NBA Chat With Yannis 1/27/12

1. Tharlie Richardson

   What moves do the Lakers need to make to improve their roster by the trade deadline if Dwight and Deron are not available?

   • Yannis Koutroupis

     Welcome everyone to this week’s chat! Sorry for the unexpected delay, but I’m here! Let’s get to the questions.

     They have to improve at point guard. I think that’s undeniable. As far as depth is concerned at the position, I think they’d be just fine with Blake and Fisher as backups. It’s the fact that one of them is a starter that puts them at such a disadvantage. With the way Andrew Bynum is playing, I think it’s more important for the Lakers to find a quality PG than it is to swing a deal for D12. If the D12 deal is there, they should of course take it. But, getting a point guard has to be the priority.

2. Matt

   Who would you rather have moving forward James Harden orEvan Turner. I don’t see much differnece except everyone is in love with Harden and down on Turner.
   Year 2 stats Harden (min 26, PPG 12.2, RPG 3.1, APG 2.1) Turner (Min 26, PPG 10.8, RPG 6.4, APG 2.9)

   • Yannis Koutroupis

     For some reason, despite not being chosen much later, the expectations for Turner have been far higher than Harden. Maybe it has something to do with how good he was in college, but Harden was damn good at Arizona State too he just didn’t get the same recognition. Kind of odd. I’d take either one and be pretty happy, but if I’m forced to choose I’d probably take Harden just based on the experience he already has.

3. CJ

   I read Draft Express’s report on Renardo Sidney, and found their description of his post offensive repertoire “interesting” as well interesting lol.
   obviously he comes with a lot of baggage, but the various skills they have listed there regarding his post game (is sad to say), a lot better than many of the offensive arsenals NBA post players possess.
   Could you clarify just how effective he is in the post?

   • Yannis Koutroupis

     Let me start this off by first saying how big of a fan I am of the guys at DraftExpress and the job they do. They’re the best on the net hands down. When they use the term interesting, I think it has to do with how effective Sidney can be inside the paint. He’s got a nice touch on his jump shot and no matter who you talk to you’ll always hear that there’s a certain advantage to being a lefty. When he’s in shape he can usually finish as well. However, Sidney comes and goes. Sometimes he’s going more than he’s coming. Stansbury is probably at a loss before games wondering what he’s going to get from him. If he becomes consistent with his effort and motivation, he can be a factor offensively in the league in the paint. Thing is, he’s good enough to dominate college basketball and he doesn’t.

4. Giovanni

   Gerald henderson…the good and the bad?

   • Yannis Koutroupis

     The good: he’s athletic, scoring at a high rate and someone who you can depend on to play hard game in and game out. The bad: He’s not a knockdown shooter from beyond the arc and is stuck on a bad Bobcat team.

5. Pierre Haezewindt

   Hi Yannis! Why do american journalists/writers call the Syracuse center “Melo” when his real surname is “De Melo”? It´s like calling Leonardo DiCaprio “Caprio” instead of “DiCaprio”. I know they like to shorten names, but in this case it´s wrong to do it, even if it´s cool to them to maybe have another “Melo” in Syracuse? I wanted to address this, thanx!

   • Yannis Koutroupis

     They go by what Syracuse lists him as, and they have him down as Fab Melo. Kentucky put Michael Kidd-Gilchrist, who many knew as Michael Gilchrist in high school, down with the double last name and now everyone calls him it. So, that’s why. From my experience working in college athletics, all it would take is a walk to the sports information office for Fab to have it changed to De Melo, so I’m guessing he is fine with it being Melo. By the way, way to find a way to make a DiCaprio reference in a NBA chat. That’s a first for me.

6. Drew

   Thoughts on Memphis trading Mayo to Minny for either Beaz or Randolph and there 1st we have of there’s back plus a 2nd or two if really needed? Would they take it and if so for what? If not what do we need to offer. Memphis has to realize they won’t be able to keep him long term they can’t afford him with the other guys signed?

   • Yannis Koutroupis

     I’m not sure either proposal, for Beasley or Randolph gets approved. Minny wouldn’t give up Beasley for Mayo and Memphis wouldn’t give up Mayo for Randolph.

7. James

   Trade question:
   Indiana gets: Bynum, Redick, 1 Pick Lakers
   - 2nd beste Center for a fair price longterm

   Orlando: Hibbert & P. Gasol
   - 2 bigs, which allows to compete
   - no Hedo contract

   Lakers: Granger, Howard, Turkoglu
   - Howard,
   - Athletic forward

   • Yannis Koutroupis

     I would imagine Orlando wanting Bynum over Hibbert. And, why do the Lakers agree to a deal that leaves them beyond overloaded at small forward. I don’t see Indiana being a fitting third team to facilitate this deal.

8. Peter

   You like any of these trades

   Dwight and Anderson for Jordan and Blake?

   Pierce for Granger? I truely feel Celtics are pretenders who think there contenders with games like last night. Trade the big 3 for young pieces to put around Rondo and the very underrated Bass.

   Wes Johnson or Beasley for Mayo? Or Gibson and Jamison for Mayo and filler to make salary work making another Shane Battier trade like last year especially if Randolph is out awhile.

   Or wait for offseason and sign and trade Gordon for Granger moving George to new starting SF.

   • Yannis Koutroupis

     First one is ok, but Griffin is not being traded. Second one wouldn’t happen. Indy isn’t going to give up Granger for an aging Pierce. Wes Johnson for Beasley is a steal for Minny, not good enough for Memphis. Gibson and Jamison for Mayo is a little one sided for Memphis. I like the idea of trading Granger for Gordon, Indy has been wanting a scorer like Gordon for a year now.

9. 76ERS4LIFE

   can this work? use amnesty on brand. sign dw12 to a 5 yr deal. sign and trade with nets. trade them either 2 of these 4 guys plus a 1st rounder. iggy, thad, jrue, and lou will. they won’t gut their team and could sign ray allen to a mle. i know it’s a lot but, it works under the cap.

   • Yannis Koutroupis

     Don’t see Deron wanting to go to Philly. If he signs somewhere in free agency, it’ll probably be dallas.

10. Jaimeson

    Anyway we see E Gordon(preferred) or Mayo in a Cavs uni? Both are young. Don’t think Mayo has hit his potential & needs a change of scenery, or does he carry too much baggage? Gordon is a beast & only gettin better. Some combo of Jamisons expiring, Parker, & a big not named Varejao or Thompson? Or Cavs stick to plan & draft SG?

    • Yannis Koutroupis

      I consider Mayo the more likely of the two. Good luck trying to get New Orleans to agree to a sign and trade for Gordon. They’re a nightmare to deal with right now.

11. cj

    I know the wizards are looking for a lineup that wants to play and will play good together. if i was them I would start mcgee, booker, young, crawford, and wall. i think those 5 would play the best together

    • Yannis Koutroupis

      I’m sure we’ll see tons of experimenting from them here over the rest of the season.

12. Charlie

    In Eric Pincus’ article discussing a possible trade between the Rockets and Lakers, he says “Luis Scola isn’t on the same level as Pau Gasol, but he’s a capable scorer in the post and has a strong face-up jumper from the top of the key.” While Mark Nugent’s said in his chat, that “scola is as good as Gasol right now.” Who’s side are you on: Eric Pincus or Mark Nugent?

    • Yannis Koutroupis

      Eric Pincus.

13. Giovanni from Cleveland

    Gerald Henderson has been improving every year but has also had some injuries. How do you see his development/NBA career panning out?

    • Yannis Koutroupis

      I think he’s going to be a solid starter on a non-playoff team, or a game-changing reserve for a contender. Either way, I’d like to have him on my team.

14. Sweet Dee

    With the Los Angeles Lakers sitting at 11-8, they are in danger of possibly missing the playoffs. If they do, think we will see as many “fans” rocking their LA jerseys and hats this summer or do you find Laker fans are loyal through thick and thin?

    • Yannis Koutroupis

      They’re not missing the playoffs. But I think the majority of Laker fans have proven to be loyal through the ups and downs. We’re not all that far removed from the Kwame Brown, Smush Parker era after all.

15. Mac

    The Phoenix Suns opted not to trade Steve Nash over the past few years (even though it was clear they were not in the playoff hunt). Now Steve holds little trade value – as he is very old – meaning no one will give up major assets for a short term rental. If you were the owner of the Suns, would you have traded him much earlier (to get assets to help with the rebuild) or held onto him like Sarver did to sell season seats and jerseys.

    • Yannis Koutroupis

      It’s easy to look back and hindsight and say they should have traded him. But, he’s been the Suns for the last several years. There’s no telling what kind of backlash there would have been to trading him. Plus, he wanted to be there. If a guy like Nash wants to play for your franchise despite their mediocre status, you hold onto him.

16. RC

    Okay Chris Kaman is a healthy scratch for the 2nd game in a row. Are the Hornets close to trading him?

    • Yannis Koutroupis

      He can’t be traded yet, but even if he could be I doubt it. As I said previously, New Orleans is a nightmare to deal with right now.

17. John

    Do you think the Lakers could possibly end up with Dwight Howard and Deron Williams? They almost got Chris Paul without giving up Bynum. Say they trade for Dwight first. What are your thoughts?

    • Yannis Koutroupis

      Not unless they find a way to uproot David Stern as commissioner! Seriously, though, I just don’t see things happening. That’s a real magical scenario for the Lakers. It’s possible, but I’d put it at like 5% odds.

      That’s going to do it for me. Until next week folks!