NBA Chat With Susan Bible 5/12/12

1. Robert

   The Philly/Chicago series has highlighted how ineffective Boozer is as the second option on Chicago. Does Chicago look to move him in the off-season or do they keep them together and try again next year?

   • Susan Bible

     For the second year in a row, right? His regular season showing has trouble spilling over to the postseason. To hear Thibs talk, he’s still high on him. Boozer, with his contract and recent performance, is virtually untradeable. Amnesty maybe? The consensus really is that the roster remains intact.

2. Lucas

   Good morning Susan, once again the Hawks are out of the playoff early. Do you think the team will make some personal changes this off season, and if yes what do you anticipate? Thank you, have a good day.

   • Susan Bible

     Morning, Lucas. The Horford injury really affected the Hawks. I know he returned for the last three games of the playoffs, but I can’t help but wonder what would have happened had he not been hurt and available all season/postseason.

     Do you mean personal changes or personnel changes? The problem with the Hawks is the fact they have $60.9 million on the books for 2012-13. And that’s just for six players (Johnson-$19.8M, Smith-$13.2M, Horford-$12M, Williams-$8.3M, Pachulia-$5.2M and Teague-$2.4M). Plus they have five minimum salary cap holds to the tune of $2.4M. They aren’t going to be able to do much with the roster. They may be looking at a coach and/or GM change.

3. paprika

   Hi susan ,hope all is good? Im a laker fan with a suggestion and i hope mitch k. Would take a page from the griz gm and maybe read some chats n blogs so he can get ideas from fans. My idea is ,if the lake show fall short against the nuggz or this playoffs maybe trade pau n bynum for dwith. And lastly try get odom back since he seems like he only wants to play for the lakers…. Whats your take?

   • Susan Bible

     All is good, paprika (I have to say…I always think of “Paprika” from Blue’s Clues when I see a question from you!)

     You can be sure that if the Lakers fail to get out of the first round, finger-pointing will be in full swing. And I think they do something big. Not sold on Odom coming back, from the organization’s perspective. Kobe would like him back.

4. Mac

   On God’s Green Earth, please let the Lakers win Game 7 tonight. Warning to all those reading who believe they are basketball experts: Thought Denver / LA series was a lock with Chandler out and McGee still new to the system. Threw an absolutely ridiculous amount on the Lake Show to win the series and now am having serious trouble sleeping. Questions: Did you ever davel in legal online gambling or are upsets such as this too difficult to predict? And are you willing to give me the Susan Bible guarantee Kobe and the boys will step up to the mike tonight?

   • Susan Bible

     OK, I’ve never heard the word “davel” before. But, no, I’m not the gambling sort and sure as heck won’t make a guarantee! From what I’ve seen, it looks like the odds are on the Lakers.

5. Frank

   My list of top floppers in the NBA: Derek Fisher, Anderson Varejao, JJ Barea, Raja Bell, and Manu Ginobli. Who’s on Susan Bible’s current top 5 Flop Team?

   • Susan Bible

     Here’s my All-Flop Team: Varejao, Barea, Ginobili, Scola and Paul There are really so many more worthy candidates.

     Fun question. Let’s have a discussion of this below, readers — name your All-Flop Team.

6. Cricket

   The NBA knows full well a Finals with the most popular teams will be the most profitable (ex. Los Angeles Lakers vs. Boston Celtics). As a result, some have questioned the intention of refs in certain series (see Lakers/Portland from a few years back = undeniable proof). Because of blatant favoritism such as this, I am very suspicious of the call at the end of the Atlanta / Boston series. Replays show the foul occurred clearly before the inbound pass, which results in 2 freethrows (contrary to what Yannis thought in his chat). Was this a simple case of a missed call or supports the theory refs may “conveniently” miss calls like these to let the powerhouse / media attractive / profitable teams advance in the playoffs. Your thoughts.

   • Susan Bible

     I’m not subscribing to the thought that this behavior runs rampant to keep the powerhouses going. Refs miss calls; they get a huge amount of them right though.

     I watched the Atlanta/Boston game, and I agree with you. So does the league.

     Late last night, this appeared on NBA.com: “The NBA says a foul against Boston with 3.1 seconds left in Atlanta’s season-ending loss on Thursday should have been called sooner, which would have given the Hawks a free throw instead of just the ball out of bounds.

     The Celtics’ Marquis Daniels held the Hawks’ Al Horford as Atlanta was inbounding the ball trailing 81-79. Referee Eric Lewis called a foul, but ruled it came after Marvin Williams had released the ball, meaning it was just a common foul that resulted in another throw-in.

     However, replays showed the foul occurred before the ball was passed and should have been treated as an away-from-the-play foul, in which case Atlanta would have been awarded one free throw and retained possession of the ball.”

7. LSO

   After witnessing numerous technicals levied against coaches, I’m wondering what coach(es) “earn” Ts the most often. Are there repeat offenders?
   BTW – congratulations and Harden. He’s not only the 6th Man – but Da Man.

   • Susan Bible

     In the 2011-12 season, Doc Rivers (Celtics) and Paul Silas (Bobcats) tied for the most techs at eight apiece. Alvin Gentry (Suns) was next with seven. There are plenty of repeat offenders – I believe Jerry Sloan holds the record with 413 technical fouls.

     Look for my article later this afternoon about Harden; I attended the press conference and it was great fun. Lots of juicy quotes. I don’t think I’ve ever seen Harden happier.

8. LSO

   Make that – Congratulations TO Harden, not “and”.

   • Susan Bible

     Got it

9. Tom

   Hey Susan, always enjoy your work! My question’s not basketball related per se and probably not something you guys can change at Hoopsworld but I wanted to get your insight. On the chats, there’s always somebody who asks the exact same questions on EVERY chat. In the last few days ‘Paul George is overrated,’ ‘why do you answer questions about the Toronto Raptors,’ and ‘would Kobe give back salary to get more help’ was asked/answered on about 5 chats over the week. Coincidentally, they’re usually among the worst questions which leads to very similar answers: Paul George is good, the Raptors are an NBA team with fans so we cover them, hell no Kobe’s not giving back salary and contractually can’t. You guys can’t monitor this, I know, but why do you think someone feels the need to get endless versions of close to the same answer? We all love and appreciate the chats but it’s a bit painful. Maybe Hoopsworld could at least suggest people don’t ask questions in more than 2 chats simultaneously so only the diehard morons continue to do so? Thanks! Will stick to only hoops-related questions going forward…

   • Susan Bible

     I understand your frustration. All I can say is this: We have a lot of writers here who all conduct weekly chats. I’m speaking for myself now: while I try to read every chat week in and week out, I’m not always able to do that. And in those cases where I do, we’re talking 15-20 or so questions for 16 (I think) writers, so that’s around 300 questions per week. Sometimes I might notice repeat questions – sometimes I may skip them, but sometimes I think the reader enjoys hearing different perspectives on legitimate questions. And I have to say this: A huge percentage of our readers’ questions are legitimate and thoughtful; unfortunately some are not. We try to weed through the silly ones. Even if we politely asked people to limit how many duplicate questions they submit, those few trouble-makers won’t oblige.

10. Yoichi

    Why is it that Bynum and Gasol are playing like BUMS??? Afrer Bynums GM1 peformNce I was expecting a sweep. What is going on with these 2?

    • Susan Bible

      Lack of intensity, focus, urgency, emotion, passion, effort. Take your pick.

11. Alex in Burbank

    Hi Susan how are you? I have no doubt my Lakers will put away the chicken Nuggets tonight so I know we will meet OKC next. I don’t like our chances anymore but whatever, what can I do right? My question is, in your opinion, will this series go 7 games or less? I stand by my Lakers until we get bounced. Go Lakers!!

    • Susan Bible

      Doing great here, Alex! Boy, I am looking forward to that game tonight. I’m bummed that it doesn’t start until 9:30 my time though. These late-night games are killing me. I do think the Lakers will win the series.

      The Thunder’s home court advantage is huge in the semi-finals game, and I think it will be the series to watch. I wouldn’t at all be surprised if it goes to seven games, but I’m going to predict OKC wins in six.

12. Tony

    Susan,
    I am freaking out that after a full week it appears Kendrick Perkins’ status for game 1 is still unknown. Do you have an insider info on this? I can’t imagine him not playing in game 1 to deal with Bynum.

    • Susan Bible

      Don’t freak out! The famously tight-lipped Thunder isn’t saying much (except “day-to-day”), but my sources say Perkins will be good to go. The extended rest was huge for him. He was spied walking at the practice facility yesterday without any noticeable limp. I’m a little concerned that this many days without competitive games will be a factor, at least in the early-going. Yesterday Fisher assured practices have been intense with great energy and focus, but as we know, it’s not like real playoff basketball.

13. Thomas Pynchon

    In the second round, we can expect Harden and Westbrook to take turns putting up big numbers AND playing defense. But what do ibaka, perkins, durant and the other role players need to do to advance to the WCF?

    • Susan Bible

      That’s one of the beauties of this team…different guys can step up and totally affect the outcome. Durant needs to keep doing what he does, and if his shot isn’t falling, contribute in other ways. Ibaka and Perkins showed great ability in protecting the rim in the first round. Here’s my advice: 1) they all need to keep playing together and for each other, 2) keep focused and composed even when the opponent doesn’t and when calls don’t go their way, 3) make defense a priority, 4) share and protect the ball.

14. Cliff

    You know I am a Spurs fan thru and thru. 100%, no two ways about it.

    Given that, there is no way Lebron James deserves the title of league MVP. Are they serious? The best player in the entire league? Better than Kevin Durant? No way.

    Kevin D means so much more to the Thunder and the league. When was the last time that Kevin had a film crew follow him and his “posse” thru Vegas filming him being a pompous, ego-tripping fool? Never, and I predict it won’t happen.

    KD is so much more of a Timmy type player, a guy who cares about team first and “me” second.

    I don’t know how they come up with these decisions, but I clearly and wholeheartedly disagree with this outcome.

    KD is the true league MVP!

    (and yes, this was more of a rant than a question. I guess my question is who makes these decisions? The fans or writers or the league? And are they taking their meds?!!)

    • Susan Bible

      The NBA MVP is decided by a panel of sportswriter and broadcasters. Though it won’t officially be announced until later today, it appears LeBron James will win the title for the third time in the past four seasons. Expect the “who should have won it?” debate to commence shortly. It’s a tricky award, because a lot of people think it goes to simply the best player in the league or the player with the best stats, and not who is truly the most valuable to their team. HOOPSWORLD recently published articles on the subject. Click here for Durant (guess who wrote it?) and click here for James. One can argue, successful, for either player.

15. Alex in Burbank

    Hi Susan, I’m a Laker fan but I’m having trouble with Andrew Bynum’s attitude. I seen him jump up and down just straight out mad because he was not given the ball in the post. He will comit stupid flagrant fouls out of frustration. He is a lot of the times outside the huddles during time outs. I defended this guy many times because he’s a Laker but he’s starting to really annoy me. I understand he made major improvements to his game this season but I hate to say this, it really went to his head. The guy is a DIVA. He will throw tantrums if things don’t go his way. Any chance the Lakers still might trade him for Dwight Howard in the off season?

    • Susan Bible

      I won’t pretend I know Bynum on any real level, but from what I see – both on-court and off – there’s a serious maturity issue. Now at age 24 and in his 7th NBA year, there should be lots of improvement in this area. The guy is so talented and has the ability to become a sustained elite player in this league. That said, I wouldn’t want him on my team. We see how he reacts in games and we know the ill-advised things he says off-court (“close-out games are actually kind of easy”). I was surprised to hear Bynum say yesterday that Kobe hasn’t had “the talk” with him yet. So a trade for Howard? Would not rule it out.

16. tj

    If kobe loses can we please stop the mj kobe comparison its not even close mike gave away maybe 3 titles by retiring an probably the alltime scoring in a time when the NBA had more talent

    • Susan Bible

      That debate will never end.

17. Fg7

    Do u know at what time is being held LeBron james press conference for MVP?

    • Susan Bible

      I hear the news will be officially released sometime today, and Stern will present the trophy to James tomorrow afternoon before Game 1 in Miami.

18. LSO

    My floppers are a three-man team, to wit, C. Paul, B. Griffin (did one learn from the other?) and D. Nowitski.

    • Susan Bible

      Thanks, LSO! Feel free to go to town in the comments section below, all…

      That’s one hour! I appreciate the great questions. Have a great week!