NBA Chat With Yannis 4/20/12

Join senior NCAA and NBA analyst Yannis Koutroupis for his weekly chat this Friday April 20th at 11 am EST. As always basketball questions from all levels are welcomed.

  1. Mac

    In this week’s chat, Bill Ingram stated “Hard to see Portland going Perry Jones (in the upcoming draft). They could keep Hickson and have the same thing in a more developed player.” This was a surprising statement, as Hickson was a waiver wire pick-up this year vs. Jones (sure-fire lottery pick in a loaded draft). Would you agree with Ingram and Hickson-Jones is basically a wash. Or do you believe Perry Jones holds much more value?

    • Yannis Koutroupis

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

      Hickson isn’t you’re normal kind of waiver wire pick up. He can play. He’s failed to live up to expectations at a couple of different places and got caught up in a numbers game in Sacramento, but he’s not a left-for-dead talent who has become good all of the sudden. His addition does make Jones more likely, but I had them going with Jones as a best player available move with their second pick in my last mock draft. That’s the only way I can see them taking him, is to stash him for a year or two or flip him to someone else. In that case, I don’t think Hickson’s presence stops them from taking him.

  2. Dennis

    In your opinion, which frontcourt would be better defensively: Thunder with Kendrick Perkins and Serge Ibaka or Charlotte with Bismack Biyombo and Antony Davis (assume Bobcats won lottery).

    • Yannis Koutroupis

      I’d still give the edge to Perkins and Ibaka in the short-term because I don’t think Davis is going to be as good defensively right away due to his lack of strength. He’s got a solid frame that can support more weight, though, so in time if they’re kept together Biyombo and Davis could be good.

  3. Frank

    If you were the GM of Portland, you may be worried about the point guard spot for next year with Raymond Felton struggling for most of the season. Do you give Ray another chance to redeem himself or throw money at a free agent point guard (ex. Goran Dragic, Aaron Brooks). Justify your decision.

    • Yannis Koutroupis

      I think Raymond has to go. Goran Dragic would be a really intriguing investment. I’ve been impressed with his play as of late. They also will probably be in a position where they can take whatever point guard they want in the first round.

  4. Charlie

    The Orlando Magic held off trading Dwight Howard to get maximum value in return (assuming their star does not want to resign long-term). However, this plan may have backfired as Howard’s back issues have now become public. Do you think the questions regarding Dwight’s health will scare teams away and impact the offers the Magic receive from now on vs a healthy Howard they were shopping at the trade deadline.

    • Yannis Koutroupis

      I do not. He’s still Dwight Howard and this is only a herniated disk. Yes it does momentarily take away from his value slightly, but I’d be willing to be New Jersey would still give them everything they want and then some for Dwight right now. Historically he doesn’t miss games, so this injury isn’t a huge concern. And Orlando kept Howard to try and improve the team enough to get him to sign long-term. They weren’t holding out for max value, they still don’t want to deal him.

  5. Cricket

    In his chat, Lang Greene called Allen Iverson the best player in NBA history at 6′ or smaller. Do you agree with Lang or would select someone else?

    • Yannis Koutroupis

      Lang Greene is a well-documented Earl Boykins hater, so his answer doesn’t surprise me. Just kidding, if it’s not Iverson it’s Isiah Thomas. I think it could be argued that Thomas deserves the nod because of the rings, but what Lang said isn’t crazy at all.

  6. bryan

    i love how the spurs are rolling with starters resting a lot. TD deserves 2 more rings before he retires. Can you imagine how could they could have been if they were able to keep george hill as well

    • Yannis Koutroupis

      I don’t think they’d be much better to be honest. Kawhi Leonard has played a big role for them and Danny Green has stepped up in his absence in the backup shooting guard spot, which is what he played a lot of anyway. Hill got kind of overrated in the Spurs’ system, similar to the way DeJuan Blair has. Yes, they’re good and great value for where the Spurs got them. But they’re limited. Look at George’s play when they got eliminated from the playoffs the last two years. Left a little to be desired. And in a seven game series against a team with two legitimate big men, Pop can’t play Blair. His minutes are minimal. I like role players who you can depend on in most situations, those guys’ impact dwindled at the most important times.

  7. Brooks

    I know this sounds crazy.. but what do you think about the Lakers beginning the playoffs with Kobe playing with the second unit? Our starting 5 without Kobe has proven they can hang with the best of them (for the most part) and Kobe would add much needed bench scoring.

    • Yannis Koutroupis

      It sounds crazy because it is crazy. Kobe has to start. This is his team. They’re not getting to the Finals without him playing his best.

  8. Cain

    As games go by for Indiana, I get more and more convinced that Hill and not Collison is our future at PG. What do you think?

    • Yannis Koutroupis

      He’s not a consistent enough playmaker or good enough defender. Look back to how he faired against the Suns a couple years back. He’s not a starting point guard. He’s best in the combo guard off the bench, temporary starter role. He’s much better at guarding shooting guards than point guards, in my opinion.

  9. jazzman

    howdy do Yannis from Down Under , hope all is well…my question is: what are your thoughts on Courtney Lee heading to Cleveland in the off-season? They have space and need a veteren whos still young and versatile , he would compliment Irving well I think , do u agree?

    • Yannis Koutroupis

      He’d be a decent pick up, don’t think he’d change their fortunes much one way or the other.

  10. Deven

    Even though this is a shorten season Yannis, will this be the first time that every team will win less than 50 games?

    • Yannis Koutroupis

      Not positive, but I think so. There’s pretty much always a 50-win team.

  11. Deven

    Fact or Fiction: Steve Nash will leave the Suns.

    • Yannis Koutroupis

      Fact, but not within the next year. I think they’ll give him a multi-year deal and he’ll finish it somewhere else.

  12. Deven

    Fact or Fiction: The Clippers are contenders.

  13. alec

    Hey Yannis, how did you feel about Thursday night fight night in the NBA lol. Anyways, let’s say Avery Bradley was a free agent this year, what would be his worth. Also, do you know what’s Jeff Greens status?

    • Yannis Koutroupis

      Happens from time to time. Bradley could probably get a full MLE deal, I can’t imagine him getting much more. Green is rehabbing from his heart surgery, I think he’ll be ready to go for 2012-2013. Don’t know if he’ll be in Boston or not, though.

  14. jullia

    wid the 3rd and 10th pick the new orleans hornets select who and why?thanks….can u give me 5 things to fix the hornets..

    • Yannis Koutroupis

      We’re going to have some features like that rolling out soon. It really depends on who is off the board by the time they pick. They could go with MKG and Lillard, Barnes and Teague or Marshall. Lots of different combinations. Maybe they go with Drummond and Teague, go real young. They’ve got numerous different ways they can go.

  15. Steve Rosenberry

    Why am I not in the discussion for Gm of the blazers? i have been working in NBA front offices for a while!! and Have plenty of expirience

    • Yannis Koutroupis

      That search is being privately conducted. Word of Mitch Kupchak leaked out, but that’s it.

  16. mojart

    can u give me ur idea on wat would be the name of the new orleans if they r gonna let go of the hornets name?is barnes still available wid the hornets picking at 9 or ten and wil they go wid drummond wid the number 3?

    • Yannis Koutroupis

      Their name should be the New Orleans Jazz, but Utah will never give that up. I’m sure they could come up with something better than Hornets, though. I was just in N.O., they’ve got so much history and an incredible atmosphere. A name change is in order now that it’s clear they’re going to be around for awhile. Barnes at nine is unlikely. Drummond at three is definitely a possibility.

  17. jonel

    hey i read dis in one forum and i thought dis myt work….DH12 to the hornets 1st rd and future picks pick,okafor,ariza,jack and thomas!wid all drama surrounding dwight i think he nid a fresh air and wid hornets having a new owner i think he wil quickly made a statement and dis trade is one of dem

    • Yannis Koutroupis

      Not gonna happen. Dwight won’t sign long-term there. He’s only going where he thinks he can win a championship. He’d stay in Orlando before he went to N.O.

  18. David

    Who do you think they Blazers should go for with their 2 first round picks, assuming the Nets don’t get a top 3?

    • Yannis Koutroupis

      Went over this below. They’ve got a ton of different options. Assuming they’re set at the 3 and 4 with Batum and Aldridge, they can go with any combination of a 1, 2 and 5.

  19. calvinzero

    Can Austin Rivers be the next superstar like the level of Kobe Bryant and Michael Jordan in the next 5 to 10 years??

    • Yannis Koutroupis

      Those are really lofty expectations. I don’t see it happening. Don’t think he’ll be the defender that those two guys were first and foremost. And while I think he can score, I don’t think he can score like those guys can.

  20. keo

    Does people not talk about Paul pierce now because he is to old? He seems to always score at will even agianst lebron KD and carmello .. all three of those guys are great at defence …my question is how do u stop a guy like Paul pierce who isn’t very fast but he is very smooth and clutch

    • Yannis Koutroupis

      Metta World Piece has done as good of a job as anyone I’ve ever seen against him by being around the same height and very physical. He takes away the post up game, but can move with him out on the perimeter as well. PP is a gifted offensive play, though. You pretty much have to live with him making some tough shots no matter how well you defend him.

  21. Antun Badurina

    I don’t understand one thing: People say Lebron can’t win NBA Championship, and that he could never win 6 as Jordan. While im not saying Lebron is better or same as Jordan – Jordan did win his first ring at the age of 27, which is the same age of Lebron now, and with no baseball retirements James can win even more.

    • Yannis Koutroupis

      I definitely see LeBron winning a few. Topping MJ won’t be easy, but in my eyes he’s already one of the greatest to ever play the game. He’s an incredible player, rings only justify ranking him over top greats – but it’s a given now that he belongs in the same conversation.

  22. Al

    Who gets Dallas pick if they pick top20?

    • Yannis Koutroupis

      Dallas keeps it.

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