NBA Chat With Yannis 2/22/13

1. eric townsend

   when do derrick rose suppose to return

   • Yannis Koutroupis

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

     We’re getting close to it, but there’s still no exact date yet. The Bulls have done a really impressive job of staying afloat without him, so I’m really curious to see how they react to his return. I’m not sure he’s going to be able to do the same things that he did beforehand, so he’s going to have to adjust himself. I don’t think he should feel pressured to come back and be the MVP guy he was before immediately. It’s going to take time to get to that level and he has two All-Stars on the frontline who can really help him shoulder the burden.

2. Enrique

   Who do you like for Orlando in the draft considering the way they play and what they’re trying to build? Noel, McLemore, Smart, Bennett?

   • Yannis Koutroupis

     I think Smart is the guy they really need to hope is available when they pick. He’s the kind of guy who can change a losing culture. The way that he plays and works is purely infectious. He’s going to be a leader almost from day one if he lands with a young team like that.

3. Hallack

   You’re Danny Ainge, the trade deadline is in the past and you failed to trade for a decent big. The hole (s) is still there though. Who do you sign and why? Jerome Jordan, DJ White, Yi Jianlian…who?

   • Yannis Koutroupis

     Jordan is probably the guy I would go with just because I feel like he fits in with that team’s style of play the best. Their options are pretty limited at this point.

4. Devonte

   does myck kabongo’s game kind of resemble a little of brandon jennings except without the scoring prowess? do u think he can develop his offense game in the nba? and quick prediction does he end up in the first round or second and which team can you see picking him up or needs him the most?

   • Yannis Koutroupis

     Right now he’s on the first round bubble with his future still up in the air completely. I’ll never say that a player his age can’t develop certain aspects of his game. I think there are probably more accurate comparisons out there than Jennings, he’s more pass-first than he is. Nobody real on point is coming to mind right now, though, I’d have to give it more thought.

5. Bobby

   Hey YAnnis, my question: what do you see with the lakers? how does their season end realistically and what happens in the off season? Do players get shipped out? thanks yannis!!!

   • Yannis Koutroupis

     I think that they barely sneak into the playoffs and end up being a pretty tough out. But, it’s hard to still think that they have championship potential. That’s a turnaround of massive magnitude. I don’t think it can happen.

6. Devonte

   Can The Knicks Win A Championship this year with that roster? also the knicks need a complete point guard that can creator his on shot like brandon jennings and have the physical tools like russell westbrook is this the year they address that through the draft or free agency?

   • Yannis Koutroupis

     They’re going to need a pretty big collapse to happen in Miami to be in the championship mix. I feel that way about the rest of the Eastern Conference. It’s not like the Knicks couldn’t contend most years, but the HEAT have something special going on right now and are going to be extremely difficult to beat when healthy.

7. devonte

   which points guards in this upcoming draft do you think will become a star in the nba?

   • Yannis Koutroupis

     I love Marcus Smart and Michael Carter-Williams’ games. Smart, especially, I feel like can become a star at the next level. Trey Burke warrants mention as well. He can really play and has a lot of upside.

8. Bobby

   Yannis! thanks for the answering my question! ive got another one, its the million dollar question. What happens with my boy DH12? i think the media and the black mamba are just going to push him out of town. I think PJ wouldve done incredible things with the current roster!
   thanks again Yannis!

   • Yannis Koutroupis

     I agree that Phil Jackson would have been really good for this team. They brought in D’Antoni largely because of the Nash connection, only to find out that Nash is nowhere near the same player that he was the last time he played under D’Antoni.

9. Larry

   After the T Rob trade, can we all finally agree that the problems with the Kings are 100% on the backs of the Maloofs, not the fans?

   • Yannis Koutroupis

     Well, the fans did kind of get going when the going got tough, but I can’t blame them for not believing in the Maloofs. The trade was horrible, one that they could really regret for a long time. I don’t care how bad of a fit Robinson was, you don’t let him go for the pieces they got in return. There’s no way you couldn’t find guys as good or better than them on the free agent market or through a more favorable trade if that’s what you really wanted.

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