NBA Chat With Susan Bible 4/14/12

1. calvinzero

   I miss you Mam Susan.. What’s make you busy? The Spurs is the biggest threat for the OKC in the race for no.1 spot for the Western Conference. What’s your take for the OKC before the regular season ends? Thanks again and good day..

   • Susan Bible

     I had to miss the last two weeks’ chat with family commitments.

     It’s hard to believe we’re coming down to the wire in this whirlwind season.

     OKC (43-16) hits the road now for five straight against Minnesota, Clippers, Phoenix, Sacramento and Lakers, then finishes out with two home games vs. Sacramento and Denver.

     Spurs (41-16) have nine games left: Phoenix, Lakers, Cleveland, Portland at home and Golden State, Lakers, Sacramento, Phoenix and Golden State on the road.

     My pre-season prediction for the Thunder was 50-16, so clearly I got that wrong. I agree that the two will battle for first, but I think OKC gets it. I’ll say OKC finishes 5-2 and Spurs finish 6-3 as Pop rests players with more frequency.

2. Jazzaholic

   The Jazz are sitting 2-3 loses away from taking the #8 spot away from the 4 teams in front of them. Unless some of those teams lose 2-3 more than the Jazz in the last 7 games, it looks like they keep their draft pick and miss the playoffs.

   If they get lucky and match up with OKC, how do you see the depleted Jazz competing with the Thunder?

   • Susan Bible

     OKC (43-16) has faced Utah (31-29) three times this season:
     Thunder won, 101-87 on Feb. 10 in Utah
     Thunder won, 111-85 on Feb. 14 in OKC
     Jazz won, 97-90 on March 20 in Utah

     The Jazz are sitting in 10th place in the Western Conference right now (and, yes, anything can happen with a few teams jammed in there so close). Their final six games are against Dallas, Memphis, Orlando, Phoenix and Portland (two). OKC is in first place with six games left as well.

     I can’t see how a pretty healthy OKC would lose in a seven-game series vs. Utah – in the event they snag a spot – with home-court advantage. Millsap is ailing…I know he was a monster last night despite an undetermined status just 30 minutes prior to tip-off, but it’s concerning. He and Jefferson can’t carry the load under such playoff pressure.

3. The JOkeShow

   So if the Jazz get 2 draft picks, do you try and trade both + Milsap and Harris for Rondo or just draft a PG and SG or SF, and build them and let Milsap or Jefferson walk after next season?

   • Susan Bible

     That’s a whole lot for Rondo. Not feeling it. I’d keep Millsap and Jefferson and maybe package the picks.

4. Josh

   If Michael Jordan hadn’t retired twice, do you think he would be all time leading scorer?

   • Susan Bible

     Kareem Abdul-Jabar is the leader at 38,387, Karl Malone is second at 36,928 and Jordan is third at 32,292. It’s hard to say, but I think he could have had a chance.

5. Prem I.

   Hey Susan how you doing? My question is with thunders need for a backup sf in this years draft do you think a guy like Kevin jones would be great the backup durant your thoughts?

   • Susan Bible

     I’m doing great! The Thunder really hasn’t addressed the backup sf situation. Lazar Hayward isn’t the answer. As far as Kevin Jones, in the unlikely event he somehow wound up in Oklahoma City, his lack of athleticism appears to preclude him being the backup answer. He should find a solid place in the NBA though.

6. Charlie

   If you were starting a team from scratch, who would you prefer: Marcus Thorton or Tyreke Evans

   • Susan Bible

     At this point, I’d go with Thornton, though I’m a Tyreke Evans fan. I say that (Thornton) because of his versatility and shooting percentage.

7. cebu gems

   Hi su, even tho im a laker fan u are my favorite here at hw. Anyways i think the injury of kobe is kinda like a good thing for the lakers. Giving ebanks time to be comfortable and add depth in the playoffs. Giving kobe time to rejuvinate. And lastly making bynum a lot better than dwith. Ok guys time to laugh. Anyways eventually ill be the one laughing in the end telling i told u so . With bynum being a monster. If he learns to get his fg better in percentage ,watch pau’s number to go up cause of bynums attention.and lastly we got a new player. Ron artest.time to be scared thunder,heat,bulls. The lakers is back!

   • Susan Bible

     I appreciate your support! A little resting time for Kobe is not a bad thing as the postseason draws closer….reports this morning indicate he may sit for the rest of the regular season.

     In the four games Kobe missed, Ebanks didn’t convince me. He was off to an okay start vs. the Suns with 12 points in 32 minutes, then 6 points vs. the Hornets in 25 minutes. He did virtually nothing in 22 minutes vs. the Spurs. (And speaking of, none of the Spurs played more than 26 minutes vs. Gasol and World Peace playing 40 mins and Bynum playing 37 mins). And last night, he scored 5 points. The good news is they went 3-1. And Peace averaged nearly 17 points.

     Bynum’s numbers have been off the charts (even logging .579 in FG% last night) and Gasol has been solid. Not sure why Brown isn’t testing out Goudelock about now.

     They have just six games remaining, against OKC, San Antonio (twice!), Dallas, Sacramento and Golden State. It’s not entirely a cake walk, but you just may be laughing.

8. sisig at mani

   Hi susan just wana share my idea andbask your opinion . Just in case the heat loses n not win this year. Dont you think the zen master is the best guy for the job. Since bosh dont wana score much. The focal of the triangle is the big guy so.bosh can be a fascilitator. And since at times we see spoe not trusting chalmers lately and making lebron the pg. Bad thing is it takes the scoring of lebron. But with the triangle the heat wont need a point guard and the triangle is designed more for playoff slow ball.and pjax with wade and lebron wil really increase their confidence due to past success of jackson. Whats your take?

   • Susan Bible

     An interesting thought, but I can’t get past being unable to visualize Pat Riley hiring Phil Jackson.

9. jack the real joker

   Just wonderin and wishin okc get andre miller. This guy is so intelligent and underrated. He has little athleticism but he knows angles ,cuts and stuff that would make things easier even without athleticism. Imagine westbrook learning from him!???? Instead of jus attacking westbrook can make things easier and less abuse to his athletic body. And even kd can learn . Harden in the other hand already knows this stuffncause i see it in his game. Wish too see you guys in the playoffs against my lakers! Exciting times!

   • Susan Bible

     Your argument is the basis of why they signed Derek Fisher. Obviously, Fish can’t contribute in a huge way on the court (however, he did have his best line last night: 14 points, 6-of-9 in FG, 3 steals, no turnovers), but the guys are soaking up everything they can from the five-time champion.

     And, yes, Miller is underrated.

10. Chris

    Hi Susan. Is Thibodeau the leading contender for COY? Thursday’s epic win over the Heat (again, essentially w/o Rose) was masterful. A coach’s job is to maximize the talent he is given and Thibs has done that and then some.

    • Susan Bible

      No doubt Thibs is a contender. You know who I would give it to? Gregg Popovich. Obviously he’s a brilliant coach, but he defied all prognostications of his team being too old and the Spurs now sit in 2nd place in the Western Conference (third in the league).

11. Cricket

    Which player set the bar too high during his rookie season which led to unreasonable expectations from fans – Brandon Jennings after his 50 point game or Tyreke Evans when he became only the third rookie in NBA history to average 20, 5, and 5?

    • Susan Bible

      I would definitely say Evans.

12. Mac

    Alex Raskin wrote how Dwight Howard was in Los Angeles for a friends birthday bash. Now Dwight is getting bashed in the media as “how could he be celebrating as the Magic are on a slide / He is out injured?” Is this just me, or is this absolutely ridiculous?? Its a 4 month long season, can the brother not ever have a good time? He can’t have friends and go to his birthday party? It seems players are held to this ridiculously high standard in the media that only the anti-social Kobe Bryant’s of the world are able to achieve. Are NBA players not allowed to have personal lives? Perhaps the next article should be talking about how he eats fast food and how this diet could hinder his ability to play. Cmon now. Your thoughts.

    • Susan Bible

      I hear you, but you’ve got to look at all angles. Dwight Howard is the story of the season and every little thing he does is going to be endlessly scrutinized. It seems it has more to do with perhaps how the Magic perceived Howard – a guy they’ve invested millions into – rushing back from L.A. (where he was seeing a back specialist) to attend a party in Orlando. However, it may be that he had committed, (literally…like he had to, lest whoever loses money if he reneges) to this long ago.

13. Oliver from germany

    Hey Susan, in my opinion the Estern Conference Final will pretty sure Be Miami vs. Chicago. The Western Conference is Wide Open for the First Five seeds, Okc, La twice, SAS and Memphis. Even Dallas could surprise, remember the Heart of a…… What is your opinion on both conferences? I would Not want to face Memphis, just a subjektive Feeling i think! Love your Chats.

    • Susan Bible

      Thanks! I’ve got Miami vs. Chicago in the East. The West isn’t so clear-cut. I have to say OKC vs. San Antonio. Yes, Memphis scares me…a lot.

14. matt

    Jerryd Bayless plays great as a starter. As good as Jose Calderon is, his best thing is his expiring contract next season.

    • Susan Bible

      In 11 games starting, Bayless averaged 17.8 points and 5.3 assists; however, his minutes were double than the games in which he was a reserve. Raptors fans must exercise great patience now as this team configures into a better product.

15. matt

    Do you think Cesc Fabregas’ NBA comparison is Rajon Rondo or Derrick Rose. Cesc obviously would have to be compared to a PG because of his superb dribbling and distribution. And the dude is always there at the right time, like passing to Iniesta and Spain winning the FIFA World Cup.

    • Susan Bible

      That’s a fun question. I’d side with Rondo because of the passing and distributing abilities, plus the footwork and offense control.

16. ralph lawrence

    Do you think the kings will trade Evans this offseason? or will they move Evans to a 6th man role for the kings?

    • Susan Bible

      Lots of Tyreke questions today. I can’t see the Kings moving him. I think it would an interesting concept to move him to a sixth man role…he did pretty well in the two games where he came off the bench.

      Thanks for dropping by! See you again next week….