NBA Chat With Yannis 5/18/12

Join senior NCAA and NBA analyst Yannis Koutroupis for his weekly chat this Friday May 18th at 11 am EST. As always basketball questions from all levels are welcomed.

  1. Sweet Dee

    During last week’s chat, you were almost positive the call at the end of the Boston Atlanta series was correct. However, the very next day the NBA admitted the refs dropped the ball and free throws should have been awarded. Without this knowledgle, if I were to tell you a controversial call was made at the end of a Boston – Atlanta game which swayed the outcome. As an intelligent, analytical man who has watched a lot of basketball (ex. Lakers – Portland series a few years ago), which team would you bet the call was in favor?: The NBA powerhouse or team status has nothing to do with these “conveniently” missed calls.

    • Yannis Koutroupis

      Welcome everyone to this week’s chat! Got a lot of questions already so let’s get to them.

      How convenient that this is the first question because as soon as I saw that release from the NBA I immediately wanted to go back and answer this question from last week again. Glad you’re bringing it up. I can see how conspiracy theorists go crazy with this one. It certainly does line up an interesting scenario. The refs blew it, it was a big play and the big market team benefited. I’m going to say there wasn’t anything fishy going on because the integrity of the game is important to me, but like I said I can see why Hawks fans would be furious and question it.

  2. Simon

    http://games.espn.go.com/nba/tradeMachine?tradeId=899afxj

    do you like this trade??

  3. Badax33

    HI Yannis

    I just read your NBA Mock v6. I was wondering how you come up with your picks. Do you have some insiders that give you info or is it based on team needs and the relative rank of the players.

    • Yannis Koutroupis

      All of the above. I use all those things to create a mock based on how I think things will go.

  4. Kostas

    Hi from Greece.I want to ask you about Celtics and which players do you think they must take to the team this summer and which players must stay from the current roster?In my opinion they must resign J.Green,leave Allen and resign Garnett but with smaller contract.Thank you and sorry for my bad english :)

    • Yannis Koutroupis

      Yasou! English looks great to me! I’m not against anything you proposed there. I think if you can get Allen for a good price you keep him, but with two first round picks Boston may be able to find a good shooting guard who could possibly come in and start anyway.

  5. AJ

    Can Sullinger translate as a center in the NBA? Also, how likely is it that a player like Damian Lillard that was needed as the primary scoring option in school can make the adjustment to being a pass-first point?

    • Yannis Koutroupis

      I do not think so, unless you get him alongside a big power forward who can guard the bigger centers. Guys with length give Sullinger problems and at the center position he’d be going up against guys with a length advantage every night. He’s a four man. I don’t think Damian will ever be a pass first point guard in the mold of Jason Kidd. That’s too big of a change for him. He doesn’t have to make it either. He needs to be a make-the-right-play point guard. His aggressiveness is going to get a lot of people open. He can’t get away from that and try to be something he’s not.

  6. AJ

    Terrence Ross doesn’t get as much hype as other guards like Austin Rivers and Jeremy Lamb. Can you see him turning out as one of the top guards in the class? What do you think his ceiling is?

    • Yannis Koutroupis

      He could be a starter. He’s my third ranked SG right now ahead of Rivers. I’ve talked to some people close to him who think he can play some SF down the line.

  7. WBS

    If the Nets land the No. 1 pick do they offer it to Orlando for Howard? Or do they go with Davis?

    • Yannis Koutroupis

      Great question! I think you try to get Howard still just because of the instant credibility that comes with him at a time where you need it with a big move. But, if you end up keeping Davis – you can’t help but be thrilled with that outcome as well.

  8. Charlie

    JaVale McGee would be my center on the All-I-think-I’m-a-Better-Offensive-Player-Than-I-Actually-Am Team. With Metta World Peace, Alex Anjinca, John Lucas, and Marco Belinelli rounding out the rest of my roster. Which players would make up Team Yannis?

    • Yannis Koutroupis

      Oh that’s tough! I like all your picks. I’d throw Kwame Brown and Robin Lopez on there as well.

  9. Mutang

    Hey Yannis. Really curious about my Utah Jazz. They exceeded expectations but showed also what they are lacking: PG and shooting. They have some bigs so a trade for PG? I’d like to see them get GS’s draft pick, grab Lilliard and then also sign Steve Nash for couple years to mentor him and also help this team contend. Otherwise, either go get Dragic or Mo Williams. Who could Al or Paul be traded for? What do you think they will/should do?

    • Yannis Koutroupis

      I think they should move Paul Millsap. This draft could have been great for them. Now they’re possibly out of the first round completely. Tough break. Definitely think they need a PG. Doubt Nash is interested in doing any mentoring. With how young the Jazz are and how much I like Lillard, I’d be a proponent of throwing him out in the fire and letting him sink or swim early on. He’s not a young kid. He’s got four years of college under his belt. He should be able to handle it.

  10. Deven

    What in the world happened to Miami last night, Yannis?

    • Yannis Koutroupis

      They really struggled against Indiana’s defense. They can’t have more than half their points scored by Chalmers and James. Other guys have to step up.

  11. Deven

    Fact or Fiction: Miami will not beat Indiana due to Chris Bosh being out with an injury.

    • Yannis Koutroupis

      Can I be on the fence? If not, fiction. I think Miami figures out a way to win it, possibly in seven.

  12. Deven

    Should we start talking about a possible match-up between Indy-Celtics?

  13. Deven

    Which Big Man in the draft would be the perfect fit for Miami. Because clearly, they need a big man, after Roy Hibbert dominated them on the boards last night.

    • Yannis Koutroupis

      Fab Melo would be a nice grab for them. He could be gone by then, though.

  14. maestro

    Can the Clippers fire Vinny already? The Clippers have to be the worst coach team in the league.

    • Yannis Koutroupis

      He is drastically outmatched right now. I think if you can get better this offseason you fire VDN. And, there are better coaches out there on the market. The thing is, it’s lose-lose with the Clippers. They’re going to be scrutinized either way. Comes with the territory of being the Clippers.

  15. Deven

    Yannis, should we just declare SAS the 2012 NBA Champs? The way they’ve been playing has been unbelievable. Thoughts?

    • Yannis Koutroupis

      No. They play the games for a reason. I think OKC can beat San Antonio along with a healthy Miami squad. I also think Boston and the Lakers could give them some trouble.

  16. calvinzero

    Yes or No:Is it a good judgement that the two big men Gasol and Bynum will be traded after this current playoffs? Why? If you say yes, who do you think is the best big man for the Lakers besides Howard?

    • Yannis Koutroupis

      I think Howard is the only guy they can trade those guys for. He’s the only one who could be looked at as an upgrade. I think if they lose in the second round one will be traded. Not sure if both will.

  17. timw

    If Sacramento is picking @ #5 and Davis, MKG, Robinson & Barnes are gone should they take a chance on Drummond who is a possible bust, but lots upside or a more sure thing with Beal even though he does not fill a need or look to trade the pick?

  18. paprika

    Yo yannis wassup? If the heat loose what happens first, fire the coach or a good old fashion trade? Wade for pau gasol??? Haha thanks for the chat man!

    • Yannis Koutroupis

      From what I’ve gathered Spoelstra isn’t on the hot seat yet, although a second-round exit could definitely change that. Don’t think you were serious on Wade for Gasol, but I highly doubt Miami does that. It would probably be time for a trade, though.

  19. pancit malabon

    Watching ron artest lately i noticed he got his A game back.on defense. But all of these are overe shadowed by his dark past. For me he is the modern day rodman. The lakers need one more guy who plays tough and also athletic. Can kg be a laker? Loyalty is over rated. They almost traded the old big 3 last deadline.. he would surely be an upgrade even to a younger pau gasol. Whats your take? And also sign r.allen as a 6th man type of guy?

    • Yannis Koutroupis

      I don’t think those guys are going to be eager to come play for cheap in L.A. The Lakers don’t have much to offer them as free agents, and I doubt they could work out a deal for them with Boston. The Lakers need to get younger anyway, not older.

  20. Marlon D.

    Given the Miami Heats recent meltdown in the playoffs, does this highlight the value of Chris Bosh to the team or are Miami’s weakness’s just coming to light at the worste possible time?

    • Yannis Koutroupis

      Little bit of both. I’m giving Bosh a lot of credit though, the guy is more important than most realize.

  21. Lucas

    Good morning Yannis,

    Who do you like to win the Heat vs. Pacers? What has made the Pacers so effective against Miami? Thanks for your insight.

    • Yannis Koutroupis

      They’ve been great defensively, that’s been the key. I’m still going with Miami, but all the momentum is with Indy right now.

  22. Aristotle

    Hi Yanni,

    I’m just wondering if the Magic MUST trade Dwight to one of the teams HE has on his list… don’t they have the right to send him wherever they wish for the sake of the organisation?

    • Yannis Koutroupis

      No, they don’t have to. They can send him wherever. What makes it tough is that some teams are hesitant to take him on without a commitment, but it sure seems like Houston is willing to take the risk along with a couple others.

  23. Cliff

    Yannis,

    It is great to see Indiana getting back into B-ball. I feel like this is a very likable team. After this season do you see the Pacers being a legitimate contender for a few years? What kind of moves do you expect?

    • Yannis Koutroupis

      I think they could use an upgrade at point, other than that they’re pretty set.

  24. Alex in Burbank

    You know, when you’re wounded and someone sticks a knife in it and twists it? That’s how I felt after my Lakers handed the Thunder the game two win on a platter. Anyways, my question is this, why are games 3 and 4 on back2back nights? We’re an old team, we don’t need this in the playoffs. Do any other teams have back2back? WTF? Seriously!!

    • Yannis Koutroupis

      It’s not just the Lakers. Every team is going to have to play one. I don’t like it. It’s just due to the lockout shortened season. Won’t happen moving forward.

  25. Daniel

    Hey Yannis,

    In your mock drafts you have the Raptors selecting a PF. Why is that? The Raptors are jammed pack at that position including having Bargniani as there starter. Do you see them trading the pick or do you honestly think they will select a PF when Lamb is still out there and we need some shooters! Thanks!

    • Yannis Koutroupis

      I have them going with Jones as the best player available. He can play multiple positions, not just PF. Thought where they were at was a little too high for Lamb.

  26. Anthony

    Brad Beal, Joe Johnson minus a couple of inches of height (though similar wingspans)? Smooth, non-explosive, athletes that are solid shooters and good ball handlers, though Beal will need to continue to improve to be on Johnson’s level.

  27. xsj

    James Harden questions. Top 20 nba player right now? Who do you have him right next to? I know age and potential factor in with this but what’s your say?

    I have him at the granger and m ellis level right now.

    thanks in advance

    • Yannis Koutroupis

      He’s hard to rank without seeing him in a starting, feature role. If he was a top two option, who knows he could be top 15. I don’t have a problem with you saying he’s top 20, though.

  28. Joe Shafer

    HAs playing with and deferring to Lebron James actually been a detriment to Dwayne Wade’s game now. He seems like a fraction of the player he was before they started playing together?

    • Yannis Koutroupis

      There’s only one basketball, so it does make it harder for him to get his offense. But he can still do other things. That’s what he needs to focus on, in my opinion.

  29. Jazzfan

    Yannis Thanks for your time.
    What do you think Derrick Favors ceiling is? All Star? Super Star?, I see super star written all over this kid.

    • Yannis Koutroupis

      I think he can be an All-Star. I’ll hold off before saying he can carry a franchise or anything like that. But there’s a ton of upside there, without a doubt.

  30. Cliff

    Will the Pacers lose anyone this off season? Will the big exposure lure any stars (Gordon) into Indiana?

    • Yannis Koutroupis

      They’re in a fantastic position. They can keep everyone they need to and get a solid free agent. I think they need to go point guard, but Eric Gordon would be a good get if available.

  31. Ro

    What do you think of Terrence Ross? It seems like Dallas would be the perfect situation for him if they land Williams, with an elite scorer and a ball-dominant PG to play off of.

    • Yannis Koutroupis

      I like his game, have him ranked third on my SG list right now like I said earlier. Dallas is a good situation for him. I think they could go with him.

  32. Jazzfan

    Yannis, I’m a big defensive guy I love watching defense, who would you say is the best defensive player of all time? and Is Ben Wallace in your top 5 of best defensive players?

    • Yannis Koutroupis

      I’d have to think longer about it than my schedule allows me to right now. Best of all-time is really difficult for me to choose. I think the default answer is always Bill Russell, but I never saw him play. I did see Ben Wallace, an extremely undersized center, win a championship when defending Shaquille O’Neal in him prime, and give bigger, better big men fits defensively. What he did was beyond incredible to me. He’ll always have my respect.

  33. ant

    What can the cavs do to get rudy gay.

    • Yannis Koutroupis

      Not sure they can. The conversation would start with giving up high draft picks, which I’m not sure is in Cleveland’s best interest.

  34. Marlon D.

    Im by no means a HEAT fan, but what adjustments do you feel they have to make to get back into this series with the Pacers?

    • Yannis Koutroupis

      They have to shore up their rebounding, step up their individual defensive play against a well-balanced Indiana squad, and get more out of Wade. He doesn’t necessarily have to score 25+, but he needs to be engaged and contribute across the board.

  35. Jeff

    Trade Proposal: assuming Indy pulls off this upset and Miami needs to give up on the current Big Three idea. Deng and Howard to Miami. Lebron to Bulls. Bosh, Gibson / Asik, CJ Watson, Bulls 1st rd pick (owned by Charlotte), and rights to Nikola Mikotvich…thoughts?

    • Yannis Koutroupis

      Not a bad deal, but it’s too massive of a three-way deal. I just see someone, probably the Magic, being too jealous of what the other teams are getting.

  36. Mikel

    Would Indiana balk at a max deal for Hibbert? It seems like there’s a lot of teams out there this summer that would give it to him.

    • Yannis Koutroupis

      I don’t think so. He’s earning it. Have to pay a premium for premiere starting centers.

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