NBA Chat With Yannis 9/7/12

1. Lakers

   who do you think will be the Lakers next big man if Howard doesnt sign long extension?
   and do you think the Lakers will trade Pau Gasol before the deadline? And how many players can the Lakers get for Pau if they chose not go with Josh Smith

   • Yannis Koutroupis

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

     Jordan Hill? They’d be really restricted in what they could do because even if he walks they’re going to be over the cap. I just do not see that happening, though. Howard dropped 20 million cash on a mansion, is talking about working with Kareem for many years to come. He’s not going anywhere. As far as Pau goes, don’t see him being traded this season. They’ll likely be rolling at the deadline, won’t need to make a huge move like that. Pau and Howard together can be phenomenal.

2. Chris

   Hi Yannis. Word is Derrick Rose and Kevin Love have talked about forming the next superteam in Chicago. Any truth to this? The Bulls seem to be the next logical place for a super team being that they are the only one of the major market teams w/ only 1 superstar.

   • Yannis Koutroupis

     That’s a long ways down the road. I can’t confirm or deny those talks, this is actually the first I’ve heard of them, though. It doesn’t seem outlandish, but a lot can change before the opportunity for that to happen comes.

3. Rory

   Yannis, love your chats, big OKC fan, was interesting seeing all that drafft day hooray about he thunder acquiring Brad Beal! if harden and OKC cant get deal done, do u see similar draft day trade for Shabuzz Muhammed?? alotta scouts tabbing him as JH 2.0 (lefty, similar height/build, high volume scorers) would allow us to avoid luxury tax, and resign maynor and hope he, jones and shabuzz can carry the bench for another couple of years?

   • Yannis Koutroupis

     I think thank Shabazz could fit into the culture of OKC and help them right away. Maybe not be as good as Harden, but if Harden’s out the door anyway he’s a good replacement to have. Certainly very promising, down the line he could end up being better. I’m a huge fan of his game. But, Shabazz may not be available. If the Magic are projected to grab him, they’re going to take him and pass on Harden because that’s the plan that they’re on. They’re not going to pay Harden near max money when they’re a ways off from contending and a young guy with potentially more upside is available for a fourth of the price.

4. aadenCash

   Hey Yannis, what does an “unprotected” pick mean and how does that work? thanks!

   • Yannis Koutroupis

     It’s actually pretty easy in comparison to some of the confusion that protected picks can build. A unprotected pick, based on the year, means it’s going to the team it was traded to no matter what.

5. steven Chao

   I have a question relating to technical stuff. If a player was drafted, then sent to the D-League to play for a year, and then pulled up to play for an NBA team, does that first season with the NBA team count as his rookie season? Or would his first year in the D-League count as his rookie season?

   Also related, if a player was sent down to the D-League, do the years he play for the D-League count towards his years as a pro on NBA websites?

   Thanks for your time!

   • Yannis Koutroupis

     To be “sent down” to the D by an NBA team, you have to be on their roster. So, if a rookie is sent down at any time, he’s still considered an NBA rookie. So, to answer your second question also, it does count towards years pro if he’s sent down by a team. Now, if he starts in the d-league as a free agent in 2010-2011 lets say and then plays all of 2011-2012 in the NBA, he has one year as a pro going into this season.

6. Erik

   Would Jordan farmar be a good fit with the hornets? I just don’t think that Austin rivers or Grevis Vasquez are starting Nba point guards. Heck they are both 2 guards trying to learn the point. With the amount of nba talent out there at the PG position in the league I would think the Hornets could do better.

   • Yannis Koutroupis

     I’m not overly optimistic about Rivers’ ability to play the point. After he measured in bigger than expected in Chicago I didn’t really think he’d get taken in a situation where they needed a one. But, that is the primary need in New Orleans with Gordon back. They’ve told Austin they’re not going to pigeonhole him in either position. They’re going to let him play and grow, but it’s undeniable that point guard is a position of need there. With that said, the Hornets are rebuilding and not vying to make a serious playoff push for another year or two. They can gamble on Vasquez and Rivers, no need to bring in Farmar. I don’t think he’d be a major difference maker. If he was a starting caliber PG, he’d still be in the league.

7. Chumpalump

   Whenever Kobe Bryant’s name is mentioned, we often hear about 5 championships and certain scoring records. However, I am surprised how few mention the rape charge (which was later settled out of court). Seems people don’t pay attention to those things as much as long as he is still winning and playing at a high level. If he averaged 8ppg after, fans may be singing a different tune. When considering all-time greats, is one’s personal life make taken into account or is being an adulterer (possibly more) irrelevant?

   • Yannis Koutroupis

     Hope I don’t get in trouble for answering this. But, it’s an interesting question. First and foremost, the judge dismissed the case. Kobe did reportedly pay her in a civil suit, but because the judge dropped the case, it becomes something that’s rarely brought up. In the end, though, it’s an off-the-court issue and Kobe is a basketball player. Beforehand, nobody cared what he was doing off of the court because he wasn’t ever accused of anything illegal. The same is the case now. It’s far enough in the rear view and Kobe has done enough since on the court to where that dominates the conversation when he’s brought up. I’m on the side of what he does off the court being irrelevant. He’s trying to enter the basketball hall of fame, not the human being hall of fame.

8. Chumpalump

   Most experts agree Kobe Bryant was second fiddle to Shaq during his first three championships. A tremendous Robin I may add (now a Batman). Rank your top three second fiddles for the upcoming season? Wade has to be #1, no?

   • Yannis Koutroupis

     I’d say he was more 1b to Shaq being 1a than a true second fiddle. Same with Wade. Just to stay along the lines of your question, though, if 1b guys are second fiddles give me Howard, Wade, and Westbrook in that order.

9. mike

   There has been a lot of different opinions on who the better shooter is Kyrie Irving or Damian Lillard? Who is the better pure Shooter and overall shooter who is the better 3 point shooter?

   What are some things that Damian Lillard can do better than Kyrie Irving right now? Maybe Defense? Shooting?

   • Yannis Koutroupis

     That’s tough! I’d be inclined to side with Kyrie right now. Lillard was never better than a 40 percent shooter in college, whereas Irving made 46 percent in his short time at Duke. As a rookie, he shot 39 percent from deeper range. Lillard could top that, but I’m not gonna bet on it myself. I don’t think I’d give him the edge in any area over Kyrie right now honestly. I like his game a lot, but Kyrie was the ROY and is a franchise player now. Lillard has to go prove himself before I’ll give him any edges over Kyrie.

10. ben

    How and Why did Marshon Brooks fall all way to the 25th pick in the 2011 Draft? He was the second leading scorer in the country and Dropped a Big East Record 52 Points. Why didn’t Scouts, teams, and analysts see that he could score on ANYBODY.

    Watching Highlights of his Rookie Season you can tell he has alot of Kobe in his Game. I think he will one day lead the NBA IN PPG.

    • Yannis Koutroupis

      That’s a bit lofty. There were questions about how Brooks would fit in on a team where he wasn’t the top option and how the other aspects of his game would translate to the NBA. He was undervalued. He can obviously play. He’ll be in the league for a long time, but he won’t have the opportunity to lead the league in scoring anytime soon in Brooklyn.

11. Brad

    How Will Anthony Davis make the All Star team in the next 5 years with Kevin Love, Blake Griffin and Lamarcus Aldridge all in the west? and Derrick Favors a sleeper choice.

    • Yannis Koutroupis

      He may not, but you can be really good and not be an All-Star. His time will come. In five years he’ll be 24 years old, so he may not even be of that caliber until then anyway. Maybe the Hornets use him at center and he makes it that way earlier, that’s a possibility.

12. Clark

    Is scal’s number going to be retired?

    • Yannis Koutroupis

      This made me laugh, but I promise you if you saw Scal on the court at the local YMCA you’d think his number deserved to be retired. He’s no joke, the guy is a very good basketball player.

13. Cain

    Would a trade of Paul George for James Harden be of merit to both sides? A defensive combo of George and Ibaka and a go-to clutch scorer for Indiana?

    • Yannis Koutroupis

      Makes more sense for Indy than OKC. I think that’s something OKC only considers if they are certain Harden’s leaving.

14. Roger

    Let’s say these were two teams in 2006. Who would have come out in a best of seven NBA Finals?
    Eastern team: PG Allen Iverson, SG Dwayne Wade, SF Lebron James, PF Chris Bosh, C Shaquille O’neal
    VS.
    Western Team: PG Steve Nash, SG Kobe Bryant, Tracey McGrady, PF Tim Duncan, C Yao Ming.
    Who would be victorious and why? MVp of the Finals?

    • Yannis Koutroupis

      I think the East is more talented overall, but the chemistry would be better with the West so I’d give them the slight advantage. MVP would be Tim Duncan, who would constantly keep O’Neal and Bosh in foul trouble.

15. Adrian

    Hi Yannis,
    As a Spurs fan I was hoping that Blatche would come… Some people also were talking about Greg Oden and a chance to come to the Spurs.. Blatche is going to the Nets and Oden is probably gone for ever from NBA Courts. Is there a free agent remaining to add to the front court? What about Blair? Golden State was interested to get him but nothing really happened… And last but not least I would ask you to predict how the Spurs will finish this year (do you see TD and Manu finally getting older?)
    Would love to know what you think about it… Thanx.

    • Yannis Koutroupis

      I’m not sure how strong their interest in him was. He doesn’t really fit their culture. They don’t have a familiarity with him like they did Stephen Jackson, who despite his faults has proven over and over that he’s about winning. I wasn’t surprised to see him not end up there. I don’t think it’s something they’ll regret either. I think they’re pretty set. They’re four deep inside, which is all you really need. That fifth guy would rarely see the court. I think Blair walks at season’s end, don’t see them getting what they’d want in a trade. I think the Spurs are a top four team in the West still, but they can’t get past OKC or LAL.

16. keo

    Where do you rank reggie in the best sg’s of all time?

    Mine is mj,kobe, ray Allan, wade, reggie

    • Yannis Koutroupis

      I’d personally take Reggie over Ray. He’s in my top five, three is the highest I can justify putting him.

17. Bernard R

    I’m a true Knicks fan. Have been a fan since the 70′s. I feel like this is the best team (on paper) that we have put on the floor in years. Why don’t we get “any love” in the media. The negative is always highlighted. Why?

    • Yannis Koutroupis

      I’m not overly sure about that. Part of it is the expectations are so high and few believe they can compete for a championship. I can’t see them winning it, but they’ll be a tough out for whoever does represent the East. Another big issue is that I don’t think people believe their pieces fit well together or that Woodson is the guy to make it all work.

18. jenequen from puerto rico

    why wilson chandler is not in the kings team for evans it would be perfect for the kings to have a defensive force at the 3 matching the team perfectly and giving them that playoff push playing in an up tempo like new york and evans in the nuggets triying to get his career straight with karl even if he is not starting because of igudala

    • Yannis Koutroupis

      I don’t like that deal for Denver at all. They don’t need Evans in the least bit, doesn’t fit what they’re doing with what they have. Nuggets would be much better off keeping Chandler.

19. jenequen from puerto rico

    marcus thornton in my opinion can become and elite scorer he has showed he can score in the face of anyone and in clutch time too if given the touches he can be a 20pts throught hes career what are your thoughts ?

    • Yannis Koutroupis

      He averaged 18 last year, who am I to say he can’t put up 20. That in a couple of seasons – he’s not gonna finish his career a 20 ppg scorer.

20. Jp co

    hi Yannis, Mr. Pincus wrote yesterday that the Lakers are major players in the free agency in 2014. Thats true but Lebron Leaving for L.A is not likely to happen, what do you think? Thanks

    • Yannis Koutroupis

      Anything is possible! If any team could make a convincing pitch it’s the Lakers!

      That’s going to do it for me folks. I’ll be back next week at the same time. Thanks for all the great questions.