NBA Chat With Yannis 2/1/13

Join senior NBA and NCAA analyst Yannis Koutroupis for his weekly chat this Friday Feb. 1 at 11 am est!

  1. Alex

    Whens the next mock draft coming???? Who do you see the magic targetting?

    • Yannis Koutroupis

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

      It’s actually coming out early tomorrow morning! I’m going to have a better idea of what the Magic want to do after the deadline. They have young talent at just about every position right now, especially on the frontline. So, maybe a replacement for Redick or a nice young pg to be groomed behind Jameer. You’ll have to check it out tomorrow to know for sure! :)

  2. jesse

    Wow!…Colangelo musta really had a stiffy for Gay…Ed Davis? Just when he was turning into a player? Surely he could’ve gotten something useful for a big man on a rookie deal…No picks coming in? Raps got raped

    • Yannis Koutroupis

      They got the best overall player in the deal. Gay is a big-name player, something the Raptors needed. They wouldn’t be able to sign him as a free agent, getting them in trade was the only way to go. Colangelo is definitely reaching a bit here, though, but he doesn’t have a choice. The team has to take a big leap forward soon or he’s going to be out a job.

  3. Paul

    What do you think about the Rockets getting KG? I think it gives us what we need. We get great defense and rebounding. It would make us very interesting this year, maybe not championship, but very interesting. If we add KG, we would have the best defending frontline line the league with Parsons, Asik and KG. Your thoughts?

    • Yannis Koutroupis

      I don’t think KG would have any interest in playing in Houston. He has a no-trade clause, which I doubt he’d waive to go to Houston. I don’t see him playing anywhere else at this stage of his career.

  4. Cain

    If or when Paul George and Lance Stephenson put it all together, how good can they be?

    • Yannis Koutroupis

      Well, George is already an All-Star, so that’s a testament to how good he is right now. The next step would probably be establishing himself as a true number one option. I think the next step for Lance is being a solid two-way player. They’re definitely two guys the Pacers are pleased with and they still have room to grow.

  5. Blake

    What’s your take on the officiating Yannis? Is there a reason why refs can go to video for say stepping out of bounds at the end of games but not for missed calls that are costing teams games??

    • Yannis Koutroupis

      I’m never one to criticize officials too much. They have the hardest job in the world, I think. I always say I’d rather be a janitor before a ref. They take so much abuse it’s ridiculous, especially at the lower levels. The refs work within the rules they are given, so their inability to change calls that are costing teams games is not on them. It’s on the rules committee to give them the flexibility to look at it.

  6. Yannis Koutroupis

    Any insights on what gms think of this upcoming draft?

    Which rookies are you looking forward to in the nba next season and why?

    • Yannis Koutroupis

      They’re not in love with it because of the lack of star power, but I think there is definitely depth. There will be guys picked outside the lottery who have lengthy careers.

  7. Baywarrior

    Finally trades are starting to heat up . Please I’ve me your input on this 3t team trade idea (lots of moving parts but bare with me) Hawks get Pekovic, Derek Williams, Duhon, Jamison T Wolves get Pau , Meeks, Ebanks Lakers get B Roy(most likely to retire) Barea(who does to get along with coach) D Stevenson, Ivan Johnson, and Josh smith everyone gets something they need and all with be set up better moving forward. Right?

    • Yannis Koutroupis

      I get what you’re trying to accomplish here, I just think it needs to be weeded down a bit. You can get the same deal done with less players. I don’t think any of those three teams want to have that kind of changeover right now. That’s too many moving parts.

  8. LA in LA

    Hey Yannis, 2 NCAA questions:

    1) If Kentucky fails to make tournament or has first round exit, how big of an impact is that on their recruiting?

    2) As a follow-up, outside of Noels, would that make the players more likely to return since they’re team is struggling?

    • Yannis Koutroupis

      None at all. They already have one of the best classes ever signed. Those kids will come in, kill it next year, and it will be like this year never happened. This year’s team isn’t living up to expectations, but they were a bit too high anyway. That doesn’t mean Cal can’t coach or Kentucky isn’t the best place for aspiring pros to go to, because it still is. I think we could see a couple of guys from this year’s team stay, although Noel isn’t one of them with the way he’s been playing as of late.

  9. James

    Are you hearing anything on Greg Oden? Are the HEAT the fav to sign him?

    • Yannis Koutroupis

      Just that he’s planning on giving it a go next year and slowly taking his time in rehab right now, which I think is the best move. The HEAT make the most sense, but I think ultimately Greg needs to go wherever he is most comfortable. He’s not going to do anything if he doesn’t love where he’s at and who he is playing with. Miami, San Antonio, Cleveland, wherever it may be – he needs to love everything about it.

  10. jaimeson

    MEM trade isn’t as bad as people think. Still a contender. Prince can still create his own shot w/ his length. Hope change of scenery helps & there’s something still left in the tank. Under the radar championship experience w/ team concept/no star DET situation similar to MEM. Davis is on the rise. Daye never really panned out. Gay is the most talented player involved tho. The trade w/ CLE seems way more 1 sided, nowhere near the talent level, w/ CLE getting the best of it.

    • Yannis Koutroupis

      You’re right. I don’t hate this deal for Memphis, I just hate that new management and ownerships first two moves have been clearly financially motivated. The people there in Memphis just now bought into Grizzlies basketball, and you’re pushing them away with moves like this. They’re still second fiddle to the Tigers and moves like this won’t change that anytime soon. I like the team as assembled, but they’re going to have to really succeed in order for the fans to keep faith.

  11. Kim J (Perth)

    Hey mate, great chats. Hypothetically, if Philly called the Lakers and offered a straight up swap of Bynum for Howard, would LA give it any thought?

    • Yannis Koutroupis

      No. None at all. Howard hasn’t been as good as they were hoping he would be, but he’s been better than Bynum.

  12. Timburr

    morning yannis,

    Westbrook threw a little mini tantrum last night because he was upset over a play. but he still had a hell of a game and OKC won by 25. But all the media wants to do is focuse on his immaturity and how it will cost OKC blah blah..which is I think is total BS. At the end of the day, these athletes are still KIDS in their early 20s still trying to find their way. Yes they are under the spotlight but we need to give em a break as far as theese little outburts go. Thoughts?

    • Yannis Koutroupis

      I’m more aligned with your thought process than the media who is bashing him. Westbrook is a fiery competitor. He’s upset with something when the team is up big? I like that. Perfectionist. That’s what it’s going to take to win a title.

  13. Clinton

    What low post threat do you see Daryl Morey pursuing by the trade deadline or in the off-season? JSmith?

    • Yannis Koutroupis

      That is the name being thrown around the most right now. Josh Smith does fit in great with their style of play, although I wouldn’t classify him as a low post threat. I personally would pass if I’m Houston just because your options are pretty limited moving forward if you give Smith a max deal and I’m not sure he makes them a contender. If I’m giving a max deal out that is really going to limit me moving forward, I want to be sure I’m a top four team in my conference and I don’t think Smith does that for Houston.

  14. Carson

    What are some real places and players that you’ve heard JJ Redick might get dealt to or for

    • Yannis Koutroupis

      The only one with serious concrete interest is Boston, but I’m not sure that’s the case anymore with the Rondo injury. I don’t know how that’s impacted their interest in Redick.

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