NBA Chat With Yannis 1/11/13

Join senior NBA and NCAA analyst Yannis Koutroupis for his weekly chat this Friday Jan. 11 at 11 am est!

  1. RkOz

    Gday Yannis, big fan of ur chats!!! Been hearing a lot of trade buzz around Demarcus cousins!! The kids got ridiculous talent!! Would you see this trade working and why/why not?? Demarcus & Marcus Thornton to Minny for Kevin love (add fillers to make cap work if nec.), adelman is the perfect coach to harness DC’s talent whilst thornton vills the major hole @ SG and can finally start! Sactown/Seattle (great to the sonics back as well) get THE franchise player they can build around with strong charecter and leadership, in midst of some of the other crazy trade ideas I’ve been hearing I think talent wise this Could work out best for both?? especially with reports K-Love wont resign and Pekovic’s RFA, Thoughts?

    P.S awesome to see another Aussie signed in NBA in Aron Baynes!!

    • Yannis Koutroupis

      Welcome everyone to this week’s chat coming to you live from Reno! About to head home from the d-league showcase. Let’s get to it.

      I don’t like that deal at all for minny. I don’t give up Love for Cousins, that’d be a bad move for Minny. Now if I can get him without giving up Love, I would.

  2. LA in LA

    For the life of me I can’t figure out why the LAKERS ALWAYS let/make KOBE take a desperate 3 WHENEVER IT’S A CLUTCH GAME. Even though it’s a shot he CAN make, it’s not efficient at all, the fadeaway tightly contested 3. In that loss to Spurs Lakers could have got a better look or give it to Nash, the much better 3pt shooter. The Lakers Kobe centric last minute plays have been annoying forever and are even more so now that they have Nash…

    In case you missed it, the question is “why Lakers let Kobe take terrible last second shot”.

    And also, if you saw game, what did you think of Earl Clark?

    • Yannis Koutroupis

      Because he’s Kobe Bryant. Earl was nice, let’s see how he does one teams start scouting against him.

  3. Prem I.

    Hey Yannis what do you think about a straight up trade Love for Randolph? I think it would be a win win for both teams the grizzlies don’t lose Love for nothing since Zach puts up the similar numvers and when love comes back from surgery I think he’d be great along with Gasol.

  4. Mr. Wright

    Do you think the Rockets could get Josh Smith this offseason? We have the cap space and it seems like the perfect fit for the team and could possibly put us with the elite in the west next year. Just not sure of his interest in leaving Atlanta and coming to Houston.

    • Yannis Koutroupis

      A fat contract would make him happy in Houston. I don’t think they have the pieces to get him, but he would be a good fit.

  5. Enrique

    I got into a debate with someone telling me that Chris Paul doesn’t stand a chance to be MVP because the Clippers are so deep. Clippers were nothing before he got there, and in my opinion he is as valuable to the Clippers LBJ is to the Heat, Melo is to the Knicks, Durant is to OKC. I think if it all ended today, top 3 for MVP in no particular order would be Melo, LBJ, and Paul. Your thoughts?

  6. Paul in Chicago

    I really think Joakim Noah should get the coaches vote on the All Star team. Forget the stats and the team record. I think every single guy on that team hates him (Miami, New York, Boston, Philadelphia, Cleavland) He gets booed everywhere he goes. If everyone hates you but your team loves you you must be doing something right. I hope the coaches see that. Do you think he gets in?

  7. Riccardo

    Hi Yannis!
    I’m a Suns’fan. In this season Phoenix is rebuilding but what kind of reconstruction Suns are doing? Who will be the cornerstones of the future? Ok Marshall, Dragic, Johnson and Morris. What are the chances that the exchange about Rudy Gay is successful? What are the pieces of this trade with Memphis? Gortat is a player who can be of interest to many top teams. What trades are on the horizon for Phoenix? Thanks for your time.

    • Yannis Koutroupis

      I’m not sure they do anything drastic. They have good but not great pieces. I don’t think there’s any substance to them getting Gay.

  8. Simon

    What are the chances dwight howard returns to orlando? with the lakers losing I doubt he will resign with them… I dont think brooklyn has enough money to sign him and theres a 50 50 chance he lands in dallas. Orlando is probably the best place since they will have money to spend on players like monta, josh smith, and cp3…

    • Yannis Koutroupis

      There’s no chance at all he ends up back there. As bad as LA has been, he bought a $20 million home and will get $25 million more from them. He’s not going anywhere.

  9. Cole

    What do you think about this trade?

    POR trades JJ Hickson to SA from Matt Bonner and DeJuan Blair.

    POR gets gets a more affordable replacement in Blair and gets another big in Bonner, both of which they need

    SA gets a double double machine to replace Blair who is on the outs anyway

  10. reaper22

    Hi Yannis, greetings from Bulgaria.
    I wanna hear your thoughts about that trade:
    to Utah: Parsons, Jones, Hamilton. They makes room for Favors and gets some young assets to develop or use them in future trades.
    To Houston: Millsap, Brewer. Gets starting PF and one pure scorer who can deliver 15-16 ppg as a starter.
    To Denver: Patterson, White. They gets their bench PF.

    I know Rockets likes Parsons, but it’s impossible to bring Millsap caliber player without using one of their good players.

  11. Spur

    Do you have Tony Parker in your Top 5 PG list?! Because he doesn’t seem to be included everytime.

    I see Westbrook, Williams, Rose, Rondo & Paul on the list most of the time. What do you think makes them better (each please) over Parker (but exclude Paul)? Thanks!

    • Yannis Koutroupis

      With how many great pgs there are it’s impossible to do a top five and not leave out someone deserving out. I’ll say this, I’d be comfortable having Tony go up against any pg in the league.

  12. Angaso

    Do you think the Thunder could’ve beaten the Heat if Harden played like the way he did against the Spurs?! Plus, Miller & Battier just shooting at their average percentage entering NBA Finals?! Thanks!

  13. Spur

    Do you think the Spurs can win it all this year?! What are they’re chances?! Thanks!

    • Yannis Koutroupis

      I think they’re low. They’re a great regular season team, but they can get beat by a few teams in the league four times in seven nights.

  14. Heat

    After about 30 games, what team/s do you see can beat the HEAT in a playoff series?!

  15. T-Mac

    I’ve read an article that T-Mac could attempt an NBA comeback by February 17, do you think an NBA Team would be interested to sign him if in case?! If so, what team do you think would need the services of the former superstar? Thanks!

    • Yannis Koutroupis

      Nobody wanted him before he went to China and with how he’s underwhelmed there nobody will want him after.

  16. Spur

    Do you think the Spurs should take a risk at signing Greg Oden if ever he returns? He could be real good under Coach Pop. Thanks!

    • Yannis Koutroupis

      He’s not their kind of guy. I doubt he’d last through training camp.

  17. Benny Da Bull

    Yannis,

    Great chats. I have a block buster trade idea that has passed the ESPN Trade Machine for Salaries.

    Bulls- Gay, Randolph, Allen

    Grizzles-Deng, Boozer, Hamilton, Belinelli Radmanavic, Bobcats Pick

    This idea gives the Bulls the 2nd and 3rd options behind DRose and gives the Grizz cap relief for next season and a possibly game changing future rookie.

    What do you think?

    B

  18. Radu

    Hi Yannis,
    Do you honestly believe that Paul George has the potential to be significantly better than Danny Granger? Because I don’t and I don’t understand why so many people in the Hoopsworld chats are so enamored with him. Even now that he’s gotten the chance to prove himself in Danny’s absence, I just don’t see it. Is he a good player? Yes! As good as Granger? Maybe. Is he on course to be significantly better than Granger? I say no, what’s your take? I just see Danny Granger – lite.
    2.9 Free throw attempts per game?! Come on, man!

    • Yannis Koutroupis

      He’s pretty good now with room to still grow. There’s a lot to like.

  19. Ruben

    Hey, Yannis if Memphis is looking to shed salary wouldn’t it make sence to trade ZBo to Houston.They have an abundance of young cheap power forwards with upside, and it gives Memphis a chance to keep Gay.

    • Yannis Koutroupis

      They want to cut costs without taking too big of a step back. That’s too big of a step.

  20. Chris

    Four team problem solver: http://espn.go.com/nba/tradeMachine?tradeId=9wm4l7k

    Lakers acquire: Millsap, Bell from Utah, expiring deals of Gibson, Casspi, and Walton (retires) from CLE

    Cavs acquire: Bargnani from TOR, Blake/Duhon from LA

    Raptors acquire: Gasol, Blake/Duhon from LA

    Jazz acquire: Calderon from TOR, Meeks, Jamison and Cash from LA

  21. Aristotle

    Heya Yannis

    The majority of the player names everyone is talking about in trade circles seem to be currently injured. If many of those players won’t be back till late January to early February, what impact does that have on potential trades? And how will that affect the free agency coming up?

    • Yannis Koutroupis

      Impacts the deadline more than free agency but if a team really wants a player and their doctors clear then, they’ll do it.

  22. Aristotle

    Heya Yannis

    I’m curious about where Monta Ellis and Brandon Jennings end up. I personally don’t feel they’ll stay with the Bucks.
    Any chance Minnesota can land Ellis? Maybe an Orlando tries for Jennings?

    • Yannis Koutroupis

      I think Jennings could stay. Not sure on Monta, I think he needs to go elsewhere.

  23. Tim

    After a hot start, seems like the knicks have really cooled off. Basically since Sheed went down, makes you realize just how important this guy was. What do you think is the reason they’ve been playing .500 ball since the 18-5 start?

    • Yannis Koutroupis

      Midseason lull. Nothing to be too concerned over. They’ll get back on track soon.

  24. Ray

    Do you think any teams would still be interested in Varejao post-surgery?

  25. Kyle Wafer

    Which players are the greatest Trade Assets on the Mavericks Roster ? Who would you try to get to get the twam to the playoffs?

    • Yannis Koutroupis

      The guys with expiring or short deals. But, I don’t think moving them gets them into the playoffs.

  26. Joao

    When’s the next mock draft?

  27. tony gr

    is there any trade rumors your hearing about the bucks now that skiles is gone?

    • Yannis Koutroupis

      No, but you don’t fire your coach if you have a roster full of untouchables.

  28. Drew

    So with the Luck (or lack there of) for the Wolves this season. What are the odds of us making the playoffs? Also who says no to Luke and a pick (1st if needed but hopefully a couple of 2nds) to Boston for CLee? Seems with Bradley coming back Lee is going to get less time and Boston could use another PG.

    • Yannis Koutroupis

      I don’t know if either side says no moreso than they just don’t say yes cause there’s not a huge need to do that deal.

  29. JK

    I read that Kahn turned down a Rudy Gay trade. What do you think the Grizzlies wanted in return to get a quick no? Love? Pek? Williams?

  30. Erik

    Do you think spurs will move Gary Neal before they have to sign him to a bigger deal? He is playing out of place at the point and the spurs have too much depth on the wings to resign him. He has proven to be a starting 2 in this league and I think if you package him with Blair you could get a young athletic stretch 4, which is a more pressing need for the franchise. Thanks

    • Yannis Koutroupis

      I think they’re more likely to just let his deal expire and evaluate then if they want to keep him or not. Guys, my flight is boarding I have to run sorry I couldn’t get to you all.