NBA Chat with Susan Bible 9/24/11

Please join Susan Bible for her NBA Chat each 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. end lockout!

    hi susan i enjoy the chats! but how do you think perkins will play if he is at 100 percent i watched him at boston but to me kg is what really let him shine and i keep hearing about cp for westbrook i know that would be a huge mistake!

    • Susan Bible

      Thanks! Perkins told me that he learned invaluable things from playing alongside of Garnett. When he speaks of him, it’s clear he gives him major credit for his development.

      But Perk is his own man on his own path. He had his first breakout year in 2008-09 playing 29.6 minutes (8.5 pgg/8.1 rpg); that year, KG appeared in 57 games and Perk appeared in 76 games.

      Perk also told me he was playing at 65% in OKC. He logged 5.1 ppg, 7.9 rpg…his Per 36 Minutes was 7.3 ppg and 11.3 rpg. So I’ll take a 100% Perk!

      I would fall over dead if Westbrook was traded for Paul.

  2. end lockout!

    what are your thoughts on reggie jackson to me it seems like presti is up to somthing…..

    • Susan Bible

      Your question made me laugh out loud (had to even share it with my husband)…. it does seem like Presti’s always up to something, huh? I was surprised by the pick, so I’m anxious to see what he sees in him. I suspect it means Harden goes to the starting lineup, and Jackson is paired with Maynor off the bench. Or Jackson could see time in Tulsa in the D-League first. I don’t think Robinson stays, so he can also serve as the third pg.

  3. devonte wilson

    robin lopez to the ny knicks for 3 million dollars and a 1st round pick? is that too much or is that fair?

    • Susan Bible

      That’s a great question (Kennedy answered it in his chat yesterday,too) Lopez sort of crumbled after being looked at as “the man” after Stoudemire left. That was too much to ask of him. Then Gortat comes in and takes over (with great results)

      I keep thinking about what Gentry said: “I can’t put a finger on why it is he regressed this season.” I can…lack of confidence, i.e mental toughness and injuries.

      I think Lopez has potential, not All-Star or anything, but potential. If the Suns have given up on him, now is probably the time to make the move; your proposal sounds a little on the low side.

      I really think the bigger problem is that he’s injury-prone. Wild, really, since Phoenix is known for having an extremely top-notch training/rehab program…

  4. Devilanche

    Loved reading your perspective on the thunder.

    Durant looked to have bulked up recently, any idea what’s his current weight is?

    Any possibility of a thunder update before the season start, keep hearing guys like Durant, Ibaka improving while nothing much heard about Harden, Perk’s rehab, Westbrook, Reggie Jackson, Aldrich etc.

    • Susan Bible

      I’m starting to have Thunder withdrawals….normally, I would be preparing to attend Media Day at exactly this time of year. It’s a bummer. At season’s end, Durant specifically said he was looking to bulk up some. Since I haven’t actually talked to him or seen him, I’m going by photos like you…I can see maybe a slight difference. It’s hard to detect beyond the new all-back tattoo!

      I just read a very interesting article this morning about his movie (now being filmed in Baton Rouge) — check it out:http://blog.newsok.com/thunderrumblings/2011/09/23/on-the-set-of-switch-with-kevin-durant/ It’s a fun read… Who knew Durant had a burning desire to act?!

      Harden’s been playing in the pro-am stuff, Westbrook’s been in school, Aldrich has been holding a bunch of basketball camps, Mullens just signed Greece, Thabo is in Switzerland, Perk’s hanging in south Texas (working out…lost 15 pounds) and Jackson is trying to save money!

  5. Jono

    hey susan,
    Do you reckon the timberwolves should get rid of beasley and start williams at the 3?

    • Susan Bible

      I wouldn’t pull that trigger…yet. Williams’ game should translate nicely to the NBA, but Beasley logged 19.2 ppg and 5.6 rpg last season with the Wolves. GM David Kahn insists Beasley is not being traded, for what that’s worth. Beasley was the second-leading scorer — the third wasn’t even close (Ridnour – 11.8 ppg).

      He’s just 22 years old…we all know about the off-court issues, but until there’s on-court issues, I’m waiting it out.

  6. Ben Ireland

    Hi, Susan, love the chats !
    I was wondering what the NBA 5-second violation is, and does it apply to other levels?
    And should the Heat take a chance on Iverson? Veteran’s minimum,great passer, kept in line by Wade and LeBron, gotta be worth a shot. Chalmers was better off the bench anyways.

    • Susan Bible

      Yes, the five-second rule has been adopted by the NBA, FIBA, high school and the NCAA. Basically, it’s this: When attempting a throw-in, a player has a total of five seconds to release the ball on-court.

      I don’t know if Iverson is on truly Miami’s radar, but I’d pay to see that lineup! Why not take a chance on a one-year vet minimum deal? Miami ranked 26th in both assists and steals last year. I’d do it.

  7. Jeramie Griffin

    When do think the players and owners will call it off?

    • Susan Bible

      Let me get my crystal ball here… I have no idea, but I’m saying we miss the first six weeks or so.

  8. Shawn From Chicago

    Hey Susan, What Kinda Season Do you See From Derrick Rose This Season Assuming We Actually Have One?

    • Susan Bible

      Nice qualifier there :) Rose should continue his rise to superstar status. He can’t just keep increasing his scoring in 4-5 increments (16.8 ppg to 20.8 ppg to 25.0 ppg), but I’ll bet his scoring percentages improve.

  9. Dee

    If you were Shawn Battier, what situation makes most sense to be in next year: resign with the Grizzlies, sign with the HEAT, or sign with OKC Thunder?

  10. MeloforMayor

    Where would you rank Melo and Amar’e along with the other superstars in the league?

    • Susan Bible

      They’ve got to be way up there. Combined, they averaged 51.6 points last season…and that’s with Melo in just 27 games. They really need a training camp together.

  11. lalo

    Good morning, Susan! Do you believe we’re going to have an NBA Season this year? I held off getting OKC Thunder season tickets pending the outcome of the lockout. What’s the latest? Should I get them now or wait a little longer? Love your chats as always!!

    • Susan Bible

      Good morning! I have to remain optimistic and say “yes!” I don’t think it starts on time, but there will be games…surely.

      Your statement about holding off on tickets hit the nail on what I fear, that is, what is the impact of this lockout on fan support? How many will turn away…the non-diehards anyway. I say buy your tickets now.

      For the very latest on the lockout, read this breakdown from Steve Kyler: http://www.hoopsworld.com/nba-am-what-happened-and-whats-next-nba-lockout/

      Also, the big news is that all preseason games were canceled and all training camps have been postponed indefinitely

  12. justin

    Jeff Teague, Marvin Williams for Paul Millsap?

  13. justin

    Eric Maynor for Cj Miles?

    • Susan Bible

      The Thunder presented an offer sheet for Miles in 2008, but Utah matched it. Since then they acquired Maynor and Cook to shore up the backcourt. Maynor’s salary is $1.5M for 2011-12, and the Jazz picked up Miles’ $3.7 M team option in June. Utah would want more.

      Thanks for dropping by this morning! Have a great week — see you again next Saturday….