NBA Chat with Tommy Beer 3/8/12

1. Larry Thomas

   Do you think the Pacers will make a move for a shooting guard by the trade deadline?

   • Tommy Beer

     I’m sure Larry Legend and company will do their due diligence and see what available next week… However, I expect this will be a rather quiet deadline overall, considering the truncated schedule, it sounds like many GM’s and coaches are hesitant to make wholesale changes, knowing that they won’t have much time to practice and incorporate new players into a set system and rotation…

2. Deven

   Hi Tommy. Do you think some of the Knicks players are losing some confidence on this road trip. They could have won those first two road games, but in the end, they just couldn’t pull it out. What are your thoughts?

   • Tommy Beer

     Lots of doom and gloom around the Knicks right now – but my advice to all Knicks fans would be to take a deep breath. There is still 50+ days until the postseason starts – so NY has plenty of time to right the ship. As long as Chandler returns to full health, and Amar’e get closer to full health – New York will be a very scary team come late April. I can guarantee you this – the top teams (Miami especially) do NOT want to see NY in the first round. There’d be a ton of pressure on LeBron and Company, but New York would be playing with house money as the 8th seed. It’d be interesting.

     Here in NYC, Melo, and his adverse impact on the offense, has received the bulk of the hate – but real issue has been the defense. I tweeted about this earlier today.
     From February 3rd thru Feb 22, Knicks didn’t allow any opponent to score over 100 points – 12 straight games, including 7-game win streak.
     Since then, Knicks have lost 4 of their last 5, and coincidentally, allowed over 100 ppg in 4 of those 5 games.

3. alan

   do you think the bulls would move kyle korver, their own 1st rounder and some cash to cover the difference in salaries to the wizards for nick young? he plays about the same defense as korver but can create his own shot more. both are expiring deals.

   • Tommy Beer

     It’s not a bad idea, as Chicago could definitively use some athleticism and versatile scoring punch at two-guard, but I’m just not sure if Young is a Coach Tom Thibs kind-of-guy… Young is a volume scorer/shooter that needs the ball in his hands and a bunch of shots to be effective. Korver obviously doesn’t bring much defense either, but he isn’t going to cause waves and has been content in his role. Not sure Chicago would sacrifice a 1st rounder (which are increasingly more valuable under the new CBA) in order to take a chance with the chemistry they have developed

4. Edward Lee

   It’s pretty disheartening to see how the once mighty Lakers have fallen, the whole organization is so dysfunctional that it affects everyone connected with it. I am so heartbroken that it seems money and nothing else decides all it’ s decision making process.

   • Tommy Beer

     Well, I’ll say this: the Laker organization has won 5 championships in the last 13 years! which makes the Lakers the envy of just about every other organization in professional sports…

     Looking at the big picture, you have to understand why fans of other teams have a tough time feeling bad for poor Laker fans.
     That said, this season has been highlighted by dysfunction out in LA LA Land. Cutting Odom to save a sizable sum made economic sense – but obviously made zero sense from a strictly basketball standpoint. And, as we now know, it has not worked out well for either side. Got to watch the Mavs up close versus the Knicks the other night, and it was almost sad to watch Odom go through the motions out there. He is just utterly lost. As a Queens kid, and all-around media-friendly good guy, I wish Odom the best. He’s too good (as he showed last season) to go out like this…

     As for the Lakers, they still have that Kobe guy, along with Bynum and Gasol down low. In a eminently winnable Western Conference – the Lakers should NOT be counted out. Way too much talent on that team in the Big 3. They can get hot and wreak havoc.

     My biggest issue with LA thus far this season has been the number of minutes Mike Brown has played Kobe. Bean has a lot of wear-and-tear on his tires. He averaged under 34 minutes a night last season, he’s up to over 38 mpg this season. That could come back and bite Brown and Bryant. Obviously something to keep an eye on.

5. Deven

   I would feel so bad for the Nets if they don’t take D-Will and D12 with them to Brooklyn next year. Wouldn’t you feel the same? Any predictions of what the Nets will do at the deadline?

   • Tommy Beer

     Feel bad… for the Nets??? Nahhh… I grew up a Knicks fan, so there was always a bit of a rivalry there. Also, my older became a big Nets fan when we were kids – during the Derrick Coleman and Kenny Anderson and Petrovic days. Not sure why he chose to root for the Nets over the Knickerbockers, but I am pretty sure it was just to eff with me and get under my skin.

     As a quick aside, I’ve got a cool story to pass along: My brother’s all-time favorite player was Drazen Petrovic. He LOVED Draz, had his jersey (the old school “Champion” brand) and everything. Well, one year, a few weeks before Christmas, I mailed Petro his rookie card and a self-addressed stamped envelope, asking him to please sign it and send it back. Wouldn’t you know it, a short while later I got that card back, signed by Drazen, and was able to give it my brother for Christmas. When Petro dies in a car crash the next summer, always had that memory – and my brother still has that card…

     Regarding the Nets future – it’s basically 1 of 2 options: Either they hit a grand slam (land Howard and re-sign D-Will) or they strike out in the worst way possible (lose out on Howard and Williams signs with the Mavs). There is really no middle ground. Either they get Kate Upton, or get left at the alter. Should be a very, very tense few days next July 1st…

6. HoopsNationCA

   Hy Tommy, It looks like Tony Douglas might be superfluous for the Knicks going forward. Would they consider sending him to the Clippers wither for a trade exception, or for Brian Cook? A PF/C who can shoot from outside is always welcome in D’Antoni’s offence right?

   • Tommy Beer

     Knicks would def trade Douglas, but they’d have no need for Cook. He’s not a bad fit in the D’Antoni system, but the Knicks already have 11 guys that D’Antoni is trying to find minutes for.
     Also, if Baron Davis leaves NY this summer, the Knicks might need Douglas to play some minutes as a backup combo guard. Douglas is under contract next season as just 2 million, so holding onto him isn’t the worst thing in the world….

     Also, not sure if the Clippers need another undersized combo-guard – they have a few already.

     How about that other LA team – Douglas (who was originally drafted by the Lakers) might be able to use Douglas at the point this season. get the ball to Kobe and play decent D on the other end. Before losing his confidence this season, Douglas actually led the NBA in made three-point FGs’ over the second half of last season.

7. AJ

   What kind of trade value do Camby, Wallace, Felton, and Crawford have?

   How about Camby for O’Neal (possibly out for season), salary filler (Wilcox or Dooling possibly) and a lottery protected first round pick?

   • Tommy Beer

     The Blazers will be working the phones over the next week, we know that. They are currently sitting in 11th place in the conference, on the outside of the playoff picture looking – 2 games behind the 8 seed right now.
     Whispers that it may cost Nate McMillian his job sooner rather than later.

     However, I don’t see The C’s giving up a 1st rounder for Camby. Danny Ainge and the C’s understand they are going to have to start rebuilding/re-tooling after this season – as both KG and Ray Allen are set to become unrestricted FA’s. Boston is going to need it’s pick going forward. And while any team would like to add Camby down low, even if Boston added MC, they’d still have a real tough time advancing past the HEAT and Bulls in the East. Also, Wilcox has actually been a decent pickup for them – he played pretty well in limited minutes.

8. CAS

   LAL trades Pau & Blake to HOU for Lowry & Scola. Thereafter LA spends the TE+pick on Beasley in addition LA trades McRoberts to MEM for OJ Mayo.

   If this can get done what is your opinion on the following team.

   Starting 5 of: Lowry-Kobe-MWP-Scola-Bynum
   BENCH: Fisher-Mayo-Barnes-Beasley-Murphy

   • Tommy Beer

     That’s a good team. And if they had a full month of training camp and then 6 months of playing together – they might be able to make so real noise in the playoffs…

     And, just b/c I’m curious – why would Memphis trade Mayo for McBob?

9. FocusLJA

   Gerald Henderson for Iman Shumpert. Who says No?

   • Tommy Beer

     Knicks would actually probably pass on that.
     Henderson is definitely a better, more consistent scorer and probably the better all-around player right now, but the Knicks front office LOVES Shumpert’s game and his upside – especially on the defensive end – where he has a chance to develop into one of the league’s best perimeter defenders.

     Most importantly, Shump is making half as much as Henderson and is in just the first year of his rookie deal. Bobcats have Henderson on his rookie scale for one more year – he can become a restricted free-agent after the 2012-2013 season, if Charlotte doesn’t lock him up.

10. Frank

    Why does the league tolerate poor officiating? I understand that people pay a lot of money to see the stars in action but it’s ridiculous to watch blatant traveling, palming or pushing off go on but watch some rookie or reserve get called. Watched the Knicks the other night and saw Shumpert get a T for taunting. That stuff is outrageous and its difficult to explain to kids who try to emulate their hero’s.

    • Tommy Beer

      I hear you – but I rarely make a big deal about particular calls during a game.

      My thought process is this: Even the best players in the NBA miss about half the shots they take, right?
      So if a ref misses 2 or 3 calls the whole game – you have to live with that.

      Great teams factor in a few whistles going against them, and make sure they build a solid enough lead where they can absorb the BS calls – b/c they are coming.

11. Alex in Burbank

    Has anyone hated on you on this picture because you somewhat resemble Howard Lederer? Sorry in the Poker community he’s hated, but anyways on to Basketball. What is wrong with my Lakers? I know were capable of playing better on the road. What is going on? I hated…absolutely hated losing the game to the lowly Wizzards last night. Really?

    • Tommy Beer

      haha – hadn’t heard that one before…
      Yes, that was an inexcusable loss (esp the 4th Q collapse) but in this truncated season with no practices and back-to-back-to-backs, we have seen some crazy outcomes and we’ll see plenty more
      I had the chance to speak with Mark Cuban recently and he harped on how certain teams got better duing the season b/c they practiced hard and practiced the right way. And those teams were the ones that often advanced far in the big dance in May and June. (Which is why Cuban was so willing to overspend and bring in so many coaches)
      Expect some more surprises this postseason as well

12. trock

    If your an gm would you draft a 7 foot center that don’t come often these days or a guard the a lot of potential which come often

    • Tommy Beer

      Prior to Durant/Greg Oden fiasco – you’d have plenty of folks say “gamble on the big man.”
      But nobody wants to be on the wrong side of that mistake…
      Then again, I’m sure people said that in the years after Sam Bowie over Jordan as well.

      At the end of the day, you have to trust your scouts and basketball personal people.
      In addition, a dominating center isn’t nearly as important as it used to be. Starting in 1999, with Tim Duncan – either Duncan or Shaq won 6 of the next 7 NBA Finals MVP awards. Think about that for a second. Conversely – look at the list over the last 6 years: Kobe (twice), Paul Pierce, Dirk, Tony Parker, and D Wade. Dirk is the only “big man” on the list, and he is jump-shooter, not a back-to-the-basket bog like Timmy D or Shaq

      With the way the game is called nowadays, top-notch point guards that can penetrate into the paint are worth their weight in gold

13. Jeremy Mercer

    Would a trade of Jerryd Bayless/James Johnson/Ed Davis and raptors first (lottery protected this year, unprotected in 2013) for Josh Smith work for both teams??

    • Tommy Beer

      The short answer is no b/c the salaries don’t match. But even if they did, while not a terrible offer, the Hawks could get better value for Smith. Can’t trade Josh Smith and the best player you’re getting back is James Johnson.

14. T-Time

    Lakers Get: Dwight, Hedo, Hinrich, Ryan Anderson
    Orlando Gets: Andrew Bynum, Josh Smith, Marvin Williams, Picks
    Hawks Get: Pau Gasol, Rights to Fran Vasquez, Andrew Goudelock, Josh McRoberts

    Gets Dwight to the Lakers along with a better point guard than what they have now and their future PF in Ryan Anderson who is very effective playing alongside Dwight. Gets Orlando a promising young front court in Bynum and Smith and a defensive 3 along with a pick or two. Atlanta would get Pau Gasol with the chance of pairing him with his buddy Fran Vasquez whos contract is up with his team soon, their possible replacement of Jamal Crawford in Goudelock, and a decent backup PF in McRoberts.

    • Tommy Beer

      I like this one because the inclusion of Fran Vasquez into the proceedings = awesome

15. Zach

    If you have Kevin Love as one keeper in a two-keeper league, who else would you keep: Blake Griffin, Manu Ginobili or Jose Calderon?

    • Tommy Beer

      Kev Love is a no-brainer. Blake G is overrated in 9-cat leagues (kills you FT%, limited blocks etc.), but I think you still def have to go with him as your other keeper choices. Manu is on fumes at this point and Calderon has limited upside.
      I’d keep Blake and trade him if you play in a 8 or 9-cat league. If you play in a 5-cat, Blake is a beast, keep him forever.

16. DW

    More likely trade partner for the Cavs regarding Sessions …
    Lakers – 1st round pick
    or
    Jazz – possibly Kanter or Favors (they need a PG upgrade and have more big men then they can give minutes.

    • Tommy Beer

      No way the Jazz give up Kanter or Favors for Sessions. Ramon can become an unrestricted free agent this summer, so the team that trades for him is basically just renting him.
      I think he’d be a great fit in LA, we shall see if they are willing to pony up to get him.

17. Earl

    Tyreke Evans, what do you think about him?

    • Tommy Beer

      Dude is one of the most athletically and freakishly gifted human beings ever to step foot on a basketball court. The things that guy can do, at 6-5… wow. His handle is insane, jumps through the roof, solid jump shooter when he squares up and concentrates, etc.

      Which is why I can’t understand why he puts up so many duds and seems to disappear for whole games. he has wayyy to much talent. I don’t watch enough Kings games to know what the real issue is there – but I hope he gets things straightened out sooner, rather than later.

18. luis

    If Blake Griffen is overrated then the clippers should trade him for Dwight Howard right now because that would make them real contenders? Also, if this season goes from bad to worse, than can the clippers convince Dwight to come? Trade Blake for Dwight, D Jordan for josh smith, Al horford, or paul milsap? then sign Ray Allen? can and would this make the clippers real contenders instead of having overrated Griffen?

    • Tommy Beer

      No, I was talking about from a fantasy perspective – that was addressing a fantasy question.

      In real life, Blake is a beast. The Clippers love him, and according to people who would know such things, they will NOT trade him, basically now matter what comes back. Disagree or not, that is they sentiment.

      The one part of Blake’s game that has to worry you if you are a Clipps fan is the FT shooting. I saw the Nets went to the hack-a-blake with 2 minutes and 30 seconds left on the clock. This will start to happen more frequently, unless BG starts knocking down those freebies.

19. Rhonda!

    Tommy! Will Melo ignore all thus public bashing and try to take an “us against the world attitude into the locker room?

    • Tommy Beer

      He has to smarten up and understand he is not going to win over the media, so just deal with the press and give them PC answers and move on.

      On the floor – the offense will figure itself out, and he’ll score plenty of points, he just need to commit to playing defense and rebounding.

      If he rallies the team, that would be a huge plus. But he has not shown the makings of a true leader during his time in NY. With Amar’e and Chandler in the locker room, they prob don’t need him to play that role. Still, he can’t behave immaturely and become a problem on teh floor the way he did the other night in Dallas. That can’t happen. Forget the media (they openly root against him – so they can say I told you so) but the NY fans will eat him alive

20. h

    I’m not to nervous about the Knicks current state. Many (i.e NY media) will overplay losing 3 in a row or 4 out of 5… but against Dallas, Boston and San Antonio (and Miami earlier)… those are good teams.

    But, that being said, they have really exposed Amar’e's horrible D AGAIN!! So what do you think we can get for him now? I’d love Josh Smith (throw in Landry and take back Marvin to make it work).

    Other names to throw around: David Lee, Scola, Pau and Bargnani (ironic because only Pau is a good defender of the 4)

    • Tommy Beer

      Knicks and Amar’e are married, and now it’s till death do they part.

      The reason the Knicks were able to land Amar’e was b/c they were the only team willing to go 5 years and $100 million – every dime guaranteed

      Now, with his back giving him problems and $60 million still coming his way – no teams is going to be willing to take on that gamble.

      NY is going to have to figure out a way to make it work with him and Melo starting at forwards.

21. Aristotle

    Heya Tommy,
    Debate with mates for who’s the better duo:
    Kareem & Magic or Shaq & Kobe?

    • Tommy Beer

      Obviously can’t go wrong with either pair – but I’d prefer Magic and Kareem.

      People forget just how great Kareem was… Dude scored more points than anybody who ever played in the NBA. That’s saying something.

22. Jake Smith

    Plain and simple, what will the Magic do before March 15th?

    • Tommy Beer

      Sit tight. Keep their fingers crossed. Hope Dwight doesn’t leave money on the table July 1st.

23. Jarvis Flowers

    How Does The East Playoff Picture Finish Out

    • Tommy Beer

      1. HEAT vs 8. Celtics
      2. Bulls vs. 7. Knicks
      3. Magic vs. 6. Hawks
      4. Pacers vs. 5. 76ers

      HEAT beat the Bulls in the ECF

24. hvino

    “Since then, Knicks have lost 4 of their last 5, and coincidentally, allowed over 100 ppg in 4 of those 5 games.”

    BEcause look at the teams we’ve played. The games during the Lin streak were 6 of the 7 worst offensive teams in the league.

    I strongly recommend you read this quick post I made about our “defense” during that stretch. (I wrote it then)
    http://www.postingandtoasting.com/2012/2/18/2808297/has-our-defense-actually-been-that-great

    • Tommy Beer

      I’ll check it out. Thanks

25. Sam

    Blake Griffin’s defense doesn’t worry you? For such a great athlete and physical specimen, Griffin should be a much better defender. As time goes on, and if the Clippers don’t win big, write it down, Griffin will begin to get the overrated label. I understand he’s exciting and a good rebounder and dunker, but once those knees go watch out

    • Tommy Beer

      Many young players have flaws in their games. Blake’s defense has to improve – no doubt (Derrick Rose actually blocked more shots than he did last season).
      That said, Blake plays hard and plays the game the right way. We’ll see if he puts work in the gym over the summer and gets that FT% up and commits on the defensive end

      —–

      Okay folks, my time is up – my dog has been waiting patiently by the door, letting me know he’s ready for a walk.
      Thank you kindly for stopping by – have a great weekend,
      T