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Hoops Rumors Live Chat 9/19/2023
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KJ
1:00
If you are the Celtics coach,  what would be your starting five and why?
Dana Gauruder
1:03
Obviously, Tatum, Brown and Porzingis would be in it. You've got your two stars there, and you didn't trade for KP to bring him off the bench. Derrick White would start at the point. Williams would be my fifth starter -- obviously he's had health issues, but I'd want to establish a defensive tone early.
Avi Jacob
1:04
I can't for the life of me understand the way the media, your site included, is covering the Lillard trade demand to the Heat. He is a top 10 player in this league, and a top-3 clutch player. It would be egregious for them to accept anything less than for the Heat to absolutely strip every asset , of which they barely have any. If I was Cronin, I'd wait for other teams with young players like Mikal Bridges etc to get desperate, because Lillard on the Celtics for instance, brings a no doubt title.
Dana Gauruder
1:08
You obviously hold Lillard in very high regard. He's had an All-Star career and is highly respected but he's got an enormous contract and has had some health issues in recent seasons. Lillard would probably tell you himself he doesn't want to go any place where the team would have to give up too many assets. Portland hasn't gotten over the hump with him in part because there's not enough talent/experience around him. Miami is a logical choice because even after the trade, he'd be playing with Butler and Bam. Portland will certainly get a very good package for Damian but that contract would give any contender some pause.
KJ
1:09
With Kelly and Wood finally signing deals, and the delay was probably due to waiting for the James and or Dame trade to go through, who do you think should have held out s little more.?  I'm thinking Kelly should have waited because I feel Lillard is more unlikely to get treated and in order to get him Miami is going to give up a lot of two and three depth
Dana Gauruder
1:13
First of all, I'd say they (and their reps) overestimated the market. I got the sense both just wanted to get it over with before camp. Plus, contenders just don't have any free agent money to spend. Pretty much the whole league is over the cap at this point. They both landed in good places, too. Wood should be able to thrive with the Lakers, though he'll probably have to accept fewer minutes than he's received the last few seasons. Oubre should get plenty of playing time, at least in the short run, with Philly. One of the Philly writers made an interesting observation yesterday -- he said the debate regarding analytics is over. Analytics has become king. Wood and Oubre, on bare stats, would have gotten much better offers 5, 10, 20 years ago. But since they don't grade out well in advanced analytics, the offers aren't there.
KJ
1:14
Hate to ask this.  But based on the new  sitting rule. Which team is getting fined first?  My money is on the Clippers
Dana Gauruder
1:16
Have they posted Vegas odds on this? I'd guess the Clippers would be one of the favorites, though Ty has said they want to take the regular season more seriously. I think the Warriors would be higher on the list and probably the Lakers, too. Plus, I'm sure Milwaukee will take it easy with its Big 3 at times.
Kim
1:17
I’m curious about Kwai Leonard. He had minor surgery this off season. Hasn’t been able to play over 65 games since.. what do you think the Clippers do if he continues to not be available? I know they haven’t signed an extension yet, but is he really worth it?  As a fan I’m very frustrated because he is such a great player when on the  floor. Thanks.
Dana Gauruder
1:20
I guess this fits right in with the player participation rules. They were basically invented for him when they won the championship. The good thing is Kawhi is expected to be fully healthy at the start of camp. From there, who knows? He's had so many issues. As for his contract, he's got a $48,787,676 option for 2024-25. So, it's not the franchise's call. Whether they want to pursue an extension beyond that is probably predicated on whether he can stay on the court more often this season. This is a pivotal season for the franchise, as they've built their team around two All-Stars who have had major health issues.
VIVA LA SONICS
1:20
I dont think people realize how bad things could get for Boston if KP is injured and no one replaces Marcus Smart's defense. Do you agree?
Dana Gauruder
1:24
That's the chance you take when you make these types of moves. The front office deemed that their lack of interior power/scoring -- in part due to Williams' health issues -- had to be addressed. They are banking on White, Brogdon and Pritchard to hold down the fort in the backcourt. I'm sure a lot of fans would have been disappointed if the team didn't do anything significant this offseason. Either it's a title making move or it blows up in their faces.
KJ
1:25
If Lebron does in fact opt out to play with his son, forecast where is playing next year.  I got Bronny low 20s so that means a contender team like Philly or Miluakee.
Dana Gauruder
1:29
First of all, let's see if the heart issue isn't a problem going forward and he can show his talents on the court this upcoming college season. Beyond that, I'm sure there would be some behind the scenes moves by his reps to steer him toward a certain team. It's certainly not out of the question that the Lakers would make a trade to get into the lower half of the first round -- if that's where he's still projected to go at that point -- and LeBron doesn't go anywhere. If not, why not Cleveland? Let his whole career come full circle.
Edward w
1:29
Which team or teams that made the playoffs last season could have trouble getting back to the playoffs this upcoming season.
Dana Gauruder
1:34
I guess you'd have to specify whether being in the play-in tournament counts as being in the playoffs. In the East, among the teams that finished in the top 6, I'd say Philly is most vulnerable due to Harden's status and the need for Embiid to stay healthy. Among those from the play-in tourney, all but the Heat are vulnerable. In the West, among the top 6 from last season the Clippers are vulnerable for the reasons stated above. The Timberwolves could be passed by the Jazz or Mavs if KAT misses a significant chunk of time again.
Robert s
1:34
Are the Clips just posturing and trying to get harden on the cheap? Or do they not really interested?
Dana Gauruder
1:36
I think they have mild interest at best. The fact that they had talks with the Sixers at all suggests they'd take a shot, but only if he didn't demand an extension. So yes, they're just hoping the Sixers want to excise the problem and move on from Harden, even if they have to accept a lesser package than expected.
Jayson Tatum
1:37
All-NBA selections come with significant financial ramifications. If a player is close to meeting the minimum amount of games played to qualify, two different scenarios can come into play. One is where the player wants to play (even with a slight injury) in order to potentially earn the financial rewards and the second, where the team wanting to potentially save significant money by resting the player at the end of the season (potentially utilizing false claims of injury, rest before the playoffs, etc.) Do you believe the NBA will continue to base financial windfalls on All-NBA selections or will this new mandate of 65 games potentially cause the NBA to revise how supermax contracts are calculated in the next CBA?
Dana Gauruder
1:40
Well, you are talking about star players, so it's in the franchise's best interest not to alienate them. I don't think they'd intentionally hold them out as the season winds down and cost them money down the road. Star players missing games has become a major issue for the owners and fans and this was the best solution they could come up with/negotiate. It remains to be seen how it works. If it becomes a point of contention, then the NBPA will want alterations in the next CBA.
Nerlens Noel
1:40
Will the Portland Trailblazers find a suitable backup Center for Jusuf Nurkic?  Or when Nurkic misses 25 - 30 games, Jerami Grant will play Center and Chauncey Billups goes with four guards (similar to what the Pacers did last season)?
Dana Gauruder
1:44
Maybe they'll get another big man as part of a Lillard deal with the Heat? You are correct, right now they've basically got undrafted rookies behind Nurkic. There are still vets like Biyombo and Noel out there (Kings just cut him loose) to provide depth. I have to believe they'll address that before opening night. I wouldn't count on Jerami playing many minutes in the middle.
Dub W
1:44
Good Afternoon. If you had to pick the one head coach to win the final game of seven, who would it be?
Dana Gauruder
1:46
Tough one. Assuming you are talking about current head coaches, I'd probably have to go with Pops on that one. Hard to choose against a Hall of Famer. I wouldn't mind having Carlisle or Spoelstra on my side, either.
dumarangao
1:46
Do you think naz Reid can be a starter ? I think Minnesota will need to trade him at the deadline, maybe Dallas could be interested?
Dana Gauruder
1:49
Sure he can be a starter. Depends upon the team he's on. I don't think they re-signed him just to deal him. He's a major part of their second unit and a guy who can jump into the lineup if either Rudy or KAT are out. He'd be a pretty good fit for the Mavs but what would the T-Wolves get in return?
Randy
1:50
It feels like the Hawks are done with any moves before training camp starts
Dana Gauruder
1:51
Perhaps, but it doesn't exclude the possibility of making a big trade in-season. They can roll with what they have and still be a playoff team. Not sure if that roster is good enough to be a serious contender but if you drop in a power forward like Siakam midway through the season, that would change the perception.
Rick Barry
1:52
During the 2022/2023 season, the average FT% was 78.2%, the highest in NBA history.  In addition, FT attempts were 23.5 per game, the highest since the 2013/2014 season (23.6).  Are there any significant or insignificant rules changes that you would like to see instituted and/or removed?
Dana Gauruder
1:55
Not sure of the correlation between free throw shooting and rules changes. More of a function of scoring going up in general in recent years. I'm old school, I didn't mind the bumping and physical play that has been weeded out. I'd also like to see fewer 3-point attempts. Too many contests are simply who can make the most 3s. Perhaps count all baskets as 2 pointers until the last few minutes of a quarter? Or limit the amount of 3s you can take per game? That would force most post play and get the midrange jumper back in vogue.
Mark
1:56
I am not buying Gianni’s statements that if he can’t want in Milwaukee he’s going to decide to leave and not to sign an extension. Also apparently he won’t sign until Jrue is signed. What is your take on all of this noise? I’m getting very nervous out window is closing.
Dana Gauruder
1:59
You are going to continually hear a lot of noise, as Giannis has no financial incentive to sign an extension until next offseason. I can understand he wants to feel like he's a got a championship-caliber roster around him. At the same time, the Bucks have done pretty much all they can, given their cap restraints. Would he have been happy if they didn't re-sign Brook and give Middleton an extension? So, the Bucks are in a tricky spot. Hopefully for Bucks fans' sake, they have a nice playoff run this season.
KVS
2:00
Do you believe that Ben Simmons returns to any semblance of his former self this season?
Dana Gauruder
2:00
Doubt it. I just don't think his skills and strengths will shine through unless he becomes a willing and capable shooter.
2:01
That's all the time we have for today. If I didn't get to your question, Luke Adams will hold a chat on Thursday.
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