NBA Chat With Susan Bible 1/28/12

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. AJ

    Will Serge Ibaka get more minutes later in the season? His lack of production outside of blocks has made him a big disappointment for my fantasy team this year.

    • Susan Bible

      Good morning, NBA fans! What’s on your mind today?

      AJ, I hear you, as I drafted him in one of my fantasy leagues as well, but I’m not as disappointed as you. His minutes have decreased 1.3 per game thus far over 2010-11…and over three minutes less than he averaged after the All-Star break last year (following the Jeff Green trade). Be encouraged that he’s posted double-digit rebounds in three of the past five games (and he grabbed nine in one of them) and he’s scored 34 points over the last two games. His blocks are slightly up (2.4 last year to 2.5…12 blocks in the past four games; last night was the first game without one, however) and he rarely misses games. I’m not too concerned.

  2. Mark

    Please email me back, me and hundreds are lakers fan are going crazy, i want dwight howard and kevein love, others want dwight howard and deron williams, who do you see coming to the lakers, i mean i see a bynum for howard and a love for gasol, it all fits

    • Susan Bible

      Love-to-Lakers isn’t happening and a Howard-to-Lakers may happen down the line.

  3. Giovanni from Cleveland

    Gerald Henderson has been improving every year but has also had some injuries. How do you see his development/NBA career panning out?

    • Susan Bible

      Nice to see his minutes jump from 24.4 to 34.7 (hence, a jump from 9.6 ppg to 15.0 ppg) – he’s leading the team in minutes, points and FG; he’s proving what he can do. Also nice to learn Michael Jordan has been mentoring him; namely with ball handling and trips to the foul line. He sees great potential in the 24-year-old guard as do I. He’s determined to improve, and with that type of attitude and those skills, I see him developing into a really nice player. His latest injury (tailbone) was expected to sideline him for a few days, but he did return last night after one sitting out just one game.

  4. Nana

    Couple things…..how’s Maynor’s recovery coming along? Did you get to be in KD’s movie? Whe to be released? Is everyone over the moon about Westbrook’s extension? (I am!) Is Reggie doing what the Thunder need him to do?

    • Susan Bible

      Maynor had knee surgery on January 18th and should rejoin the Thunder by the start of the 2012-13 training camp. He’s active on Twitter; says he’s already in rehab mode and it’s going well. He shared that his big brother goes to physical therapy with him every day and pushes him hard.

      My husband and I tried to be extras in his film last week, but to no avail. Bummer. I asked KD about the release date but he doesn’t know. I’ve read it could be out later this year.

      Westbrook’s fans in OKC are indeed over the moon. They see serious championship bids with this group…and they hope the Durant-Westbrook feud speculations are now silenced.

      Jackson is doing his best in the role, and I think he’s succeeding. I talked to him quite a bit in the locker room a couple days ago. I’m impressed with his maturity and confidence. He’s a sound player…still has a lot to learn. Plus he’s really, really nice.

  5. LSO

    Did I really read that Nowitzky (sp) said “no West team scares me”…? Not that he particularly needs to be “scared” – it just seems like a condescending thing to say. (Kinda like what Barkley said before OKC was awarded its franchise. Hah!)

    • Susan Bible

      Yeah, I had to re-read that statement from Nowitzki. This is what he just said “I haven’t seen one team in the West that I’m scared of. I really haven’t.”

      I agree with you…not sure why he would phrase it that way. OKC is 16-3 while his Mavs are 12-8 – I would think a little respect is in order. The record is 1-1 so far between the two this year, plus OKC beat Dallas in both preseason games. Guess we’ll see next week, when the two play again.

  6. Joe

    Where does Chris Kaman and his expiring contract land? He would certainly fill a need for the Celts or Warriors but it’s hard to see who they would get in return.

    • Susan Bible

      Sources name Jazz, Rockets, Spurs and Pacers as possible trade partners. Apparently the Hornets want an unprotected first round pick this year and a young player for Kaman.

  7. Kevin

    Hey Susan,

    Do you think OKC as constructed can win the title?

    I think they are one piece away and its not a major piece. To many of their players are impotent on offense. Perkins is good for put backs only, Thabo might as well stay on the defensive end and Ibaka struggles to make his own shot and only really scores off put backs or when someone puts it on a silver platter. Just one offensive spark who can come of the bench and light it up when they need it (Westbrook having a bad night, someone out with injury etc). Someone like Jordan Crawford or Nate Robinson (I know he is gone), someone to step in of the odd night out and drop 10-15 but isn’t required to contribute everynight.

    Your thoughts?

    (PS i dont understand the Westbrook hate. That kid has serious game and i think when he puts it together which will be soon it’ll be a 2-way discussion for best PG in the league Rose vs Westbrook)

  8. Anthony Pascua

    Just read an article regarding Gilbert Arenas possibly joining the Lakers. Your thoughts on any validity to this?

    • Susan Bible

      Sources say both parties are seriously considering it for the pro-rated veteran’s minimum deal. Arenas has lost like 20 pounds and he says the knee is ready for action. I can see it happening…in fact, I think the Lakers should give it a try.

  9. keo

    If you were gm who would you choose for a number 1 pick if they were in the same draft …lebron,kobe,dwight,rose,or durant…why?

    I would choose lebron because I think he’s the best all around player

    • Susan Bible

      Assuming they were all the same age, just entering the draft, i.e. before they proved themselves? I can make an argument for each: LeBron with how he contributes in so many ways, Howard because he owns the position, Durant and Rose because they’re so young and haven’t even hit their potential yet – they are already incredible. In hindsight – right this minute – Kobe because he’s a proven winner.

  10. alvin

    i hear and read what people write.but how can a team like the magic let a player like gilbert go seeing how little they got in beakdown players,and a team like knicks not take a look.i have feeling some will be happy with him.maybe i’m wrong will see.

  11. Rockets Fan On Strike till Morey is Fired.

    Rubio outplayed Parker last night. Remarkable for a rookie point guard that has been in the league for 6 weeks. His improvisational,unorthodox passing is the best i have seen since Kidd in his prime. What does it take to get Javale McGee to the Wolves. Rubio makes McGee a borderline allstar. The Wolves need a shot blocking athletic big.

    • Susan Bible

      I’m not going to deny it…I’m a Rubio fan. Seems they need a veteran presence over another youngster.

      You’re on strike?

  12. Omar

    What would the Indiana Pacers give up for Chris Kaman?

  13. Jonathan

    Morning Susan, just read that LA is interested in signing Gilbert Arenas. How likely of a scenario is this and why haven’t other teams reach out to him?

    • Susan Bible

      It’s looking real. Teams have been hesitant because of injury, he’s lost a step (or five), aging and guns.

  14. Mac

    If you were starting a team from scratch, which up and comer would you choose: Paul George or Evan Turner

  15. Jonathan

    As a NBA fan I really appreciate what the Thunders have done. They built well from the draft and players development. Then they lock up their stars for long term. I think if other small market teams can stop whining and do the same, this would be a ‘classier’ league.

    Are the Thunders looking to add to their center or are they happy with Perkins?

    • Susan Bible

      So agree. And they are slap-happy with Perkins. You should see Brooks talk about everything he provides. He just glows. Stats aren’t the focus with him, just defense.

  16. Charlie

    Some people were surprised when the OKC Thunder drafted Reggie Williams this past year as they already had Eric Maynor as back-up point guard. But after this season ending injury to Maynor, this selection looks brilliant. Was this another case of perfect hindsight by Sam Presti or did he just get lucky?

    • Susan Bible

      Presti does his homework. I’m convinced it’s not just luck.

  17. Oliver

    Which point guards would you call better than Steve Nash at this very moment? Love your chats!!!

    • Susan Bible

      Thanks, Oliver. Nash is a wonder to behold. He’s leading the league again in assists at this very moment at 10.2 pg, then throws in 13.9 points, 1.1 threes, .525 in FG% and .838 in FT%. I’m giving the edge to Chris Paul with Rose on his heels.

      Another hour in the books. See you again next week….