NBA Chat With Yannis 12/14/12

1. FG7

   Is Jeremy Lin for real after last night? or should I just sell high on him?

   Any thoughts on if I should stick with brandon jenning?

   • Yannis Koutroupis

     Welcome everyone to this week’s chat!

     I’d sell high, I’ve never bought into Jeremy Lin being more than an occasional standout. Jennings I’d stay away from. Saw them recently, didn’t walk away feeling like they were a playoff team.

2. Deven

   Yannis, if the Spurs are this good every year, then why haven’t they won the title in the last 6 years? What’s your take?

   • Yannis Koutroupis

     Regular season success doesn’t equal postseason success. The Spurs have been good, not flawless. In the playoffs their weaknesses have either been exposed and taken advantage of or they run into health issues.

3. Deven

   How likely is it that Manu retires after this season?

   • Yannis Koutroupis

     Unlikely. Still too good and too much money left out there for him.

4. Deven

   With all due respect to Coach Pop, if the Spurs were coached by somebody else and a new system is involved and it’s being used for the first time, do you think the Spurs would be a completely different team?

   • Yannis Koutroupis

     Without a doubt. Pop knows how to use this group and they’re very familiar with his system. There would be a major transition period with a new coach.

5. Tom

   Why haven’t the HEAT signed Kenyon martin yet

   • Yannis Koutroupis

     Because they’re pretty set at power forward already. Kenyon can’t guard fives or play center, doesn’t fit a true need.

6. Bugsy Mogues

   Hey Yannis,
   What happened to Donatas M in Houston? Preseason he was great and was looking at having a major developmental role, now nothing? 2.36min for the season? A lot of wasting young talent on the Rockets.

   • Yannis Koutroupis

     He’s gotta get stronger, rebound more and play better defense. Once he does those three things, he’ll play. Offensively he could help right now. He’s a bright prospect and it’s early, give it some time.

7. Jim

   Is it time for Pat Riley to ask for his favor back and try to trade for Derrick Williams maybe Joel Anthony for Derrick Williams Lebrun can teach him how to play

   • Yannis Koutroupis

     Miami has what it takes already, no reason to gamble on Derrick Williams.

8. Steve

   Should the raptors tank this year or still try to win some games? And do you think lowry will re-sign the year after with this team?

   • Yannis Koutroupis

     I think they can keep Lowry. I’m not a believer in tanking, but considering the situation with their pick being just top three protected, if any team should it’s them. They have to be careful, though, Stern doesn’t seem to be taking any prisoners with him into retirement.

9. Ryan

   Why does Del Negro never play Bledsoe or Jordan enough? I know their on a 8 game winning streak but this has bothered me all season.

   • Yannis Koutroupis

     Deep team, guys aren’t gonna get the kind of minutes they would on thinner teams.

10. Jio

    With Magic’s huge TDE will every trade try to add them as third or fourth team for cap relief?

    Percentage JJ will still be a Magic by the end of the season? Seems to be our best trade chip.

    • Yannis Koutroupis

      They have options and flexibility, that’s for sure. I think JJ is gone, I put it at 51 percent.

11. James

    Everywhere you turn people believe The Lakers are going to turn it around? But are people prepared if it doesn’t work?

    • Yannis Koutroupis

      They’re becoming much more prepared with every loss, but honestly how can you judge this team without Nash, especially considering the offense they’re running now and Pau. I think they’d be much better even if they just had Steve Blake. Not having serviceable PG play in D’Antoni’s system is deadly.

12. rick

    Do the Lakers have a first round pick this year? I know they traded last years for Ramon sessions but im hearing phoenix has this years from the Nash trade(Cleveland is supposed to have the right to swap this years pick with one of their own as well). I thought NBA teams couldn’t trade back to back picks.

    I’d appreciate if you could clarify. Thanks

    • Yannis Koutroupis

      No, the Lakers do not have any scenario in which they would keep their own first round pick. It’s either going to Phoenix or being swapped with Cleveland and the least favorable of their first round picks.

13. T.J. Wilson

    Why are the Denver Nuggets off to such a slow start? They’re struggling like crazy.

    • Yannis Koutroupis

      Big change with Iguodala coming in, guys not playing up to their contracts and a road heavy schedule. Like the Lakers, I expect them to get it together.

14. Jake

    Are there any possibilities that Kevin Love could end up leaving Minnesota? Could Cleveland be a destination?

    • Yannis Koutroupis

      Not until two seasons from now. Too far away to speculate where he could go.

15. Robinson

    What can you say about my knicks and melo. I know all his critics can hush up. Do you think their success will continue

    • Yannis Koutroupis

      Yes, he’s a great player. They’re a good team. Long as they stay healthy, I can’t see them falling out of the top three.

16. Brandon Whitley

    What are some good comps you can come up with for Favors, Hayward and Kanter? Any chance Favors becomes a Jermaine O’neal in his prime type player?

    • Yannis Koutroupis

      No, he’s nowhere near the offensive force Jermaine was. Comparisons are tough, especially with this amount of time. They’re all pretty unique, which makes it even more difficult. I’d say he’s closer to Serge Ibaka. Kanter has some Kendrick Perkins in him, and Hayward…. Maybe some Batum?

17. mario

    How good can the Utah jazz be This Season

    • Yannis Koutroupis

      Right around where they were last season. I can’t see them winning a playoff series.

      That’s it for me folks. Talk to you next week!