Chat with Chris Sheridan
Welcome to The Show! On Friday, ESPN.com's NBA reporter Chris Sheridan will log on to chat with you about all the action on the hardcourt ... and all the news and notes off of it. Chris came to ESPN from the Associated Press where he spent the last 10 years as the lead NBA writer.
mark (detroit): do you agree that LB received way too much credit for the Piston's success the past 2 years? the Knicks roster certainly isn't worse than last years (although Isiah has done everything in his power to sabatoge their present and future)
Mike (Kansas): Hi Chris, is it too early to start worrying that injuries will cripple the Spurs' opportunity to repeat? Heading into this season it looked like a foregone conclusion. Now with Manu hurt, and the inevitable TD ankle sprain....
Frank (Shaw AFB, SC): Anything latest and greatest on the Artest trade front? And if the Pacers don't move him, would it be best to put him on the floor considering he IS the best heads up defender in the league(which would help in the playoffs)?
Ryan (NY): Is anyone aware there's a rematch of last year's finals on Sunday?
Steve (Norwalk, CT): What the heck are the Knicks going to do? They obviously need to make changes. Is this Rose deal going to happen?
Bo (Montreal, Qc): Hello Chris, I've heard some talk that Artest may be headed to Minnesota. Do you really think that Kevin Mchale would actually take a chance on a project that Larry Bird has pretty much already dismissed? And we know how KG and Stephon didn't get along with attitudes & egoes, how do you think KG & RonRon would co-exist?
Jeff (El Centro): As a Pacers fan, I am resolved to the fact the Artest (when he's traded) will put up ridiculous numbers this year. 24-6-6 and a Defensive Player of the Year would not surprise me. He will melt down eventually, but not until 2007 or 2008. If the point of owning an NBA team is to win the Finals, why aren't teams like the Mavs, Warriors, Grizzlies, Suns opening up the bank for Artest? Do they honestly think they can beat the Spurs as they are? But Dirk & Artest? Wouldn't that scare San Antonio... just a little?
Gordon (Houston, TX): Chris, so few projected Sacramento failing so miserably with this lineup. How long until Sacramento makes a change? Will it be coaching or player?
Ryan (Red Deer, Alberta, Canada): Hey Chris I enjoy your columns, I was just wondering what your take on the Raptors is, do you see any light at the end of the tunnel with their young talent in their 3 Rooks and Bosh?
Patty (LA, CA): Chris, I never get how some of you completely ignore the other issues with Artest other than talent. He isn?t JUST talent, he?s also a crazy. Heck, his own teammates are thriving without the Ron Artest cloud hanging over them, and Jermaine O?Neal has basically told the players that it?s ?him or me?. Yet all you can do is wonder, ?gee, why aren?t contending teams jumping at the chance to trade for a guy that can completely destroy championship caliber chemistry.? I guess you hadn?t noticed that Artest has harmed his contending team every single year with his selfish and stupid antics. Teams typically don?t just throw quality talent on that, and they?re not being unreasonable or foolish for that. Chemistry, teamwork and trust are a HUGE part of winning. You keep undervaluing that.
Akim Washington DC: What is going on with the Wizards? There just seems to be something missing, and it isnt Larry Hughes. They appear to need a post presence that can demand a double team and scare some opposing players in the paint defensively. Otherwise all you have are perimiter players, albeit good, but they live by the jump shot and die by the jump shot with very little help defense, which they need based on the gambling they do on their perimeter defense. What do you think?
Chris (Flagstaff): Are you hearing anything on phoenix possibly making any deals?
Rob (NY): Chad Ford said in a chat that the Bulls should pursue a trade with all their cap room, since the FA market is weak, to find a low post presence and a pitbull on the perimeter. Should they dangle Tim Thomas' expiring contract, the Knicks' pick and their own pick for Zach Randolph and Ruben Patterson?
Jay (Denver): What's the word in PHX on Amare? Will we be seeing him sometime this year, or do you think the Suns will use more caution and let him rehab for an entire year?
Chris Sheridan: He was shooting free throws with the team at practice yesterday and sounded hopeful of returning this season, but the Sns will exercise the utmost caution _ especiall given the history of players who tried to return to soon from microfracture surgery _ and will probably hold Stoudemire out longer than he'd like. No way they're going to burn next season by rushing him back this season.
Evan (Valparaiso, IN):: Any chance of Ben Wallace leaving Detroit this summer for the Bulls. I don't see why he would considering he doesn't seem like a player that would chase money. (But I hope he does)
Chris Sheridan: He has been pretty steadfast about wanting to remain with the Pistons. Unless they outrageously lowball him, I see him staying.
Payaam (Maryland): Which team do you think Ron artest will be traded to?
Chris Sheridan: Golden State
Chris, Chino Hills, CA: Yo, Chris, do you see the Lakers moving any pieces before the trade deadline or maybe signing a huge free agent in the summer?
Chris Sheridan: They're trying their hardest to find a way to get Ron Artest, but they have nothing that interests the Pacers except Lamar Odom. One of the factors slowing down an Artest resolution is the Lakers trying to find a third team to include in an Artest deal.
Michele (Hudson,OH): What has happened to the Clippers after their fast start?
Chris Sheridan: Their current slump is a product of not having Corey Maggette as an extra offensive option. Sam Cassell and Mobley are going to have off nights, and without Maggette there's no third outside scoring option. They're also trtying to work Shaun Livingston back into the equation, but it's hard finding enough minutes for him at the point. They started him at the 3 the other night.
Antonio (Pittsburgh, PA): How many solid years do you think Shaq still has in him? Clearly at almost 34 years old he's not the 29-13 night in night out player he used to be, but he's still vital to make a serious title run. The question is for how much more?
Chris Sheridan: He's been declining steadily for 3-4 years, but I can't see him becoming a non-factor for at least three more years.
Chris Sheridan: That's all the time I have, folks. Everyone have a Merry Christmas, and all you poker fans out there please check out my buddy Grant Lang's performance in the Tournament of Champions. It's on ESPN and ESPN2 on Christmas Eve.
Welcome to The Show! On Friday, ESPN.com's NBA reporter Chris Sheridan will log on to chat with you about all the action on the hardcourt ... and all the news and notes off of it. Chris came to ESPN from the Associated Press where he spent the last 10 years as the lead NBA writer.
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Chris Sheridan: Good afternoon from New York, where I am pondering the question of which will happen first: An Artest trade or a Knicks' victory. Scott Layden is stopping by MSG tonight with the Jazz, and I'm guessing he'll have a slight smirk on his face if the fans start booing Stephon Marbury again. If Larry Brown loves misery as much as everyone believes, this will be his best Christmas ever. Let's get started. mark (detroit): do you agree that LB received way too much credit for the Piston's success the past 2 years? the Knicks roster certainly isn't worse than last years (although Isiah has done everything in his power to sabatoge their present and future)
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Chris Sheridan: LB deserved a lot of credit for turning that team into a winner, but Joe D should share equal credit for bringing Rasheed aboard. That Pistons team was a perfect fit for LB when he took the job, while this Knicks roster is not. LB is soaking up the blame for the current seven-game slide, but what he really should be ashamed of was the way he brought the Knicks out of the gate, all but sacrificin the opening 20-gam, stretch of the season to "see what he had." That's what training camp was supposed to be for. Mike (Kansas): Hi Chris, is it too early to start worrying that injuries will cripple the Spurs' opportunity to repeat? Heading into this season it looked like a foregone conclusion. Now with Manu hurt, and the inevitable TD ankle sprain....
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Chris Sheridan: Hey Mike, the reason they added finley, Van Exel and Oberto was to have the type of depth they have now. Would you rather have Devin Brown taking Manu's place while El Contuzeeone rehabs from his latest injury? You Spurs fans have it so good, you're making up things to worry too much about. Frank (Shaw AFB, SC): Anything latest and greatest on the Artest trade front? And if the Pacers don't move him, would it be best to put him on the floor considering he IS the best heads up defender in the league(which would help in the playoffs)?
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Chris Sheridan: The latest and greatest is this: Donnie Walsh is being extra meticulous on this one, and he continues to believe a better deal is available than anything that's been put on the table. The Al Harrington three-way trade nearly got done, but I'm told the Hawks did not want to take Earl Watson from the Nuggets. Indiana can get a couple of deals done immediately if ownership agrees to take on additional payroll, but so far they've shown no signs of taking on an additional financial burden. So the waiting game continues. Ryan (NY): Is anyone aware there's a rematch of last year's finals on Sunday?
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Chris Sheridan: I must admit I'm a bit astounded myself that the Heat-Lakers game is getting more hype than the better game. As much as I'd like to see Kobe drop another 62 or Shaquille O'Neal bear hug Phil Jackson, what I'm really looking forward to is Chauncey Billups vs. Tony Parker. Both are having tremendous years. Steve (Norwalk, CT): What the heck are the Knicks going to do? They obviously need to make changes. Is this Rose deal going to happen?
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Chris Sheridan: Why on earth they'd want to bring Jalen Rose aboard is beyond me, unless they want to have ANOTHER expiring max contract on their hands a year from now. As it is, they alreadu have two of those guys in Antonio Davis and Penny Hardaway, and I can;t imagine Isiah trading either of them for Rose unless it's the last minute bfore the trading deadline and there are absolutely zero other options on the table. Now I know the Knicks have been scouting the Raptors closely the past couple games, but I'd bet they were looking more at Morris Peterson than they were at Rose. Bo (Montreal, Qc): Hello Chris, I've heard some talk that Artest may be headed to Minnesota. Do you really think that Kevin Mchale would actually take a chance on a project that Larry Bird has pretty much already dismissed? And we know how KG and Stephon didn't get along with attitudes & egoes, how do you think KG & RonRon would co-exist?
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Chris Sheridan: Bo, I've also heard talk that Minnesota is trying to get him (for Olowokandi and Griffin), and I think it would help move the Timberwolves into the top echelon in the West. For the relatively small amount of money Artest is making, it's not as great of a financial risk in taking him on as it is a public relations risk. If I'm an owner and believe a $20 million investment in Artest over the next three seasons can give me a legitimate shot for a title, I take the risk in a heartbeat. Jeff (El Centro): As a Pacers fan, I am resolved to the fact the Artest (when he's traded) will put up ridiculous numbers this year. 24-6-6 and a Defensive Player of the Year would not surprise me. He will melt down eventually, but not until 2007 or 2008. If the point of owning an NBA team is to win the Finals, why aren't teams like the Mavs, Warriors, Grizzlies, Suns opening up the bank for Artest? Do they honestly think they can beat the Spurs as they are? But Dirk & Artest? Wouldn't that scare San Antonio... just a little?
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Chris Sheridan: Jeff, I couldn't agree with you more. Artest is one of the 10 best talents in the league, and with an affordable contract to boot. But NBA general managers are always trying to get players at the lowest possible price, and no one _ except Denver _ is coming at Walsh as aggressively as you'd expect they would. Gordon (Houston, TX): Chris, so few projected Sacramento failing so miserably with this lineup. How long until Sacramento makes a change? Will it be coaching or player?
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Chris Sheridan: As I mentioned in yesrerday's uplifting story about Who's the Next Coach Fired, Monday night's Portland-Sacramento game is shaping up as a must-win game for Rick Adelman. Not sure whether the absence of Peja and Bonzi will buy Rick some time, but Lame Duck Season opens the Night After Christmas. As for the Kings' players, the one guy I hear they're trying hardest to move is Kenny Thomas. Ryan (Red Deer, Alberta, Canada): Hey Chris I enjoy your columns, I was just wondering what your take on the Raptors is, do you see any light at the end of the tunnel with their young talent in their 3 Rooks and Bosh?
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Chris Sheridan: I think they'd like to find a way to get Graham some more consistent playing time. He's a fine athletic playr, but he needs some experience to figure out how to play in this league. I'd like to see Villanueva play inside a little more, and Calderon needs to fins a way to eliminate the one or two purely boneheaded turnovers he makes each night. As for the immediate future, there is only darkess at the end of the tunnel for at least two more years. Patty (LA, CA): Chris, I never get how some of you completely ignore the other issues with Artest other than talent. He isn?t JUST talent, he?s also a crazy. Heck, his own teammates are thriving without the Ron Artest cloud hanging over them, and Jermaine O?Neal has basically told the players that it?s ?him or me?. Yet all you can do is wonder, ?gee, why aren?t contending teams jumping at the chance to trade for a guy that can completely destroy championship caliber chemistry.? I guess you hadn?t noticed that Artest has harmed his contending team every single year with his selfish and stupid antics. Teams typically don?t just throw quality talent on that, and they?re not being unreasonable or foolish for that. Chemistry, teamwork and trust are a HUGE part of winning. You keep undervaluing that.
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Chris Sheridan: Patty, last I checked only the Spurs and Pistons had championship caliber chemistry, and no on else is close. Everyon said Rasheed Wallace was crazy when he was a technical foul magnet in Portland, yet he turned out to be one of the biggest chemistry guys any NBA team has had over the past half-decade. As for Artest being crazy, I'll just say there's different kinds of crazy. If I'm trying to win a championship in Dallas, for instance, I might try adding a dose of crazy just to give myself a chance against the Spurs in the postseason. Akim Washington DC: What is going on with the Wizards? There just seems to be something missing, and it isnt Larry Hughes. They appear to need a post presence that can demand a double team and scare some opposing players in the paint defensively. Otherwise all you have are perimiter players, albeit good, but they live by the jump shot and die by the jump shot with very little help defense, which they need based on the gambling they do on their perimeter defense. What do you think?
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Chris Sheridan: They are being carried too much by Gilbert Arenas, who is gtting little help from Antonio Daniels in the backcourt and much less in the frontcourt from Antawn Jamison than he did a year ago. That win in Denver the other night kept the current trip from turning into a horror show. As for getting a low-post player who can command a double-team every time down, good luck. There are about three of them in the league, and they're named Shaq, Duncan and Garnett. Chris (Flagstaff): Are you hearing anything on phoenix possibly making any deals?
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Chris Sheridan: I heard they had some interest in thge Lithuanian shooter on the Hornets, Arvydas Macijauskas, but that New Orleans was looking for some size in return _ something the Suns don't have. Phoenix is disappointed in the way Raja Bell has shot the ball. They thought he would provide a lot of what Joe J and Q brought to the table last season. Rob (NY): Chad Ford said in a chat that the Bulls should pursue a trade with all their cap room, since the FA market is weak, to find a low post presence and a pitbull on the perimeter. Should they dangle Tim Thomas' expiring contract, the Knicks' pick and their own pick for Zach Randolph and Ruben Patterson?
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Chris Sheridan: That's a decision the Bulls are currently mulling. There won't be much on the unrestricted free agent market next summer behind Al Harrington and Peja Stojakvic, both of whom will be asking for Tim Thomas-type money. On paper, Randolph would seem to be a good fit. But in terms of temperment, there may be no worse match in the whole league than Randolph and Scott Skiles. Jay (Denver): What's the word in PHX on Amare? Will we be seeing him sometime this year, or do you think the Suns will use more caution and let him rehab for an entire year?
Chris Sheridan: He was shooting free throws with the team at practice yesterday and sounded hopeful of returning this season, but the Sns will exercise the utmost caution _ especiall given the history of players who tried to return to soon from microfracture surgery _ and will probably hold Stoudemire out longer than he'd like. No way they're going to burn next season by rushing him back this season.
Evan (Valparaiso, IN):: Any chance of Ben Wallace leaving Detroit this summer for the Bulls. I don't see why he would considering he doesn't seem like a player that would chase money. (But I hope he does)
Chris Sheridan: He has been pretty steadfast about wanting to remain with the Pistons. Unless they outrageously lowball him, I see him staying.
Payaam (Maryland): Which team do you think Ron artest will be traded to?
Chris Sheridan: Golden State
Chris, Chino Hills, CA: Yo, Chris, do you see the Lakers moving any pieces before the trade deadline or maybe signing a huge free agent in the summer?
Chris Sheridan: They're trying their hardest to find a way to get Ron Artest, but they have nothing that interests the Pacers except Lamar Odom. One of the factors slowing down an Artest resolution is the Lakers trying to find a third team to include in an Artest deal.
Michele (Hudson,OH): What has happened to the Clippers after their fast start?
Chris Sheridan: Their current slump is a product of not having Corey Maggette as an extra offensive option. Sam Cassell and Mobley are going to have off nights, and without Maggette there's no third outside scoring option. They're also trtying to work Shaun Livingston back into the equation, but it's hard finding enough minutes for him at the point. They started him at the 3 the other night.
Antonio (Pittsburgh, PA): How many solid years do you think Shaq still has in him? Clearly at almost 34 years old he's not the 29-13 night in night out player he used to be, but he's still vital to make a serious title run. The question is for how much more?
Chris Sheridan: He's been declining steadily for 3-4 years, but I can't see him becoming a non-factor for at least three more years.
Chris Sheridan: That's all the time I have, folks. Everyone have a Merry Christmas, and all you poker fans out there please check out my buddy Grant Lang's performance in the Tournament of Champions. It's on ESPN and ESPN2 on Christmas Eve.
