NBA Chat With Susan Bible 7/7/12

1. Jazzaholic

   KOC has been very active. What do you think Mo Williams and Marvin Williams add to the Jazz?

   • Susan Bible

     Versatility, specifically in match-ups. Mo says he’s bringing toughness to Utah while Marvin looks to bring much-needed athleticism at his position.

2. Ludwig (Germany)

   Can Ryan Aderson play SF? DO the Kings have a chance the Magic won’t match? What else is planned with my Kings? Will Jason Thompson resign? Who will be their starting small forward on opening night, make a guess

   • Susan Bible

     You would think he could play SF using both his height and perimeter shooting ability to space the floor, but I sure doubt his ability to defend the position. I have to think the Magic will match the offer unless it’s a crazy number. Petrie says re-signing Thompson is a top priority and they are thinking long-term and bigger money. With this crazy offseason, I can’t venture a guess as to who starts at SF.

3. Alex in Burbank

   Your Thunder let me down. Now LeBron James has a ring. You know what that means? I can’t make anymore LBJ “no ring” jokes! Susan, what went wrong? I thought for sure Durant had this.

   • Susan Bible

     Durant, alone, can’t do it. Each Thunder player kind of fell apart in his own way in the Finals. They just weren’t ready for the glare/spotlight and didn’t have the mental toughness it requires. It didn’t help that Miami, including the bench guys, turned up every facet of their game.

4. Alex in Burbank

   What do you think of Nash/Kobe back court? Also “IF” the Lakers land Howard via trade, do you think they can get Nash a ring? I never cared for Nash before but now he’s a Laker so…. =)

   • Susan Bible

     I admit, that one caught me off-guard. I think the two stars will make one seriously formidable backcourt with Nash’s court vision and ability to get the basketball precisely where Kobe needs it to shoot. With Nash looking to pass first and Kobe looking to shoot, it seems like a major win-win. Plus Nash can shoot when he needs to. For sure, a ring for Nash is attainable with Howard.

     To me, Nash is one of the most likable guys in the league. I can only deduce that you never cared for him because he was an opponent. Understandable.

5. Matt (UK)

   Have you heard any rumours out of Denver? Are they planning any moves or just looking to re-sign JaVale?

   • Susan Bible

     Recent reports indicate they want to keep McGee. Of course, being a restricted free agent, other offers are sure to come, possibly from Portland and Indiana. As you undoubtedly know, Andre Miller agreed to re-sign and Rudy Fernandez is headed to Real Madrid. Their draft pick, Evan Fournier, says he has no interest in going back to Europe, so we’ll see what happens with that. Besides those very few items, Denver has been fairly low-key.

6. BaywarriorChrisc

   Morning Susan: who says no Pau for iggy s&t Lou Williams? Think it helps both teams especially with the amnesty of Brand. Thoughts and thank you …

   • Susan Bible

     It appears the Lakers would say no. With Nash on board, all signs point to them wanting to make another run with the core in place.

7. Deven

   Hi Susan. Why do you think Ray Allen left Beantown for the Miami Heat? Was it because of playing time, money or something else?

   • Susan Bible

     Of all the reasons Allen is headed to Miami, money and playing time are pretty far down on the list. It’s about getting another ring, plus recapturing respect and being valued, both of which were dwindling in Boston. The fact he took less money in Miami speaks volumes. The relationship between Allen and the organization suffered for many reasons: his name being dangled in trade talks (remember Memphis?), coming off the bench for too long after the ankle injury, he was left wondering where he fit in with Avery Bradley given more reins and the Jason Terry signing, and, the very real discord between him and Rajon Rondo. The appeal of Miami was too great.

8. Jim in CyberSpace

   What sort of “greeting” do you expect when Ray Allen visit’s the TD Garden as a member of the HEAT next season?

   The Celt’s offered twice money as the HEAT. He “defected” to the dark side. The Celt’s are certainly contender’s in the East with KG coming back, they were within a game of the FINALS.

   I hope the Garden Fans BOO him off the court. He’s a sell out. He’d rather play with “LeMe” at half the price???

   • Susan Bible

     I would hope the Celtics fans give him an appreciative greeting.

9. Ax of Manila

   Any possible R. Allen replacement left in the FA market? C. Lee, L. Williams, Mayo, D. West, JR Smith, Arenas, CJ Miles: who fits best for the C’s?

   • Susan Bible

     I suppose Jason Terry is the Allen replacement.

10. Josh P

    The Miami Heat has done it again by signing Ray Allen. Whose next? ( CAMBY, RASHARD LEWIS, GRANT HILL)

    • Susan Bible

      They definitely did do it again, right? Sounds like both Camby and Lewis are headed to Miami over the weekend for talks. Camby may go for it with the chance to be their starting center. Would Lewis sign for the vet’s minimum for a chance at a ring?

      I wouldn’t be surprised if Hill follows Nash to the Lakers.

11. Losang

    Greeting from Nepal!
    What do you think of the Blazers’ attempt to get Hibbert?
    Do you think the Blazers would be wise to sign Derrick Fisher to mentor Damian Lillard?
    Thanks for such enjoyable chats.

    • Susan Bible

      Greetings! Clearly the Blazers are serious about Hibbert, giving him a max offer of $58 million/four years. This tells me they are serious about quickly getting back on top. This could minimize the grief they’ve had to deal with since the Oden fiasco. I understand another unidentified team offered a max contract as well.

      Fisher’s name is being attached to many teams, including the Bulls, Knicks, Nets (the frontrunner?), Mavs, Cavs and OKC…I haven’t seen Blazers being mentioned, but yes, a veteran mentor for Lillard would be a wise move.

12. Losang

    Could you comment on Hasheem The Beat, do you think your staff can turn him around and make him productive?
    PJIII is clearly talented but is he locker room poison with what seems to be his lackadaisical attitude towards bettering his play?

    • Susan Bible

      I wasn’t too thrilled about the Thabeet signing. Hope you read my article upon the news: http://www.hoopsworld.com/hasheem-thabeet-to-join-oklahoma-city-thunder

      I guess if anyone can make a player of him, the Thunder have one of the best shots. I’m skeptical though. How can you change someone’s heart or love for the game? I guess this means Nazr Mohammed is out, Cole Aldrich slides to Kendrick Perkin’s backup and Thabeet is the third string.

      I definitely wouldn’t attach the term “locker room poison” to Jones’ name. In his introductory press conference, he talked about the Thunder’s reputation of hard work and gym time; he said all the right things as far as his dedication to fitting into the system. I think it’s a great fit…low risk/high reward.

13. Kevin O

    Is there any insight into Thabeet signing beyond his physical size and athleticism? Is there a work ethic that they see in him which gives hope of a turnaround?

    • Susan Bible

      I know Presti scouted him big-time before the 2009 draft, so I can only think he sees potential to shape him. The tools are there, but can you make someone have great work ethic and a desire to be the best? I’m looking forward to hearing Presti comment on it.

14. Kevin O

    Where does Thunder put Maynard’s ceiling at, upon return. Someone they ultimately trade because he is a starter in some other cities or as a top permanent backup?

    • Susan Bible

      You mean Maynor He’s an excellent balance to Westbrook, and having just talked to him at the exit interviews (plus I always seek him out in the locker room; he’s just a really nice person), he is happy, slap-happy, to stay in OKC. With Fisher surely gone, I expect the team to resume with Maynor as they did pre-injury. Hie ceiling is about what we’ve seen, a guy that controls the floor, works very well with Harden and Collison and who can be counted on to not lose leads.

15. Azzar Nadvi

    Also, this dwight saga is so annoying. When do u think it ends and whhere do you think he will be? Lakers?

    • Susan Bible

      I know, right?! Weren’t we all just in this what’s-Howard-gonna-do craze? I’m still thinking Nets.

16. David Rivas

    If the Kings signs Kirilenko, playoff team?

    • Susan Bible

      He helps in the effort, but Kirilenko sounds like he’s happy staying in Europe. He recently said his agent isn’t contacting any NBA teams.

17. Colin from Ireland

    How do you view Ray Allen leaving the Celtics to join The Heat?personally I feel he has disrespected the Celtics organization by going to Miami

    • Susan Bible

      Just remember, in the end, it’s a business and players are free to play wherever they care to strike a deal. Everyone wants to feel respected and valued.

18. Oliver

    Hello Susan,

    Starting five of the PHX Suns: Dragic, Gordon, Beasley, Frye and Gortat. Where would you rank this team in the west.
    Thank you and best wishes from Germany

    • Susan Bible

      It’s hard to comprehend the Suns with no Nash…but that sounds like a solid starting five. I have to see the bench and give them time to mesh before heaping the word playoffs their way.

      Thanks to all — great questions this morning!