NBA Chat With Susan Bible 10/6/12

1. Chad

   Aaron Aflalo vs James Harden. Game up to 21. Who wins? I got to go with Aflalo because of his versatility.

   P.S.
   Scalabrine 4 President

   P.P.S
   Jackie Moon 4 Vice President

   • Susan Bible

     Good morning, NBA fans! Appreciate the questions; let’s start:

     I understand the versatility tag for Afflalo, but it’s also Harden’s middle name. Look how he contributes across the board: 16.8 ppg, 3.7 apg, 4.1 rpg, .846 FT%, 1.8 in 3pt, .491 FG% last season. He beats Afflalo in each of these stats: 15.2 ppg, 2.4 apg, 3.2 rpg, .798 FG%, 1.4 3pt, .471 FG%. I’ll take Harden. Though he was disappointing in the Finals, he was a solid go-to guy in previous rounds.

     I’m going with Jackie Moon for President…

2. LSO

   Couple (or more) questions: Does Thunder management have any high hopes for Thabeet’s performance? He haswn’t set the world on fire before. Also new to Thunder: Higgins, Rautins, Rusell (not Westbrook, of course)….filling what slots? NBA experience? Where? Do they satisfy a need somewhere?

   • Susan Bible

     Strange though it seems, they do believe in Thabeet. Both Presti and Brooks talked last week about his improved conditioning and even athleticism. I’m very anxious to see if OKC can shape him into at least a speck of what he was projected to be at this level. He seems extremely grateful for the chance. They have a 19-man roster for training camp, so a lot guys won’t make it. Rautins is a 6’4” guard, Liggins is 6’6” guard/forward and Walker Russell, 30, is a 6’ guard. Rautins is a sharp-shooter so he’s looking to fill Cook’s role. At media day last week, I was impressed with Russell – his demeanor was intriguing; he’d like to serve as a veteran voice. Liggins is a defensive specialist. He unabashedly stated that’s who he is – he’s not there for offense. All three serve useful roles, but the limit is 15.

3. Thunderfromdownunder

   hi susan, love your chats. might sound stupid but has the nba ever considered 1 on 1 or 3 on 3 comps for allstar wkend. it would give more players a chance to get involved and would be great viewing

   • Susan Bible

     Thanks! Not a stupid thought at all. I think the fans would love it, too. Since the NBA All-Star Weekend is more of a show and not that competitive – not to mention, the teams fearing injury in such a competitive setting – I wouldn’t expect it.

4. sad lakers fan

   Hello Susan,
   just wanted to share my sadness. ive been a lakers fan for my entire life. i called TWC about the lakers channel and they told me they do not service my area which is wierd because i live in socal. they said only charter services my area. i called charter and they have no deal in place for the lakers channel. so here is a lakers fan who lives in southern california who is currently unable to watch his team . sigh.

   • Susan Bible

     Well, that’s utterly ridiculous, and I would be more than bummed. What about NBA League Pass? I order that every year. It’s like $160 or so, and my cable company lets me pay it out over several months. Or would it be a blackout in your market? Check out streaming possibilities?

5. Raju

   shaq made those coments because he is worried Kobe might have two or three more champion ship than him and thats why he went after Dwight whta do you think?

   • Susan Bible

     I think he needs to zip it. He’s looking increasingly foolish. He can’t get over the Superman thing.

6. Bryant

   What in the world is a team rebound?

   • Susan Bible

     According to Hoopedia: “Team rebounds are credited to a team that gains possession of the ball after any missed shot that is not cleared by a single player (i.e. deflected out of bounds after the shot, blocked out of bounds, etc.). A team rebound is never credited to any player, and is generally considered to be a formality, as according to the rules of basketball, every missed shot must be rebounded whether a single player controls the ball or not.”

7. Jim in Cyber Space

   My two cents. I would advise Sam Presti and the NBA’s decision makers that the Thunder’s new alternate Uni’s…not be ORANGE. There will be Riots. Navy Blue is the way to go.

   Seriously…I’m so excited about it. What game do you think they will unveil the new look? Jersey sales. Need all that income to keep the team together.

   • Susan Bible

     I will lead the revolt if it’s orange. I so clearly remember owner Clay Bennett explaining how they arrived at the team colors…they are supposed to represent the colors of the noted Oklahoma sunsets (which are spectacular) then he said explained that it wasn’t “too orange” and not “too red” (an obvious nod to the OU/OSU rivalry), but it’s translated into a color more akin to orange than red. Unfortunately. I hope it’s not yellow. Navy blue or a decisive red would be great for me.

     Despite attempts, Presti would not give specifics on the new alternate uniforms at his press conference last week nor the debut date. I did note subtle changes to their practice uniforms.

8. Buddy

   Let me apologize in advance for the venom I am about to hurl at you but you are part of the media and therefore guilty by association. On to my question.

   Why must the media continually suck-up to larger interests by printing false truths?

   For example
   1) “The league is better when the Knicks/Lakers are competing for the title.” What since when? New York and LA have all the advantages (money, press, prestige, etc) so what makes that a compelling story?
   2) “ESPN/David Stern is rooting for/against such and such a match up.” Once again how does that concern the common fan.
   3) FROM YOUR OWN WEBSITE “Warriors head coach Mark Jackson entered last season guaranteeing the team would make the playoffs, but injuries and inconsistency derailed those lofty goals.” Sure and trading away their best player for an injured guy, becoming the first team in league history to start five ROOKIES and arbitrarily benching the best players/putting them on the IR had nothing to do with it? Come on call it what it was “one of the league’s most despicable tank jobs.” And that is without factoring in management’s bold face “playoff guarantee” lie to one of the league’s most loyal and tortured fan bases. (They play to packed houses despite only making the playoffs once in the last SIXTEEN years.)

   • Susan Bible

     I’ll have to take issue with your H/W criticism. Jackson did make that statement, and many events did derail the lofty goals. On our site, we subscribe to printing facts (we wouldn’t be around long if we didn’t) and make room for writers to share opinions as well. Our readers come here for both. I certainly can’t explain why other outlets print what they do other than their desire to attract readership.

9. L. St. Onge

   Susan, you’re known for being a huge Steve Nash fan. (So am I but it’s not as well known) How do you think it’ll work out in LA. Who will be the diva. That doesn’t seem to be Nash’s style – but he is SO good. And, as I’ve heard you say, a nice guy, to boot.

   • Susan Bible

     LOL – well, now the world knows you are a Nash fan, too. I won’t lie, my heart sank when I heard the news, but I can hardly blame him. The guy will turn 39 in February; he’s an eight-time All-Star, two-time MVP, six-time league leader in total assists (including the last three straight years), and consistently in the top ten for true shooting percentage and effective field goal percentage. Time is running out and there will be no ring for him in Phoenix. He gives himself an excellent chance to put “NBA champion” by his name wearing a Lakers jersey. I think he will find success there feeding the rock to the array of willing shooters. From what I’ve seen, being around him, he’s no diva. I know I’ve said this in my chat before: he’s the only NBA player to stand up and shake my hand in the locker room, like a true gentleman. I don’t think I’ve ever heard a bad thing uttered about him.

10. Nana

    I’m just an ole grandmother trying to keep up with the NBA and the Thunder specifically. Who’s going to be the backup point guard? I heard it was between Maynor and Jackson. I thought it was Maynor’s, going away. Whassup with that? Is Maynor not 100% yet?

    • Susan Bible

      If you are indeed an old grandmother – which matters not – I totally respect your NBA interest. I was rather surprised to hear Brooks say the backup spot, or minutes, is up for grabs. Perhaps he says that to motivate his guys or perhaps it’s because of the considerable time that has elapsed since Maynor, who is still wearing a knee brace, played (coming off a very serious injury/surgery/recovery). He wants to evaluate Jackson’s progress vs. Maynor’s abilities. Between you and me, I’d be shocked if Maynor’s normal role changes when the season tips off. Everyone is saying Maynor is 100%.

11. T.J. Wilson

    Alot of people criticized Kevin Durant for working out with Lebron James for the past two summers because they’re considered rivals now. What’s your opinion on that because I don’t see nothing wrong with it! Also, have you heard anything about Jeremy Lin’s progress over the summer as far as his game is concerned? Has he worked with any former players to try and perfect his craft? He’s going to be up under alot of pressure this season to deliver for the Rockets.

    • Susan Bible

      I see nothing wrong with it. Believe me, the subject was raised with nearly everyone at media day. Who cares?

      With only 64 NBA games under his belt, and 25 in a starting role, all eyes will be on Lin this season. He continued recovering from knee surgery until mid-summer, but says he’s ready to go and has lost ten pounds. I haven’t heard that he trained with any former players. He’s concentrating on improving his shot, and developing a shooter’s mindset/confidence. FYI: The Thunder kicks off their preseason vs. the Rockets on Wednesday.

12. SatBchMagicer

    Good morning Susan, who do you see right now as say the ‘five bottom dwellers’ in each conference for 12/13 season? Not asking you to rank them.

    • Susan Bible

      Thanks for that. Preseason ranking is a risky undertaking in which I try to avoid. I assume you mean the bottom in each of the six conferences (Atlantic, Central, Southeast, Northwest, Pacific and Southwest). In that order – not ranking- I’ll go with Raptors (toughest conference, imho), Pistons, Bobcats, Blazers, Kings and Rockets.

13. SatBchMagicer

    Hi Susan, what’s your take on all the Rockets off-season actions that have landed them ‘where they are now, with team they have now’?

    • Susan Bible

      Hope you read our comprehensive season preview: http://www.hoopsworld.com/2012-2013-houston-rockets-season-preview/

      They’ve accepted the fact it’s truly rebuilding time and that’s what they are going about doing. It’s not all doom and gloom — they have interesting, albeit unproven, pieces, so now it’s a case of developing what you have, being smart about cap space and the draft.

14. Raju

    Everybody is concern about Lakers bench but they can keep there two out of foursuperstar all the time on the floor if they need them to be there what do you think?

    • Susan Bible

      I don’t think their bench looks that bad – Meeks, Jamison, Hill, Blake – not the strongest by any means, but serviceable.

      Thanks for dropping in! Enjoy the preseason…