JotCast | Hoops Rumors Live Chat 9/5/2023

Hoops Rumors Live Chat 9/5/2023

JOEL ANTHONY SUPERFAN

1:01

Mark Cuban recently said that the Mavs "didn't know their roles last year." Do you actually agree with this? They almost had the same record as 2022 before trading a bunch of key players for Kyrie. It seems like nothing went wrong until the Irving trade and now Mark is trying to defend how bad of fit Ky really is for Dallas. Thoughts?

Dana Gauruder

1:05

I really enjoyed watching that Mavs team that won the championship in 2011. Ever since, the Mavs have tried and failed to recreate the magic of that group. I didn't see that Cuban quote, though it wouldn't surprise me. The rotations there were often questionable, and that falls on Kidd and the coaching staff. It seems they were searching for answers and never found anything satisfactory. I have never been a Kyrie fan -- great player but way too much drams for my tastes -- and I've been skeptical since that trade about the blending of Luke and Kyrie. Not too mention it gutted their depth. Put it this way -- if Dallas makes a deep playoff run without making a major trade along the way, it will come as a complete surprise to me.

Noah

1:05

Do you view Team USA as having more of a “talent” problem or a “sitting out” problem

Dana Gauruder

1:09

I am guessing when you say "sitting out," you are referring to star players who declined to play in the World Cup. There's still plenty of talent on that roster. Edwards was a non-factor today and it didn't matter. Bridges and other players picked up the slack. But they are definitely vulnerable, as the previous game showed. Serbia did them a favor by knocking Lithuania out of the tournament. Not sure if they'll face another team with that kind of size but the lack of interior players is a concern. Jackson can't seem to stay out of foul trouble and the coaching staff seems reluctant to give Kessler -- the only true center on the roster -- anything but spotty minutes.

Who's Fabio

1:10

Which current MLB player do you think would be the best/most fun in the NBA? I would think someone young and athletic like Elly De La Cruz? Any thoughts?

Dana Gauruder

1:13

Kind of a reverse Michael Jordan cycle -- giving up baseball for basketball? De La Cruz is a pretty good pick there. Guys like Acuna, J-Rod and Soto come to mind. Probably quite a few of those guys could be NBA level players if they dedicated themselves to basketball.

Dub W

1:13

Good Afternoon. Who blinks first, Heat or Blazers?

Dana Gauruder

1:15

There will be more pressure on the Blazers to do something as camp approaches/begins. Do you really want your longtime franchise player come to camp under those circumstances? Unless Lillard backs out and rescinds his demand, it will be an uncomfortable situation for everyone in Portland if a trade isn't made by then.

Hornets

1:15

Are we trading Haywood being we seem to be wing abundant?

Dana Gauruder

1:17

Well, the salaries would have to match up to make it happen and Hayward is making $31.5 mill. That expiring contract might have more value to teams when the trade deadline approaches. However, the Hornets don't have to do anything. Might be in their best interests to get that contract off their books and have more wiggle room to make moves next offseason.

Edward w

1:17

Do you think the kings can be a title contender this upcoming season. Or do you think they were a one year wonder since they surprise everyone last season.

Dana Gauruder

1:21

Natural for any long suffering Kings fan to wonder if last season was a mirage. I think they're legit. Fox and Sabonis are two of the best players at their positions. Murray had a solid rookie year and Barnes provided all-around contributions and a veteran presence. They've got plenty of shooters and I'm eager to see how Vezenkov adjusts to the NBA. There's always the possibility that Sabonis or Fox misses significant time and that shortcircuits the season. Otherwise, the Kings should make the playoffs again with real hope of getting deeper into the postseason.

BadnewsBarnes

1:21

What is the realistic outcome to the Harden/ Morey feud.

Dana Gauruder

1:23

The Sixers finally find a way to move Harden without getting totally fleeced. Other than that, kind of hard to imagine everything getting patched up and Harden playing well and happily for Philly. After calling the president of basketball ops, one of your long-term supporters, a liar in a public venue, hard to see Harden coming to camp and being a positive influence.

Dubs fan

1:24

So, when Kevon Looney gets Injured, who is going to guard AD, Jokic, Ayton, etc ? Draymond is not the same and has his own Health issues. IMO, the Warriors got Older, Smaller, and less Athletic, swapping out Poole for CPS. Not seeing this team getting out of the 1st Round of the Playoffs and forget about matching up with the Nuggets and Lakers.

Dana Gauruder

1:27

Well, the Warriors could always make a trade before the playoffs to address the center spot. Yes, kind of hard to see how they could survive in the playoffs without major contributions from Looney. That's why it made sense they invested the second pick of a draft on a center. Unfortunately, it didn't work out and now the depth in the middle isn't there.

Guest

1:27

At this point is James Wiseman considered a bust or just a guy that was a bad fit/bad timing for his first two teams?

Dana Gauruder

1:29

Going along with the same team, I don't think Wiseman will ever live up to his draft status. That being said, I thought he looked pretty good in a less pressurized situation in Detroit. I think the Pistons are committed to giving Duren every opportunity to be their long-term center -- and he had a solid rookie year. But Wiseman could be an excellent second unit player for them. Got to remember, he's just 22. Not at the point of thinking he'll be a complete bust.

EonADS

1:30

Thanks for hosting these chats even when the offseason is dull and nothing is happening. Should the Knicks try and add a third star to their roster, or should they hold where they are and a make a move at the TD?

Dana Gauruder

1:34

Thanks -- our website is in operation every day, so we try to keep the discussions going. There are plenty of people out there who can't get enough of the NBA. As far as the Knicks, they don't have to do anything in the short term unless they get off to a really slow start. With Barrett, Quickley, Hart, DiVincenzo, Grimes, Robinson, etc. they have a pretty solid supporting cast. And with the draft capital they possess, they're in position to get another star player if the right opportunity arises.

1:34

So now that the US has beaten Italy, is all right with the world now or is there still going to be some concern for the US winning this whole thing?

Dana Gauruder

1:36

As indicated earlier, their lack of frontcourt depth could catch up to them. And if they face Canada, for example, and they really that much better than a roster loaded with NBA players, including SGA? Team USA is still the favorite but no sure thing.

1:38

Not to place blame or anything but based on the game so far if you had to pick someone who is definitively not going to get an invite for the Paris team next year who would it be? My pic would be Brandon Ingram just because of the potential Wing Overkill next year I E Jason Tatum Jaylen Brown and plus since he's not scoring he has not found a way to do other stuff

Dana Gauruder

1:39

There could be numerous changes and Ingram would be one of the players fully capable of losing his spot. Johnson, Portis and Kessler would also be in that category. I think they'll have to address the size issue and yes, if some of these star players like Tatum want to go, how do you turn them down?

Chris D

1:40

Before joining Team USA as a coach I read that Jeff Van Gundy wanted to coach in the NBA this year. I saw an early report that the Wizards were interested and I believe they have not filled all their coaching positions. Do you have a notion of where he might end up and whether he would make sense on the Wizards with Wes Unseld, Jr?

Dana Gauruder

1:42

There was some buzz earlier in the summer about JVG potentially joining the Wizards' staff. The fact it hasn't already happened makes me skeptical he will accept a assistant's job at this point. I believe he's serving as the scouting director for Team USA for the time being. Not sure what's next for him -- perhaps he eventually winds up on TNT?

Dunston Checked Out my Girlfriend!

1:43

Why don't fans get more worked up about players playing in FIBA competition where they're just as likely to get hurt and the games are arguably as meaningless (perhaps even more so as they don't count towards regular season win total) as the upcoming in-season tournament? Are people that afraid of change, or is there legitimate concern? If I were a Wolves fan and Anthony Edwards got hurt idk how much I'd care whether team USA won or lost, for example.

Dana Gauruder

1:46

There is a measure of prestige to put on a national jersey. A lot of Canada's players were crying tears of joy after their team qualified for the Olympics. Yes, you hope these guys don't suffer a career threatening injury but you could just as easily blow out your knee playing in an offseason scrimmage. The experience of playing in the World Cup and Olympics far outweighs injury concerns, in the minds of many players.

EonADS

1:47

The answer to the MLB question is without question Shohei. Second place probably goes to Elly, third to Julio Rodriguez.

Dana Gauruder

1:48

Shohei is an amazing specimen -- just stinks his arm hasn't held up to the stress. I love watching him play -- hope he can eventually pitch again, too.

Kings big man collection

1:48

Javale McGee added to Neemia Queta, Nerlens Noel, Alex Len, and Skal Labisserie. Who is the odd man out? Nerlens?

Dana Gauruder

1:51

Labissiere, from all indications, is ticketed to the G League. Len and McGee have guaranteed deals, albeit veteran's minimum's. That gives them the inside track on backing up Sabonis. I think Noel is a longshot to make the team and Queta's status is shaky as well. I don't think McGee would have gone there unless he was fairly certain he'd by on the opening night roster.

Mack E. Vallean

1:52

Would you recommend, in order to foster better communication and familiarity and to develop chemistry, that Ime Oduka rearrange the locker room in order for Fred Van Vleet's locker to be in near proximity to Jalen Green's and Jabari Smith? Also, to see how Kevin Porter Jr. would react prior to opening night when he is guaranteed $3 million of his $15.9 million for the 2024/2025 season.

Dana Gauruder

1:56

Van Vleet was signed to that giant deal in part because they viewed him as an ideal leader for a young team. I don't think it matters where his locker is -- you are only a few steps away from everyone in a locker room. I'm sure he'll be dispensing advice at practice, on the bench, etc. Those contract guarantees for Porter give him plenty of incentive to play hard and be at his best behavior. It's an unusually structured deal, for sure.

Bol Bol

1:57

Which Phoenix Sun player is most likely not to pick up their player option for 2024/2025: Eric Gordon, Josh Okogie, Damion Lee, Keita Bates-Diop, Drew Eubanks, or Yuta Watanabe?

Dana Gauruder

1:58

Can you predict what their stats will look like after the regular season? That's a tough one -- given how Okogie was a regular presence in the rotation last season, I think he's the favorite among that group to test free agency next summer.

lenny

1:58

I love Reaves but wonder if the recent hype- eg future All-Star etc. is going too far-your thoughts? thanks

Dana Gauruder

2:00

When you're a member of the Lakers, you are going to be in the spotlight. His rep has grown so quickly, I can understand where you're coming from. Well, he's certainly going to be on a lot of scouting reports and draw more attention from opposing defenses. I think he'll handle it well enough but there are plenty of quality guards out there -- it isn't to make the All-Star team. But playing with AD and LeBron certainly enhances his chances.

2:01

Thanks for all your questions during a quiet period on the NBA calendar. If I didn't get to yours today, we'll have another live chat with Luke Adams on Thursday.

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