakers despite the sweep in last year’s playoffs?

    Plus: Odom is not on their roster anymore, Fisher is old, Bynum is yet to live up to his potential, and they don’t have bench power as of now. Kobe can’t score 40 either.

    Despite all this, many (or some) predicts that they’re still a top 3 team in the West, and some put them over the defending champs. I just wanna know why. Thanks.

    • Susan Bible

      The thought is that the extended time really helps with Kobe’s knees and with Bynum’s injury. What about Kobe’s new wrist injury? Gasol may have disappointed in the playoffs but he’s still elite. Peace (I guess we have to start getting used to saying that over Artest) is still an outstanding perimeter defender. They added dead-eye shooter Kapono, McRoberts is no Odom, but he may surprise us.

      I gotta tell you, I don’t see a lot of people putting the Lakers over Dallas or OKC, maybe even Memphis and the Clippers.

  5. Spurs Fan

    If Splitter and Blair step up their games, and Leonard have an impressive rookie year (I mean they fill up what the Spurs need), do you think the Spurs could be a title contender? Thanks.

    • Susan Bible

      Not this year. I’m concerned what a jam-packed 66-game season does to a team with an average age of 30.4 for their projected starting lineup (Parker – 29, Manu (who says he’s not basketball-ready) – 34, Duncan – 35, Jefferson – 31, Blair – 22) This schedule is going to tough for even the youngest legs, I can’t imagine how difficult it will be on the Spurs.

  6. Justwannaknow

    Which team do you think will win the NBA title this upcoming season and why? Plus, which team will be its opponent? Thanks.

    • Susan Bible

      I have to think Miami gets it. Look how far they got last year with a new roster; surely they’ve learned and grown a lot. And I’m not just talking about the team, but themselves as individuals. And adding Battier didn’t hurt. I think the Thunder will win the Western Conference Finals and meet them in the Finals. They match up very well.

  7. ehmy

    do you think miami can get pietrus or they can trade someone for paul millsap or al jefferson? or a trade for minnesota to get luke ridnour?

    • Susan Bible

      Looks like Pietrus is headed to Boston. The only thing I’m hearing from Miami is about their interest in Fesenko.

  8. Saulo

    Hey Susan, what did you think of Rubio’s debut? Also, what do you think of my Wolves this year and can Beasley put it together and become a franchise type player?

    • Susan Bible

      This is one team I’m excited to watch; not only with the additions of Rubio and Williams, but because of Rick Adelman. That is really huge. I like the Barea pick-up, too. If Beasley has his head screwed on straight, he has the potential – I’m a doubter though until I see it. Rubio’s debut was great…seven assists (could have been a lot more) and two steals. His recipients had better be ready for the pass, I’ll say that.

  9. like a bull

    Do you see durant and westbrook trying to recurit for there team or are they stuff studs like rose?

    • Susan Bible

      No, Durant has even said as much. I don’t think they need to do much selling for their team anyway.

  10. like a bull

    Why is Rip Hamilton signing over looked in FA? I guess sport experts dont think we can compete with these super teams.

    • Susan Bible

      That’s a good question. I even took him in the last round of one of my fantasy teams and was surprised to see him still available. I think Rip’s a great fit with the Bulls. He’s in great shape, he can run, he can pass and he can obviously shoot. Why was he overlooked? I have no idea.

  11. adrian

    If Wade or Bosh go down for the season, is Miami still a big favourite to win it all? And why did the thunder aquire that new guy for a second rd pic?

    • Susan Bible

      Without Wade, I’d be hesitant to give them the edge,

      Let Presti explain why they acquired Hayward: “We are excited to be able to add Lazar to our organization. Lazar is someone who we followed closely through the draft process and identified as a potential fit for the culture and identity that we are continuing to build in Oklahoma City. His toughness, length and shooting are attributes that will add depth to our roster, while his professionalism and competitiveness embody the intangibles that we value as an organization.” http://eye-on-basketball.blogs.cbssports.com/mcc/blogs/entry/22748484/33857244

      They really did need a small forward. One biggie Hayward provides is a tough defender for Durant in practice. He’s gritty and high energy..a Presti type.

  12. Luciano L

    Who do you think the Heat will sign with their remaining roster spots? Will it be Arenas, Fesenko, Nate Robinson, Redd or someone else. Make a bold prediction, I personally think they need size and need it immediately.

    • Susan Bible

      This isn’t very bold…but perhaps Fesenko.

  13. donkeanu

    obviously the clippers lack someone at the 2-spot..is mayo a possibility?..

    • Susan Bible

      I see four point guards and Randy Foye as the only true two. A couple of those PGs can rotate to the two. In 24 starts last season, Foye averaged 16.1 points, .944 at the foul line – not bad. I haven’t heard anything recently about Mayo, but a trade isn’t out of the realm of possibility.

  14. santiago

    if the celtics get pietrus, do you see him starting and pierce becoming sixth man?

    • Susan Bible

      No, Pietrus would be added as a Jeff Green replacement (both SF’s but different attributes, Pietrus a SG/SF and Green a SF/PF), and Green was going to be Pierce’s backup. So he would be sixth…but mark me down as someone who’s concerned about his health. He’s still about two weeks away. A bruised right heel should keep Pierce from starting tomorrow, so Pavlovic should get the nod.

  15. santiago

    two questions: 1.what seed would u give the clippers? 2. do you see glen davis as an MIP candidate?

    • Susan Bible

      I’lll say fourth. Not seeing Big Baby as most improved…I’d target DeAndre Jordan, DeMar DeRozan or James Harden..maybe even Evan Turner.

      Merry Christmas, all you NBA fans! Enjoy the season start tomorrow! I’ll be back next week….