NBA Chat With Yannis 2/10/12

Join senior NCAA and NBA analyst Yannis Koutroupis for his weekly chat at 11 am EST this Friday February 10th. As always questions from all levels are welcomed.

  1. Robert

    Is the Atlantic Division the weakest division in the NBA right now?

    • Yannis Koutroupis

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

      It may be, but not by much. It’s not a horrible division.

  2. eddy

    The Nets are in a great situation!! If they can deal Lopez for that 3rd option guy (because Dwight is coming in free agency)they can be a championship contender. I need some input on some of these trades
    *Lopez, Morrow and a 1st round pick for Gerrald Wallace
    *Lopez, Okur and a 1st round pick for Smith and Zaza
    *Lopez and Morrow for Andreia Bargnani
    *Lopez and Brooks for Mayo and a 1st round pick
    *Lopez, Farmar and a 1st round pick for Paul Milsap
    Which deal is best for that 3rd guy? Would any of these deals make the Nets over the top? (knowing that Dwight comes over the summer). Can you see the Nets targeting any of these guys?
    SALARIES MATCH

    • Yannis Koutroupis

      I don’t think it’s safe to say that Dwight is definitely coming over in free agency because I don’t think it’s ever going to get to that point, but that’s just my opinion. As far as what deal I would take, i’d go with the Millsap one.

  3. Vlad

    Why people think Kobe is a great clutch shooter vs LeBron? I remember numerous games when Kobe would disappear and someone else would make the shots. Even the last championship, Kobe was lost and Artest went insane. Even Fisher has made more big shots in my memory. Sure Kobe made some too, but considering the amount of big shots he is taken, he percentage is very low. BTW where was Kobe when they lost to Dallas 0:4 in second round? And nobody blames him. James takes his team to finals and lose to the same team 2:4 and it’s James fault. It is ridiculous IMO. Where was Kobe in Finals against Boston for 2 years in a row?LeBron had the best clutch performance in the history vs Detroit’s best defense by scoring 25 point straight to close that series. As good as Kobe is, he is always overrated. Cassell and Regie Miller were clutch most of the time. Kobe is not great in those situations – one of three or four shots at best on the last shot. Who does worse? Pierce, Dirk, Duncan, Wade, LeBron, Nash, Melo? Seriously? Who is worse clutch then Kobe historically?

    • Yannis Koutroupis

      Go back and look how many game-winning shots Michael Jordan missed. You’d be shocked. He missed more than he made too. Kobe has five rings, that allows a lot of people to look past when he has struggles late in games, along with the fact that he has made a lot of game winners. But, I think you’re buying into the LeBron James hate too much. Nobody can solely blame him for the loss. It’s a team game and he plays with two superstars. Yes, they would have won had he played better, but you have to learn to fail before you learn to succeed. There are other ways you can build up LeBron James and justify his greatness rather than trying to bring down Kobe Bryant. That’s probably the worst way to go about it.

  4. Vlad

    I think Rubio deserves a spot on All-star team this year. People just need to watch the Wolves when Rubio sits down. It is a totally different team. While Oklahoma is not even loosing that much with Westbrook resting. Also Rubio is a superb PG defender! He doesn’t gamble for steals. He gets then within the defensive team flow. Rubio doesn’t produce a lot of points himself, but his team produces so many points more with him on the floor. Replace Wesbrook with Rubio and Oklahoma would be even better. Ricky would make the all-star game a lot more fun. Your thoughts?

    • Yannis Koutroupis

      Give him time, I’m sure he’ll have many appearances in his career later on. Kyrie Irving didn’t make it either, hard to put in rookies from non-playoff team when there are top-flight deserving point guards on contending teams.

  5. HoBo

    Hi Yannis, What’s the status with Greg Oden’s surgery and contract? Is he a free agent next year? I know he has not been able to stay healthy but the guy can play basketball. I watched him literally carry OSU to the final four with only one healthy hand. It would be a shame if he never gets back on the floor.

    • Yannis Koutroupis

      Yes, he’s a free agent at season’s end and making roughly a million and a half this year. He didn’t carry OSU to the Final Four on one healthy hand. That team had Mike Conley Jr. and Daequan Cook on it, and how many years ago was that? Watch Greg Oden last time he was in an NBA game, which was also a long time ago. Looks nothing like the guy he was at OSU. He’s slow, even more mechanical, and sorely lacking explosion. Unfortunately, saying Oden can play basketball, at the NBA level, is not a accurate statement. He’s snake bit with injuries and I expect him to retire sometime within the next two years. He might as well be retired now.

  6. mr nba

    3 team block buster trade

    miami heat gets:
    C- dwight howard
    PG- steve nash

    Orlando Magic gets:
    PF- Chris Bosh
    PG- Norris Cole
    C- Marcin Gotat
    SF- Mike Miller
    C- Dexter Pittman

    Pheonix Suns get:

    C- Joel Anthony
    PF- Hedo Turkoglu
    PG- Chris duhon
    PG- Jameer nelson
    SF- Quentin Richardson

    • Yannis Koutroupis

      Phoenix would not accept that deal for Nash, what do they get back that is worth anything to them? They just got rid of Hedo, they don’t want him back. Miami’s got enough superstars already.

  7. CJ

    I understand the fans have a right to vote for who they want to see. However, I don’t hold that same standard for coaches and here’s why. The coaches who select reserves are arguably the most seasoned viewers of the NBA season. They know which players work hard, which teams win, and which players have the biggest contribution to a teams success. Voting in players on losing teams to me doesn’t quite make sense in that, its like the coaches are granting players a pass despite their losing record like “its okay, its not your fault the teams doing badly”. Coaches instead should reward players who are on winning teams, recognizing that a team has put in the effort and a player in specfic has earned a right to be at the big game.

    • Yannis Koutroupis

      Not fair to exclude guys on losing teams. An All-Star is an All-Star, Kobe Bryant, Kevin Durant and LeBron James have played on teams that didn’t make the playoffs before, doesn’t change that they’re one of the top 12 players in their conference.

  8. champion pacqiuao

    Hi, in my opinion people havent given the dleague much respect. Is it really a no talent league? How come no team in the nba are intrested on players who top their dleague teams in scoring? Do u know any surprise guys that will be a very useful player in a winning team in the nba?

    • Yannis Koutroupis

      Players aren’t eligible to sign 10-day contracts yet, so perhaps we see some guys come up soon. I haven’t watched the D-League much myself this year, too caught up in all the nonstop NBA action and college basketball. There are talented guys in the D-League, but there are talented guys in the Euroleague too. People are only going to pay attention to so much basketball and the NBA and NCAA are the top two options hands down.

  9. pansit malabon

    If u where given the chance to be the gm of the lakers but for a test they need u to trade luke walton.how will u do it and will any team take him lol

    • Yannis Koutroupis

      I’d fail that test. I know the Memphis Tigers would take him as a coach. Other than that, I’m out of ideas.

  10. jollibee

    Do u think any of mj2′s kids will get to play in tbe nba by being drafted and not by daddy signing them to the bobcats? And are u optimistic on darius morris of the lakers? He look like a fancy passer in college. I guess its hard to dominate the ball in the laker squad plus nba coaches aint big on fancy but thats how fans like it. Whats ur take? Thanks

    • Yannis Koutroupis

      MJ’s two kids are not NBA material, but they younger one could maybe make some money overseas if he really wanted to. I soured on Dariuis Morris after watching him struggle in games. Didn’t show much promise in my eyes. I thought he was going to get cut before Caracter did. Mini Mamba is better right now.

  11. bagnet ng ilocos norte

    What happened to tyreke evans. Coming to the league all those fyi about him having the same rookie stats as mj and lebron? U think sactown will give up on him soon? And any input on donte greene, before the nba he was a solid prospect. Thankssssss

    • Yannis Koutroupis

      He’s averaging 17, 5 and 5. Not too bad, he hasn’t taken a huge leap forwards by any stretch this year, but still a good ball player who can be on my team. As far as Greene, I’ve become less of a fan everyday it seems like since he left Syracuse. Just not blown away with what he can do. He’s not really great at anything.

  12. Gery

    Judging by stats the only pg id like to have before Steve Nash is maby CP3,Here is Nash 15ppg,10a, FG 57%,FT 87%,3P 46%….to me thats insane with 38. HE reinveted bball with that run and gun sistem and you can argue he doesnt have a ring but he could ve moved to Lakers any point over last 2 years if he wanted to.

    • Yannis Koutroupis

      Let’s chill out on him reinventing basketball, like he was the first guy to ever lead a up tempo team. Not the case at all. He did do it at as high of a level as any point guard since Magic Johnson, but Nash isn’t a pioneer or anything like that. Lakers would be great with him, any team would. He is a Hall of Fame point guard for a reason.

  13. The Prune

    The Spurs are ballin’ right now. Do you think the Spurs are legitimate contenders this year?

    • Yannis Koutroupis

      I’m still hesitant to put that label on them. I think they’re beatable. They’ve been a solid regular season team for the last few years, only to come apart late. Not much reason to be fearful of the same outcome this year.

  14. Thomas C.

    Any good under the radar teams lately?

  15. alvin

    about two weeks ago i was watching the knicks and they put lin in for little time.i said he shouldn’t be in the nba.that said i didn’t see him everyday.now seeing how bad knicks were at the pg and to see what he has done.he should had seen pt a long time ago.

  16. jayjay

    Why do so many basketball reporteres write that Howard will leave 30 million on the table if Orlando holds on to him and he leaves? The reality is that figure is like comparing apples to oranges, 5 yr contract to 4yr contract. By the time Howard re-ups with his new team, that 30 mill will be down to 10 mill, and with taxes down to 5 mill, an amount easily made up in new advertising dollars

    • Yannis Koutroupis

      I agree, that 30 million on the table isn’t keeping Dwight in Orlando. He’s gone.

  17. Cliff

    Yannnnisss,

    If the Pacers have a great year, and made a run at Gordon, Who has to go? I really like the idea of building around DC, Hibbert and George.

  18. rick

    pau for rondo is so lopsided for the celtics right? i think everyone that saw last nights game can agree

    • Yannis Koutroupis

      Rondo is a top five PG who would be a HUGE addition for the Lakers. To judge solely off of last night’s game is silly. That’s a good trade, if I’m Kupchak I pull the trigger on it.

  19. Pauly

    Why are the Blazers SUCH a train wreck right now?

    • Yannis Koutroupis

      Train wreck is a stretch. They’re in 9th right now and still in the mix to make the playoffs. They’ll get it together. Trust in LaMarcus Aldridge and Nate McMillan. I do.

  20. Justin

    Please do a starting lineup for what you think “All Star Snubbed” team… Real glad that Marc Gasol got the nod instead of elder Pau.

  21. Leo

    How long does it take for the Kings to become a contender?

    Do they need a legit PG that organizes offence when it doesn’t work with Evans or Thornton or Fredette?

    I think that Evans, Thornton and Cousins, if they develop in right way, they could be the new Big 3 in the Western Conference.

    Your thoughts?

    • Yannis Koutroupis

      A few years, at least. They’re major pieces away. A starting PG seems like a necessity to me. Evans, Thornton and Cousins have a lot of potential and are good already, so I can see them being very formidable down the line if things happen the way they need to.

      That’s going to do it for me this week folks, thanks for stopping by!

  22. J Christon

    Three team trade, Lakers get S.Nash and L. Scolia … Rockets get P. Gasol and the Suns end up with K. Martin. Houston gets their star centerpiece, Lakers contend now with Nash and the Rockets get a 20 point scorer and younger ( in rebuilding phase.)

    • Alex Kennedy

      That’s not a bad deal. I’d say that either the Lakers or Rockets need to throw in additional pieces or picks going to the Suns, and then you may have a deal. That would definitely shake things up in the West and be very interesting.