NBA Chat With Yannis 2/24/12

Senior NCAA and NBA analyst Yannis Koutroupis will be hosting his weekly chat at 11 am EST on February 24th. As always basketball questions from all levels are welcomed.

  1. Judy

    I have been having a heated debate about Hawks.This guy wants the Hawks to trade for OJ Mayo to be the PG. He says that he is being misused in Memphis and that he can be a great P-n-R PG for the Hawks. He actually said OJ will make us contenders, Am I missing something about OJ mayo because I do not see what this guy is talking about? Help me please!!!

    • Yannis Koutroupis

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

      O.J. is not a point guard, nor is he the piece to make Atlanta contenders. He’s a fine player who I loved coming out of college, but your friend is overrating him. Being good off the pick-and-roll doesn’t not equate to being a full-time point guard or even part-time at that.

  2. Derek

    I think Pau got depressed because everyone was waaay undervaluing him. 7 footers who have a combination of skills and intelligence are a rarity- Duncan, Nowitzki and…… ?
    Instead they are saying he is washed up, not worth even a Kyle Lowry, Rajon Rondo or whoever.
    Things change very fast for a recent All-NBA player, no?

    • Yannis Koutroupis

      I think part of it is where he’s playing and the spotlight is on him. Also, he’s playing with two other All-Stars right now so he’s being overshadowed a bit. But, yes, things do change fast.

  3. matt from Oz

    hey Yannis,
    as is the usual at this time of year, was wondering if i could get your thoughts on a trade proposal.

    i know atlanta isn’t on D12′s A-List, but could the Hawks make a deal around Horford. E.G.

    Hawks Get- Dwight Howard & Hedo Turkoglu (has to be paired with D12 apparently)

    Magic Get – Al Horford, Marvin Williams, Kirk Hinrich.

    Hawks relieve themselves of Turks contract, get Hinrichs expiring contract in return, a potential stud to build around and a solid young wingman.

    Hawks end up with a lineup of – Teague, Joe Johnson, Hedo, Josh Smith and Dwight. Surely that would push them into NBA Finals contention? Thoughts?

    Cheers Yannis.

    • Yannis Koutroupis

      I just don’t think that’s enough to get them Dwight Howard. They’re are better deals out there than that.

  4. maestro

    Is it time to stop giving the Clippers a bad rap for not retaining talent? Had they resigned Brand (wow what a contract) they wouldn’t have gotten Griffin. Maggette, Bobby Simmons, none of these players who have left the Clippers have become stars worthy of the money they received.

  5. Chosen One

    What happened to Westbrooke ? He was among the top in assists last year, and not he manages under five is most games.

    • Yannis Koutroupis

      Well, he’s always going to be a scorer first and foremost. But this year James Harden has been handling more distributing duties, that’s played a major factor as well.

  6. John

    With Toronto looking to unload salary in order to make a run for Wilson Chandler, how about a trade with Utah?
    Devin Harris for Jose Calderon & Demar DeRozan? Raptors save more than 3 million and can offer Chandler a decent 7.5 million. And Utah can’t say no to this.

  7. JP

    From the following trades which ones would be accepted and which one would you choose (if all could be accepted):
    A) Ben Gordon for Beasley-Tolliver
    B) Ben Gordon for Beasley-Randolph
    C) OJ Mayo for Luke and a1st pick
    D) OJ Mayo for Luke and Randolph
    E) OJ Mayo for Randolph and a 1st pick

    And to complete your roster with elite talent:
    Which one of the following would be approved and which one would you choose. If you think that there are missing pieces to make it happen, which ones would it be.
    A)http://games.espn.go.com/nba/tradeMachine?tradeId=6vlxga8
    B) http://games.espn.go.com/nba/tradeMachine?tradeId=6usayzv
    C) http://games.espn.go.com/nba/tradeMachine?tradeId=6otq6zf

    • Yannis Koutroupis

      OJ Mayo for Luke and Randolph. However, last I was told Minnesota isn’t overly interested in Mayo.

  8. Cliff

    After seeing Bird’s comments do you think he will make another move this season? If so, who goes? I really hate to see him break up this squad.

    • Yannis Koutroupis

      He’s just doing his job and staying open for business. If they can get a scorer, someone who can create his own shot, than I think they do so. Other than that, they’ll stay pat.

  9. Cliff

    Factoring in injury concern and age concern is Eric Gordon really an upgrade over Danny Granger?

    • Yannis Koutroupis

      Rather than being an upgrade, what he does is fill a serious need for them at the shooting guard spot. The departure of Granger also frees up more time for Paul George.

  10. HoBo

    Waz up Yannis, why havn’t the Cavs traded Sessions to the Lakers yet? Do they want more than a draft pick for him?

    • Yannis Koutroupis

      Posturing, waiting towards the deadline to get maximum value. I think they’d like as much as they can get, with the draft pick being the minimum.

  11. JfromPHI

    All of the talk around here is the Iggy can’t be a star, agreed? He is that all around guy that needs to be paired with a up and coming star!? Enter M.Ellis from GS. All of the talk in the offseason was Iggy for Ellis straight up but new ownership wasn’t haven’t it, how about another avenue…
    Ship E.Turner to Minny, Minny sends Beasly to GS, 76ers send Lou.Will (sad about this)to GS and returns Ellis to the sixers. Your thoughts? Does this improve all teams?
    -Sixers get there potent scorer
    -Minny gets there sg of the future(they are a young team and can grow together)
    -GS gets bench production with Lou, and can insert Beasly/Thompson into the starting lineup.

    Your thoughts on this? Thanks

    • Yannis Koutroupis

      I don’t know how I feel about an Ellis, Holiday backcourt. It doesn’t matter much anyway, because Lou Williams is not enough to net Ellis. They’d want way more in return for him.

  12. ALEX

    RAPS. fan. If u r GM what would you do with JOSE and LB and if you signed CHANDLER who you pick at 3-5 spot?
    thanks.

    • Yannis Koutroupis

      I’d try to package them together, see what other kind of point guard that could net me, then draft Jeremy Lamb or Brad Beal.

  13. Jazzfan

    Who player would you say drives you the most crazy with his inconsistency? Like he shows flashes of being a potential superstar but more often looks just average

    • Yannis Koutroupis

      Perry Jones III of Baylor in the NCAA. Michael Beasley of the Minnesota Timberwolves in the NBA.

  14. Anthony

    What are your thoughts on Cleveland trying to acquire a player such as Bargnani. I see him being a good fit with Varejao and Thompson with his shooting, and he also seems like a player that could be attained without selling the farm.

    • Yannis Koutroupis

      Don’t bank on that, I don’t see Cleveland having the chips to get him. He’d be ok there, though.

  15. Taylor

    Who should the clippers target for a starting shooting guard? If not for this year for the future

    • Yannis Koutroupis

      Perhaps someone they get in the draft, or a veteran that wants to join for cheap during the offseason. They should go hard after Ray Allen.

  16. mac-mac

    what do you think the cavs will do come trade deadline? do you think they will trade antawn and ramon? thanks for answering.. and btw i love your chats..

    • Yannis Koutroupis

      I think Ramon is gone, Jameson probably stays put. And thanks for the compliment.

  17. Mr Sonic

    Yannis, I love your stuff! Hey where do you think I’ll be coaching next season or do you think I take a year off? Does Portland need to change their coaching staff? I don’t think there is a mid-season change just from the fact that there is no one on the bench that could do better.

    • Yannis Koutroupis

      I think Portland stays loyal to Nate. The situation is far from ideal and he doesn’t have everything he was expecting to. They could shake things up at the deadline, that’s the better way to go in my opinion cause I still love Nate as a head coach.

  18. Lateak

    I know the heat beat us last night… But i think the knicks is goin to be ok do u agree…

  19. Howie Abrams

    Please tell me whether you think Beasley needs to get traded or not. I am in a heated debate with a friend right now, and I think he needs to be traded because hes an attitude problem, hes a ball stopper, and he doesnt play any defense. My friend believes that he is the glue that holds the TImberwolves together. Please explain to me whos side you are on. AM I insane to think he needs to go?

    • Yannis Koutroupis

      I think if they can get a decent asset or two for him, they should trade him. Otherwise, it’s not like the team is worse for having him.

  20. Angelo

    What’s your take on Wilson Chandler as a fit for the Raptors?

  21. Lateak

    I still think tha mavs is goin to get dwill… Where does d howard go.. I still say la lakers

    • Yannis Koutroupis

      I don’t. I don’t know where he goes, though. I see the Lakers landing Dwight just based off the fact that Orlando can’t do better than Andrew Bynum as a replacement.

  22. john

    Can you tell us what is happening with Lakers? Any trade? thank you.

    • Yannis Koutroupis

      They’re exploring all options. If they can get a PG for Pau and Dwight for Drew, they’ll do it.

  23. Benjamin

    I’m really disappointed (but not surprised) about the Suns. They have cap space for this summer, but which players would like to join a team with Sarver for owner ?!
    I’m just hoping for the Suns to be lucky at the draft

    • Yannis Koutroupis

      It’s all about money. Someone will sign on with them. Aaron Brooks is gonna get a decent-sized deal I’d imagine.

  24. Yannis

    What about this trade:

    Lakers get Scola, dragic, Beasley (players to fill all 3 spots they need a starter), Minnesota gets K. Martin (to full the so-needed 2 hole) and Houston get Pau Gasol (the all-star big they also look for). evereyone gets what they need most for what they are willing to give and each get rid of unhappy players…

    • Yannis Koutroupis

      Dragic isn’t a big enough upgrade at the point for the lakers to do that deal.

  25. Ryan

    Who will be the Top 5 picks in the draft this year?

    Outside of the Top 5 who should the Raps be looking at?

    Where do you see Myck Kabongo getting drafted if he leaves Texas this year?

    • Yannis Koutroupis

      Anthony Davis, Andre Drummond, Harrison Barnes, Michael Kidd-Gilchrist and Jared Sullinger.

  26. JPE

    If you are Kahn and you have already made that deal that you told me before:
    OJ Mayo for Luke and Randolph
    Which one of the following trades would be accepted to get Gerald Wallace?
    If none of them gets him can you please add the players or picks that would make it happen for the most suitable trade?
    A) Wallace for Beasley – Wes Johnson
    B) Wallace for Milicic – Wes Johnson – Ellignton
    C) Wallace for Beasley – Wes – Ellignton
    D) Wallace for Beasley – Wes Johnson – Picks

    • Yannis Koutroupis

      I think the combination of Beasley and Wes is the starting point and from Minny’s perspective hopefully enough to get it done.

  27. Howie Abrams

    Why aren’t the Wolves not sold on Mayo?

  28. JPE

    Yannis Koutroupis:
    I think the combination of Beasley and Wes is the starting point and from Minny’s perspective hopefully enough to get it done.
    Would Portland ask for more? Because Beasley would provide them an expiring contract that gives them the possibility to match any contract offer made for Batum and a young small forward who can develop and play from the bench under Batum. Perhaps they ask for Tolliver to free up more cap space or to sign him on a vet minimum after making the other moves in the postseason.
    What are your thoughts on this?

    • Yannis Koutroupis

      Portland could ask for more just cause i don’t think they’re in a hurry to move him. Tolliver would definitely be a pot sweetener.

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