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Hoops Rumors Live Chat 3/7/2023
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2:00
Will GSW find a big player or contract Lamb/Jerome? In your opinion GSW do make direct playoffs?
Dana Gauruder
2:03
Lamb has already reached his 50 game list and Jerome is not far behind. Kerr expressed a desire to have Lamb available, so I'd make him the frontrunner for the last roster spot. They got by without a lot of frontcourt options last postseason, so I think they'll take same approach unless someone like Looney gets hurt. The difference between 5 and 8 in the standings right now is literally 1 game and several others aren't far behind. However, if Curry can stay healthy the rest of the way and they get Wiggins back soon, they should finish in the top 6.
ConnoršŸ€
2:04
Do u expect Mikal Bridges to play this year?šŸ€.
Dana Gauruder
2:04
At this stage of the season, I would call that a "what's the point?" exercise. Better to sort out his situation in the offseason.
bucks
2:05
what do the bucks do in off season for trades!
Dana Gauruder
2:07
They've got more pressing concerns on their minds now, such as getting the top seed and trying to win the championship for the second time in three years. A lot of offseason moves are predicated on what happens in the postseason.
Guest
2:07
Are you at all surprised how well the Suns have come together with KD in the lineup? Would have expected it would takeĀ Ā a lot longer to get in sync. Defense will take longer.
Dana Gauruder
2:11
Not at all. He's a superstar player and it's not like he's unfamiliar with how Paul and Booker play. The broader picture is how they fit all the role players around the four core guys. That's Williams' biggest task. But as noted in previous chats, the big question is whether KD and Paul can stay healthy in the postseason. If that duo, plus Booker and Ayton, are healthy, Phoenix has as good a chance as anyone. Similar to how GS got healthy at right time last season. If any of those guys can't get through the postseason, the Suns' chances greatly diminish.
Walter
2:11
Can clippers avoid the play in? I have my doubts
Dana Gauruder
2:14
They certainly can avoid the play-in. They're right there with GS, Minnesota and Dallas. The Timberwolves don't scare anyone without Towns and the Doncic/Irving combo hasn't translated to success in the short run. I don't know how Ty will juggle all of those point guards but really, the Clippers should be a top six team with Kawhi and George in the lineup.
Luis
2:14
What do you think about the Celtics signing Stanley Johnson? Could he improve the roster? Would he make some difference? Thanks
Dana Gauruder
2:17
The question would be 'How much would he play? If the Celtics staff has completely soured on Hauser -- a much better perimeter shooter -- then maybe it would make sense. I think their bigger concern is getting R. Williams back for the playoffs.
Guest
2:17
The Western Conference is a maze. Who do you have as NOT making the play-offs/play-in?
Dana Gauruder
2:21
It is a maze, a muddle, whatever you want to call it. I still don't the Lakes make it without LeBron -- AD is just too brittle to carry them for long stretches. I also see the Jazz on the outside, if for no other reason than the front office would probably prefer to get a higher pick. The Pelicans' slide has been stunning but I still think they'll sneak in. The 10th spot is a tossup between Portland and OKC. I think Damian will win that team into the postseason.
Raptors
2:21
Do you think we make the play-offs? Directly or via play-in?
Dana Gauruder
2:24
They've got all their guys back, so really no excuse for the Raptors to miss the playoffs. They're going to have to pass the Nets, Heat and Hawks to stay out of the play in. My gut tells me Miami will get it -- that March 28 showdown between them could be pivotal.
Don
2:24
When I look at my Hawks, we have a lot of talent but are missing that veteran star that provide leadership. Do you foresee them using the depth at the 3-4 positions to bring in a player to provide that missing ingredient.
Dana Gauruder
2:26
There's nothing wrong with having a vocal veteran. Doesn't necessarily have to be a star player but someone that everyone respects. Part of the reason they brought in Snyder at this stage was to have him get a feel for the locker room and how the pieces fit together. I think there will be changes, especially if they check out of the postseason early.
Guest
2:26
consider how good OKCā€™s young core looks, with a fit Chet, possibly high pick in 23 and a good off season, how far do you think they could go next year? Are we looking at future contenders in a few years or no?
Dana Gauruder
2:29
OKC's future looks extremely bright. Hoarding all those draft picks is finally paying off. SGA has been outstanding this season and there's young talent across the board. They've got a solid chance to make the play-in this year and perhaps use that as a springboard for bigger and better things. Toss Holmgren into the mix, they should be serious contenders for years to come.
Jose
2:29
How far do the Nets go?
Dana Gauruder
2:31
They've been stripped of all of their star power, but they've got good players on both the first and second unit and Bridges is a really solid young player. I think they can emerge from the play0-in and perhaps even finish in top six but I don't see them beating Boston, MIlwaukee, Philly or Cleveland in the first round.
MoneyGreen23
2:32
How serious is Draymond's hand injury ?
Dana Gauruder
2:33
He's listed as probable to play tonight. So unless there's something that hasn't already shown up in the X-rays, he should be good to go.
Guest
2:34
Is the hype on Paolo overstated? Heā€™s having very very similar numbers this year to that of Edwards rookie year while onĀ Ā higher usage and lower efficiency, yet Ant was overshadowed by Lamelo. Where as Banchero is clear ROY by a long way, Is the hype based on the lack of other talent showing out from the 22 draft? It feels like the 21 draft talent was clearly deeper, where would you place Paolo in that class?
Dana Gauruder
2:38
Out of last year's lottery group, I think Mobley has been the best of the bunch. Cade had a really strong post-All-Star break last season but obviously this year has been a washout. Scottie B. hasn't had the sophomore season some expected but I think it'd be a tossup whether you'd rather have Paolo or him. Banchero's play this year has justified Orlando's faith in him on draft night. Remember, most people were surprised by that selection.
Jay
2:38
think Nets will sign Noel for rest of season?
Dana Gauruder
2:40
I don't think Noel agreed to a buyout just to sign a few 10-days. I would be somewhat surprised if they didn't retain him. Noel didn't play much in Detroit because they wanted to give minutes to younger players but I know Casey was pleased with Noel as a positive locker room influence.
Ju
2:40
first team to make a coaching in the offseason will be?
Dana Gauruder
2:42
Pistons and Rockets would be pretty high on the list. Casey's been there awhile and perhaps another voice is needed there. I'm not sure Houston is sold on Silas to get them to the next couple of steps. Certainly, I think Doc won't survive in Philly if they don't at least make the conference finals.
Mark
2:42
I am confident Kyrie will leave Dallas. Your thoughts? LAL or PHX will be where he lands
Dana Gauruder
2:44
Wow, you want to reunite him with KD? I don't think that's going to happen. The Lakers are a somewhat stronger possibility but I'm not sure they can free up enough money to give him the money he wants. But if he flames out in Dallas, he might have to settle for less than whatever the Nets were offering.
Guest
2:45
Not to sound hardhearted, but should there be a CBA limit on consecutive and total per season game absences for personal reasons? Most players don't abuse this, but we've had some notable players, like Wiggins, missing fairly extended stretches. If the players don't come out and say why they need to take time off, how does anyone know if missing several weeks of games was justified? I don't think it should abolished, but I think the way it's handled needs a little tightening up. Maybe let players take as much time off as they need, but reduce their pay for games missed by some amount? I doubt the players' union would support anything like this, of course.
Dana Gauruder
2:48
Yeah, I don't think that would fly with the players union, nor do I think it's a point of emphasis for owners. In the current climate, there's much more leniency for players to get time off for personal reasons, especially if mental health issues are cited. I think the general problem with players' inability to play through a full schedule without some sort of injury is a bigger issue. It wasn't uncommon for many players to get through 80 games 15-20 years ago, despite more back to backs. Now, you can probably count on 1 or 2 hands how many players won't miss a game this season.
Phil Lies
2:48
Do you see Philadelphia making a deep postseason run this year? With Harden looking like his MVP days and Embiid healthy this team could be peaking at the right time.
Dana Gauruder
2:50
Right now, things look good. It can change so fast. I still believe a Celtics-Bucks EC Finals is the most likely scenario. But the Sixers are playing at a high level and if their core guys can stay healthy, they're going to be a very tough out.
Phil Lies
2:51
How fun would it be for the Spurs to win the lottery and Pop ushering in the next era of playoff basketball via Victor?
Dana Gauruder
2:52
The Spurs, Rockets and Pistons pretty much have the bottom three spots locked up, but that only assures them a 14 percent of winning the VW sweepstakes. Certainly, it would be great for VW's development to the coached by a Hall of Famer but the Spurs will need a lot better pieces around him to be a solid playoff team.
Guest
2:53
Is Jalen Green being over looked? You yourself missed him out when mentioning 21 draft players when he had a solid rook year and is outperforming all from his draft and the current while agreeably on low efficiency. Considering heā€™s playing in what we can only call a structureless and be it coach less team, Iā€™d be higher on him than anyone out of 21.
Dana Gauruder
2:58
Green has put some solid stats and he's improved from his rookie campaign to this season. But it hasn't translated to winning, the back to back victories over SA notwithstanding. Is he a franchise player or just a really solid starter in the league long-term? I don't see him as a Morant/Luka type difference maker. In the context of the earlier question, I would think most GMs right now would rather have Paolo than Green.
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