NBA Chat With Yannis 3/1/13

1. Danny Two Step

   Yannis,

   I’m writing this to you on Monday so I do not know what Kendall Williams will do wednesday night against SDSU, but after Saturday’s HUGE game against Colorado St, will this UNM pg be in the NBA some day?

   • Yannis Koutroupis

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

     Well, Williams was about as cold on Wednesday as he was hot on Saturday. Not the best game for him, but still I like the way he’s playing this year. I’m not sure if he’s a NBA player, but he definitely has the potential to play professionally.

2. LA in LA

   2 big board questions:

   1) What’s your logic behind sending MCW’s to the Kings when they have promising (and productive) sophomore Isaiah Thomas, Jimmer, Aaron Brooks, not to mention Tyreke Evans?

   2) Almost every mock draft has Otto Porter in top 10, some even top 6, yet he’s not even a lottery pick for you. Why?

   3) You don’t think Nuggets would rather get another center (Withey) instead of that PG? I could be wrong but I don’t think a PG will get much PT behind Lawson and Miller. On the other hand, I’d wager Karl doesn’t want to rely on Kosta Koufos being his best defensive center long term. He said himself Farid-Mcgee are terrible on D, so I could see him getting a real defensive center.

   4) Finally,while idk who Solomon Hill is or if he’s good, I imagine my Lakers might be interested in DOUG MCDERMOTT because he can be a slightly undersized 4 who shoots well?

   • Yannis Koutroupis

     1) I expect changes, big changes in Sacramento this offseason once the ownership issue gets settled. Of the four guys you listed, I could see three of them not being back with the team. And, I’m a huge fan of MCW’s game. He was the best player available and I felt like that’s the way Sacramento should go.

     2) I probably should not have Porter that low. I think he’s a top-10 talent and one of, if not the, best small forward. However, as I got to doing this past week’s draft I just felt like the Hawks at 16 was the first situation I got to where I said Porter would definitely be the pick here, there’s no other direction to go.

     3) I view Young as more of a shooting guard and most importantly a natural fit into Denver’s style of play. They have a pretty good set of big men right now. Withey would fit, but I just felt like Young was the better value at that spot.

     4) Hill is a solid small forward who I could see playing well off of the Lakers’ core guys. McDermott would fit too, although I really worry about how he’s going to fair defensively in the NBA.

3. willy

   The pacers vs the HEAT looks like the logical choice right now for ECF. of course upsets will happen but unless rose comes back these are prbably the two teams.
   Lance Stephenson can “defend” wade as best as anyone could
   the same probably goes for George and lebron. Even though you cant really defend those guys they could defend thme pretty well. I think the x factor in this series is how bad Hibbert can bull Bosh and how West can dominate Battier/Haslem.
   THoughts? thannks

   • Yannis Koutroupis

     I’m sure the Pacers will go into that match up with a lot of confidence because they are as well equipped as any team to combat Miami. However, I just don’t see the HEAT losing this year if healthy. Their guys can just take it to another level that makes it extremely difficult to beat them four times in seven nights.

4. willy

   why did the knicks give Camby a 3 year deal, Kidd a 3 year deal, Novak, the most one dimensional player in the league, a 4 year deal, but now there gonna lose the 6th man of the year in jr smith cause thier capped strapped? it seems like awful dicision making to me

   • Yannis Koutroupis

     At the time they didn’t want to let those guys go. It’s the risk you take.

5. running cigar

   Are there any LAL rumor out there on free agents to sign? I as a fan would love to see an athlethic wing who can run and replace mwp when he is in a funk ala webster,outlaw,ariza.. im thinking cdr? Or are the lakers now budget conscious? And lastly would any of u guys cover the los angeles chat ala e.pincus? Thanks man

   • Yannis Koutroupis

     I don’t see the Lakers being major players in free agency with how strapped for cash they are. A cheap pick up like CDR is a possibility, though. They just don’t have much to offer and are looking to trim their payroll, not add to it. All of our writers are more than capable of talking about the LA teams, so feel free to ask all the Laker/Clippers questions you have.

6. MATT BO

   What do you think was the bigger mistake by the THUNDER:

   Voiding the deal for Tyson Chandler?

   Or Trading Harden?

   Both are/will be multiple All Stars…but for me, Tyson is exactly what the thunder need. On top of the fact that they would have had at least a year or two with harden and chandler. can you imagine chandler and ibaka playing together? defense as dominant as the thunders offense is now! crazy

   • Yannis Koutroupis

     Voiding the deal for Chandler, without a doubt. He’s exactly what they need. Perkins has been good, but Chandler would have been even better. Clearly the health issue was not worth voiding the deal over, especially considering they gave up nothing.

7. Jim in CyberSpace

   What team match’s up with the Heat? The Playoff’s are about matchups…it seems the Thunder can’t. Know One seems to like the Spurs…? Why are they “Ratings”? textbook, beautiful BB? The WC is top heavy?
   I just think the best bet for a WC win this year…is the Pacers knocking off the Heat.

   • Yannis Koutroupis

     I agree. Pacers are their toughest match up in the East, I think the Grizzlies and Thunder could give them the most trouble in the West. Don’t see San Antonio being able to keep up or get the kind of stops they need to beat them in a seven-game series.

8. JP

   Hi Yannis! I have some questions for you today!
   A-Do you think that Oladipo is Timberwolves missing piece to be a conteder (along with health) or should we take Shabazz/McLemore if we get a top pick?
   B-In your opinion, should Minnesota get more top picks in this year draft or seek veterans?
   C-Or would it be enough with just drafting Oladipo & Hardaway along with the arrival of Bjelica?
   D-What would you do?
   Thanks!

   • Yannis Koutroupis

     A) Gotta go with Shabazz/McLemore/Smart

     B) Seek veteran help. They have to win now.

     C/D) Don’t think that’s enough by itself. I’d go with more experienced guys and shop the picks hard.

9. John

   I like the idea of Memphis adding a experienced, defensive minded SG into their starting 5, and bringing back Henderson as the teams 6th man. Is there any chance Tony Allen would sign with Memphis this summer to a multi year deal?

   • Yannis Koutroupis

     I think so, but he may get bigger offers elsewhere so it’s going to come down to where he’s most comfortable.

     I’m calling it a week folks. I’ll see you guys next Friday!