NBA Chat With Yannis 3/22/13

1. Mike

   Is Ben Mclemore much better than Gerald Henderson? If you are the bobcats and get first pick are you better off trading down and maximizing assets, and resigning Hendo? or do you let Hendo walk, or try a S&T for a big and draft Mclemore?

   • Yannis Koutroupis

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

     I think he could potentially be better. He doesn’t have the star quality that you would hope to get with a top three pick, but he’s about as good as this year’s draft class has to offer. If I’m the Bobcats, I let Hendo walk or sign-and-trade him. I’d rather let McLemore loose on the wings.

2. JP

   Hi Yannis,
   I have some questions for you:
   A) Which is for you McLemore-Shabazz & Oladipo´s ceiling?
   B) Who Would be the ideal coach to hire if Adelman walks away?
   D) Which is for you Nemanja Bjelica ceiling? A poor man Toni Kukoc?
   E) Which is for you Kevin Love-Rubio& Williams potential?
   Thanks in advance!

   • Yannis Koutroupis

     A – Guessing you mean higher. I’m going to go with McLemore, although Shabazz is close. I see Oladipo being a solid defender and role player, but not a top three player/option on a team like Shabazz and McLemore can be.

     B – Jeff Van Gundy.

     D – I’d go with Boris Diaw.

     E – Love and Rubio have really good potential, not sure Williams is ever going to peak with the Wolves.

3. Djun

   Hey Yannis, greetings from Germany!
   My Q: what does a championship mean financially (extra games in the playoffs + TV revenue etc. )to a team in a big market like the lakers? does it justify to spend 100m$ + TAX in payroll next season? Thx for your time.

   • Yannis Koutroupis

     It’s a big boost. I don’t know the exact numbers, but it gets them closer to at least breaking even from what I remember. The value of the Lakers is in their overall worth, not their year-to-year profits.

4. Enrique

   Greetings! Can Brandon Paul regenerate some draft buzz with a good showing during the tournament? Also, any buzz on D.J. Richardson?

   • Yannis Koutroupis

     Absolutely he can. Richardson’s not firmly on the radar right now. The odds are against him to get drafted.

5. BeeMagic

   Hi Yannis,

   In the upcoming draft who would be the best player/best fit for what the Magic need to go forward?

   Thanks

   • Yannis Koutroupis

     I’d love to see them grab Marcus Smart. I just think that’s the right guy to put into that locker room and further help build that winning culture they always talk about. He’s a competitor and hard worker who sets the example for everyone to follow. He wasn’t great against Oregon, but don’t let that take away from him too much. He’s a freshman with a lot of room to improve. Yes, he’s kind of a tweener, but it’s more because he can play both guard spots, not that he can’t play one like some others.

6. kllp

   if you are joe dumars who would you draft and which players would you target in fa?

   • Yannis Koutroupis

     If they could manage to get Otto Porter, I think that’d be a tremendous grab for them. That’d lock up their fronline for the next five years or so. In free agency I’d start with trying to keep Calderon at a discounted rate. They’re going to swing for some big dogs, but I’m not sure they can get them. Having money to offer is the first key, though.

7. luk

   What player would fit the best with wall and beal in this draft?

   • Yannis Koutroupis

     I’d like to see them take Cody Zeller.

8. Jae

   Hey Yannis! Who do you see the blazers targeting in the draft and free agency?

   • Yannis Koutroupis

     I think they’re going to look for some size, someone who can help out at center alongside Aldridge.

9. Yannis Koutroupis

   Thanks for doing hoopsworld tv

   Which player do you consider the most toxic in the league?

   Which rookie are you excited to see next season?

   DO you recommend watching next season’s college ball?

   • Yannis Koutroupis

     Thanks for watching! Toxic… That’s a tough one. I’m not sure there’s any player whose negative impact is big enough to be considered toxic. I can’t wait to see how Marcus Smart does as a pro. And, I recommend watching college basketball every season.

10. Wil

    Does anyone care that Stotts is likely to cost his team their draft pick this year, grind his starters into the ground, and fail to develop his bench; all while missing out on the playoffs! At what point does this insanity stop?

    • Yannis Koutroupis

      They’re not too concerned about having a high pick in this year’s draft. There’s nobody who is going to greatly change their fortunes in their range.

      That’s going to do it for me this week folks. Talk to you next week!