NBA Chat With Yannis 11/16/12

Join senior NBA and NCAA editor Yannis Koutroupis for his weekly chat this Friday Nov. 16 at 11 am est!

  1. Raps Fan

    Yannis, what’s up my man … I threw this scenario at Joel and he liked it for the Raps but not for the Lakers. Lakers send Gasol to the Raptors for Jose+Bargs. Lakers get rid of Pau’s contract while replacing him with a big that would compliment Howard like Shard did in Orlando and it gives them a legit PG that could easily split time with Nash in the reg season to keep his minutes down. Calderone expires at the end of the season and Bargs is on a bargain contract for a 7 footer. I think the salaries work and I think both teams prosper. Thoughts?

    • Yannis Koutroupis

      Welcome everyone to this week’s chat! Let’s get right to it.

      Interesting idea. I think what keeps the Raptors from doing it is that Gasol’s contract is too big for their liking. But, I don’t think it’s completely unreasonable at all.

  2. Bryant

    Hey Yannis,
    Why dont the Celtics and Thunder just swap Rondo for Westbrook? The thunder get a great distributer and defender and the Celtics get a high volume scorer to take the pressure off the dinosaurs in bean town. seems like a win win……..except for my Blazers

    • Yannis Koutroupis

      Because they’re both too good to make a change like that. I don’t think it makes either team any better.

  3. Bryant

    With the Money that Olshey is going to have this off season who is he going after? The Blazers have a solid starting line up but no bench. I have looked at the list of free agents and on one really sticks out to me.

    • Yannis Koutroupis

      I think that’s yet to be determined. There’s a lot of time left in the season. We’ll have a better idea at the end of the year.

  4. HoBo

    Waz up Yannis,

    Love your chats and my Cavs. I don’t care what Gee does from time to time he’s better coming off the bench. I think the Cavs are a big time SF away from the playoffs. Can you see any trade, free agent or draft pick (next year) that could fill that role? Please include overseas talent.

    • Yannis Koutroupis

      The Cavs are going to be a lottery team, so they could get one there or free agency. They have some assets that could net them a SF via trade, but I think it’s more likely they go to the draft or free agency.

  5. Joel Anthony

    is there a team i can be traded too to bring something back to Miami or if packaged with a Mario Chalmers can Miami have a better pg

    • Yannis Koutroupis

      Maybe Toronto for Calderon? Only team I can really think of, but he’s probably playing too well for them to do that.

  6. cj

    with boston assigning melo and joseph to the dleague. is there any chance they might sign a FA PG just incase rondo has to miss some games again? i mean once bradley comes back he could play PG a little but he is more of a scorer than a passer. I just dont think it would be a bad idea to sign fisher, pargo, or boykins for the vets min.

    • Yannis Koutroupis

      They’re already at the roster limit, Melo and Joseph take up a spot despite being in the D-League. So, they’d have to let someone go. I think they try to get by with what they have.

  7. Steve

    Will the lakers be a better team than okc at the end of the year?

    • Yannis Koutroupis

      I think the potential is there for them to be. We’ll see how they develop under D’Antoni.

  8. Steve

    It doesn’t seem to be the first time the lakers have had drama going on. Will they pick it up by the end of the year?

    • Yannis Koutroupis

      I think so. The system D’Antoni uses holds a lot of potential for this group of players.

  9. Cain

    How concerned should I be about lack of production from George, Hibbert and the Pacers?

    • Yannis Koutroupis

      It’s too early to be overly concerned, but it’s definitely troublesome that after getting paid so well they’ve struggled like they have, especially with Granger out.

  10. LA in LA

    I found it interesting D’Antoni says he doesn’t run plays. Is that normal for coaches?

    • Yannis Koutroupis

      No, but he even admitted he was exaggerating a bit yesterday. He said on a couple different times he was on medications. He’ll do some play calling.

  11. LA in LA

    Players who have played with Nash usually benefit from increased FG%. The one year Jamison played with him was the only time he shot 50% FG and 40% 3FG.
    Kobe’s shooting 55% FG and 41% 3FG WITHOUT Nash. Surely Nash’s return can’t get any higher? right?

    • Yannis Koutroupis

      I don’t think so. Nash will help keep him in that range, though.

  12. Aristotle

    Heya Yannis

    What has suprised you the most inside the first 10 games of the NBA Season.

    Bucks or Knicks great start?
    Pacers or Nuggets bad start?
    Bobcats above 500 and Lakers eary struggles?
    Amount of injuries for another season to the Wolves?

    • Yannis Koutroupis

      Wolves injuries. They just cannot catch a break. Adelman’s been dealing with this bad luck for far too long.

  13. Cain

    Hey Yannis, what do you think of McLemore from Kansas? Potential one and done in mold of Jamal Crawford?

    • Yannis Koutroupis

      Talented kid, could see him leaving early. There’s some Crawford in his game.

  14. Greg

    Hey Yannis, what’s up with Jerryd Bayless. I thought this guy was going to be a beast in the nba. This is his fourth team in five years and hasn’t done anything since he’s been in the association, what’s that about?

    • Yannis Koutroupis

      Just doesn’t do the things he needs to in order to stay on the floor at point guard. I thought he was going to be a beast too, but it hasn’t click yet for him.

  15. Papa Legba

    Are you drinking that Bobcat kool-aid yet? I was skeptical but Coach Dunlap has done a great job of coaching up his players. What do you think of the two point guard, small forward, two center allignment?

    • Yannis Koutroupis

      Mike Dunlap has been phenomenal. He’s making it work with what he’s got, not complaining about what he doesn’t have. I like him and what he’s doing.

  16. Tim

    How about those knicks! Last night proved that this team is for real. How long do you think Woodson can get away with playing melo at the 4? The guy is taking a beating. Are you surprised with what Sheed has been able to give us?

    • Yannis Koutroupis

      I knew Sheed had something left in the tank. Melo won’t be at the four long-term, but it’s nice knowing you can do that in a bind. This team is for real.

  17. Devonte

    Amare and kurt Thomas for al Jefferson and Alec burks

  18. Charlie

    Why is Steph Curry’s FG% and 3 pointers so low? He’s averaging 37% this season when he shot 48.5% the past 2 seasons.

    • Yannis Koutroupis

      Not the first player to have some early-season shooting woes. He’ll get it back up, although I don’t know if he can get it to 48.5.

  19. Steve

    Hey Yannis, What do you think about the Bucks fast start? Do you think any team would be interested in Drew Gooden who continues to collect DNP’s?

    • Yannis Koutroupis

      I’m surprised, I thought they were going to be pretty bad this year, especially early. I can’t see a team taking on Gooden.

  20. Steve

    Do you think it’s worth it to drop either kawhi Leonard or ginobilis for Larry sanders in fantasy

    • Yannis Koutroupis

      No, but Tommy Beer is the guy you should ask that question.

      That’s going to do it for me folks. I’ll be back next week at the same time!