NBA Chat With Yannis 12/21/12

Join senior NCAA and NBA analyst Yannis Koutroupis for his weekly chat this Friday Dec. 21 at 11 am est!

  1. Deven

    Hey Yannis. Why are the Spurs struggling as of late?

    • Yannis Koutroupis

      Welcome everyone to this week’s chat!

      They’ve encountered a few injuries and just had a couple of teams play better than them on a few nights. No reason for concern. Jackson’s back, Leonard will be soon too. They’re fine.

  2. Deven

    Charlotte got off to a good start and are on another losing streak. What has gone wrong?

    • Yannis Koutroupis

      The league studied what they were doing and figured out ways to stop it. They’re at a talent disadvantage most nights. The fact they were able to get off to a good start was really surprising in my eyes.

  3. Jazzfan

    Who do you think is the better prospect? Nerlens Noel or Shabaz? Shabaz is a beast on offense but so so on defense and Noel is avg on offense and above average on defense both are young and will def improve

    • Yannis Koutroupis

      I think Shabazz is more NBA ready and a better player overall, so I’d take him right now but there is definitely upside with Noel.

  4. Luke

    I know its early but what do you think about Doug McDermott do you see him as a first rounder next draft

    • Yannis Koutroupis

      Super efficient and a great shooter, but I don’t know if he can go in the first because of his physical limitations. Can definitely stick in the league for a long time, though.

  5. JP

    In Minnesota current roster and moment:

    A-Do you think there is more than 50 % chance any of the following players may be traded (if the right offer comes)?

    1-Chandler Parsons

    2-JJ Redick

    3-Larry Sanders

    B-Which would be the cost (player – picks) in any of those cases?

    C-Is Derrick Williams worth the time needed for him to grow up?

    D-Which would be your targeted player to make this time reach other level?

    • Yannis Koutroupis

      Redick may be the most likely. I doubt the other two get moved. All would cost you at least one first rounder. Williams is a wild card, I’m kind of on the fence about him. I think Redick would be really good for them.

  6. maurice

    1.What else does ernie grunfeld needs to do to get fired?

    2.What else does joe dumars needs to do to get fired?

    • Yannis Koutroupis

      They’re both in a pretty bad spot, I think if they stay on their current paths they’re done.

  7. LA in LA

    Wednesday night Mike D’Antoni and Gasol went out to dinner to discuss his (lack of a fit) in the offense.
    Apparently the idea he got from that talk was saying Pau needs to add a 3pt shot to his game (said this Thursday afternoon)…
    I can’t help but think MDA should coach Gasol to his strengths instead of telling an old dog to add a new trick.

    • Yannis Koutroupis

      His system is proven, just as Pau is so it’s tough. I can see them splitting ways eventually. As you pointed to, not much of a fit. It could work, but both sides will have to adjust properly.

  8. Jim in CyberSpace

    Who has the best “pump fake”, who takes a charge the best…and “sells” it?
    Who “works” the referees better than anyone…?

    • Yannis Koutroupis

      Kobe on the first and last one. Not sure on selling flops. Gotta be one of the guys from overseas.

  9. Ralph

    Please explain to me how the Timberwolves can cut Josh Howard? The guy just tore his ACL so don’t union rules prevent teams from waving injuried players?

    • Yannis Koutroupis

      His contract was for just slightly over the minimum, so they just waived him and took the cap hit. He still gets paid.

  10. dennis

    Why not trading gerald henderson to minessota ?

    • Yannis Koutroupis

      Interesting idea, Minny would have to make it worth their time. I think he’d be good there.

  11. JP

    Should Minnesota review trades to get a potential top 5 pick in order to select Shabazz if the price of Redick is TOO high?
    That would be another killer move, don´t you think?

    • Yannis Koutroupis

      He’d be great there, but they’re kind of in win now mode and I see Shabazz needing a couple years to really come into his own at the NBA level.

  12. LA

    How long until Gasol is traded? Nash will come back Tuesday, and it’ll be apparent that he wont fit in the offense. It’s time to move on.

    • Yannis Koutroupis

      If he is it won’t be until much closer to the deadline if some good options become available.

      That’s it for me this week. Happy holidays everyone!