NBA Chat With Yannis 8/10/12

Senior NCAA and NBA analyst Yannis Koutroupis hosts his weekly chat this Friday August 10th at 11 am EST. As always basketball questions from all levels are welcomed.

  1. Steve

    Hey Yannis, Who in you opinion are the top remaining free agents that are still on the market? Do you see the Bucks making any moves prior to the season?

    • Yannis Koutroupis

      Welcome everyone to this week’s chat! Wonder what we’re going to talk about. Let’s get right to the questions!

      Leandro Barbosa, Carlos Delfino, Craig Smith, Jerome Jordan are some guys I’m expecting to be signed sooner rather than later. There’s still some spots left. Now that Dwight’s been moved things should pick up.

  2. MJ5

    Hey Yannis,
    I loved the Nuggets after their playoff run with the Lakers. They have a great, deep young core, one of the most underrated and best coaches in the league, and so much heart. I really love this team, but they are still a step below the Lakers and Thunder. They still have the huge Nene trade exception which I think they should use to gain a difference maker, a scorer off the bench. What do you think about them trading Corey Brewer and the trade exception for Kevin Martin? I love Brewer and he did great in the playoffs, but he is better off at the 3 which is blocked. The Rockets get the trade exception which can offer more flexibility for them to acquire to Dwight Howard.

    • Yannis Koutroupis

      This question is a little bit dated. Speaking on Denver, they’re a lot better now that they have Andre Iguodala. I’m not sure where Martin lands, I don’t think Denver really needs him. Rockets are obviously the losers in the Dwight sweepstakes.

  3. WIZARD

    What grade did grunfeld deserve for wizards offseason so far?Can you name some trade that make sense for wizards and their trade partner.

    • Yannis Koutroupis

      They’re significantly better. I’d give him a B. I think they’re basically done.

  4. LennyShaul

    http://espn.go.com/nba/tradeMachine?tradeId=d2y8wn2
    with 2 first rd picks from chi to orl
    http://espn.go.com/nba/tradeMachine?tradeId=9tgrl83
    with clevelands first round pick to orl
    hou first rd pick to orl

  5. WIZARD

    What season do you predict for wizards and john wall?What numbers does he need to have for all star?

    • Yannis Koutroupis

      I’m expecting him to jump up a bit from where he was last year, nothing huge. He should be more efficient.

  6. Winston

    What’s your opinion on the Mavs’ ceiling/basement performance-wise this upcoming season?

    Also, amongst the Hawks, Lakers, Nets, Mavs, rate them according to likelihood Dwight joins on a long-term deal.

    Thanks!

    • Yannis Koutroupis

      I think they can win around 50 games and get to the second round, don’t see them being much better than that. We all know the answer to that second question now.

  7. Deven

    While everybody in the world is hype about Dwight being traded, I think we should give props to the Sixers for finally trading Andre Iguodala. He was in trade rumors for years and years. You agree?

  8. Deven

    Was this the right move for the Magic. They may have gotten young assets in return but those draft picks are protected. That ain’t good at all. Thoughts?

    • Yannis Koutroupis

      It’s the best they could do with what was offered in my opinion. Harkless has more upside than all of the rookies in Houston. There was only one pick that wasn’t lottery protected available anyway and they get rid of some bad deals. This is what Orlando wanted: cap space, picks, young talent. They got all three in this deal.

  9. the annoying laker fanh

    Is bynum kobe’s gift to his home town PHiLie? And now that bynum is the franchise ,do u think the 76ers beat the heat and the celtics?? How about hawes?

    • Yannis Koutroupis

      I think they can be top five in the East, eventually a contender in a year or two. Hawes becomes one of the most-serviceable back ups in the league.

  10. keo

    Now that dwight drama is over do you think hes gonna be more hated by the way he left than lebron? lebron never forced a trade and left the right way while dwight was being a big baby.

    im from boston and i hate to see Dwight go to LA. its going to be scary

    • Yannis Koutroupis

      I definitely think he’ll be more hated in Orlando next season than LeBron was in Cleveland when he first left. I can understand your anger, Dwight in L.A. is going to be really scary with all the talent they have there around him.

  11. keo

    My top teams to win this year
    1.maimi
    2.LA (dwight)
    3.OKC
    4.Boston

    As a boston fan can you tell me ur prediction on how their season might be? do you think they can still be contender?

    • Yannis Koutroupis

      I think LA is the top team now. They have virtually no weakness and a nice bench with the ability to still add to it. Boston will still be very good, but I don’t see them beating Miami.

  12. Wendy

    How’s @TheRocketGuy holding up?

    • Yannis Koutroupis

      He’s in stable condition! Definitely disappointed, although I don’t think he was ever certain Houston’s gamble was going to pay off.

  13. Allan

    hi, does anyone even have a chance against the Lakers now barring an injury or implosion? Nash+Kobe+Artest+Gasol+Howard …. Jamison + possibily Barbosa or Meeks as new bench addition, I don’t think even Miami or OKC will have a chance. Howard will eat Joel Anthony or Perkins alive.

    • Yannis Koutroupis

      The league is going to have a major problem dealing with the Lakers, that’s for sure.

  14. ted

    Your best bet is to write an article on Dwight Howard that covers everything, because almost all questions today will be Howard related. (just my advice)

  15. Yannis Athens

    Hello Greek man,

    Which player is the best for kobe’s back? Why dont La trade Gasol now? For instance, for Josh. I know you will say they want a championship know. But isnt Josh or any guy out there the same good as Pau in younger age? thank you!!

    • Yannis Koutroupis

      The Lakers will hold onto Pau and see how he does with all the talent around him. Josh Smith is an intriguing idea, but I don’t see why the Lakers make that move. They’re fine as assembled, just need to sign some players to help the bench.

  16. akbar

    GM Yannis. do you think Lakers will use Chris Duhon and Earl Clark in the rotation or they will still look for a veteran to bolster the bench? I do have a feeling after this block buster trade, all the available Vet FA would like to be part of a potential championship team for a Vet min..

    • Yannis Koutroupis

      Maybe they use Duhon as a back up two guard since they’re pretty set at the point. I’m not sure. I don’t really see him or Duhon getting a lot of run. It makes sense for them to pass on using the mini-mid level. There’s no reason too. It’s too expensive based on what they’d be getting.

  17. Mutangclan

    This is so stupid. Who wants a league where one team can have 4 superstars and a Team salary that is 30million PLUS more than anyone else?! So irritating……yea NBA.
    My question is when, and how much will the Lakers be paying the huge luxury tax. Do you think this will keep them from keeping this group together?
    Im happiest for Bynum; he can be his own player without ballhogging Kobe.

    • Yannis Koutroupis

      The stiffer luxury tax penalties come after 2013-2014. So they have until then to do some trimming. I expect them to keep this group together.

  18. Vlad

    What do you think of Pekovich? If you saw him playing the best bigs like Howard, Bynum and Cousins, you should have noticed how quickly he gets those guys into the foul trouble. I think he is a top 3 center in NBA. He is so unique physically, that he simply overpowers his opponents and then he hits his FTs over 70%. The player he reminds me off the most is… Shaq.

    • Yannis Koutroupis

      He can really play. He’s not Shaq, but he’s a very serviceable starting center.

  19. alex from sudbury

    Hey Yannis, big fan of your chats.
    Was wondering if you think a trade of Calderon and filler for Martin between the Raps and Rockets could help both teams. If not, what would it take for the raps to get D. Williams from Minesota. Thanks so much.

    • Yannis Koutroupis

      Minnesota wants an upgrade at center, which Toronto can’t really provide. Not sure there’s much potential there. Not sure the Raps/Rocks do another PG swap. That offer isn’t that bad, though, definitely deserves consideration.

  20. 123Eric

    2 questions:
    with the dwightmare almost all but officially over, which teams do you think we should be looking to make some moves?

    I thought all along turk was supposed to be part of any trade involving d12. why do think he wasn’t shipped out in the end?

    Thanks!

    • Yannis Koutroupis

      I think every team outside of the Lakers and HEAT needs to feel pressured to make a deal if they want to contend, but there’s not a lot of ways to improve out there. Turk wasn’t shipped out because the final deal of his year is partially guaranteed. Easy to waive or buy him out.

  21. kg

    Will phillie need another pg? They should have signed lou williams.

  22. Manny

    When will we begin to see the effects of the new collective bargaining agreement because it seems it has done nothing but create “super-teams” ?

    • Yannis Koutroupis

      Couple years when they break up because of the extreme luxury tax hits.

  23. Lakers #1 Fan

    Hey Yannis. Thanks for taking the time to answer our questions! Excited about the D12 trade for us in LA. Heard we are also sending McRoberts to Denver and Eyenga to Orlando. Is this true? Can you break down who gets what for us? Thanks!

    • Yannis Koutroupis

      Details still being worked out. Neither would surprise me. Eyenga is going to Orlando, that comes from my man Alex Kennedy.

  24. magic in hollywood

    How will earl clark or ebanks find miutes? Duhon and blake?

    • Yannis Koutroupis

      Ebanks will be the back up three, I don’t see Clark or Duhon playing much. Blake will be the primary back up. Throughout the course of the season they could see an opportunity, though.

  25. DwightMare

    Now that the Rockets have missed the boat to land their/any superstar. What’s next for them? What do they do with their two unproven high priced signings, Lin/Osik, and 10 forwards they have on their roster?

    • Yannis Koutroupis

      I’m not sure what they do from here. They’ll probably be the most active team the rest of the offseason as they have to do something.

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

  26. Allan

    Is a 82-0 regular season and 16-0 post season record out of reach for the current Lakers?

  27. Kuda

    Do you know why the Raps can not make a run at a dominating superstar? They do have the money to do so but they take too many chances and love fan favourites.

    • Yannis Koutroupis

      That’s not what they’re trying to do. They’re building from within. They have some good pieces.

  28. Sweet Dee

    After the Dwight trade, Lakers are now a 4 to 1 dog to win the title (2nd to only Miami at 3 to 1). Just put my paycheque on the Lake Show as it is difficult to bet against a team with Kobe, Nash, Gasol and Howard. Agree or Disagree with my decision?

  29. alex

    glock/ebanks at backup SG/SF? think meeks hops on now?; why are lakers looking at kmart if they already have potentially 6 bigs? they used a 3 man rotation last year pau/bynum/j.hill; i guess mcroberts is gone in d12 trade, sacre may not make team, even if d12 misses start of season…still would have jamison/pau/j.hill

    • Yannis Koutroupis

      Meeks would be wise to join in, it’s a great situation for him. Lakers get mentioned with almost every FA for leverage purposes. Doubt they sign Kenyon. Doesn’t matter if D12 misses start of season, all that matters is that he’s there for most of it.