NBA Chat With Yannis 2/3/12

rodney

As a magic fan im getting tired of dwight! someone needs to tell him when you point 1 finger at someone you have 3 pointed back at you.

he is questioning the team and there desire, yet he is playing with half emotion in the game, he is saying people need to know there role and play as a team yet says he wants to win his way, and wants to be the main focal point in the offense,he says the team cant get frustrated by refs and need to keep there composure yet he is known for complaining to refs and has more techs than any other player on the magic, he says he wants to win yet he wants to go to NJ! NEWWWW JERSEYYYYY!!, he is the definition of an oxymoron!
As a magic fan i dont care if he is wearing a Magic jersey come all star game in fact im disgraced that he beat Nick Andersons all time Magic scoring record to trash his team the way he is, no honor no class,

sorry for the rant but this is ridiculous!

Do you see the Magic begin to start to open the flood gates to trade this cancer off our team! Just take a look at the boston game when he sat we build a major lead and the magic played like a team, Howard came back in and it appeared that the magic were trying to make him happy by giving him as many possessions as they could to appease him and we lost the game.

Yannis Koutroupis

Welcome everyone to this week’s chat! Sorry for the delay, let’s get right to it.

I think that a lot of Magic fans are starting to feel like you Rodney, but it’s important to keep emotions out of it and realize how great of a player Dwight is. This is not the kind of guy that is easy to replace. In fact, right now it’s impossible because he has no equal. Laker fans put up with a lot of BS from Shaq, but are they glad he was a part of the team for as long as he way? Absolutely. They wouldn’t trade his time for anything. It is time for the Magic to trade Dwight, but they can’t do so without getting the best possible deal.

Sabin C

Hi.Otis should call Raptors for Calderon and get him.He’d be a great fit for Magic.I don’t think that Raptors will ask much in return.Your thoughts ?

Yannis Koutroupis

The Raptors aren’t just going to give him away, plus Otis has bigger issues on his hands right now. He has to trade his franchise player. All other moves will come second. At this point, I think it’s safe to say any chance of keeping Dwight is out the window.

Jhon

Hi yannis why u think NBA Tv wont do a hardwood classic Fan night i want to see the game with the bulls lakers form 2002 lakers won 86 bulls 73. They lakers held the bulls to one of the lowest in LA. U saw that game ever.

Yannis Koutroupis

Great idea, someone at NBA TV should have thought of this already.

Jhon

U think the lakers will give magic gasol and bynum. that would be enough for the lakers to get Dwight Howard i belive. But unless the lakers can get another team in it and get a back up center if they trade both.

Yannis Koutroupis

I do not. Jimmy Buss loves Bynum too much to give him away with Gasol. He was pretty clear that two All-Stars for one doesn’t sit well with him. Maybe if the pieces coming with Dwight are great, but I don’t see it happening. Honestly, I think the Lakers are gonna stick with Gasol and Bynum moving forward. Dwight seems more and more unrealistic by the day.

Jhon

u se david west being a all star he doing good afther the knee trouble he had before

Yannis Koutroupis

It’s possible, but he doesn’t need to be named an All-Star to be recognized as one of the league’s best power forwards. He’s earned that right already. Becoming an All-Star a lot of the time comes down to a numbers game.

pete

When it comes down to it yannis u agree the magic have to take the best deal for dwight howrad. becauese they dont want him to walk away.

Yannis Koutroupis

Yes, they have to. Losing him without getting anything, which is what will happen if they let him become a free agent, is not the right way to go. Even if they sign and trade him, they have little to no leverage to get anything other than picks and a trade exception.

FocusLJA

Now that Maggette is hurt. Henderson is hurt. Augustin is hurt and Reggie Williams is just coming off an injury, isnt it time for CHA to make a move? Do you think we at least sign a D-league SG?

Yannis Koutroupis

Purely based off of the need for bodies, I would assume so.

FocusLJA

The Nets say they want an expiring contract for Morrow. Is it first come, first serve or do they want more than just an expiring?

Yannis Koutroupis

It’s bad business to do first come, first serve deals. They’ll explore the market.

Mutang

Yannis! I’ve tried asking the same question for four of your co-workers and instead 9 more questions about D12 insued!!! What the?? ANYWAY!
Your Raptors writer co-worker says that the Raps are looking for something like a 10mTPE for Calderon, so that they can then turn that into Wilson Chandler. Utah has a 10m TPE I believe, and a starting PG in Devin that really is like a square peg. They could use a traditional PG, so any chance Raps/Utah do business? If not what does Utah do? I think Calderon would make them from tough team, to the one that nobody wants to play.

Yannis Koutroupis

Raptors aren’t going to be able to land Wilson Chandler. Larry Coon will have an article out soon explaining why. As for Utah and Toronto making a deal, I’m not sure I see the makings for one.

Anthony Pascua

Regarding the Lakers’ list of possible interests/ workouts, are there any momentum on Mo Peterson, Gilbert Arenas, Ramon Sessions, Kenyon Martin, Rasheed, or Calderon?

Yannis Koutroupis

I doubt Clippers give them Mo Williams. Gilbert could probably be had at any time with a contract offer. Sessions seems probable to me, as long as they give up on trying for Dwight. Kenyon’s a Clipper, Rasheed probably couldn’t help them more than McRoberts or Murphy right now and I could see them making a offer for Calderon. I’d prefer Sessions, myself.

Edward Lee

Do you think NOLA got a better deal long term with the Clippers than with Houston/LAL, with Eric Gordon refusing to sign an extension?

Yannis Koutroupis

Absolutely, it’s undeniable. I think they’ll end up signing Gordon eventually, too.

Jaimeson

E & W Conf. 13 teams each. 74 game season(4x same conf teams, 2x opp conf) Sac, NO, Char & Tor contracted. Lotto for draft order for contracted players. 2 rd draft w/ opt to not take 2nd pick. Adds 20 potential starters to help increase the comp. Can this happen? Chuckles was right, there are a lot of bad teams playing bad ball these days lockout or not.

Yannis Koutroupis

Not going to happen.

Jaimeson

Cavs shoppin Sessions for draft pick. Would leave Kyrie as only PG on squad. Boobie’s not a true PG. Sessions is great off the bench. He’s still young & could be part of rebuild. Bad idea to move him. Cavs call up Manny Harris if foot has thawed out?

Yannis Koutroupis

I like bringing Boobie off the bench behind Kyrie because it brings a different look that teams have to adjust to. It can work. Sessions needs to be dealt to a better situation where he can play, he’s obviously expendable and Cleveland is going to do him a favor and let him go somewhere he can play the minutes he deserves.

Casey

With the Blazers playing so poorly on the road, and the fans clearly caring the team at home with it’s energy, at what point will Nate’s coaching finally come into question? I mean the guys had one play off win in 12 seasons as a coach.

Yannis Koutroupis

Taking the circumstances into consideration, I don’t think there’s any reason to question Nate. He’s a hell of a coach, few in the league are better. He’s not the problem.

Cain

Have Paul George and Gordon Hayward proven that they can be very good at SG? They were deemed SFs but seem to have amazing ceilings at the SG spot.

Yannis Koutroupis

It’s all about whether or not they can defend it cause they can definitely play it on offense. I expect them to spend the majority of their careers at SF, though.

Bugsy

Hand on heart, what is the true state of the NBA when a guy like Rubio, who was by all accounts struggling in Europe, can come in and post the numbers he has straight up. Is it that the NBA style of play suits his skills or is the NBA a league of great athletes but not particularly good basketballers?

Yannis Koutroupis

It’s definitely the style of play. The best basketball players in the world are in the NBA. There are some good players outside of it, but there’s no questioning where the best of the best are. Ricky’s been put in a much better position to succeed with quality weapons around him and a system that he is able to thrive in.

CarlofPh.

Hi Yannis! nice chat. One of my favorite here in Hoopsworld.

In the upcoming all star weekend, who do you want to see play in Skills challenge? Mine is Ricky Rubio! He’ll be a hell of a guy in that competition.

Yannis Koutroupis

Thanks for the compliment Carl. I’m with you, Rubio has to be in it. I’d like to see Irving in it as well, watching them go head to head would be fun.

mike

Would you trade Barbosa and Ed Davis to the nuggets for Wilson Chandler? Den gets a starting 2 and 4 (which they need) with loads of Potential. Most likely the Raps can get that replacement 4 in the Draft. Thoughts?

Yannis Koutroupis

I would probably do that deal, especially considering Valanciunas coming in next year to start at the five.

Daniel

Hey Yannis! With the Raptors having another loosing season and with the cap room they have for next year, do you see them being busy making trades before the trade deadline? Or maybe they take the route to go after Wilson Chandler?

Yannis Koutroupis

It’s the team’s job to always explore all options and improve when they can. It all depends on when the best offers are available.

Leslie

Hello Yannis! Will the Knicks sign JR Smith? Thanks.

Yannis Koutroupis

I think so.

Shawn

Do the Spurs become an elite team capable of challenging for title when Manu returns? I’d like to think so but the defense seems abut inconsistent and we may need another big (KMart?) to make a run

Yannis Koutroupis

They’ll be a tough out, but I don’t see them competing for a championship even with Manu.

Alvin

I’ve been watching a lot of games and I have say I think the magic have made a mistake in not trading Howard.if with the nets I think with plAyer and draft picks and cap space.they would be in good position sooner then later.what do think

Yannis Koutroupis

I’m with you, they’ve gotta get rid of him and it might as well be sooner rather than later.

HoBo

Waz up Yannis. Love your chats. Very informational. Do you see any team interested enough in Antwan Jamison to make a trade with the Cavs? His level of play has trailed off and his salary is huge. I see the Cavs buying him out after the trade deadline and after they are out of the playoff race.

Yannis Koutroupis

Appreciate that. Highly unlikely that Jamison gets dealt, in my opinion. No team is going to be looking at him as a missing piece, and there’s no real point in trying to clear cap space with the big name guys already zeroed in on the Nets or Mavericks. I doubt Cleveland buys him out. He’s a great guy to have in the locker room, his presence is important for this young team. They’ll let him play the year out.

JPE

How hard can it be for Minnesota to get Paul George? Do we need Utah to make the playoffs to have their lottery protected pick in this year draft? Which player could we get that upgrade as in the center position or shooting guard in this year draft? Is it possible for Rubio to develop in a 20 PPG-7RPG-14APG-3,5SPG-1BPG in his best years?

Yannis Koutroupis

I’m going to say that it’s virtually impossible, outside of giving up Rubio or Love, for Minny to get George based on how much Indy likes him. There’s talent at both positions, depends on how the picks beforehand play out. I think those numbers are too lofty for Rubio. His peak, to me, will be around 18 points, 10 assists, four rebounds, two steals and less than a block.

Chris

Hi Yannis. What do you think of this three team deal? Orlando gets Bynum and Carlos Boozer, Lakers get Howard and Luol Deng, and Chicago gets Kobe. The Lakers have their next star, Orlando gets a nice return for Dwight, and Kobe gets to chase another ring with D-Rose.

Yannis Koutroupis

Kobe has a no trade clause, wouldn’t happen. And, for all his faults, I would never trade him.

Cain

Does Paul George have the potential to be next great off ball catch-shoot player in NBA? Ray Allen on his way out and no one significant has put hand up yet.

Yannis Koutroupis

I don’t think so, he’ll be known for other things.

Drew

What can Twolves do/trade to get Mayo? We would be willing to give Memphis back there 1st along with Beaz, Darko, Randolph and Ellington/ B Miller! any of those work? If not what about Derozen for Ellington and Beaz plus a 1st we have from Utah or Memphis? Thoughts on either senario?

Yannis Koutroupis

It seems like Memphis has been most interested in getting some size in return for Mayo, so maybe that could get it done. Really comes down to what other teams are willing to offer and just how bad they want to trade Mayo.

Baywarrior

Good day Yannis: Ellis D Lee D Wright and a 2nd rd pick for Pau Gasol Ebanks and a 1st rd pick LAL uses part odf the Lo exctpn. your thoughts and who say yes/no? thanks

Yannis Koutroupis

Probably G.S. That’s a lot for Pau, especially since I’m not too sure there a heck of a lot better afterwards.

Cain

Giants or Pats?

Yannis Koutroupis

My head says Pats, but I’m rooting for the Giants. I’m a big Tom Coughlin fan.

Dennis

Are the Pacers pretenders or contenders?
What are their chances of getting both Kaman with his prorated contract and Wilson Chandler?

Yannis Koutroupis

Closer to pretenders right now, but have the potential to develop into contenders. Looks like Kaman is staying put. Chandler would be great there, but I think they wait to try and get Eric Gordon first.

Mike

We’ve heard a lot about the Pacers being interested in Eric Gordon, but why not Ray Allen. He is still one of the best 2′s in the league and might be the best shooter. He’s also extremely clutch. Eric Gordon will cost more and he will want a long term deal despite being so injury prone. Ray could probably be had for a 1 year deal for a fair price. I think Ray Allen is the better choice. What do you think?

Yannis Koutroupis

It’s a good idea, but I wonder how interesting Allen is in a change of scenery at this point.

Darren

How come the same people get their same questions posted in these chats every week! I have seen that first Dwight Howard question you answered posted in at least 3 other chats with different writers. He doesn’t even change the question he just copies and pastes it into every chat. Many other people do the same thing. Do you guys read each others chat sessions when they are done? If not please do so we don’t have to see these same questions over and over again.

Yannis Koutroupis

Put yourself in our shoes. Would you really want to read ALL of the other 14 or so chats we have weekly, log what questions are asked repeatedly and make sure to avoid them in ours? That’s a lot of hassle. Wish there was something we could do, but it’s how it is now. I’ve answered nearly 30 questions today, so try to look over that one and focus on the others.

andrea

i know that bargnani will not be a star but imho he’s a good player in the worst team ever… In your opinion, he should ask to be traded?

Yannis Koutroupis

No, he should not.

Johnny

Whats the significance of the addition of Kenyon martin to the clippers?

Yannis Koutroupis

I’m kind of at a lost as to what all the hoopla is about over Kenyon. It’s like he’s out of the league for a couple of months and everyone is making him out to be this big difference maker. I don’t think he changes how far the Clippers, or any other team goes. He got overrated in this short free agency process. Don’t get me wrong, he’s a good player that will probably get a decent amount of playing time, but there’s no reason to be devastated over missing out on him if you’re other teams throughout the league.

Weston

What do you think of the Rafer Alston signing by the D-Fenders? Do you think he could be an important player on the Lakers by the end of the season?

Yannis Koutroupis

This is going to be my last one folks. Thanks for all the questions, and again sorry for the delay in chat time. Talk to you again next week.

I do not think that at all. Rafer’s days as a difference maker in the league are done. If they weren’t, he wouldn’t have just been signed by the D-Fenders.