NBA Chat With Yannis 9/21/12

Join senior NCAA and NBA analyst Yannis Koutroupis for his weekly chat this Friday September 20 at 11 am est. As always basketball questions from all levels are welcomed.

  1. keo

    I couple if celtics questions here

    1. Is brandon bass overated?
    2. Do you see in the future that avery bradely will be 1st or 2nd team defensive?
    3. Why did my celtics pick up mega bust darko? I rather have the birdman he’s a more polished Greg steimsma ? And they kinda look alike lol

    • Yannis Koutroupis

      Welcome everyone to this week’s chat. Let’s get right to it.

      I don’t think so. Bradley does have that ability. They got him purely for depth. He’s only making the veteran’s minimum and he’ll rarely see the floor anyway.

  2. barok

    Do u got anything about that filipino guy aguilar?

    • Yannis Koutroupis

      Haven’t ever really seen him play extensively. Know he’s got a lot of length and some upside, but that’s about it.

  3. Derrick

    What sort of things should Demarcus Cousins work on to improve his FG percentage?

    If he does improve, do you think he’ll get enough touches to average 25ppg?

    • Yannis Koutroupis

      Take smarter shots, stay away from forcing it in traffic. I definitely think he should get enough touches, whether or not he actually will is a different story. 20 ppg is very realistic for him, though.

  4. Cameron

    Over-Under… Steph Curry and Bogut play 70 games this year

  5. Jason

    Of this year’s rookies who would you best predict to be the biggest “sleepers?” Also what rookie do you feel is the most NBA ready and on a team where they can bloom (these are really fantasy Basketball question in disguise).

    • Yannis Koutroupis

      Maurice Harkless, Quincy Miller and Jared Cunningham are sleepers in my book. Thomas Robinson fits that second question pretty well. Kings need help on the boards, he can provide it and be dynamic next to Cousins.

  6. G-State-W

    Love your chats Yanni! Top work! Was wondering your opinion on Festus Ezuli, is he any good? Or just a body? Cheers

    • Yannis Koutroupis

      I like him. Hasn’t played the game for long. Still learning. Almost everyone who played against him in this year’s draft class said he was the toughest for them to score against. He’s gonna be in the league a long time for his defensive ability.

  7. JasonBarker

    Hi Yannis! Thanks for the chats bro. Question, looking at the Wizards roster I’m not sure they’ll be able to properly utilize a ‘drive and dish’ strategy. Both Ariza & Crawford shoot less than 31% for their career, and Beal (who I like by the way) only shot 33% from the college 3pt line. Are you a believer that they’ll make a big jump this year in the standings, and will this offensive gameplan work with their personell? Thanks!

    • Yannis Koutroupis

      Look more at what Beal did in the tournament. Shooting is his strength, he just got off to a streaky start in college. I think they’ll be a lot better, but I”m not ready to label them top eight just yet.

  8. Enrique

    Was the 72-10 team (Bulls) one of the most versatile group in league history? Four offensive players that were “triple-threats” with the ball (Jordan/Pip/Kukoc/Harper) and four “stud” defenders (Jordan/Pip/Harper/Rodman)? What other teams can match or come close to this kind of two-way versatility? Thanks for your time and have a great day.

    • Yannis Koutroupis

      This year’s Lakers team is the closest team I think in recent memory that could push for that record, but I see them even falling short. They can maybe get to 65, but 72 is pretty tough.

  9. Shawn

    I’m a magic fan and lately i’ve been seeing some things online that are really positive about Mo Harkless. I know you can’t trust everything you read, but the optimistic side of me now sees huge potential both offensively & defensively. Do you believe Harkless could be the steal of this years draft & a future star for Orlando?

    • Yannis Koutroupis

      Definitely. They took him because of his upside and work ethic. He fits the culture they’re trying to build. He should be a good one for them.

  10. rodt

    Do you believe Chris Paul when he said he rather be with th clippers than the laker and if so why did he get the players association involved to try to force a trade there if he wanted the clippers.

  11. Cameron

    Does R. Stuck fit with Detroit’s rebuild? We he be better served as a 6th man on a contending team?

    • Yannis Koutroupis

      No, because he takes time from Brandon Knight. I think his time in Detroit is coming to an end.

  12. Steve

    Hey Yannis, It sounds like my Bucks have agreed to terms with Marquis Daniels, do you think he’s got anything left? Do the Bucks figure it out this season and make the playoffs?

    • Yannis Koutroupis

      He can still help as a role player. I don’t think so, I’m not high on them at all. Think they’re a train wreck waiting to crash. I picked them to finish last in the division, although not far off from Cleveland and Detroit, who they could easily surpass if they play the right way together.

  13. Steve

    Hey Yannis, What remaining free agents on the market do you think will make a roster and provide an impact?

    • Yannis Koutroupis

      Kenyon Martin, Leandro Barbosa are a couple that come to mind. It’s not a great market out there right now.

  14. Will

    I read something saying the 76ers tried to poach Masai Ujiri from the Nuggets after the Iggy trade. Is there some sort of code of ethics that makes this frowned upon? Do the Nuggets need to worry about this happening again?

    • Yannis Koutroupis

      That’s the business. Usually teams ask for permission to speak to another team’s employee. The Nuggets should be worried. Masai’s looked at as one of the best already at a young age. There are gonna be teams trying to hire him.

  15. Mark from san juan capistrano

    If Kobe gives up the ball and let Nash do his magic and if Peace has been practicing his 3s, shouldn’t the Lakes run away with the title?

  16. HoBo

    Waz up Yannis,

    What is the size of training camp rosters? It seems like teams have a have signed a million players to come to camp.

    • Yannis Koutroupis

      The number you need to know is 15. That’s where rosters have to be by opening night.

      That’s going to do it for me this week folks. Talk to you next week at the same time!