NBA Chat With Yannis 1/6/12

Donald

Yannis, if a player is fouled in the act of shooting, is that counted as a shot in the box score. For instance if a player shoots ten times and is fouled on five shots and hits 2 is he 2 for 5 or 2 for 10?

Yannis Koutroupis

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

The only way a shot gets recorded on the box score when there is a foul during it is if the shot is made. Otherwise, it is not recorded.

Nick

Why haven’t the CAVS traded jamison, sessions and varajeo already before they win to many games?

Yannis Koutroupis

After two high picks in last year’s draft, I think Cleveland and Byron Scott in particular are ready to win some games. They don’t want to have another year like last year. With that said, I do think they trade at least two of the guys you mentioned above, but to help them win not in salary dumps.

Johnny Jazz Fan

Jazz’s Ennis Kanter had 11 rebounds in his first game….a blowout in L.A. Isn’t that unusual. Do you think he will ever average 13 rebounds a game?

What is your opinion about Favors and Kanter?

Yannis Koutroupis

I wouldn’t put too much into it just based on what he’s done since. It’s all about consistency and he hasn’t shown a lot of it so far. 13 rebounds a game is a tad high for Kanter, I’d put his ceiling more around eight or nine. I like the combination of Favors and Kanter, intrigued to see how they develop. This is going to be a learning year for them, so I wouldn’t get too down on them if they struggle.

Ric

Thoughts on Steve Adams (Pitt committ)? Kid more than held his own against Andre Drummon in the summer. We’re all rooting for him here in New Zealand.

Yannis Koutroupis

Kid can play, he’s high on my 2013 draft mock draft right now. I think he’s going to have a huge impact at Pitt, potentially be the best big man in the country depending on who stays and goes in the NCAA this year.

Josh

Yannis,

If there is a bynum/howard trade Wouldnt it be a good idea for Deron Williams to return back to the Jazz in free agency? Lakers wouldnt have the cap space to sign Williams and the only other big market that Dwill could go to is a aging Dallas team. Next year Jazz can amnesty or trade Harris and that should give them enough to sign Deron to a max contract next year. With Sloan out, already knowing the fan base and having the more promising young talent he would take Utah to title contender for the next 5-7 years.

Yannis Koutroupis

Not going to happen. The bridges are burned there, neither side would be interested. They traded him for a reason and Deron is the kind of guy that will remember that forever. He’ll have plenty of other options to choose from in free agency, there will be a few teams who clear space to make a run at him. Dallas isn’t as bad as you make it out to be, just Dirk alone there makes it worth signing for Deron.

Dennis

During Wednesday`s Cleveland / Raptors game, the commentator for Toronto claimed having a team in Canada contributed to the spread of basketball in the area which lead to more Canadian players in the NBA. The example used was Tristan Thompson, a native of Toronto. Do you think this argument has legs? Does having a team in Toronto really impact the quality of players coming out of that area? If for instance a team was put in Montreal Canada, would this lead to a few NBA players coming out of this area (like never before)?

Yannis Koutroupis

I think it would have happened anyway, but I certainly don’t think that it has hurt anything. If you look at the major culprit behind the growth of international basketball, it has to be the 1992 Dream Team. They put on a show that made new fans globally at a rate like never before.

Mac

Who am I? Everyone said I had no jumpshot. Everyone said my best days were in a game when I was 18 years old. Everyone wrote about how the GM who drafted me should be fired. Who came to the league and lit this piece up?

Yannis Koutroupis

Ricky Rubio! And for the record I was not one of those people.

Dennis

If you were a NBA GM and management instructed you to sign size center in the offseason, which big man would you have targeted: Kwame Brown or Samuel Dalembart

Yannis Koutroupis

Dalembert, just because I feel like he’s mentally tougher. Kwame’s a solid NBA player and one of the best low post defenders in the league, but his rough career has taken a toll on him and he’s not someone I’d feel comfortable relying on.

Charlie

Don’t look now, but the Toronto Raptors are 3 – 3 (and that includes blowing a 14 point second half lead at Orland). Is this wishful thinking or do the Raps have a legit chance to surprise all and finish in the #8 spot?

Yannis Koutroupis

They could. I love Dwayne Casey and thought he was the perfect hire to get them to really reach their max potential. There’s a lot of games to be played in a short amount of time, though, so there’s no guarantees right now. They need to stay hot and consistent, which is one of the toughest things for a young team like them to do.

Mike

Hey Yannis what is Wesley Johnson’s trade value like? He’s a former top 5 pick, but he has really struggled last year and still is. He is playing out of position though.

Yannis Koutroupis

It’s pretty low, plus he could bring much back in anyway because he’s on his rookie deal. I think Minny is just going to continue to be patient with him and hope that everything clicks soon.

Anthony Pascua

The Lakers need more athleticsm and scoring. Even if the Lakers had D12, I don’t think Howard and Kobe can change how bad they played against Portland and how un-athletic we look right now. I would seriouslt look at J.R.Smith whenever he becomes available. What do you think?

Yannis Koutroupis

They always play bad against Portland, going into that game they were 4-16 against them in the last 20 games. Laker fans are notorious for overreacting. No need to blow things up because of a regular season loss. J.R. Smith would not be a good fit on the team at all, certainly not someone who makes them more of a championship contender. He doesn’t defend the way Mike Brown demands his players to, plus he’ll get way more money than the Lakers will be able to offer when he’s free to sign.

English Knick

Greetings from England Yannis! So, Toney Douglas is shooting 15 times per game at a 35% clip. Small sample but even last year it was only 41%. Stat is a career 20+ ppg scorer who even this year off a poor start is at 45% and is 50% for his career. He is also taking 15 shots, while Fields, Shump and Chandler are all taking fewer shots than TD at a higher clip (Chanlder is 70%+). What gives? How is D’Antoni letting Douglas shoot so much?

Yannis Koutroupis

That’s the kind of player Toney Douglas is. If you’re going to tell him not to shoot, you might as well not play him at all because he isn’t going to be himself. D’Antoni’s offense allows that kind of freedom too, it’s a systematic thing. The Knicks troubles cannot be summed up solely by Douglas shooting too much, there’s way more there.

john

hi Yannis, greetings from germany
the best destination for D12 is Chicago-no question. so would this trade be possible or has deng be included. hedo, Howard for noah,gibson,korver,some cap filler if needed and charlotte pick. magic get great froncourt, high draft pick, great shooter and get rid of hedos contract and cap relief. your thoughts??

Yannis Koutroupis

I don’t think the talent level is high enough from Chicago’s end to get that deal to go down. Probably have to include Boozer instead of Gibson to get Orlando to consider, maybe Deng too. They’re going to ask the world for D12, and they’re right in doing so.

john

hi Yannis,
has Kazemi a chance to get drafted??
he is a little undersized for a NBA PF but he is a solid rebounder.

Yannis Koutroupis

I think he’ll get drafted, but whether or not he sticks is up in the air. There will be a lot of teams interested in him overseas that could potentially offer him a more lucrative contract financially than what he’d receive as a second round pick or undrafted free agent.

Jhon

I had saw shaq on nba tv and he had a ring that said mason on it do u think he a is a part of that

Yannis Koutroupis

No idea.

Jhon

if dwaight goes to the lakers before the all star game and he vote in as a starter in the east. How would he still be a all star you know and he be in the west.

Yannis Koutroupis

Not exactly sure, but I believe he’d just be a reserve. Meanwhile, the East coach would pick a replacement starter and the player who won the Western Conference voting at center would still be the starter.

JPE

How impossible is my dream team for next year: Rubio-Harden (Trade) -Williams-Love-Garnett (FA) ? Trades to upgrade SG and C in Minne? Who would you trade and bring instead?

Yannis Koutroupis

Pretty unrealistic. No way Garnett is going back to Minnesota. That’s not a chapter of his career he’s looking to revisit due to the way things ended there. I’d like to see them get a real back-to-the-basket scoring center, like Kaman. Harden would be nice at SG, but I don’t see him being traded.

Hari

Hi from Germany! How you doing? Is there any opportunity that the Atlanta Hawks are going to use the amnesty clause on Joe Johnson’s massively overpaid contract?

Yannis Koutroupis

Doing great, thanks for stopping by my chat. I think it’s a given that they’ll do so at some point, but it could be a few years down the line.

Bill

Do you think that the Warrior’s signing of Nate Robinson signals that they have plans to deal either Steph Curry or Monta Ellis? Otherwise why sign yet another shoot first tweener?

Yannis Koutroupis

I think it’s more of a sign that Curry’s ankle injury is serious and potentially problematic throughout the season. So, they’re in need of some backup and Robinson is a nice option. He fits the system and is a high energy player. I think he helps. He has to be motivated after all the things that were said about him during the offseason.

Hari

Is there a shot of seeing NBA Basketball in Seattle at some point again? Relocation of the Kings or Hornets?

Yannis Koutroupis

I don’t know if it’ll be the replacement of the Kings or Hornets, but Seattle will probably get another team at some point.

Sump

What’s your thoughts on Mike D’Antoni? He’s a good coach for a team like let’s say the Bucks or Wolves but I just don’t see the championship calibre coaching necessary to win a championship. He has half court players who need to have defense instilled in them. Instead they run and gun with lack of good shooters.

Yannis Koutroupis

His system has limitations, in my eyes. I don’t see him lasting much longer in New York. It’s not a patient city or franchise to begin with. They’re ready to compete and have a roster that is good enough to do so, yet they’re really struggling. I would expect them to make a ridiculous offer to Phil Jackson this summer and I’m inclined to believe he’d take it after a year off.

TH

Are the heat better than the bulls

Yannis Koutroupis

In my opinion they are. They were last year and although the Bulls improved, so did the HEAT. I’d take them in six in a seven-game series right now.

Sump

What do you think of the Dwane Casey hiring? Easily the best coaching hiring in the off-season? COY with the way he is teaching the Raptors defense.

Yannis Koutroupis

Just went over it below and have done so multiple times in the past. Casey is very good. Houston messed up in choosing McHale over him. He was a great grab for Toronto.

Hari

There is a lot of discussion about DHowar and DWill in Big D. Let’s say they use the amnesty clause on Hayewood. What are they going to do with Marion’s contract? Is there a chance for the big “D”hree in Big D?

Yannis Koutroupis

I think so, but it’s really unlikely. Both guys would have to be unrestricted free agents and I think their current teams trade them before they let that happen.

Flight33 a Chicagoan in the UK

Love the chats Yannis, always good to read what you have to say.
With all the talk about Dwight and the Lakers, the question is why would he go there? Shaq dogged him in the press left and right, said that he is the ”Fake Superman”, called him a pretender and saying that there is nothing special about him as well as the fact that everything that he’s done was already done by Shaq beforehand. Now even if the Lakers had the pieces to go after Dwight why would he go there knowing that the criticism and comparisions wouldnt stop? Dwight said in the press that he was hurt by what Shaq said about him due to the fact that he looked up to him, so you would think that he would avoid following in his footsteps. There has been speculation that where ever he goes, he wants to be the man, but he wouldnt get that with Kobe on the team. We know that he wants to win at all costs but would he sacrifice his pride and endure being labled a hyporcrite (maybe kinda harsh) just to chase a ring? I dont think that he even considers the Lakers as an option due to this. Your thoughts?

Yannis Koutroupis

To put it simply, they’re the Lakers. While D12 doesn’t want to follow in Shaq’s footsteps, he also wants to be in the spotlight and being the center for the Los Angeles Lakers is one of the most prestigious positions in sports. Plus, there’s history and tradition there that doesn’t just include Shaq. Kareem and Wilt played there also. It’s important to note that one of the big reasons why the Lakers are in the mix to land him is because they have Andrew Bynum, who is playing like the second-best center in the league hands down right now. He may be the best replacement in Orlando. And D12 is considering the Lakers. There’s a reason why they were one of the three teams the Magic let his agent talk to.

matt

Will the NBA eventually expand All Star rosters to 15? There is a lot of talent in the league that always gets passed on.

Yannis Koutroupis

I don’t think so because it’d be too hard to make them all happy with their minutes. Good players getting passed on is what makes being an All-Star so special, plus it’s never more than one or two guys – it’s never a lot.

Rayh

For H2H fantasy purposes: Iman Shumpert or Paul George?

Shumpert is rumored to be inserted into the Knicks’ starting lineup and already has shown ability to be effective in glimpses, but George is a mainstay in the Pacers’ starting five and puts up solid #s although he should be like the 5th scoring option.

Who should I run with? If fantasy isn’t your forte, then just some thoughts on either or both would be great. Cheers.

Yannis Koutroupis

The Knicks aren’t in a position where they can be really patient with a rookie. I’d probably stick with George myself, but fantasy is Tommy Beer and Susan Bible’s thing, they’re the ones to ask.

matt

Will the Lakers use the TPE (+ 1 or 2 picks) to acquire a starter? Maybe Millsap (if utah want to shed salary immediately)

Yannis Koutroupis

Millsap is probably someone they have an eye on, although I think the play of Murphy and McRoberts has been pretty good so far. I’m curious to see if LAL even uses it at all, those things largely go unused.

matt

I think there is some hope for my raps in the future-Casey,Valanciunas and 2012 draft pick. Also, Philly is always the same team, Boston is aging, NYK look to be a perennial playoff but non contender and NJN just might lose Deron if they don’t land dwight.

Yannis Koutroupis

Definitely reason to be optimistic in Toronto, I like where they’re at and where they’re headed.

matt

Out of all the young teams, did the raptors and twolves get the best coaches? I haven’t seen the raps play D like that in a long time, if ever. In Casey we trust. Adelman looks like a great fit in Minny. That team is just full of potential but they are playing hard each night too.

Yannis Koutroupis

They got two of the best. Adelman was a real steal for Minny and Toronto’s hiring of Casey was terrific. Their GMs, who often catch a lot of heat, deserve some credit too. They’ve done a good job assembling promising rosters.

matt

My raps need a SF bad in the draft. I don’t think my raps will get a top 5 pick. I see raps getting anywhere between 8-14th pick. I hope my raps get one of Michael Kidd Gilchrist, Harrison Barnes or Quincy Miller. MKG would be the perfect fit in Toronto.

Yannis Koutroupis

MKG would be great, but he’s really on the rise right now. Miller would probably be available in the 8-14 range, though.

charliechu

Rubio vs Irving tonight, who do you like better at this point?

Yannis Koutroupis

Rubio, but no telling who will be better five years from now and that’s what matters the most.

James

Stat and Melo cant play together in NY im convinced. Melo is the problem(ball stopper) but NY has a man crush on him. So how about this? Stat and Douglas 4 Deron and Farmar or Okur.

Yannis Koutroupis

Good luck selling the Nets on the that, I doubt they bite.

Sweet Dee

If NBA coaches were to vote in the Western Conference all-star reserves tomorrow, would Kyle Lowry be included?

Yannis Koutroupis

He’d get some consideration, but probably get left out since there’s so many good guards in the West.

That’s going to do it for me this week folks. I’ll be back next week!