NBA Chat With Yannis 3/15/13

1. Chris Christiansen

   Hey,

   what are the chances Gonzagas Elias Harris gets drafted?

   • Yannis Koutroupis

     Welcome everyone to this week’s chat!

     He’s in a pretty good position to get drafted if he can help lead the Bulldogs deep into the NCAA Tournament. I can’t see him climbing too high because of his age and tweener concerns, but he could definitely go in the mid-to-late part of the second round.

2. LA in LA

   Agree or disagree- NBA should make it a flagrant when a defender sticks out his foot underneath a shooter. It’s really no different than a typical flagrant foul. Your not making a play on the ball and EVERYONE knows it is likely to end in an injury. Refs should be able to review any time a player hurts his ankle after a jumpshot and decide whether to call a flagrant.
   You might say “it wasn’t intentional”. But it doesn’t matter. A good portion of “raking flagrants” aren’t intentional but because the offensive player gets hit in the face while the defender is going for the ball, they get the F1, regardless of if the play looked malicious.
   And it’s not like it happens so often it would ruin defense if that was called a flagrant (one or two)

   • Yannis Koutroupis

     I disagree. Defenders have to box out the shooter, they’re the most important person to box out on the floor. I don’t think the sliding under the defender move happens intentionally anywhere near enough to warrant calling it a flagrant personally. I also don’t think Jones’ play was dirty, as I state in HOOPSWORLD TV last night. It was a dangerous play, but in the heat of the moment with the game on the line you’ll never be able to convince me that Jones was thinking about anything other than contesting Bryant the best he could.

3. LA in LA

   Hey Yannis, 2 NCAA questions:

   1) Are you in agreement with scouts who are worried that Otto Porter might be another Wesley Johnson due to his inability to get separation?

   2) Give me your top 3 players most likely to noticeably raise their draft stock in the tournament.

   • Yannis Koutroupis

     No. Johnson was like 23/24 around draft time and did the bulk of his work from 17 in. He wasn’t anywhere near as well-rounded and skilled as Porter, who is just a sophomore, is. I’ll go with Kelly Olynyk, Trey Burke and Jeff Withey.

4. Tony

   With the injury to Melo does that pretty much assure the #2 playoff seed will go to the Pacers? If so what do you think the chances of a Heat/Pacers conference finals match-up are?

   • Yannis Koutroupis

     Both seem likely. I can’t get too pumped about the HEAT facing anyone though. That team seems damn near unbeatable, for Eastern Conference teams at least.

5. Jonathan

   Any college coaches who would be successful in the NBA? I assume the list starts w/ Coach K & T. Izzo?

   • Yannis Koutroupis

     Coach K obviously is at the top of the list, but that just isn’t going to happen. I’d like to see Cal get another chance in a better situation than the one he was in the first time around. Brad Stevens will eventually get an offer, but I think he may wait around for the Duke job and hold onto it for as long as he can.

6. Cain

   Is there any reason to Paul George’s struggles lately? I worry if he doesn’t get back into groove that my Pacers will not make it past first round.

   • Yannis Koutroupis

     Just a little slump, everyone is tired and dinged up at this point of the year. I think he’ll be fine come playoff time, he’ll get his second wind.

7. Kevin Owens

   Hack-A-Howard. I really hate when people use the phrase “It’s not good for the fans” just when it’s convenient to do so. There is absolutely NOTHING wrong with that strategy for a coach. There are many things wrong with the game but Hack-A-Howard is not in the top 20! You agree?

   • Yannis Koutroupis

     I mean, I don’t love watching it, but I’m in no position to suggest a coach go against what he feels like is his best chance at winning.

8. Jim in CyberSpace

   I’m not trying to kiss anyone’s ass, but Hoopsworld’s Bill Ingram did a nice write up on the Spur’s regular season vs post season? I think it’s pretty accurate.
   My question is, why are the Spurs’ considered rating “killer’s”?
   They have the best Coach in the NBA, they normally put on a “clinic” of fundamental basketball at the highest level. A well oiled machine. Most of the NBA want’s to do what the Spur’s are doing..year in and year out.
   I’m not a Spurs’ fan, at all, I might be a little bit jealous. To borrow a phrase from Martha Stewart…”It’s a good thing”

   • Yannis Koutroupis

     Because the most common denominator of fans don’t enjoy watching their style of play. They’re more consumed with highlight reel worthy plays and inefficient styles of play. I enjoy watching them play and really respect what they’ve been able to accomplish. However, I’m not in agreement with Bill. While I felt it was a very well written article, I’m just not sold on the Spurs role players ability to come through when they need them to the most. Kawhi Leonard, Danny Green and Tiago Splitter have been great in the regular season, but they’re going to be thoroughly game planned against in the playoffs and have tough match ups. I’m in wait-and-see mode with them.

9. JP

   Hi Yannis,
   I have some questions for you:
   A) Would you trade Pekovic & Ridnour for an unprotected 1st round pick for the next yr draft to a lottery bound team? To select Jahlil Okafor or any of the other two beasts?
   B) Would you hire Flip as GM if you are Taylor?
   D) What would be you move?
   Thanks in advance!

   • Yannis Koutroupis

     I would if that was an option, but unprotected first round picks are hard to get. I can’t see a lottery bound team willing to give one up for Pekovic/Ridnour. No, I would not hire Flip. He’s a coach in my opinion, not a GM. I’d give Kahn another year. Their biggest problem is health, not him.

10. Justin Harris

    What’s the chances Kentucky wins the national title in 2013, 100 or 99.9?;-)

    • Yannis Koutroupis

      One of the scariest teams ever is being put together by Cal for next season, I can’t deny that. However, so much has to go right. They have to jel together, adapt to his intense coaching style and ignore all the outside distractions that come with being a Kentucky Wildcat. Those aren’t easy things for a group of young men to do, but they will be very capable.

11. tim

    knicks are 20-20 after a 18-5 start. Heading towards the playoffs, I dont like the direction this team is going. Amare out, Tyson & melo hurting, Kidd is burnt out. etc how far do you see this team going? I say first round exit if we’re matched up against chicago/boston

    • Yannis Koutroupis

      Hard to disagree. Getting out of the first round is going to be really tough for them.

12. alexander

    Who is going to win the MVP and the championship ?

    • Yannis Koutroupis

      I want to say Tony Parker and the Spurs to make my hometown readers happy, but every time I try to my phone autocorrects it to LeBron James and the HEAT.

13. Chad

    Love these chats Yannis, If you’re the Pelicans GM & have a top 5 pick who do you use it on with so many holes to fill? Do you keep the pick or trade down with a team with multiple picks like Utah?

    • Yannis Koutroupis

      Give me Marcus Smart. Most mature and NBA ready player in the draft. He may be a tweener and I know they have Vasquez and Rivers, but I know this from watching Smart dominate Texas HS basketball like few other greats have before – he’s a winner who is willing to put in the time and work to ensure he’s great. That’s the kind of guy the Hornets need in their locker room.

14. jm

    Will Mike D finally increase the Lakers rotation or will he go with 7 players for each game. Metta at center with Blake and Meeks. Ouch

    • Yannis Koutroupis

      It’ll expand to eight, which is right around what most teams use, once Gasol comes back next week.

15. Mark

    Hey Yannis, Do you think Brooklyn’s rotation issues will be their downfall in the postseason? PJ is already talking about playing Stackhouse & Reggie Evans big minutes & i don’t think that’s the answer.

    • Yannis Koutroupis

      They certainly lack depth. I think their biggest downfall in the postseason is going to be that they play in the same conference as the HEAT. They’re really the only team in the top six that is healthy outside of the HEAT, but I’m not sure whether or not they’re going to be able to knock off the teams that aren’t healthy.

16. JP

    Following your response:
    What about a Pekovic/Ridnour/other player or/+ pick for that unrestricted first round pick?
    Would you hire KPritchard as GM if you know you have a chance to get him?
    Do have an opinion of Nemanja Bjelica, Robbie Hummel & Nick Calathes? Can they be solid?

    • Yannis Koutroupis

      It’s just not going to happen. Orlando, and any team that looks bound to the cellar for the foreseeable future, are holding onto their picks for dear life unless it’s a franchise player they’re receiving, which they’re not in the deals you’re proposing. Of course I would hire Pritchard, the man is proven to know what he is doing. I’d be surprised if any of those three became major factors at the NBA level. Can’t see it myself.

      Guys I’m out! Thanks for all the great questions. See you next week at the same time, come back and talk a little tournament with me!