NBA Chat With Yannis 8/31/12

Riccardo

Hi Yannis!
After Beasley, Scola, Dragic, Johnson, Marshall adds, what kind of basket could play Phoenix this season?
Will Suns run less than last 2 years and play more posts with Scola than pick and roll?
Could Phoenix start with Scola as PF, Gortat as C?
I think that the starters will be Dragic, REED, Dudley, Frye, Gortat.
Scola could play PF with Frye as C in a small quintet.
Beasley will be most important if he’ll be concentrated, quite disciplined and little bit “crazy”.
Johnson is a good fit and will be a very important player for the Suns because he’s fearful behind 3 points line and because he’s quite aggressive when attack the ring.
Marshall sounds good.
Good season for the Suns!
Thanks for your time.

Yannis Koutroupis

Welcome everyone to this week’s chat. Going to jump right into it.

The Suns brought in the guys they did this offseason to fit their style of play, not to change their style. So, it will be still be the same Suns basketball that we’ve grown accustomed to. I expect Scola and Gortat to start at PF-C, with Dudley, Dragic and Beasley also in the starting lineup.

Shaullenny

http://espn.go.com/nba/tradeMachine?tradeId=bqyw8du
TO LAL R.GAY, Z.RANDOLPH, 2015 2nd rd pick protected
TO MEM P.GASOL, M.W.PEACE, S.BLAKE, A.GOUDELOCK

http://espn.go.com/nba/tradeMachine?tradeId=c5zx9cy
TO GSW H.TURKOLU, G.DAVIS
TO ORL R.JEFFERSON, A.BIEDRINS, J.FREDETTE
TO SAC Q.RICHARDSON

Yannis Koutroupis

Neither of those deals have a chance.

LA in LA

Hey Yannis how much of DJO did you watch in college? I never saw him play so I was curious to know if you think that he could play PG for Lakers?
I know he isn’t a PG who doesn’t have any PG skills but he play the same PG role that Fisher used to as a spot up shooter who wasn’t a primary ball handler.
I have heard/read he is a good defender with a 6’7 wingspan who shot well in college but is too small to guard SG. Right now the Lakers current PG back up Blake is a barely average defender/shooter, so it seems like Lakers should try to play DJO at PG. He could defend the other teams PG better than Blake, is far more athletic, and hopefully can shoot like he did in college. He would play mostly along Kobe, who would be the primary ball handler.
(and yes we are assuming he makes roster; I’m ignoring SL play).

Yannis Koutroupis

The Lakers have Nash, Blake, Duhon, and Darius Morris as their back up point guards right now. I don’t see how DJO gets any kind of chance to play there, especially since it’s not his best position. His best luck is at the two if he can defend the bigger guards. The odds aren’t looking great for DJO to make the team right now.

Azzar Nadvi

whats up? i read that mark cuban said he was close to trading for kobe bryant. so close that he thought it was done at one point. that caught my interest. do you happen to know what kind of package he was offering for kobe bryant? do you know what other offers were being made for kobe bryant back in 2007 during “Doomsday in LA” or whatever they called it?

Yannis Koutroupis

I’m not sure what the offer was, but it apparently did not involve Kobe. I think the deal that was being most seriously considered by the Lakers was from the Bulls, but they were not willing to give up Luol Deng.

NBA MANIAC/Shaullenny

where do you think josh howard will land.

perhaps CHI, NYK, CHA or suprise team

who do you think nets will sign
d.james or d.green or j.childress, or s.young, or curry

what about the heat who will they sign as a big

who do you think orlando will cut (they have 17 players) what about cleveland

what teams do you think are done for their offseason?

Yannis Koutroupis

I’m not sure on Josh yet, it’s not looking good for him this late but I’d expect for him to eventually get invited to camp somewhere. I like James’ chance to end up back with the Nets. HEAT seem to be pretty set, like most of the league. Only minor moves will be done right now. Guys with non-guaranteed deals are most likely to get cut.

aaron

If Miami would not have won the title this year, do you think they would have tried to trade for Dwight Howard?

Yannis Koutroupis

Can’t rule out the possibility, but I doubt it.

Laker Manic/Shaullenny

http://espn.go.com/nba/tradeMachine?tradeId=92hz9ao
TO LAL L.RIDNOUR, D.WILLIAMS
to HOU M.W.PEACE, M.LEE, A.GOUDELOCK (WAIVE GOUDELOCK)
TO MIN K.MARTIN

C-HOWARD/HILL/SACRE/
PF-GASOL/JAMINSON/
SF-D.WILLIAMS/EBANKS/
SG-K.BRYANT/MEEKS/
PG-NASH/RIDNOUR/BLAKE/DUHON/MORRIS/
WAIVE CLARK

Yannis Koutroupis

MWP is a much better fit at the three for the Lakers than the unproven Williams. No way they do that. Minny wouldn’t sign off either.

john

thoughts on terrance ross and his potential in a raptors uniform

Yannis Koutroupis

Talented player whose best days are ahead of him. I think he can be a nice two-way player who eventually works his way into the starting lineup.

Christian

What can you tell us Raptors about are #56 pick Tomislav Zubcic?

Yannis Koutroupis

Can handle the basketball, has good size. Don’t think he can defend small forwards in the NBA. Has a decent stroke.

the last maverick

Ill be the first one to call it, k.leonard of of the spurs will be an all star and first team defense this up coming season. Coach popz is singing praises of franchise player written all ovwr this guy and i say he will be a max player soon. With me in the band wagon?

Yannis Koutroupis

No, I don’t see him having that kind of potential. I see him being a solid third guy like Richard Jefferson was in his prime, but I’m not on board with saying he’s a future franchise player and star. That’s a huge step for him to take. I think he’s still improving, but I don’t think he has that kind of ceiling.

tapsilog

Will a rondo and pierce for melo and kidd make sense? And when barbosa gives up and agrees for minumum money, where will he go? Spurs make sensed if u ask me…

Yannis Koutroupis

Not for the Knicks. Spurs are pretty set in the backcourt, not much room for him. Feel the same around the league, really. Nowhere jumps out as really needing Barbosa. Maybe he ends up with a lottery team, that’d be my best bet now.

the annoying laker fan

They say laker fans are annoying and too hollywood to love the game that much but at least we are passionate enough to give dfish his standing ovation wearing his rival okc jersey and giving shaq the number retirement soon even he played withe the celtics, we wont forget the rings harwares he got us. But celtics fan in the other hand while their gm wanted to trade ray 2x and now he decides to go to the heat,politics says no number retirement from the fans who onced bragged about his 3point shots.if thats the case im glad im the annoying laker fan. At least we got class on honoring players from our past. With me?

Yannis Koutroupis

I expect Celtic fans to honor Ray properly when the time comes. The time isn’t next year, though, it’s still too fresh. Laker fans weren’t kind to Shaq when he first came back either.

flying pig

Who is better and how big is the difference? Who.would u wana be your franchise star tduncan or kg?

Yannis Koutroupis

If we’re talking about at the beginning of their careers or in their prime, Tim Duncan because of his ability to play both PF and C.

Chumpalump

In Michael Jordan’s 6 championships, he was Finals MVP all six times. In Kobe Bryant’s 5 championships, he was Finals MVP only twice. This means that in the MAJORITY of the titles Kobe won, he wasn’t even deemed the best player on this own team!?! Kobe lovers please sit down, as this ends the argument of even debating Kobe vs Jordan. What do you think?

Yannis Koutroupis

I’ve always gone with Jordan. That’s part of my argument.

DMoney

My man, Yannis.. please tell the hoopsworld writers to stop taking these dumb Laker trade question during the chats. It slows the chats down. The people that are asking them are just, for lack of better world, stupid. And I’m a Laker fan. Trading Pau ain’t happening nor should it. Yet, this leads to my question. A group of us were throwing fantasy fives around. I got called a homer because I said Pau & Howard in the front court. Most of friends had combinations of D12 with LA, or Blake, Smith or Love… I told them with the exception of Love those are bad picks. That with Howard if your Pf can’t play inside out it weaken Howard’s abilities. Gasol, Bosh & Amare & KG are better fits because they have an awesome mid range game. Am I wrong in my thinking?

Yannis Koutroupis

We answer them in the order they come, and those questions usually don’t slow the chat down much cause they’re answered with a simple no. I think all those guys, except Blake and Amar’e because they’re mainly drivers, would be great with Howard.

jp co

hi Yannis, in your latest article coach Pop declared Leonard can be his next star to be featured in Spurs uniform. he has a tremendous upside. Whom he can be compared with current established players.? thanks

Yannis Koutroupis

Already touched on this, I think there are some similarities between him and Richard Jefferson, before he got to the Spurs that is. I think he’s a great third, maybe even second option. But I’m not on board with the face of the franchise talk.

Pete

How about a trade where Sacramento sends Tyreke Evans to the Pistons for Tayshaun Prince? I’d think both teams would win in this deal…your thoughts?

Yannis Koutroupis

Don’t see Detroit doing that.

Jp Co

Hi, Yannis. i am just curios what if Kobe changes his privious jersey no. From 8 to 34, can the Lakers retire both players jersey no. Same number but different player?thanks

Yannis Koutroupis

Kobe isn’t going to stop Shaq from getting his jersey retired. The Lakers wouldn’t have let him do that. Other players tried to change to 34 after Shaq left and they didn’t allow it because they always planned to retire his jersey.

Frank

In your opinion, who wins more games next year: Sacramento Kings vs Phoenix Suns. Frontline of Thomas Robinson and DeMarcus Cousins will be a lot to handle for opposing teams. But other than that, Sacramento has a mishmash of redundant talent and ALWAYS seem to underachieve (even when they have loads of talent). Your thoughts.

Yannis Koutroupis

I think Phoenix has personnel that fits their system better and will play better together. So, I’m going to go with them, although Sacramento does have a lot of potential.

Charlie

In your opinion, who wins more games next year? Orlando Magic or Detroit Pistons (easy answer is Orlando, but they will be in full tank mode and looking to trade off assets mid season). Your thoughts.

Yannis Koutroupis

I think Detroit, they’re put together to be more competitive this season.

Adrian

Hello Yannis!
How much credit does Mitch & Jm Buss really deserve on the acquisitions of Nash & D12? Nash was the one who convinced Phoenix to trade him to L.A. With D12, Orlando was holding all the cards & once they were ready to pull the trigger, they were he ones who approach L.A & made the trade. Thoughts?

Yannis Koutroupis

They deserve a ton of credit, most of it because they had the necessary assets and the financial means to do it. Can’t discredit them at all.

LT

I still believe the Lakers should make one more move even if it’s before the trade deadline. I mentioned T. Will would be a good fit behind Metta but haven’t heard anything about him lately. Any news on him? Do you see Sacre, Odom and Goudelock making this team? I would love to swing a trade for Austin Daye/ Corey Brewer/ or Travis Outlaw. Those guys would fit perfect w out 2nd unit. What you think?

Thank you for your time and yes we Lakers fans are a little greedy but I really want to see Kobe get that 6th ring. We know how much that will mean to him

Yannis Koutroupis

This Laker team is set. They’re done making moves. I doubt Goudelock, DJO, or Sacre make the team. They’re already 10 deep, even three deep at some positions. No need to make moves that would be lateral in terms of talent.

WIZARD

What do you think about pistons?Are they shopping daye or prince?

Yannis Koutroupis

I think they’re open for business across all fronts. Only Monroe and Drummond unavailable.

DC

would you sign kenyon marting and leandro barbosa if you were the lakers?

Yannis Koutroupis

No. Roster is set. Guys they have at those spots are better.

Miami for life

if the heat needed help rebounding and a true center why did they go after Lewis instead of someone like K martin or camby because a center is a bigger need for the heat to win it all again, specially when they play against bigger teams like pacers, and Lakers!!!

Yannis Koutroupis

Because Lewis came for the minimum. They won a championship playing small ball, don’t feel like they need anymore at center than what they already have.

G

I’m not a fan of what Orlando got for dhoward but am I wrong to think that affalo can b flipped for a lottery pick… 2 yrs ago he was a hot up n coming player…a good defensive two guard with range

Yannis Koutroupis

I don’t see any way Afflalo can be traded for a lottery pick. A late first rounder, maybe if he plays well enough this year, but definitely not a lottery pick. He’s pretty much done what was expected of him coming out of college and he wasn’t even a lottery pick then.

Pep

Good afternoon Yannis!

Do you think that the Sixers can make a push for de division title? And for conference? They traded for Wright, JRich and Bynum and signed free agents K.Brown and Nick Young.

Thank you from Spain!

Yannis Koutroupis

They’re going to be very good, but they’re in a brutal division. I just can’t see them winning that. I also think they’re a year or two away from winning the conference at the earliest, if they ever do.

Chumpalump

I believe the X factor in Brooklyn is this Teletovic guy brought from overseas. The Nets gave him a 3 year / 15 million dollar deal. What are your expectations from him next year? Care to project a stat line.

Yannis Koutroupis

He’ll be asked to spread the floor and spell Humphries. Honestly, I expect Kris to play the bulk of the minutes at the four.

Charlie

Looking at the size of Atlanta’s backcourt, seems they may be in trouble on the defensive side of the ball: Jeff Teague – 6′ 2″, Lou Williams 6″2″, Devin Harris 6’3″ will all get major minutes at the 1-2 spots. Questions: Will this become an issue during the season? And will teams with big SG constantly post-up?

Yannis Koutroupis

There aren’t a lot of SG’s who post up in the league, only the really good ones do. So, I think they’ll be able to get away with it on most nights. They’ll need to add some size eventually, but their roster is subject to change a great deal over the next year.

Sweet Dee

Coach Macri stated he thought the Denver Nuggets would win more games than the LA Clippers this year. Not sure I agree. Difficult to bet against a Chris Paul run team in this PG dominated NBA (not to slight Ty Lawson or the Nuggets). Denver lost some perimeter shooting and have no low post scorer. Which side are you on and why?

Yannis Koutroupis

How did they lose perimeter scoring when they get back Wilson Chandler and add Andre Iguodala? They may lack low post scoring, but they have quality big men who will get easy buckets off of perimeter player’s penetration and their activity on the offensive glass. I think Coach Macri very well could end up being right.

Chumpalump

If one your arguments of Kobe vs Jordan is the Finals MVP’s facts (where Kobe wasn’t even viewed as the best player on his team). I’m curious, what other factors do you personally use to seperate the two SG’s?

Yannis Koutroupis

The overall level of play in the Finals. MJ was always at his best, not something Kobe can claim to. And, MJ was the better defender in my opinion. Kobe’s great on defense, but I give Michael the slight edge. Kobe has some advantages too, like deeper range, but I’ve never made the argument for Kobe over MJ. I’ve only made the argument that Kobe deserves to be in the discussion as an all-time great.

Frank

How long will Iman Shumpert be out to start the season with the Knicks?

Yannis Koutroupis

Don’t know anything officially, I imagine the first month or two at least.

That’s going to do it for me folks. I’ll be back next week!