NBA Rumors Chat With Steve Kyler 3/14/13

HOOPSWORLD Publisher Steve Kyler will hold his weekly chat at 10:30am EST on Thursdays. Drop in your questions regarding NBA trades, the NBA Draft, roster moves or questions about your team.

  1. Chris

    Hi Steve. Best center in the NBA: Dwight Howard or Joakim Noah? My vote goes to Noah. Both have similar rebounding averages and Dwight has a higher FG %. However, Noah’s impact as a playmaker, his free-throw %, his ability to run the break, his leadership skills, and higher basketball IQ make him the better player.

    • Steve Kyler

      Welcome in everyone, hope the week has been good to you. The Tournament is around the corner and we have less than 20 games remaining in the regular season, so lets to get to…

      There is no comparison… Joakim is a great player, but Dwight Howard is one of the best big men in the history of the game. Everyone wants to pile on because he’s been a bone head over the last 18 months, but don’t take away from his play as a player.

  2. Cris

    1 I Do you think k faried is going to have a better carrier than t Robinson?

    2 I know the rockets drafted for talent last year. If you were dmorey at draft time (not knowing the performance of any rookie this season) who and in what order would u had drafted for the rockets?

    • Steve Kyler

      Thomas Robinson? Yes… Kenneth has a bigger more defined role in Denver and he is a little more proven to the team and the coaching staff.

      I don;t think the Rockets get any better with anyone they draft, its time to move young guys for proven guys or move way up in the draft and get a starter.

  3. true2self

    with the second pick in the draft the Orlando Magic select?
    a.marcus smart
    b ben mclemore
    c shabaaz muhammad
    d someone who you think would fit there system best

    • Steve Kyler

      I don’t do this.

      I haven’t met these guys yet… The Magic haven’t met these guys, nor have they worked them out in their process.

      For Orlando it is 100% about getting a guy that fits your culture and belief structure and you can’t know that from afar.

      Everyone of the guys you mentioned have some issues — read the NBA AM: http://www.hoopsworld.com/nba-am-the-dented-can-nba-draft-class/

      I think all three are great players, but thats not what its about… when all three are great players, its about the next part.

  4. LA in LA

    Hey Kyler, 2 unrelated questions:

    1) I agree with your response to my Battier question in general, especially last year (so I can believe they wanted to move him), but for this year I feel he’s been very, very important for them, don’t you think? Darn near irreplaceable.

    2) Can you tell me what Tobias Harris has been doing that’s so great? I don’t see any Magic games.

    3)Maybe I’m a prisoner of the moment but after seeing NBATV’s “top 50 Larry bird plays”, I think Larry Bird’s passing is severely underrated or not nearly talked about enough. I always thought LBJ was best passing SF but now I think Bird still has him. Made a lot of difficult passes, many no look. I’m assuming you saw him play, so what do you think?

    • Steve Kyler

      Shane is a big part of what the HEAT are this year… poised, professional and focused. So I agree, important. Irreplaceable… I am not with you on that.

      T12 has been playing very well. He is aggressive. He attacks all the time. He wants to win and plays like it. He is physically a beast for his size. He’s been a pleasant surprise for most because he was so poorly thought of based on how he played in Milwaukee.

      You are not a prisoner in the moment, you are experiencing what most modern fans experience… Micheal Jordan played his career in prime time. Every game was an event and that is why he is elevated to such a high standard, because most people didn’t see Magic/Bird or Wilt or Oscar Robertson or Jerry West or George Mikan.

      Not trying to take anything away from MJ, but there were several generations of amazing players that modern fans just never saw – the game was differently, the skill level different, but who they were in the game, what they did at the time was unheard of. Larry is a Legend for a reason, there has never really been a player like Larry since Larry.

  5. Cain

    Sometimes we see talented players remain inconsistent and sometimes we see them become great, what determines the level of consistency for NBA players?

    • Steve Kyler

      Opportunity… focus and preparation… in my opinion.

      hard to get consistent when your situation changes constantly. Also hard to get consistent when you are doing things differently in how you prepare. NBA players, especially the really good ones are creatures of habit… they do the same things, the same way every game and often get annoyed or rattled when that changes.

  6. Alex in Burbank

    Steve, will Pau Gasol play before the playoffs? Thanks!

    • Steve Kyler

      Looked like it Tuesday… he was shooting around with the coaches and showed no signs of issues. D’Antoni said maybe another week to ten days.

  7. steppx

    it appears the jazz are going to fall out of the post season and Lakers in. I dont see LA getting out of the first round. Watching a parker-less Spurs team beat OKC suggests those two teams are in their own class….lakers cant beat either. So….for Jazz, is it that bad to have missed? they were an auto out anyway. They goofed at deadline not moving someone though-

    • Steve Kyler

      I think things changed last night… if Kobe is out for any extended time the Lakers have issues.

      As for Utah, those guys seem to have quit on Ty Corbin and that is sad. Utah is a lot better than they have played lately.

  8. D

    What is your personal opinion on standing at NBA games? I got into an argument with another fan for standing up for things people usually stand up for at tuesday’s Magic/Lakers game(before national anthem,booing Dwight,home team intros,magic actually playing well)

    • Steve Kyler

      Here is my thing… If I paid money for a game, and you want to stand and I want to sit… who has the right of way there?

      I think the other side is you chose to go to a live sporting event, people are encouraged to stand and cheer… so that is one me for choosing to sit when the team announces “stand and cheer”

      I can understand both sides… I honestly I am a stand and cheer guy, but I have brought my kids to games and tower 6 foot guy blocking the view short of ruins the experience.

      I warn people around me that I might get a little rowdy, so I at least try and be respectful when I am being a moron.

  9. AJ

    What kind of package would Gortat return in a draft night trade?

    • Steve Kyler

      Hard to say… its about how badly do teams want him. I think when you see what Orlando got for JJ Reddick, that is about right for Marcin. Marcin has two more years on his deal, so there is a little more security in acquiring him.

  10. Son of tan

    Steve will the Magic use there entire $17.8 mil TPE before it expires,and now that they have Tobias Harris do they trade Andrew Nicholson?

    • Steve Kyler

      No on both.

      I think you’ll see them do some stuff with the TPE, but they are not in Add Salary mode. This will be a franchise that’s run on the cheap side until all the dead money being paid out is gone. They still owe Stan and Otis, they still owe Gilbert, they still owe Quentin Richardson.

      The name of the game for Orlando is 2014… have enough draft picks, and assets to be a real player in 2014. 2013 will be about stocking up on pieces and talent, not crazy spending because they won’t actualize it on the floor.

  11. Jim in CyberSpace

    What’s going on with the Jazz? They look like the Laker’s did at the end of January.
    I thought it would firm up the team when they didn’t make a trade at the deadline?
    They should have shipped both Milsap and Big Al, loaded up on young talent and picks, nothing worse then just missing the PO’s.

    • Steve Kyler

      Like I said earlier… they have just quit playing hard. Its sad.

  12. SatBchMagicer

    Good morning Steve, I’m reasking questions I posed for Alex’s chat yesterday(no problem with his answers, just wanted your views since you/he see/cover ORL more than other analysts): Hedo Turkoglu will be eligible to play last 11 games(1st- Mar. 27/home/CHA), will Magic actually play him again in 12/13? In your opinion, will he have any ORL role for 13/14, or will Magic just waive him/pay his guaranteed $6M to quietly go away, since he has no role with a rebuilding mode ORL? Part of Mr. Kennedy’s answer referred to GM Hennigan’s early-Feb. statement regarding suspension(about only thing Rob has publicly uttered since last June that I have issue with, as an avid Magic fan/believer in ‘new direction’ ORL headed), that I heard as strictly ORL management ‘repair’ PR.

    • Steve Kyler

      I think the writing is on the wall for Hedo. I think they play him simply to have current game film on him for trade purposes. If they can’t find a team that will trade something for him around the draft, I think they cut him and pay him out.

      There is a market especially for a tax team, where getting Hedo’s deal and cutting him makes sense, its about return.

  13. SatBchMagicer

    Hope all is well with you/your family. HEAT’s streak now at 20(ties 70/71 MIL, same season for 3rd all-time); only 07/08 HOU- 22 wins and 71/72 LAL- 33 wins ahead of them. I’m old enough to remember, both LAL and MIL streaks had ‘help’ of rival ABA league spreading available pro-BB talent to make such no-loss runs easier; with just 23rd possible game(Mar. 18@BOS) and 30th(Mar. 31@SAS) as toughest match-ups left- might we see 12/13 MIA setting new record? BTW: HW needs to update HEAT streak poll. BTW#2: Battier was with 07/08 HOU, maybe he’s the modern ‘charm’.

    • Steve Kyler

      Shane is a pro’s pro… so its not a surprise that teams he is one play the right way, he has that effect on guys… but Miami’s streak is amazing.

      Yannis is working on the Poll thing right now.

  14. Prismelk

    Which of the four (4) San Antonio Spurs championship squad is the best?

    Your thoughts, please?! Thanks!

    • Steve Kyler

      Its like picking which finger I like most… I’ll go 2003, because it was David Robinson’s last season.

  15. SatBchMagicer

    Hi Steve, on Mar. 12(prior to LAL visit to ORL) in response to a commenter, to paraphrase-’expect to see more Laker than Magic fans…have you seen all the empty seats for most Magic home games?’; I did some research/posted a rejoinder-’No I haven’t seen all the empty seats, in fact as of noon then, ORL is leading all non-playoff teams in home attendance and is 6th overall 12/13 behind only(to nearest 1000(k)): CHI-697k, MIA-638k, LAL-627k, LAC-614k and NYK-609k; I also added ‘usual’ only big visiting team fan turnouts(based on my attendance previous years games): MIA/BOS/CHI/NYK and for NBA West- OKC over LAL. As someone who has in past/currently attends many more Magic home games than I do- would you agree, majority of most important ORL fans- 12/13 ‘showing up in person’(i.e.-paying) have heartily embraced and support ORL in it’s rebuilding status? They will probably continue to do so, given ORL owner/management ‘good moves so far’(IMO)?

    • Steve Kyler

      Nice statement… not sure there is a question there, but nice statement.

      The Magic are the only real game in town. Amway is a great venue and the Magic sell the idea of a good night out and that is why they remain among the top 10 in season tickets sold.

      Not sure that remains the same if a rebuild is protracted and they know that too, which is why being ready for 2014 is super important.

  16. JP

    Hi Steve! How are you?
    I have to ask you something.
    Can you please fill this Twolves team to be build by 2014 with the ones you think should be targeted and tell me if it´s a contender?
    Rubio-Shved-Budinger-Love-Jahlil Okafor (2014 draft)
    Barea-Oladipo (2013 draft)-Bjelica-Williams-XXX
    XXXXX-T Hardaway Jr (2013 draft)-AK47-Hummel-XXXX

    Another options: Ridnour-Nick Calathes-MLee-Gelabale-Dante-Stiemsma-C.Johnson-P.Prestes among other second rounder for this or next yr draft.

    Thanks!

    • Steve Kyler

      No I really can’t… I don’t give these things enough attention answer a complex scenario like this, which then leads to “how could you not mention this guy”

      You are too far down the road for me to be able to comment with anything more than pure speculation and I really try not to do that.

  17. Prismelk

    Who selects NBA top 10 (or sometimes 5) plays?

    Sometimes, I just get sick about simple beautiful plays by ‘Superstars’ getting into, say, top 3 or 5 while the greater plays by ‘unpopular’ players fall to lower rankings.

    I just hate this part. Though of course, the top plays doesn’t really matter at all, but still, it bothers me.

    Your thoughts, please?! Thanks!

    • Steve Kyler

      On ESPN, NBA.com or somewhere else…

      They have a producer that picks stuff like this, and they generally try and show you plays that will get you to watch… so seeing Kobe dunk draws more attention to the average sports fan, than say Maurice Harkless.

      The name of the game is get you to watch and star players do that to the average fan.

  18. willie

    hi . rob needs to draft marcus smart trade arron and big baby for young cheap talent buy out turk and al sign tyreke evans as a free agent and somehow get another top 20 pick that would be my dream off season gooooooo magic

    • Steve Kyler

      Again… not sure its a question, but OK.

  19. Prismelk

    Does LeBron really travel (without being called) at times? If yes, how often?

    I watch the videos and I see them as good plays but there are also some that I tend to believe are travelling violations.

    Your thoughts, please?! Thanks!

    • Steve Kyler

      The NBA really doesn’t call traveling on plays at the basket, you get called more when you are on the perimeter on the dribble or on the catch in the post.

      Plays at the rim – driving to the basket are far more subjective.

      As for how many times… I don’t count anything like that.

  20. MIke

    With the bobcats getting the portland pick if it is outside the top 12, wouldnt they be better off not getting it this year and getting it in next years draft. Next year seems deeper, and they also get Detroits pick. So they potentially could have 3 picks next season. Would that be enough to guarantee them Wiggins?

    • Steve Kyler

      2004 is when the team with the worst record actually landed the top pick… so there is no guaranteeing anything.

      There are a lot of amazing and talented guys in the 2013 draft. I don;t think you can pass on a guy you can get now, for a guy you may not get at all.

      I know the world is enamored with Andrew Wiggins, but Jabari Parker might be the better franchise cornerstone. The Harrison twins are pretty solid too, so 2014 isn’t just Wiggins or bust.

  21. JP

    I would never tell you “how could you not mention this guy” because I respect your opinion like all should.
    But which would be your choice if you are in the position to draft any of McLemore/Shabazz&Oladipo & why? Would you resign Pek & at what price? Which would be your moves (Kahn out, right?)?

    • Steve Kyler

      Of the three you mention “McLemore/Shabazz&Oladipo” — McLenmore is the best all around player. Shabazz is a tweener, he is a small forward player in a shooting guards body. and Oladipo is a nice player, but not nearly the NBA prospect Bazz and Ben are.

      The market sets the price… so whats Portland gonna offer? Whats Houston gonna offer how about Charlotte?

      I think he’s getting at least $10 million a year. Could go higher, especially in year one of the deal to make Minnesota bow out.

      Guys… I am out of time. Thanks for all the questions. Make sure you are following me on Twitter (@stevekylerNBA). See you all next week.