NBA Chat With Yannis 7/20/12

Senior NCAA and NBA analyst Yannis Koutroupis hosts his weekly chat this Friday June 20 at 11 am EST. As always basketball questions from all levels are welcomed.

  1. Ray from Cali

    What’s up yannis give me some insight on why hill chose the clips over lakers also why did we not amnesty Steve Blake to keep Ramon and Kobe said that he wanted fisher back but I guess two old PGs don’t work lol thanks

    • Yannis Koutroupis

      Welcome everyone to this week’s chat. It’s been awhile since I’ve been on the road. Glad to be back on the normal schedule. Let’s get to it.

      Hill wasn’t exactly the most sought-after free agent this offseason. I think what it came down to was the Lakers had higher priorities than signing him, whereas the Clippers came in late and really made him feel wanted. Using the amnesty clause of Blake would have been a bad move. Ramon wanted to start, not be stuck behind one of the best point guards in the game. Blake is fine with coming off the bench and really more of what the Lakers need behind Nash than Ramon.

  2. vince

    who on the lakers summer league team will most likey be on the roster? why isnt devin ebanks playing?

    • Yannis Koutroupis

      Andrew Goudelock, Darius Morris, Darius Johnson-Odom, Christian Eyenga and Robert Sacre all have a chance. I think only three of them will make the final cut, though.

  3. Eric

    Whats up Yannis, What do you think if the Lakers do end up trading for Bynum and get Howard and maybe picking up Jordan Hill again, putting a line-up with: Nash, Kobe, Metta,Jordan Hill, and Howard. Bench would be: Blake, Goudlock, Jamison, Ebanks,and maybe putting Pau Gasol on the bench?

    • Yannis Koutroupis

      Pau Gasol is far too good to bring off the bench. The combination of him alongside Dwight is potent, he’d start without a doubt. Coming off the bench is what Jordan Hill is better suited to do anyway.

  4. martay

    Where do u Think d Howard ends up, and if the magic burn yet another bridge with a team do u think team is will be reluctant to deal with team. Like if they wait until trading deadline and nets no they desperate they not going to offer same deal. I think that young 30 year old gm of magic don’t know what he doing. Your thoughts?

    • Yannis Koutroupis

      I think it’s dead even between the Rockets and Lakers right now. I don’t know where he goes. I don’t buy into burning bridges. It’s not like in the future if they have good players they’re willing to deal that people won’t be willing to work with them. Rob Hennigan has a great pedigree and he’s in a situation where he’s going to be criticized no matter what.

  5. Myron

    If the CAVS do acquire Bynum…..which I now doubt….do u think Tyler Zeller could play PF next to him.

    • Yannis Koutroupis

      Possibly. It’s something the Cavaliers would definitely have to look at.

  6. David Rivas

    The Kings need a SF. Who would you trade for?

  7. LA in LA

    I think that Mitch said that the Lakers are waiting to see if they get Howard before adding to their bench but regardless of who they might get in a Howard trade don’t you agree Lakers still need at least 1 3pt shooter like a Willie Green or Jodie Meeks who we should be able to sign for the Vet min or MMLE?

    • Yannis Koutroupis

      He didn’t say that, but it clearly looks like what they’re doing. They did sign Jamison, though, who is a great fit as a backup PF whether they get Howard or not. I’d expect them to go after a 2/3. They need a quality back up at both those positions.

  8. Kuda

    Sup Yannis.
    So my beloved Raps have made some adjustments in the pg department and at wing, but what else do they need to improve on ? And why cant two pgs work together and stop being so arrogant about who starts? Jose has no D and as much as i like the guy he cant keep up with most of the PGs in the East.

    • Yannis Koutroupis

      I really liked the way Dwane Casey and Brian Colangelo handled the questioning about that. Having two good point guards is a nice luxury. Coach Casey wants that, Colangelo on the other hand is seeing whats out there on the market as he should since Calderon is unhappy. I think if training camp comes along and Calderon is still a Raptor he’ll do whatever the team asks because he’s professional, though.

  9. jazzfan

    Thanks for your time Yannis, a lot of Jazz fans and some analysts think that Jefferson slows down the offense, would you agree? and does that affect his trade value?

    • Yannis Koutroupis

      Somewhat, he also regularly shoots over 50% from the field and gets you at least a block, a lot of the time two. So, to characterize him just as someone who slows down the offense is unfair. So, to answer your question, no I don’t think that has a big impact on his trade value because he brings plenty more to the table.

  10. jack

    Will Howard eventually end up with L.A.?

  11. MN-Nelly

    What are the twolves going to do now at at sg/sf. Lee, mayo, and batum have landed elsewhere and those are the top 3 in this FA class. Is a trade for Iggy possible? I’ve heard some R.Brewer rumors but I don’t see him as a great fit being a career 25% 3 pt shooter. Are Meeks, Rush, or S.Brown possibilities? Also have you heard if the Ellington-Cunningham trade ever went through? If you had to choose, who is a better fit for the wolves, Hill or Stiemsma. Lastly, where do you see the wolves being at next year if Rubio comes back strong, K-Love continues his dominance, and we get a quality sg/sf and backup big?

    • Yannis Koutroupis

      The Brewer rumors aren’t legit at this point. Maybe they go in that direction. They’ve definitely missed out on their top targets, Jamal Crawford was also high on their list. The Cunningham deal has not gone through officially yet. I’d rather have Hill, myself. I’ve always considered the Wolves a playoff team for next year. Coach Adelman will find a way to make them win.

  12. Deven

    Give me your bold prediction of when this Dwightmare will end?

  13. Nick DC

    Hi Yannis!

    A lot of us Magic Fans are hoping the Dwight deal gets done with the rockets, either straight up between ORL and HOU or in a three way involving the Lakers.

    What assets do you see HOU giving up for either a DWight rent and sign or in the three-way with LAL? Which trade do you think would net the magic more HOU assets?
    Thanks!

    • Yannis Koutroupis

      Everything Houston has is on the table except for Lin and potentially Asik, who can’t be legally traded yet. I think a straight-up deal of course gives Orlando more of Houston’s assets.

  14. Adam

    What is Houston’s current offer for Dwight Howard? Too many conflicting reports…

    • Yannis Koutroupis

      I don’t think they have a current offer because of Asik’s impending contract. That has to take care of itself first.

  15. Deven

    Where do you see the Spurs in the standings next year? And could this season be the final run with that core?

    • Yannis Koutroupis

      I think they’re still top four. I like their move of bringing everything back. We say it’s the final year every year but haven’t been right yet. They may have two years left still.

  16. dj1040

    Ok Tell us… That nobody really knows what is going on with this Dwight Howard thing. Thanks l

    • Yannis Koutroupis

      Wojnarowski recently put out an article verifying the three-way talks involving Cavs, Lakers, Magic and that Houston’s still in the mix. So, clearly, everyone’s fairly up to date.

  17. koby Licciardo

    Who else gets cut from the rockets roster before the season starts?

  18. dub

    Please tell me the raps arent done with moves? They have a disgruntled backup pg that they owe 10 mil for this season, they got rid of their best wing defender in johnson, and they still do not have a starting calibre sf. They went into the offseason with nearly the most money to spend and still made little movement.

    • Yannis Koutroupis

      Colangelo told us point blankly they’re working on making some more moves, so no they’re not planning on this being it for them this offseason.

  19. dj1040

    Who is leaking most of these stories about dwight? Orl,rockets,lakers,clev,agent or dwight. This is straight nonsense! Thanks.

  20. dj1040

    Ebanks not on summer league because not signed yet. Lakers trying to finish this dwight thing first if it is something to finished. Correct? Thanks.

  21. HoBo

    Waz up Yannis, No way the Cavs take Bynum as a one year rental with a promise to re-sign. They got burned by Boozer that way. Do you see them making any other moves? SF and SG remians a weak area.

    • Yannis Koutroupis

      I personally think they can convince Bynum to sign an extension immediately. Bynum and his camp haven’t even discussed Cleveland, so it’s not correct to say he’s for or against playing there now. I think they could end up with pieces at those spots in this trade, maybe Hedo or J-Rich.

  22. GameBreaker

    Do you see the Jose/Lowry PG duo as a pretty good duo or no? And what do you think others around the league thinks? You see anymore changes looming?

    • Yannis Koutroupis

      I definitely think it solid, good enough to get into the playoffs with. Others around the league are hoping Toronto folds and gives them a chance to get Calderon on the cheap. Changes could be coming, but they’re not certainty.

  23. Chris

    Do you think Josh Smith will stop taking long jump shots? Is there hope?

    • Yannis Koutroupis

      Completely? Doubtful. It’s up to the coaches to put him in a position where he doesn’t have as many opportunities to take those long shots, though, if they truly want to minimize them.

  24. mark

    Hi, do you think the system the Bobcats are using in the summer leauge will work in the reg season ? Do you thin Kemba Walker is showing signs that he could be a good point gaurd ?

    Thanks

    • Yannis Koutroupis

      I like the idea of Coach Dunlap getting a head start and working with the guys this early. It’s a really good move on his part. I think Kemba is going to give Ramon a run for his money, definitely.

  25. Daniel

    do you think Quincy Miller can ever regain his pre-injury form? How do you explain his woeful shooting?

    • Yannis Koutroupis

      I feel like it should have happened already, so I have some doubts now. He’s had a bad stretch, but I don’t think he’s a woeful shooter overall. He’ll be better come training camp. Confidence could be an issue after his draft-night slip.

  26. michael

    If dwight howard gets traded to the lakers and still decides he wants to play for the nets don’t the lakers have to agree to a sign and trade for that to even be possible or do the nets have another route?

    • Yannis Koutroupis

      Dwight Howard isn’t going to the Nets anymore. That dream is over and done with. The Nets have moved on and so has Howard, it appears.

  27. Mark

    Seems like making free agency more lucrative than signing extensions is a major flaw in the CBA, especially with regards to stability and allowing teams to retain their franchise player(s). Do you think the owners dropped the ball here?

    • Yannis Koutroupis

      The CBA is far from perfect. What they wanted more than anything was stiffer tax penalties, which they got.

  28. dj1040

    Yesterday’s howard willing to sign with lakers report. Do you think that was leaked by houston to help make orlando trade him to the rockets? Thanks.

  29. Ryan

    Hi Yannis. If the Rockets don’t land Dwight, what are they doing with that roster? They have about 10 of the same player at PF, and I just don’t understand the direction this team is taking. Dwight or bust… literally.

    • Yannis Koutroupis

      No kidding, I’m kind of rooting for that to happen just because I like chaos. It’d be interesting to see what they do. Their roster is drastically uneven right now.

  30. Dr. J

    The Lakers are way into luxury tax zone and next season with the repeat offender tax Pau Gasol is going to end up costing the team over $50 million. Wouldn’t a trade for Paul Millsap make a ton of sense. Throw in Raja Bell and Earl Watson to make the salaries work and the Lakers would even pick about a $4 million trade exception to use later.

    • Yannis Koutroupis

      Lakers are in win-now mode. I don’t think money is much of an issue for them.

  31. Charlie

    If you were James Dolan, do you match either the Jeremy Lin or Landry Fields offer sheets. Or were those contracts a drastic overpay and not worth the cost. Justify your decision.

    • Yannis Koutroupis

      Those contracts were too big. I would have passed also. They got way better value with the deals of Raymond Felton and J.R. Smith. I would have let both those guys walk too. With the stiffer tax penalties and their overrated skill sets I couldn’t justify giving them that kind of cash.

  32. maccio capatonda

    Do you think dallas can win 55 next season?

    • Yannis Koutroupis

      Yes, they remind me of that Sonics team that gave the Spurs a tough run with Jerome James as their starting center. When most of the team has expiring contracts they tend to take their games to a high level so that everyone can get paid.

  33. Harry

    Why are the cavs so scared to pull the trigger and roll the dice on a 3 team trade with the lakers and magic. I think the cavs GM is smart enough to know that bynum can more years and make more money if he waits until the end of the season to resign compared to if he signs an extension nowfor less years and money. Putting bynum with uncle drew aka kyrie irving and winning 40 to 50 games and getting the 5 or 6 seed in the east is good but getting guaranteed max money is even better. Bynum already has 2 rings. He wants a to take more responsibility and be the reason a team wins or loses games and he wants to make a lot of money doing so. If we all know this why don’t the cavs. He wouldn’t walk away from all that money brooklyn called d-will bluff and we all see how that worked out for the nets. The cavs need to stop being scared and be confident roll the dice commit to building a championship contender and bynum would have no choice but to stay. What you think Yannis.

    • Yannis Koutroupis

      I doubt Cleveland is going to pass on the opportunity to add Bynum. I also think once they sit down and talk with him, which they have not yet, they will be able to sell him and his camp on staying there long term. The future is bright, especially with him.

  34. Erik

    How much of an impact do you think courtney lee will have on the celtics?

  35. Erik

    why are the t wolves keeping all the forwards that they have on their roster? maybe they should add some depth at center by trading a couple. With wesley johnson Chase bundinger, Derrick Williams Wayne ellington, and robbie hummel

    • Yannis Koutroupis

      Ellington is on his way out, but for another forward so that doesn’t exactly solve that problem. Some of those guys can play different positions, so they’re gonna utilize their flexibility as well as they can.

  36. Dong of Dayton

    James Johnson to the kings seemed like a good pick up. He plays defense and can pass. Not sure if the kings need to pick up CJ Miles, what do you think?

    • Yannis Koutroupis

      I’m not big on James Johnson, so I’d like to see them address that position still.

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