Chat with Chad Ford
Isiah, NY: Looks like you got your stupid all Pistons all-star team wish (almost). Word is that 4 Pistons starters are in the All-Star game. If I'm Gilbert Arenas, I'm going to hunt you down and punch you in the face.
Chad Ford: I wrote on Monday that all five Pistons starters should be selected to the All-Star game. Their two losses this week haven't changed my mind. It looks like four of them (Chauncey Billups, Richard Hamilton and Ben and Rasheed Wallace) have made the cut according to various newspaper reports out there. I think that's great. But what about Tayshaun? He's not the offensive force of most of the players you think about for All-Stars, but defensively, I think he's the key to the Pistons perimeter defense and an underrated player for them. As for Arenas, he didn't make the team because his team isn't any good. Of cours his team is better than Paul Pierce's ... however, point guards often get the blame for things like that.
Chad Ford: Can't wait to see Flip Saunders sub in all four Pistons at the same time and then have him start running some offensive sets and implement some defensive schemes from the team. Should be enjoyable to see how the Western stars fare.
Chad , Hertel,WI: I read a report this morning that Carmelo got snubbed out of the all-star game. I didn't see who beat him out but, if Pau Gasol or Kevin Garnett beat him out that is an outrage. Gasol is good but not an all-star and KG if he made it is due to his career not this season.The all-stars should be chosen on the year they are having not what you did in years past. What is your thought? Please give me an explanation on why Melo got snubbed.This will be twice, last year he was snubbed but that was a little easier to swallow based on the year he is having.
Chad Ford: Melo is the big snub in the West if reports are true that he didn't make it. KG is a better player any day of the week so that doesn't bother me. The Gasol thing is closer. I really think it's a wash. Memphis is a little better team and hasn't had an All-Star in forever. But I don't think it's an outrage.
Cal (Columbus): As can be seen by James playing the point last night against the T-Wolve, the Cavs need a pg bad. Any chance we can trade Gooden for a decent point guard?
Chad Ford: A number of GMs that I've talked to said they are exploring it. I don't think they're in love with Drew Gooden and feel they'll probably not match when he hits restricted free agency in the summer. There is still significant interest in Gooden throughout the league. The problem is that they're trying to package him with Damon Jones or Eric Snow and no one wants either of those contracts. The question I have for the Cavs is how will the replace Gooden. They may not like him, but he's contributing. If they make the wrong move, they risk slipping out of the playoffs ... The Knicks would like Snow and Gooden, but I think the Cavs are looking for more than an expiring contract and no, Jerome James won't do.
John Los Angeles: Chad,please tell me the Lakers are going to do something before or after the trading deadline?
Chad Ford: They have a couple of expiring contracts totaling about 8 million ... but not much else of value right now to offer unless they believe that Brian Cook's latest flourish is for real and Lamar Odom is now available. I think Odom is a great fit for Jackson, but a terrible fit with Kobe.
AJ Boston MA: Should the Celtics just tank the season and try to draft Aldridge or Gay?
Chad Ford: No. I don't think what the Celtics need right now is more young players. They have a nice young core with Al Jefferson, Kendrick Perkins and Delonte West. If what Danny Ainge is saying is true, that he's trying to rebuild around Paul Pierce, then they need another veteran. However, if Ainge thinks that's going to take more than two more seasons ... I think he has to start exploring trading Paul for young prospects and cap room. It sets back the clock, lowers expectations and takes the pressure off some of these kids to produce now. Given that the Celtics have been terrible since the Wally deal, I wonder if Ainge would pull the trigger if he could get a team to take Pierce and Raef LaFrentz's contract back.
Jeremy (Cheyenne): Two summers ago when Denver signed Martin and re-signed Camby I knew it wouldn't work. Will the Nuggets wallow in mediocrity until they get a back to the basket big man to create better spacing for the rest of the team? Trading for a better shooting 2-guard might help, but I don't think it will solve the problem. Thanks Chad.
Chad Ford: They overpaid Martin. No question. That's what happens when you clear a lot of cap room and then find out that no one you want wants to take your money. They'd like to get rid of him, but everyone in the league agrees he's overpaid and an injury risk. I agree that a better shooting two guard would help this team a lot ... what I don't understand is why anyone in Denver believes that Steve Francis is that guy. I think things are a mess in Denver right now, but what do you expect with a lame duck GM, and a coach who thinks he's getting the keys to franchise this summer? Carmelo and Camby have been great stories for Denver this year ... but they still have a lot of problems to fix. Francis doesn't solve them. Trading Martin might, but only if they get cap relief and a young player like Channing Frye back. Isiah isn't that crazy ... is he?
Eric, IL: Hey Chad, I was just wondering with the trade deadline coming quickly, will the Bulls look to make any moves to address their lack of an inside presence?
Chad Ford: I think they should. They really have two issues I think. One, is they need to get bigger in the backcourt and two, they need to find a low post scorer to compliment Tyson Chandler. Their cap room isn't going to get them what they need in free agency next summer and their draft picks are high, but I don't think they need young players. If I'm Paxson, I try to swap the Knicks No. 1, Ben Gordon, Chris Duhon and the expiring contracts of Tim Thomas and Eric Piatkowski for Paul Pierce and Raef LaFrentz. It uses up all their cap room, but gives them a very solid starting five that can compete in the East. It also gives the Celtics a young dynamic player in the backcourt in Gordon, another high lottery pick and loads of cap room in the future. That's maximum flexibility for Danny to rebuild. As it stands right now, I'm just not sure that the Celtics rebuilding plan with Pierce has a great outcome in the future.
Marc (Indy): Chad, what are you thoughts on the recent play of Indiana, the incorporation and play of Peja, and the development of Harrison and Granger?
Chad Ford: I think the silver lining, if there can be one, for Indiana is that Danny Granger and David Harrison have gotten time to develop this year and the Pacers see that they have two legit young players for the future. I think Granger could end up being a Scottie Pippen like player which will soften the loss of Artest immensly. What's interesting to me, is how the Pacers always seem to play a little better without Jermaine O'Neal in the line-up. I love O'Neal, but it's hard to explain.
Chicago, IL: Who will be the better pro - Morrison, Gay or Aldridge? I think Gay has the most star potential.
Chad Ford: Gay has the most star potential from an athletic stand point. He's a freak athleticially. Morrison is the best basketball player of the three, but he's going to struggle with the fact that almost everyone in the NBA is a better athlete (in many cases much better) than he is. Aldridge is probably the right mix of the two. He's very skilled, long and athletic. He's numbers have been up and down, but much of that has to do with Texas' guards inability to get him the ball in the post. If I was drafting number one, without regard to need, I'd take Aldridge. Of course, I reserve the right to change my mind as we get closer to the draft.
Devin (Green Brook, NJ): Chad, you're the draft guy. Any idea how high Quincy Douby from Rutgers would likely go if he came out?
Chad Ford: He's talented. A kid who can shoot it, create his own shot, slash to the basket. He's very quick and a great athlete and he can flat out score. However, he's undersized to play the two, doesn't have any real point guard instincts and attitude has been an issue there. I think that puts him in the late first or second round.
Ben (Oakland): How high will Leon Powe go in the draft?
Chad Ford: He's having a great year. It all depends on how his knees check out in the medical examination. If he passes the physical, I think he's a late first rounder. If he doesn't, he'll slip into the second.
Kyron (Toronto): Is this the worst draft ever for Centers or is someone picked after Paul Davis going to surprise me?
p-nyc: Hey Chad, speaking of Pac-10 guys, how about Hassan "Hot Sauce" Adams? Where will he go and what position will he play?
Joe (Granger, IN): Any chance the draft gets away from that stupid lotto style draft slotting? It should be like the NFL, the worst team gets the first pick.
Isiah, NY: Looks like you got your stupid all Pistons all-star team wish (almost). Word is that 4 Pistons starters are in the All-Star game. If I'm Gilbert Arenas, I'm going to hunt you down and punch you in the face.
Chad Ford: I wrote on Monday that all five Pistons starters should be selected to the All-Star game. Their two losses this week haven't changed my mind. It looks like four of them (Chauncey Billups, Richard Hamilton and Ben and Rasheed Wallace) have made the cut according to various newspaper reports out there. I think that's great. But what about Tayshaun? He's not the offensive force of most of the players you think about for All-Stars, but defensively, I think he's the key to the Pistons perimeter defense and an underrated player for them. As for Arenas, he didn't make the team because his team isn't any good. Of cours his team is better than Paul Pierce's ... however, point guards often get the blame for things like that.
Chad Ford: Can't wait to see Flip Saunders sub in all four Pistons at the same time and then have him start running some offensive sets and implement some defensive schemes from the team. Should be enjoyable to see how the Western stars fare.
Chad , Hertel,WI: I read a report this morning that Carmelo got snubbed out of the all-star game. I didn't see who beat him out but, if Pau Gasol or Kevin Garnett beat him out that is an outrage. Gasol is good but not an all-star and KG if he made it is due to his career not this season.The all-stars should be chosen on the year they are having not what you did in years past. What is your thought? Please give me an explanation on why Melo got snubbed.This will be twice, last year he was snubbed but that was a little easier to swallow based on the year he is having.
Chad Ford: Melo is the big snub in the West if reports are true that he didn't make it. KG is a better player any day of the week so that doesn't bother me. The Gasol thing is closer. I really think it's a wash. Memphis is a little better team and hasn't had an All-Star in forever. But I don't think it's an outrage.
Cal (Columbus): As can be seen by James playing the point last night against the T-Wolve, the Cavs need a pg bad. Any chance we can trade Gooden for a decent point guard?
Chad Ford: A number of GMs that I've talked to said they are exploring it. I don't think they're in love with Drew Gooden and feel they'll probably not match when he hits restricted free agency in the summer. There is still significant interest in Gooden throughout the league. The problem is that they're trying to package him with Damon Jones or Eric Snow and no one wants either of those contracts. The question I have for the Cavs is how will the replace Gooden. They may not like him, but he's contributing. If they make the wrong move, they risk slipping out of the playoffs ... The Knicks would like Snow and Gooden, but I think the Cavs are looking for more than an expiring contract and no, Jerome James won't do.
John Los Angeles: Chad,please tell me the Lakers are going to do something before or after the trading deadline?
Chad Ford: They have a couple of expiring contracts totaling about 8 million ... but not much else of value right now to offer unless they believe that Brian Cook's latest flourish is for real and Lamar Odom is now available. I think Odom is a great fit for Jackson, but a terrible fit with Kobe.
AJ Boston MA: Should the Celtics just tank the season and try to draft Aldridge or Gay?
Chad Ford: No. I don't think what the Celtics need right now is more young players. They have a nice young core with Al Jefferson, Kendrick Perkins and Delonte West. If what Danny Ainge is saying is true, that he's trying to rebuild around Paul Pierce, then they need another veteran. However, if Ainge thinks that's going to take more than two more seasons ... I think he has to start exploring trading Paul for young prospects and cap room. It sets back the clock, lowers expectations and takes the pressure off some of these kids to produce now. Given that the Celtics have been terrible since the Wally deal, I wonder if Ainge would pull the trigger if he could get a team to take Pierce and Raef LaFrentz's contract back.
Jeremy (Cheyenne): Two summers ago when Denver signed Martin and re-signed Camby I knew it wouldn't work. Will the Nuggets wallow in mediocrity until they get a back to the basket big man to create better spacing for the rest of the team? Trading for a better shooting 2-guard might help, but I don't think it will solve the problem. Thanks Chad.
Chad Ford: They overpaid Martin. No question. That's what happens when you clear a lot of cap room and then find out that no one you want wants to take your money. They'd like to get rid of him, but everyone in the league agrees he's overpaid and an injury risk. I agree that a better shooting two guard would help this team a lot ... what I don't understand is why anyone in Denver believes that Steve Francis is that guy. I think things are a mess in Denver right now, but what do you expect with a lame duck GM, and a coach who thinks he's getting the keys to franchise this summer? Carmelo and Camby have been great stories for Denver this year ... but they still have a lot of problems to fix. Francis doesn't solve them. Trading Martin might, but only if they get cap relief and a young player like Channing Frye back. Isiah isn't that crazy ... is he?
Eric, IL: Hey Chad, I was just wondering with the trade deadline coming quickly, will the Bulls look to make any moves to address their lack of an inside presence?
Chad Ford: I think they should. They really have two issues I think. One, is they need to get bigger in the backcourt and two, they need to find a low post scorer to compliment Tyson Chandler. Their cap room isn't going to get them what they need in free agency next summer and their draft picks are high, but I don't think they need young players. If I'm Paxson, I try to swap the Knicks No. 1, Ben Gordon, Chris Duhon and the expiring contracts of Tim Thomas and Eric Piatkowski for Paul Pierce and Raef LaFrentz. It uses up all their cap room, but gives them a very solid starting five that can compete in the East. It also gives the Celtics a young dynamic player in the backcourt in Gordon, another high lottery pick and loads of cap room in the future. That's maximum flexibility for Danny to rebuild. As it stands right now, I'm just not sure that the Celtics rebuilding plan with Pierce has a great outcome in the future.
Marc (Indy): Chad, what are you thoughts on the recent play of Indiana, the incorporation and play of Peja, and the development of Harrison and Granger?
Chad Ford: I think the silver lining, if there can be one, for Indiana is that Danny Granger and David Harrison have gotten time to develop this year and the Pacers see that they have two legit young players for the future. I think Granger could end up being a Scottie Pippen like player which will soften the loss of Artest immensly. What's interesting to me, is how the Pacers always seem to play a little better without Jermaine O'Neal in the line-up. I love O'Neal, but it's hard to explain.
Chicago, IL: Who will be the better pro - Morrison, Gay or Aldridge? I think Gay has the most star potential.
Chad Ford: Gay has the most star potential from an athletic stand point. He's a freak athleticially. Morrison is the best basketball player of the three, but he's going to struggle with the fact that almost everyone in the NBA is a better athlete (in many cases much better) than he is. Aldridge is probably the right mix of the two. He's very skilled, long and athletic. He's numbers have been up and down, but much of that has to do with Texas' guards inability to get him the ball in the post. If I was drafting number one, without regard to need, I'd take Aldridge. Of course, I reserve the right to change my mind as we get closer to the draft.
Devin (Green Brook, NJ): Chad, you're the draft guy. Any idea how high Quincy Douby from Rutgers would likely go if he came out?
Chad Ford: He's talented. A kid who can shoot it, create his own shot, slash to the basket. He's very quick and a great athlete and he can flat out score. However, he's undersized to play the two, doesn't have any real point guard instincts and attitude has been an issue there. I think that puts him in the late first or second round.
Ben (Oakland): How high will Leon Powe go in the draft?
Chad Ford: He's having a great year. It all depends on how his knees check out in the medical examination. If he passes the physical, I think he's a late first rounder. If he doesn't, he'll slip into the second.
Kyron (Toronto): Is this the worst draft ever for Centers or is someone picked after Paul Davis going to surprise me?
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Chad Ford: I'm not even sure Paul Davis is a starting center in the NBA. There is nothing this year. A few interesting second round prospects who could develop over time, but no center who comes in and makes any type of immediate impact on an NBA team. If you need a center via the draft this year, it's time to trade your pick before the deadline and hope you win the Greg Oden sweepstakes next year. p-nyc: Hey Chad, speaking of Pac-10 guys, how about Hassan "Hot Sauce" Adams? Where will he go and what position will he play?
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Chad Ford: He's a great athlete who plays with the toughness and intensity to make in the league. If someone could just convince Adams to quit shooting threes and concentrate on what he does well, he'll have a place in the NBA and a shot at getting drafted at the end of the first round. Joe (Granger, IN): Any chance the draft gets away from that stupid lotto style draft slotting? It should be like the NFL, the worst team gets the first pick.
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Chad Ford: I'm all for this Joe. I know the NBA doesn't want to encourage teams to tank it ... but I think that the lottery is bad for the league. Too many times, the worst teams (who have legitmate bad records) aren't getting the best players in the draft. If I'm Stern, I'd change the lottery to only include theworst three teams in the league. Have a lottery between those three teams only, so a bad team isn't guaranteed the first pick in the draft, but they are guaranteed a top three pick. That would've made all the difference for Charlotte last spring.
