NBA Chat With Yannis 9/9/11

1. Eric

   Hey!

   What are your thoughts on the future prospect of the Raptors?

   What is the trade value of Bargnani?

   How high do we draft in 2012? If we got Barnes and maybe dealt Bargnani for Kabongo, would that take us a legit future contender status? Jonas V. could have been a great find.

   Thanks!
   E

   • Yannis Koutroupis

     There’s a lot of young talent there that makes me optimistic about the future. I really like the hiring of Dwyane Casey, I think he’s exactly what they needed. I’m looking forward to him finally getting the appreciation he deserves as a head coach. Bargnani could net at least another starter in return or maybe a nice young piece or two. I still think they’re a lottery team, but lower than they were this past year. Maybe in the 9-12 range. The following year will be when they make their biggest jump in my opinion.

2. SEAN

   Great article finally writer knows what he talking about.Do you think if spurs get trade for parker & jefferson ,freeing up 21 million that they may take chance at offering D.HOWARD a contract or maybe trying get lottery pick OR 2 because this 2012 daft is stock with alot young talent for future?

   • Yannis Koutroupis

     Welcome everyone to this week’s chat! Let’s get to the questions.

     I’m not sure I can envision the Spurs ending up with a lottery pick in what may be Tim Duncan’s final year. They’re going to be too good still, unless they get really hurt by injuries. This upcoming draft would be the one to have multiple picks in, though. Dwight Howard is a pipe dream for about 95% of the teams in the league. I think he has a really short list of teams he’s willing to sign with and I don’t think the Spurs are on it. There is the possibility that could change, a lot can over the course of a year.

3. Samy

   Thoughts on Perk and Russel for Dwight? If so how many blocks to Howard and ibeka avg a game?

   • Yannis Koutroupis

     I don’t think it’s enough if I’m Orlando. In fact, I don’t think they consider it at all based on the fact that they’re pretty much stuck with Arenas and I don’t like the combination of him and Westbrook in the backcourt together. Would anyone else get any touches? But if it did go down, Howard and Ibaka would average at least four blocks a game.

4. Can Pelister

   What are you think for the Turkey? Besiktas sign Deron Williams.. What are you think?

   • Yannis Koutroupis

     Win-win for both sides, although it looks like they’re not going to have him for long because I’m putting my money on a deal being worked out for the season to start on time. Still, they knew what they were getting themselves into and they are going to enjoy him while they have him. I just hope that Deron’s wrist is 100% and that he isn’t rushing.

5. paul in chicago

   Is JR Smith the answer for the bulls I know he is not all there but i think that locker room and the coach could put some sense int his head nobody wants him so we could get him cheap. Imagine him and Rose

   • Yannis Koutroupis

     It’s a medium risk, high reward type move that I think Chicago should definitely consider strongly. I tend to agree with you on the assessment that the Chicago locker room would be able to control J.R. Smith. However, Denver has thought that lots of times too and didn’t have much luck. He’s too talented to pass on though if the price is right, especially for a team needing help at the small forward position.

6. Erik

   With mcdyess retiring, what do the spurs do at the 4 position? How about taj gibson for gary neal and matt bonner. Thanks

   • Yannis Koutroupis

     I LOVE the idea of Taj Gibson in San Antonio. Taj is a monster who is only going to get better. But, I don’t think Chicago gives him up for that. San Antonio would certainly agree, though. The Spurs are going to have to find a veteran to sign and really hope that Blair and Splitter show up improved and ready to help from day one this year. As I said in my most recent article, I think that their big moves are about a year away from happening.

7. Adrian

   Who will be the next breakout coach this season (Optimistic)?

   • Yannis Koutroupis

     I’m going to go with Casey up in Toronto. I’m a big fan of the young core that has been assembled there and I think that Casey is a quality head coach who didn’t get a fair shot in MInnesota. He’s learned a lot since then and really proven himself. I think he’ll continue to do so in Toronto and get them back to respectability and the playoffs.

8. Stephen

   Hey,

   What are your thoughts on Casey as the head coach of the Raptors? Do you think he can turn them into a defensive minded team?

   • Yannis Koutroupis

     As you can see, the Casey praise has been abundant in today’s chat from me. I like him, a lot. I don’t think the pieces are there for them to be a “defensive” team per say, but I definitely think that he’s going to put a system in place and demand more out of them that will make them much better on that end. But expecting him to turn them into the Boston Celtics defensively without defensive standouts like Kevin Garnett or Rajon Rondo is unrealistic.

9. naj

   will you agree with me it is better to end up your career winning a championship rather than thinking of millions of dollar & end up with no title? What im trying to say here player that is capable of helping a title contender team must willing to help them & not just for the money..

   • Yannis Koutroupis

     Money makes the world go around, but the true competitors who have a love for the game of basketball are going to put a championship above making money late in their career – especially if they’ve already made enough money to live off of like a lot of the veterans who go ring chasing have. Personally, I think they’re both nice to have and there are cases on both sides where everyone is content. Karl Malone would love to have a ring, but he’s ok without. John Salley has rings for days but I’m sure he would have like to have made a bigger impact.

10. Trevor

    I find it hard to believe that Stan will go all out with Gilbert as a starter even though I think Jameer would be great as a 6th man coming off the bench looking to score. I still cant believe Otis Smith is still employed though, he has to be one of the worst GMs in professional sports, I mean Duhon for 4/16? The midseason trade that when all is said an done will be $3mil, carter, pietrus, Gortat, 1st for essentially Hedo and his boated contract? Really?

    • Yannis Koutroupis

      I shake my head at what Smith has done too. I wouldn’t have signed off on any of those moves. They were justified for not giving Hedo that contract by his performance in Phoenix and Toronto, yet they went and traded back for him? Crazy. And I never would have touched Gilbert’s deal, the long-term ramifications were way too scary. The way it’s looking, he’s going to go down as the reason why the Magic lose Dwight Howard.

11. Jon in PDX

    Do you see Elliot Williams, Nolan Smith or Luke Babbitt having a chance to contribute in a meaningful way as a regular rotation player? Any hope for my Blazers to get out of that (every year) 7/8 seed?

    • Yannis Koutroupis

      This is going to be my last one for the day. Thanks everyone for stopping by, I’ll be back at the same time next week.

      If the Blazers are going to move up the playoff rankings they’re going to have to get something out of those guys, have Brandon Roy become his old self and reliable and get continued growth from LaMarcus Aldridge. It’s certainly plausible. They have the right guy coaching them, they just need to catch some breaks when it comes to injuries.