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djsunyc
Posts: 44929
Alba Posts: 42
Joined: 1/16/2004
Member: #536
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Chad Ford: Hey everyone. Lots to talk about today ... Larry Brown, Flip Saunders, free agency, summer league. Let's roll
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David (Michigan): Chad, I just watched Flip Saunders' press conference with the Pistons, and I was impressed. He seems like a nice guy. With that said, will he get the Pistons to where they were with Larry Brown, or will he just be another Rick Carlisle (Getting to the playoffs, but not moving on)?
Chad Ford: Flip is a nice guy and believe it or not, that was a factor in his hiring. After Larry Brown's diva act and some communication problems with Rick Carlisle I think Joe D wanted a guy who wouldn't create headaches. Flip can also coach and I think he'll be a good fit in Detroit. Dumars is right. This is already a motivated, veterans Pistons squad. They don't need to be over coached.
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Sam(Det): So, now that Darko has Flip Saunders, does he blossom and start showing some potential, or do the Pistons trade him and get some immediate help?
Chad Ford: I don't think they're trading him. But the won't coddle him either. They've made it clear to Darko that with LB gone, it's up to him to earn his place in the rotation. He won't be handed anything just because he was wronged in the past. They understand that Larry was too hard on him, but don't want him to feel entitled with this move either. If Darko steps up mentally, I think you'll start to see why the Pistons drafted him. If he continues to pout, I doubt he'll be a Piston by the end of the season.
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Don (New York): How long do you think it will take for Larry Brown to sign up for the Knicks job? Once he does, do you see the Knicks trying to move Marbury to appease Larry? Do you see any other personnel moves on the Knicks before the start of the season?
Chad Ford: Not long. I think he'll be with the Knicks in one capacity (head coach) or another (consultant) within the next few weeks. Then again, predicting what Larry Brown will do has become a dangerous thing. No one knows but Larry and he changes his mind every 30 minutes. If he takes over, I don't think they'll keep Marbury. Larry reportedly tried to have him kicked off the Olympic team. I think there would be some major changes to the roster. The good news for Knicks fans is that I'm told LB loves Nate Robinson.
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Chad (Detroit Rock City): Chaddy Boy!! Would Trader Joe trade Rasheed to relieve some of the headaches for Flip and make some way for Darko and/or Jason Maxiell?
Chad Ford: Interesting. You never know. Larry and Isiah both love Sheed. Who knows if Flip really wants to deal with him. If they traded him for Tim Thomas (who is in the last year of his contract) the Pistons would be in great cap shape next summer -- but they'd also struggle a little more while Darko and Maxiell got their legs under them.
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Derick: Buras, LA: What are the latest trade rumors regarding the Hornets Jamal Magloire or any other Hornets related rumors of trades or free agency?
Chad Ford: I'm told the Hornets are still shopping Magloire hard and it's likely he'll be moved this summer. If that happens, I expect the Hornets will make a play for Tyson Chandler or Samuel Dalembert in free agency.
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Vic, Philadelphia: Chad, please tell me Sam Dalembert is staying with the Sixers...
Chad Ford: The Sixers have made an offer. Dalembert wants more. He's visiting Atlanta next Monday. Sixers GM Billy King is adament that they'll match any offer. However, if the Sixers are unwilling to pay Dalembert's asking price (which is less than the max) why does it follow that they'd pay him even more money if the Hawks offered it to him. We'll find out soon enough. I think the Hawks will offer him a max type deal if their visit goes well on Monday. If Billy Knight lands both Joe Johnson and Samuel Dalembert in free agency, I'll take back most of the bad things I've said about the Hawks this summer.
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Joel (Kingston, Jamaica): What do you think of the Cavs' offseason moves so far (Z, Hughes, Marshall, maybe Jasikevicius)? Do you see them as a 4-seed in the East?
Chad Ford: I'm not sure. I don't think they hit the homerun they were hoping to this summer. But it's not bad either. Hughes is coming off an all-star season, is very versatile and plays defense. Marshall gives them a nice veteran three point shooter. I don't agree with the decision to throw that much cash at Z, but I understand why they did it. I love Jaskivevicius but I think he'd be better coming off the bench -- especially his first year in the league. The Cavs need a starting point guard and I think a guy like Marko Jaric would be a better fit. I don't think they're done, so I'll continue to reserved judgement. From what I hear, Drew Gooden is on the block. If they can make a decent trade to get a starting point or a more rugged rebounder, they'll be in good shape. I don't see them as a top 4 team in the East. But I definitely think they'll be a playoff team.
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Tyler (IN): Whats the word on Saras Jasikevicius? Pacers, Cavs , Jazz or not the NBA?
Chad Ford: I think those are the three teams he's narrowed it down to. Personally, I think the Pacers are the best fit for him. He'd be on a team that plays at a very high level, Larry Bird loves him, and the team would give him a significant role coming off the bench. They need to replace Reggie Miller's clutch play and Jasikevicius has the ability to do that. I just think that his probability of success in the NBA is lower with the Cavs or Jazz.
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joe (nj): With Jason Kidd, Vince Carter, Richard Jefferson, Shareef Abdur- Rahim, and a blossiming center in Nenad Kristic do the Nets have a chance of bring the first championship to New Jersey?
Chad Ford: Yes. I'm really impressed with how Rod Thorn has remade this team. I think their starting five will be one of the two or three best in the league and they'll likely add some depth with guys like Keyon Dooling. Add in rookie Antoine Wright, who I'm high on, and I think the Nets will be right there with the Pistons, Pacers and Heat next season. They're having a great summer.
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Chip (MO): Kwame to LA: Good move/Bad move? Does he start? What kind of #'s will he produce?
Chad Ford: I think it was low risk/high reward move. I think Kwame still has upside and needed a change of scenery and the Lakers, wisely, only gave him a two year deal to prove himself. I think he'll play some center and some power forward. I wouldn't expect huge numbers with Kobe and Lamar Odom taking the majority of the shots, but it's reasonable for Kwame to averaging 12-14 ppg and 6-8 rpg in LA if he gets 30 minutes a night.
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Irie-Orange, Ca: The Lakers need a PG? Can they get one?
Chad Ford: Phil Jackson like big point guards and there aren't many left on the market. The made a big run at Antonio Daniels but lost him to Washington. They like Marko Jaric, but it's doubtful that the Clippers would agree to a sign-and-trade with the cross-town rivals. A Gary Payton return isn't out of the question.
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Philbo (The District of Columbia): Have the Wizards effectively covered for the loss of Hughes with Butler and Daniels? Who is left that could help at PF?
Chad Ford: I think so. I think Daniels is a good fit in the backcourt with Gilbert Arenas. Both players can play two positions and Daniels is an excellent defender. I think 5 years was a little much, given his age, however. Butler is a big upgrade at the three and I think Antawn Jamison will be just fine moving to the four.
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J.R. Altenglan Germany: What does Swift do for the Rockets? Bring false hope, or fill the need?
Chad Ford: Some of both. I love Swift's tools. He's long, athletic, runs the floor as well as any big man in the league and he's a shot blocker. The Rockets need all of that. But he doesn't always player hard, lacks motivation and is inconsistent. In other words, he isn't the answer to all their problems, but even a half-hearted Swift is an upgrade at the four for them.
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Calvin (Memphis, TN): Chad, what exactly are the Bucks thinking with the signing of Bobby Simmons? The guy wanted a starting gig and Mil. already has 2 quality G/F's locked up (Redd and Des Mason). Wouldn't they have been smarter to go after a low post scorer like Shareef Abdur Rahim or even Stro Swift?
Chad Ford: They tried. Abdur Rahim turned down a 5 year, $47 million offer to play there. By signing Simmons, the team now has the flexibility to move Desmond Mason if the right deal comes along. One possibility might be Denver. George Karl loves Mason and might be willing to swap Nene to get him. Nene would be a perfect fit in Milwaukee. The only problem for Denver (and it's a big one) is that the Nuggets wouldn't have back-up for Marcus Camby. I think they'd have to find a viable back-up first before they could make a trade like that.
Chad Ford: I've got to run everyone. Thanks for all the questions. We'll do it again next week.
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7/21/2005 4:12 PM