Hey everyone. Thanks for coming to the chat today in the middle of a busy holiday season. Things are unusually quiet given the ability teams have to make trades. We'll talk some NBA first then switch over to the draft in the last quarter. So send in both questions. Let's roll.




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B (Maryland): Did we get cheated by Kobe sitting out the 4th (or being taken out)? I don't like Kobe at all - I respect his talent however. We hardly see great performances anymore. I'd have liked to seen him push for at least 70. He was only 8 away!

Chad Ford: Yes and yes. If you're a Laker fan you got cheated because every fan loves to see their star player play a game like that. Did you see how pumped up Kobe and the Laker fans were? And if you're a Kobe hater, you were also cheated. Because I can promise you had Kobe went back out in the 4th, a multitude of fans and journalists would have trashed him ... called him selfish ... talked about his huge ego. As it stands ... Kobe is the big winner. We all assume he would've scored 80 so he gets credit for it without actually doing it and even Kobe haters have to begrudgingly say that Kobe showed some class on Tuesday night.


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Reggie (Orlando): What is going to happen to Ron Artest?

Chad Ford: Every team in the league is asking the same question. I think most trade talk is held up until it's resolved. It sounds like the Pacers have narrowed their options, but are still taking their time. With Ronnie on the IL ... they don't feel as rushed. Knowing Donnie Walsh, I'm sure he's looking under every rock. Whatever the Pacers get won't be a great deal, but it will probably be the most any team could have salvaged from him.


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Justin (Denver): How close are the Nuggets to getting Artest? Would you view this as a significant upgrade for their squad?

Chad Ford: Kiki wants him but he's got to produce something that the Pacers or a third team wants in return. From what I keep hearing, it's questionable whether he's got enough to do that. We keep hearing about Nene and Earl Watson ... but given Nene's health and Watson's bloated contract I'm not sure that's going to get a deal done.


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Joey, Connersville, IN: Other than the team chemistry thing, why would the Kings not pull the trigger on the Artest for Peja deal?

Chad Ford: I think you answered your own question ... the chemistry thing scares off more teams than Artest's temper, etc. Other GMs see how his teammates in Indiana have reacted to Ronnie and it scares them.


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James (NYC): Artest to the Bulls seems like the best fit for both teams. Tenacious perimeter defender for a small guard team, that can trade the Pacers cap relief (T. Thomas) and one of two draft picks. Thoughts?

Chad Ford: I think he would be a perfect fit, talent wise, in Chicago. But Paxson knows enough about Artest to shy away from such a deal. Besides ... it would probably cost them Luol Deng. That's a high price to pay for Ronnie.


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Josh (mlps): The Minny media keeps talking about Artest for Kandi and mccants. Expiring contract and a young scorer, sounds like a good deal for both sides.

Chad Ford: I don't see it. McCants is talented, but he had his own share of personal issues at UNC which hurt his draft stock a little. Combine that with some nagging health issues and that's a bad deal for Indy. I think they like McCant's talent, but probably shy away from the baggage.


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David, IN: OK ... you keep shooting down every Artest scenario. If you're Donnie Walsh, what would you do?

Chad Ford: I don't know exactly what he has on the table ... so this is just speculation. But here are three deals I think are plausible that I'd do if I were Indiana:

1. Artest to Golden State for some combo of Mickael Pietrus and either Ike Diogu or Andris Biedrins. Indiana gets a couple of nice young players, doesn't take back contracts and the Warriors get a guy who could put them over the top.

2. Artest to Golden State, Mike Dunleavy to the Clippers and Corey Maggette to the Pacers. This is more complicated by the fact that Dunleavy is a poison pill player meaning a number of other players would have to be included to get the money to work. However, I read in Sheridan's blog that the Clippers wouldn't swap Maggette for Artest. But if Dunleavy were in the mix, I think that would change.

3. Artest to Minnesota, Wally Szczerbiak to Cleveland and Luke Jackson and Drew Gooden to Indiana. Minneosta wants him, the Cavs could use the shooting and the Pacers have always like Jackson and could use Gooden as a nice trade asset.


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Blake (Nova Scotia): Hi Chad. There's a rumour of Jalen Rose (and a draft pick) going to the Knicks for Hardaway. Why in the world would Isiah take on Jalen Rose? And, what kind of pick(s) should NY receive in return?

Chad Ford: The Knicks are a disaster. That trade would just make things work. Hardaway is one of the few assets the Knicks have left. Rose isn't going to help them and he won't get along with Brown. The only way the Knicks get something done that's a good deal is if they through Channing Frye into the mix. His value is overinflated right now and a team might be willing to give up a really good player if they could get Frye and Hardaway's expiring contract back. As much as like Frye ... does anyone really believe the Knicks can build around him. He's good, but not that good. Normally I'm all for building through the draft. But when the Knicks traded away their picks to the Bulls for Eddy Curry ... that plan went out the window.


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Majeed (San Diego, CA): Speaking of Isiah, how much longer till he gets fired? He's made some of the worst trades and/or free agent signings in NBA history!!!

Chad Ford: But he does draft well ... which makes his decision to offer two unprotected first rounders to Chicago even more troubling.


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Rob (Dayton, OH): I know it's still early to be talking about this, but do the Pistons have a legit chance of breaking the record for wins in a season?

Chad Ford: I'm not sure about 73 wins ... but I think 70 is a real possibility. The Pistons only weakness is depth. If one of their starting five is injured, the dream is over. But just to put those 96 Bulls in perspective, my editior, Royce Webb reminded me earlier in the week when I was making this projection on the phone that the Bulls started the season 41-3. Wow. The Pistons are going to have a 25 game win streak to accomplish that.


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Gus(Chicago,IL): Chad, Do you think John Paxson will keep his draft pick from the Knicks or should he trade it? Do you think it will be a top three pick or will the Knicks improve this year? Thanks.

Chad Ford: The Bulls have max cap space this summer, but the free agent market is pretty weak. Unless Stojakovic or Al Harrington are the targets, they might be better off trying to package one of those draft picks and a few of those expiring contracts for a player they really want now. As John Hollinger pointed out so well several weeks ago, teams have to overpay on the free agent market. The deals rarely make sense financially and there's always the risk that the guy you wants doesn't want you. With trades, you get exactly who you want. The Bulls don't need more young players. They just need a veteran low post scorer and a physical perimeter threat and they'll be set. Hinrich, Deng, Gordon and Chandler are a great young base. I just think they need to fill in the holes. If I'm Paxson, I try to do that now.


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Peter (NYC): The newest SI quotes an NBA scout who says he doesn't see any future All-Stars in the upcoming draft. Do you agree?

Chad Ford: Scouts say that every year. EVERY year. I think that's ridiculous. By June they'll be in love with a bunch of these guys. I think LaMarcus Aldridge, Rudy Gay, Rajon Rondo, Adam Morrison, Andrea Bargnani, Ronnie Brewer and Al Horford all have the potential to be great players and potential All-Stars. The chances are that all of them won't be, but the odds say at least one or two of them will be.


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tom (nyc): a better draft prospect, Foye or Allen?

Chad Ford: Randy Foye. I think he's a potential first rounder. I think Allen Ray, at this point, is a second rounder.


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Jeff (Iowa): What did you mean about Dunleavy being a poison pill?

Chad Ford: Sorry. It's a technical term (nothing personal Mike) referring to his contract. Because he signed an extension this fall, his contract becomes very hard to trade. The Warriors can only take back in a trade what he's making this season ($4.5 million). However his contract counts for the average of this year and every year of his extension for the team that takes his contract .. so that number is $8 million. Since trades have to be within 25 percent and 100,000 of each other, more players have to be included in the trade to make it work under salary cap rules. Thus the contract is called a poison pill contract.


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Tino New York: Is Rajon Rondo a true pass first point gaurd?

Chad Ford: He's a hybrid. He does show good leadership, but he can also score when he needs to. He's also an excellent defender and rebounder. His only real weakness is that jump shot. It's improving, but not where it needs to be yet. He's been the top ranked point guard on our board all year and I expect him to stay there.

Chad Ford: I've got to run early this week folks. Pistons point guard Carlos Arroyo is scheduled to chat now. Merry Christmas and Happy Hanukkah to everyone.