NBA Chat With Yannis 8/24/12

Join senior NCAA and NBA analyst Yannis Koutroupis for his weekly chat this Friday August 24 at 11 am EST. As always basketball questions from all levels are welcomed.

  1. Steve

    No recent rumors o the raptors recently. What do you think they’ll do with calderon? Can they package hin with someone for wilson chandler?

    • Yannis Koutroupis

      Welcome everyone to this week’s chat. Let’s get it started in here.

      I think they’re going to hold onto him and see how the combination of him and Kyle works at the point. I’m sure they’ll visit the idea of shopping him at the deadline, but it’s looking like he’s staying with the team for now. They’re not going to trade him just to trade him. They value him.

  2. LA in LA

    Hey Yannis.
    While SOME Laker fans do tend to be greedy,(Mitch has spoiled us) I’m pretty sure some of these ridiculous trades about trading our non-assets for say a KD (like you got asked last week) are just other fans mocking us and still being sour about Lakers always having a superstar…just keep that in mind.

    • Yannis Koutroupis

      I’ll keep that in mind if you promise to keep in mind that chat’s are for questions, not statements my friend.

  3. shaullenny

    http://espn.go.com/nba/tradeMachine?tradeId=9yscmje
    to cle t.evans(nice to pair with kyrie)
    to orl benu udrih(good pg, if doesn’t work out is expiring contract, m.dunleavy(good shooter, also 1-yr deal)
    to sac j.j.redick, q.richardson, j.harper
    to mil d.waiter, f.garcia, o.casspi, second rd- pick from cle and sac

    • Yannis Koutroupis

      Why would Orlando give up all that for Udrih? This deal won’t work.

  4. LA in LA

    The question that keeps popping up among Laker fans I want your opinion on:
    How do Lakers guard a Ray Allen-Wade-Battier-LBJ-Bosh line up?

    • Yannis Koutroupis

      From a man-to-man standpoint, here’s how I’d match up: Nash-Allen, Kobe-Wade, MWP-LBJ, Gasol-Battier, Dwight-Bosh. I think you can get away with playing some zone against that lineup as well, although the shooting of Battier and Allen would be a concern. It’s a tough lineup to guard, but they’re going to have just as much trouble defending the Lakers on the other end as well.

  5. Roger

    We all know Mike Brown is staying but this is just a hypothetical question. With the new additions of the Lakers what coach would be best suited to handle and make sure they live up to their true potential? Doc Rivers, Greg Poppovich, Phil Jackson?

    • Yannis Koutroupis

      I think Phil just because of his history with Pau, Kobe, and the organization. That’s not to say that Doc and Pop couldn’t make it work, though. I certainly think they’d do a great job with a team that good as well.

  6. Cain

    Who will have the brighter future out of Evan Turner, Paul George, Kawhi Leonard and Gordon Hayward?

    • Yannis Koutroupis

      I think Paul George. The rest of those guys, in my opinion, are solid role players even at their best. George has a higher ceiling.

  7. D

    Do reporters even have to say the Heat are interested in so and so players anymore?I see this every day and its dumb because its mutual interest between anyone who doesn’t mind being a backup SG,SF,PF or become a championship chaser

    • Yannis Koutroupis

      That warrants reporting and will always be written, so just going to have to get used to it.

  8. Jim Nugget

    Why haven’t the Nuggets signed Quincy Miller yet ?

    • Yannis Koutroupis

      Good question. Probably haggling over how much of his deal is going to be guaranteed.

  9. Wil

    Hi Yannis, hope all is well with you. For teams hoping to improve through the draft (Orlando, New Orleans, and Charlotte), how does the outlook appear over the next couple of years. I am hearing reports that the next couple of classes may not be very strong. What are your thoughts and is there a player or two you would target at a GM for your draft board?

    • Yannis Koutroupis

      Strong or not, there are always going to be guys available who can help your team. I’d love to see them add Shabazz Muhammad next year. I think he would thrive under Jacque Vaughn.

  10. Rip City Dave

    I know ‘what if’s’ aren’t your fave. But if the Blazers would’ve gotten Sabonis in ’89 would Jordan have won all his championships? Sabonis at the time was arguably the best player in the world at the time.

    • Yannis Koutroupis

      Hard pressed to bet against Jordan, even with how great Sabonis was at the time.

  11. Rip City Dave

    Is 18, 6 , and 4 too much to expect from Lillard next year? What line would you project for unibrow? And considering team wins who is fave for ROY?

    • Yannis Koutroupis

      It’s high. I’m thinking more like 12, 3, and 4 may be more realistic. I think Davis is going to be a 12, 8 and 2 bpg guy as a rookie. He’s the favorite to win ROY, but Lillard has a chance.

  12. Steve H

    IF Presti can’t come to terms with Harden by the trade deadline, do you see a straight trade for B.Beal and maybe a future pick as a viable option? Also, what do you see as Ibaka’s ceiling?

    • Yannis Koutroupis

      I think that OKC would rather have assets who can help now rather than draft picks if they end up dealing Harden. Not sure it gets to that point, though. I think they end up keeping him. They really don’t have a choice. I feel like they’ve taken a step back this summer just by not taking one forward. I think Ibaka’s offensive production grows more than anything once he peaks.

  13. WIZARD

    will wall have an excuse if he doesn’t have a breakout seson.He have solid team with veterans know how to play and young guys eager to prove themselfs?What do you think whaz numbers will wall and wizards have?

    • Yannis Koutroupis

      Lot of number prediction questions, which I’m really not into. Just too difficult to accurately do. I am expecting Wall to have a great year, he’s surrounded by quality pieces. He should aim for at least nine assists a night.

  14. Luka

    What season do you predict for pistons?Who could be gone?Are they playoff material?

    • Yannis Koutroupis

      They’re not playoff material in my book. I think Stuckey’s time could be coming to an end, along with Prince. Monroe, Knight, and Drummond are probably the only truly safe ones.

  15. will

    before 2010 draft utah gm o’connor said that he would trade dwill for john wall.Did he still think like that and what do you see happening with wall?He has abillity to became superstar but something is missing?

    • Yannis Koutroupis

      Have to factor in Williams contract situation. That was a major part of his statement.

  16. piston

    what contract do you predict for greg monroe?Will somebody offer him max?I would gave him 60mil 5y

    • Yannis Koutroupis

      He’s going to get a big money offer like that, no doubt. Skilled big men get paid. Heck, a lot of times non-skilled big men get paid.

  17. phil

    did spurs sign their 59 pick denmon and is their spurs intrest in blatche?

    • Yannis Koutroupis

      I don’t know how genuine the interest in Blatche is. They’re pretty set up front right now. Denmon is playing overseas, going to work on developing his point guard skills and come over in a year or two.

  18. Shaullenny

    i tried this rade on excel
    to atl d.williams, n.pekovic, l.ridnour, a.goudelock, d.cunnigham, m.morris, 2013 2nd rd picks from hou, min and por
    to min p.gasol
    to hou z.pachulia, e.williams
    to lal l.aldridge, c.fortson, g.smith, w.barton
    to por j.smith, c.budinger, p.patterson, m.lee, d.simpson
    lakers then waive fortson and smith
    atl waives goudelock
    por waives simpson

    • Yannis Koutroupis

      I’m sure that took a lot of thought and effort so I don’t want to bash it too bad, but there’s simply no way that would ever even be discussed.

  19. Henry

    Which rookies will get max deal next summer?Wll,cousins probably but what with turner and favors?

  20. Mutangclan

    Hey Yannis, slow time of the year before training camps start. I know guessing is not everyone’s favorite, but I”m really really curious what Utah’s future is. I think this season will be a success, and another playoff run. But what about next summer? With Paul, Al expiring and others, and the GS draft pick and young players, Utah has tons of assets available and money. If you had to guess, and my main question, what do you see Utah doing and then opening up the 2013 season with? New superstar? Al, Paul, Fav all still there? PG??? Thanks

    • Yannis Koutroupis

      Yeah I expect to see a lot of changeover and a team that features Favors, if he shows this season that he’s ready for it.

  21. Collins

    Now that the dwight situation is over, do you think kris humphries + fillers could be traded for a PF like Josh smith, kevin love or lamarcus aldridge. Their salaries match up well. Any other possiblities?

  22. TYVES

    could evan turner could success at 3 with guardin more taller players ?

  23. tyves

    could gordon hayward have a future playin 2 guard considering his lack of strengh for 3 spot

  24. zero

    Any chance pierce or rondo gets traded?

    • Yannis Koutroupis

      I don’t see that happening. There could be a chance with Pierce, but I highly doubt that.

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