NBA Chat with Tommy Beer 12/28/11

1. Alec

   Hey T.Beer, Welcome Back!!! If you were running the show in Boston, would you let Rondo be the #1 option (scoring wise)? I just would like to see if he could ever be a 20+ ppg, 10+ apg, 2+ spg kind of guy. Looks great so far even with 2 losses.

   • Tommy Beer

     Yeah, Rondo has been beast over the first two games. If there was any doubt, he is clearly the Celtics best player right now. I understand Paul Piece is out, but Rondo has looked THAT good. He has such a huge impact on both ends of the floor. He is a ball-hawking terror on defense, and so creative offensively.

     That said, he is NOT a guy you want trying to score 20+ points a night. His jumper is still unreliable, and his FT shooting remains a red flag. Rondo is at his best in the open court, or free-styling out of half court sets. It is just impossible to stay in front of the guy – he simply gets to whatever spots he wants on the floor. Also, dude never gets tired, he can run for days and pressure opponents the full 94 feet for nearly 48 minutes. You’d think other players would love playing with that type of PG

     All things considered, it is amazing that Danny Ainge and the Celtic front office even considered trading this guy often over the years – especially considering he is locked into a very affordable long-term contract! Reading in-between the lines, you know Rondo has clearly rubbed some people the wrong way with his attitude off the court….

2. Johnnie

   Why don’t the Lakers get Ramon Sessions? He’s Cheap, Young, and great in penetration which is highly needed for the Lakers. Trade the odom exception and a second round pick.

   • Tommy Beer

     It takes two to tango… The Cavs don’t want to simply give Sessions away for a late 2nd round pick

     Kyrie Irving is obviously the future in Cleveland, but they don’t want to put too much pressure on his shoulders right away. The rrook struggled in the opener Monday night. Here is an interesting fact courtesy of Elias Sports Bureau: “Top draft pick Kyrie Irving shot 2-for-12 (.167) from the field in his NBA debut, a 104-96 home loss by the Cavaliers to the Raptors. Since the modern NBA draft was established in 1966, that’s the worst shooting percentage by the top overall pick in his first Association game (minimum 5 FGA). The old record belonged to Kenyon Martin, who shot 4-for-16 (.250) for the Nets against Cleveland in 2000.”

     Meanwhile, Session was the Cavs leading scorer on the night with 18 points

3. Anthony Pascua

   Any word on where Gilbert Arenas may end up?

   • Tommy Beer

     Haven’t heard much over the last couple of days. The primary reason scaring teams off is the knee trouble. NBA GM’s aren’t convinced he’ll be able to contribute due to those wheels… Also, Gillie obviously doesn’t have the best reputation when it comes chemistry. The locker room antics of the past are coming back to haunt him now. That said, I’m surprised a team hasn’t rolled the dice on him yet. Expect him to start working out for teams when he feels he is closer to fully healthy – or at least as close as he can get.

4. Patrick

   Welcome back! What do you think of my fantasy team?

   PG: Rondo/Irving/Stuckey
   SG: Ginobli/J.Rich
   SF: Durant/C.Butler/Casspi
   PF: Aldridge/Cousins/Bass
   C: Bynum/D.Jordan

   Who do you have as a sleeper this year?

   • Tommy Beer

     Looks fine – my preseason sleepers were Jeff Teague, Ryan Anderson, Jose Calderon, and Kris Humphries

5. kristyles

   i know its early on…but whos a break out player candidate and how did teague look to u last night?

   • Tommy Beer

     I still like Jeff Teague as a breakout fantasy star this season.
     he only played 24 minutes last night, but that was primarily because the game was a blowout – and in those 24 minutes, Teague hit 3 three-pointers and scored 13 points. If he knocks down 3′s, even more to like…

6. Chris

   Hi Tommy. Is Addidas really preventing Dwight from considering Chicago? This theory doesn’t make much sense. Together, Rose & Dwight would be serious title contenders for the next 10 years. Plus, they would form one of the most dominant duos in NBA history. Hard to see Addidas’ national/international shoe sales not going through the roof.

   • Tommy Beer

     Agreed – where Dwight Howard ends up will be decided by Dwight Howard and those close to him. NOT by shoe reps. Ignore that rumor. Too much at stake for Howard, both personally and financially, to be swayed by Adidas

7. Eric Estrada

   I am impressed w/ Marshon Brooks thus far. When do you see him breaking the starting lineup this year?

   • Tommy Beer

     Brooks looked great last night – dropping 17 in a loss to the Hawks. But that game was a blowout, so you don’t want to take away too much from that contest. Brooks only played 8 minutes in NJ opening night win over Wiz…. But Brooks is a guy the Nets are high on, so expect his playing time and production to increase. Not sure he’ll start this season – but he’ll see plenty of PT off the bench.

8. Dominate707

   What do you think about Okur will he crack the starting line up and make some shots?

   • Tommy Beer

     I thought Okur was a smart pickup by the Nets. He is still working off the rust on his game and adjusting to Avery Johnson’s system in New Jersey – but he’s a better player than Johan Petro, so I think it’s only a matter time before he is inserted into the starting lineup. Once Brook Lopez returns from injury, then NJ will have the option of sliding Okur over to PF, or having him back up Brook…

9. kristyles

   true or false.. greg monroes ceiling can be close to a mini tim duncan?

   • Tommy Beer

     False. I like Monroe but we can’t even put him in the same sentence as Timmy D right now. Duncan was an All-NBA talent from his first day in the NBA. Monroe is no where near that level yet

10. alan

    bulls offer noah, asik, gibson, korver and 2 1sts to magic for howard, turk and ryan anderson. who says no?

    • Tommy Beer

      The Magic. It’s not a bad offer – Orlando dumps Turk’s contract, but the 1st round pick would be very late and Orlando would be forced to build around Noah, who is not a franchise center. Not enough. Also, the Magic would not move Anderson in a Howard trade – he’s an underrated commodity and Magic appreciate his value.

      Random stat for you – Ryan Anderson was the only player in the NBA last season to average over 1 three-pointers, but less than 1 turnover.

11. Rich

    Do you see Jeremy Lin as a 2-4 week fill in, or is he someone who just might be good in Mike D’s system?

    • Tommy Beer

      To be determined – I think there is some obvious upside with Lin. He’s got NBA size at 6-3 and we know he’s got a great b-ball IQ. He is also athletic and a good distributor. The knock has been his defense – can he stay in front of NBA PG’s. Due to limited time off the Warriors bench last year, he hasn’t had a chance to prove himself. As desperate as the Knicks are for PG help, I think he definitely get a chance to prove he belongs – and any PG would love to play for D’Antoni – so stay tuned, we shall see. In my opinion, I think the kid impresses and earns minutes going forward.

12. Kyle

    How far can Melo lead the Knicks? He seems to have really worked on setting up his teammates and looks to be playing at the highest level of his career. Would it be crazy to think once B-Davis is healthy the Knicks could win the east?

    • Tommy Beer

      Melo looked like an MVP candidate on Opening Night – that’s who the Knicks believed they were getting when they traded for him last February. As I tweeted later in the day last Sunday, I didn’t see too many folks complaining the Knicks were stupid to give up Timofey Mozgov and others in order to obtain Melo…

      Still – The Knicks are NOT on the same level as the Bulls and Heat right now. I have those two teams as the clear-cut top-tier in the EAST. But, I think the Knicks could be the 3rd best team in the conference. I think the Knicks goals right now should be to win the Atlantic Division and secure home court advantage in the playoffs.

      You mention a key point – the health of Baron Davis. If B-Diddy can return for the playoffs and is even 85% of himself – that makes the Knicks such a scary team. You know no other squad in the East would want to play them in the postseason.

13. beej

    fantasy: i know its too early in the season for fantasy questions, but is there any waiver guys you would say are must adds? I have oj mayo, jordan hill, and arenas on my bench and ready to ditch any or all of them? jerebko, hawes, james johnson,

    • Tommy Beer

      Yes – drop Arenas and Hill to pick up Jerebko and Hawes.

14. Patrick

    Picked Bass up off waivers in my fantasy league, think he can keep averaging what he has been?

    • Tommy Beer

      I don’t think he’ll match the 20/10 double-double he posted Opening Day against the Knicks (it was the first time he put up a 20/10 game in 336 career contests) – but I think he is a solid grab off the waiver wire.

      Boston has a thin bench – esp with Jeff Green out for the season, so I think Bass will see 25-30 minutes a night, and he is talented enough offensively to put up some solid numbers with that PT. He went for 13 and 5 last night in Miami – I think that is the kind of line you should hope for.

      Plus, if KG ever got injured and missed some time, Bass’ value would jump dramatically….

15. Dominate707

    Ty Lawson, Lowry , Jrue Holiday any of these PGs become a 1st or 2nd round pick next season?

    • Tommy Beer

      All 3 are PG’s on the rise – but I don’t see any of them rising all the way up to 1st or 2nd round value in fantasy drafts next Fall.
      If I had to rank them, I’d prob go Lowry, then Lawson, then Jrue.
      I know some folks are super high on Lawson, but I am not quite there yet – the presence of Andre Miller still worries me from a fantasy perspective (Miller played 28 minutes on opening night for the Nuggs)

16. charliechu

    Tristan Thompson had a very solid debut game monday night. He and Kyrie need to be on the floor together but Jamison is currently starting. What kind of trade value does he have with his expiring contract?

    • Tommy Beer

      With the new CBA, big expiring contracts have FAR less value than they used to under the old system. Just look at what happened in New York – the Knicks had Billups (a very good NBA guard) on an expiring deal, but had to simply waive him via the amnesty clause, as opposed to trade him away. I’d expect Jamison to finish the season in Cleveland, and then part ways with the franchise next summer as a free agent, which will open up cap space for the Cavs…

17. Jazzfan

    any chance you can tell my fellow Jazz fans that there’s no need to freak out?, Jazz are a young team thats only going to fer better not to mention we have some great pieces to trade, just gotta be patient right?

    • Tommy Beer

      Agreed. Losing to Lakers after they had played 2 nights in a row wasn’t promising – but it is still obviously so early in the season. I am definitely interested to see if Ty Corbin continues to start the youngsters Haywood and Favors? We’ll see how that plays out going forward.

18. kristyles

    not nba question..LIONS makes it pass first game of playoffs?

    • Tommy Beer

      Love my Lions – and I hope so, but I think it depends on what happens this weekend in Green Bay. If the Lions beat the Packers (who have nothing to pay for) then they’ll get the #5 seed and play the winner of the Giants /Cowboys game. But If the Lions lose, and the Falcons beat the Bucs, then DET plays either 49ers or Saints.

      In order for the Lions to make some real noise and advance to 2nd round, I think they need to win on Sunday in GB. As an aside, I think Lions fans have to root for the Boys to beat the Giants. Playing in a dome in Dallas against Romo would have to be preferable to playing outside in cold NY against Eli…

19. Peter

    If Derrick Williams makes Beasley expendable by the end of the year do u think Bulls would trade Asik and Brewer or Butler for Beasley to be an Odom like 6th man and can take scoring load off Rose. Sometimes even play the 2 and have a big lineup. The number 1 and 2 pick from 08 would be cool and could grow together, both extremely young. Give Beasley a 4-5 year 32-40 mil Conley like contract.

    • Tommy Beer

      I don’t see the Bulls making a move for Beasley – or any winning team for that matter. Remember, any team in the NBA could have gotten Beasley dirt cheap when the HEAT pawned him off back in 2010. Beasley is a guy that needs the ball in his hands to be effective – Chicago doesn’t need a high-volume shooter. The Bulls also wouldn’t be interested in mixing in that personality into thier locker room.

20. beej

    Low minute guys – Ibaka, Monroe, and Teague … trend or too small a sample.

    • Tommy Beer

      Too small of a sample size. Be patient… (although, of those 3, I thought Ibaka was a little overvalued coming into the season)

21. Jesse

    Is Amir finally going to preform this year?

    • Tommy Beer

      He’s got to stay out of foul trouble in order to stay on the floor! That’s the first step – I think he’ll take a step in the right direction this season.

22. kristyles

    so no dwight in nj…deron resigns or gets dealt by deadline?

    • Tommy Beer

      I’ll go with “none of the above”

      D-Will has made it very clear that he will NOT sign and extension with NJ during the season. His plan is to opt out next summer and become a unrestricted FA. He’s doing this for 2 reasons. 1) he can make a lot more money if he opts out and signs a new deal 2. He wants to wait and see how the Nets will flesh out the roster around him.

      The Nets dream scenario is signing both D-Will and Howard to max deals next July – immediately becoming one of the best teams in the East in the process