NBA Chat With Susan Bible 8/11/12

Please join Susan Bible for her NBA Chat this 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. Winston

    What’s your opinion on the Mavs’ ceiling/basement performance-wise this upcoming season?

    Also, amongst the Hawks, Lakers, Nets, Mavs, rate them according to likelihood Dwight joins on a long-term deal.

    Thanks!

    • Susan Bible

      Good morning, NBA fans! Let’s get to it:

      The Mavs turned their offseason around after losing out on the Deron Williams and Dwight Howard sweepstakes. At first I thought the worst for them, but they were able to secure Mayo, Kaman, Brand, Collison, Jones, and a nice draft pick in Cunningham. It’s going to take some time to come together. They will reach the playoffs; the basement would be they don’t. The Mavs open their season in Los Angeles – that’s a must-see.

      Obviously, Howard landed with the Lakers, and he should sign a multi-term deal next year.

  2. Zeeshan

    so, these bulls fans are waiting for boozer to be amnestied!!!!!!! when will it happen?!??!?

    • Susan Bible

      I understand that won’t happen until next summer or even in 2014.

  3. Bill

    when do u think nikola mirotic will join the bulls?

  4. allenq

    rudy gay>Carmelo anthony?

    true or false?

  5. G

    my grizzles better do good or else gay might decied to leave right?

    • Susan Bible

      Well, Gay is under contract through the 2013-14 season, then he has a player option, so he can’t just leave for awhile.

  6. Bob

    bulls have a bright future right???..

    • Susan Bible

      Eventually, yes. Obviously this season is going to be a challenge without their star point guard until March; I’ll reserve your sentiment for the following season. I was surprised they let so many go (Korver, Asik, Brewer, Watson, Lucas), but they have financial matters, i.e. being able to pay key players in the future, on their mind which is why they signed Robinson, Mohammed, Radmanavic and Belinelli to one-year deals. Hinrich got two years.

  7. Rip City Dave

    What do you think of the Stotts hire in Portland? Seems like the complete opposite of Nate “Sarge” McMillan as far as philosophy.

    • Susan Bible

      The Blazers really took their time in finding the right guy, interviewing ten candidates. I think Stotts brings some of what Canales did as far as relatability and enthusiasm. The guy has 18 years of experience in coaching and he has a 2011 NBA championship on his resume under the great Rick Carlisle. Nowitzki labeled him an “offensive genius” which is never a bad thing to be called (can he turn Aldridge into a Dirk-like player?). He’s known for his abilities in teaching the young guys. He’s obsessed with the game. I think it’s all positive. And I think it was really smart that they retained Canales on the staff.

  8. drake

    To me it seams that Orlando was holding Dwight hostage and ended up shot by the bad-trade cops.Houston offer was a lot better. ORL will get Noel next year as no 1 pick and repat the mistake in 5 yr cuz thats what mediocre teams do.

    • Susan Bible

      I really like what Alex Kennedy, who covers the Magic for HOOPSWORLD, said in his chat yesterday about the whole thing. He’s got a firm, bird’s-eye grip on the issue, so you should read his views: http://www.hoopsworld.com/nba-chat-with-alex-kennedy-8812-2/

      I thought his words here summed it up well: “The Magic didn’t want to be a borderline playoff team. Rather than bringing in veterans who would keep the team competitive and land the eighth seed in the East, Orlando is going to throw their young guys out there and let them develop. They’re probably going to be a bad team for a few years, but they’re fine with that. They’ll get a couple lottery picks in a row and then have cap space in 2014.” And I agree with him, the Houston deal wasn’t all that great.

  9. Jazzaholic

    Will we all be seeing Hack-a-Howard now or just when Pops plays the HATED Lakers?

    • Susan Bible

      Funny you say that as we wondered out loud at my house yesterday if Scott Brooks would use the tactic. If Howard’s free throw shooting is as dismal as ever – and if the Lakers are stomping – then, yes.

  10. Beau

    What teams still have their MLE?

  11. LA in LA

    I guess Rob Hennigan won’t be welcomed back in OKC after doing this trade huh?

    • Susan Bible

      If Magic fans and supporters can be patient, it should turn out well down the road. Hennigan spent four seasons with the Spurs, then four seasons with the Thunder, so he’s putting what he learned to work. He’s admitted the franchise took a step back with a vision for the future. I think the young pieces they have along with five picks, salary-cap flexibility and a sizable traded-player exception are solid building bases in which to start over.

  12. MJ5

    Hey Susan,
    What’s your take on the whole Dream Team vs. Lakers debate? (:

    • Susan Bible

      I assume you mean Dream Team vs. the 2012 Team debate? To tell you the truth, I haven’t given it much thought. I don’t really see the point in comparing the two.

  13. Gustavo A Thomas

    How easy is for Lakers to get súper star players on trade.when you hit the lotto every week i no believe you are so lucky,i believe something wrong happen.what is the NeXT lakers move, trade world peace to OKC for K Duran? What you think?

    • Susan Bible

      You have to give credit to the Lakers GM, Mitch Kupchak. It seems like he finds the right deals at the right time. The Lakers have a great name – most players would die to play for such a winning franchise.

  14. annoying laker fan

    Are u ready for the day that u might see durant ,westbrook,harden or ibaka a laker? ;)

    • Susan Bible

      Annoying Laker Fan? That’s priceless. I understand your point. Oklahoma City is new to this NBA-thing, and fans have been spoiled rotten as they witness players turn into superstars and a team evolve into title contenders. We haven’t experienced the heartache of losing favored players yet. I hope the fans are ready, because it will happen.

  15. Alex in Burbank

    Good morning Susan. I refuse to buy into this whole Lakers are in the finals for sure until the team proves they are worthy. The Thunder still scare me because they have Howard’s cryptonite. Do I want a championship? YES of coarse! But I refuse to put it in te bag the way a lot of laker fans are. The Clippers are looking mighty strong too. Who do you think will be the top 3 in the West and what order?

    • Susan Bible

      I’m not a fan of ranking before the season even starts, but if I had to: Lakers, Thunder, Spurs. The Thunder will improve again like they do every season, and they will handle the intense glare better…but I just can’t imagine how good this Lakers team is going to be now with Steve Nash, Kobe Bryant, Pau Gasol and Dwight Howard running the show. Throw in the underrated Antawn Jamison with Metta, and they will be formidable. The bench could be better, but it will work.

  16. The Philippine Eagle

    How much of the mini midlevel exception remains after the the Lakers signed Jodie Meeks?

  17. Aristotle

    Hi Susan,

    I’m just curious if you would ever expect Kevin Durant to act the way Dwight has if he didn’t get on with OKC… I mean with Dwight it was unhappy with his coach, unhappy with the Magic organisation, etc. Surely he could of treated the situation in a more mature manner the way I think Durant would if things went sour.

    • Susan Bible

      Knowing Durant and his personality, the answer is no. He’s just not that attention-craving type.

  18. LSO

    Any other big surprises, i. e., signings, trades, etc., in store before the season starts? (Not that the Dwight Howard-thing was a particular surprise.) (Not that I really even care.)

    • Susan Bible

      Since I know you’re a Thunder fan, you’ll like this. Guess how Durant was quoted when someone asked him his thoughts on the Howard signing? He said: “Nah, I don’t really care.” You guys think alike.

      There are still a mountain of free agents remaining without a team. Check this: http://www.hoopsworld.com/2012-nba-free-agency-best-of-whos-left/ It’s about a week old, but it gives you a good idea. I think all the major surprises are done.

  19. Saulo

    Hey Susan, how’ve you been? I wanted to know your thoughts on the west. I think the Wolves have a legit shot at 6-8, what do you think? Also where do the Lakers rank, 1 or 2?

    • Susan Bible

      Hey Saulo – doing great here. I’m going to agree with you on the Wolves, but toward the bottom; for sure, I’m excited to monitor Roy’s return and see what Kirilenko and Shved can do there. I have to put Lakers #1.

  20. mark

    Will the lakers go after barbosa

    • Susan Bible

      There has been much speculation about the pairing. I think they still try.

  21. Michael

    Nash/Blake/Duhon
    Kobe/Jodie/Goudelock
    Ron Artest/Devin Ebanks
    Pau Gasol/Antawn Jaminson
    Dwight/Jordan Hill

    Sorry Thunder…

  22. charlie nguyen

    Hi Susan – It’s time to revisit my previous proposal: trade Mike Brown to San Antonio for Pop and cash – Lakers are set for next 3 years!

    • Susan Bible

      That’s a pretty good one, Charlie!

      Thanks for dropping in — enjoy the Gold-medal game tomorrow!