ESPN

Chad Ford

  (1:02 PM)

Aloha everyone. Thanks for coming to the chat today. With a few weeks of NBA action under our belts, there is a lot to talk about. And with the college basketball season getting ready to begin ... we'll do a little draft talk too. Let's roll.

Dave, Tustin Ca,

Chad,Wade is definitely back. The Chalmers/Quinn combo seems to be working. Haslem is overachieving at center. Beasley seems to have the scoring touch everyone predicted. If Zo can give them 15 or so minutes of great defense when he comes back, can these guys contend THIS SEASON?

Chad Ford

  (1:05 PM)

Let's not go overboard just yet. Wade is playing at a phenomenal level and you're right that Beasley looks good and Chalmers/Quinn have been solid. If they keep this up I think they've got a great shot at the playoffs. But contenders? I don't think so. They need a stronger front line and a veteran point to get there.

Matt (Austin, TX)

Could the Heat be interested in the Clippers' trade rumors of Chris Kaman? The Heat desperatley need a big man down low and are easily the smallest team in the NBA. Riley also has had his eye on Kaman ever since the 03 draft. What do you think the Heat will do?

Chad Ford

  (1:08 PM)

If the Heat decide that they don't want to use their cap space in the summer then this could work if the Clippers packaged Kaman and someone like Cuttino Mobley for Shawn Marion. Then the Clipps could move Camby to the center position and the Clipps would be much more formidable. As for the Heat, Kaman is the type of big guy that the team needs.

Ben

I keep seeing rumors that the Bobcats want to trade Wallace and Carroll, so does this mean next year they will want to trade their bad contract for Okafor?

Chad Ford

  (1:11 PM)

Larry Brown wants to trade everybody. Always has. Always will. When he was the head coach of the World Champion Pistons he wanted to trade virtually every player on the team. That's just Larry being Larry. I'm told that Wallace is indeed on the block, but not in a fire sale. The Bobcats need size. Wallace is a very good player, but I'm not sure teams are in a hurry to go out and trade a top grade center for him. As for Okafor, the team likes him. They just feel he's a more natural power forward.

Ben (SF)

Anything new on the Al Harrington trade front?

Chad Ford

  (1:17 PM)

His injury doesn't help things for the time being. Al's a good player, but teams that are interested in him, like the Knicks and Pacers, are primarily looking at long term cap relief in 2010. Right now the Warriors, who's front office is a huge mess at the moment with Robert Rowell taking over, are asking for too much and may be too dysfunctional to actually make a deal right now.

Andrew (DC)

Too early to break out the 82-0 talk for the Hawks?? Seriously though, with the Magic not looking as good as last year, do the Hawks have a real chance to win the division?

Chad Ford

  (1:19 PM)

Hawks look good right now because of their effort on the defensive end of the ball. With Josh Smith out a little while, I think they'll slide. They have a great starting five. The question has always been about their depth. It's about to be tested. As for beating the Magic for the Division crown? I think the Magic still have to be the favorites, but I do think the Hawks are looking more and more like a legit playoff team.

mike (brooklyn, ny)

where do you think mcdyess is heading? do you think boston has a chance to sign him?

Chad Ford

  (1:24 PM)

I think there's about a 95 percent chance that he's returning to the Pistons. He's comfortable there and with McDyess, the Pistons still have a chance to win the East. Remember, the Pistons have to wait 30 days (until Dec 7th) to sign him. If he doesn't sign with another team right away, that's your sign he's heading to Detroit. Boston is obviously another great fit, if McDyess wants a new team. Here's what I don't understand. Why did Denver buy him out? They needed him. Do you really think McDyess would've sat out two years without pay? Instead they paid the guy for not reporting to their team? I don't get it.

Dave, NY

Unbelievable how much better the Knicks look with D'antoni instead of Zeke Thomas. 5 games in, whats your early prediction on how many wins they can muster?

Chad Ford

  (1:26 PM)

The Knicks are a much more likable team under D'Antoni. Zach Randolph looks like an All-Star again. It's great. But look at the competition. The Jazz are the only tough team they've beat. However, they could easily win their next three against the Spurs, Grizzlies and Thunder and go to 7-2. 35 wins?

Brendan (NY)

Which PG/SG would you rather build around: Monta Ellis or Rodney Stuckey?

Chad Ford

  (1:27 PM)

Stuckey. I think he has a better shot at being a real point guard To me, Ellis is a two guard all the way.

Travis (DC)

Have to be impressed with my Pacers. It will only get better when Rush and hibbert get more comfortable. Barring injuries, can you see this team being a top five team in the east??

Chad Ford

  (1:29 PM)

Top five might be a little much, but I predicted before the season that they'd be a 7th seed and I'm sticking with that from what I've seen. If T.J. Ford stays healthy, they'll be a tough team to play for everyone in the league. They don't have stars, but excellent chemistry, lots of depth, and lots of scoring options.

Troy (Portland)

How about those Blazers?? Big road win yesterday and a solid team at home. Hollinger projects them at around .500 for the season...what's your take?

Chad Ford

  (1:31 PM)

They are deep, have a lot of talented young players and an excellent head coach. I still believe they're a likely playoff team ... especially if Oden comes back and is eventually healthy. Denver will push for that last spot and as of right now, it looks like Dallas might be the team that falls out of the playoffs in the West.

Brett(ky)

Who is the most surprising rookie thus far? Have you changed your mind for rookie of the year?

Chad Ford

  (1:35 PM)

Mayo is probably leading the charge right now. He's scoring at will, shooting decent percentages from the field and the Grizzlies have surprised some folks. Rose would have my second vote. Beasley third. Surprise has to be Luc Richard Mbah a Moute. For a second round pick, he's playing a major role on the Bucks.

Suns fan sick of losing to the spurs

Any chance the Spurs dig themselves to deep with the loss of parker and manu, that they fall out of the Top 8, with dallas, denver, and portland rounding out 6,7,8

Chad Ford

  (1:38 PM)

It's possible. The Spurs just don't have the depth to lose both Parker and Ginobili. It's too bad that Parker went down. He was looking like an early favorite in MVP voting before the injury. I would never count out the Spurs. They have Tim Duncan and a great head coach. Once Parker and Ginobili are healthy, they'll be dangerous again. If I thought Dallas was any good I'd say the Spurs were in trouble. But as of right now, I still feel Dallas is probably the team that slips out of the playoffs.

Brandon (LA)

Everyone in LA is talking about how the Lakers should trade Odom for a solid SF. But given next year's payroll (Bynum and resign of Ariza), the Lakers can't afford to trade Lamar unless they include either Walton or Radmonic in the trade and get back either significant expiring contracts or future picks. Your thoughts?

Chad Ford

  (1:40 PM)

It's a good point. However, if they don't trade Lamar, can they afford Kobe, Pau, Bynum AND Odom? I don't think so. So better to trade him and get something in return. And besides, teams like Odom, but his expiring deal gives him a lot more trade value. If Walton or Radmanovic are in the deal, Odom looks a lot less attractive.

Chris (Amsterdam)

Chad, if Charlotte drafts Brook Lopez, then Wallace is not on the block, right?

Chad Ford

  (1:42 PM)

Maybe. I haven't been blown away by Brook Lopez yet. In fact, his brother Robin, looks better in the early going. Maybe that's who Charlotte should've drafted.

Alex (Florida)

Chad, Odom for Turk makes too much sense at this point correct? Helps both teams, helps everyone financially, Odom's best year was with SVG....What do you think?

Chad Ford

  (1:46 PM)

I actually like that deal for both teams. Allows Rashard Lewis to move back to his natural position. The Magic would have to include another salary or two (Bogans and Reddick) to make it work. Downside for the Lakers? Turkoglu can opt out of his contract this summer.

Todd (Lexington, Tn)

In two college pre-season games Blake Griffin has yet to miss from the field does he have a chance to turn into a consensus #1 pick?

Chad Ford

  (1:48 PM)

Sure. He's strong, athletic and plays a critical position as a power forward. I think Ohio State's BJ Mullens has the inside track because of his size. But he's a huge unknown. Griffin, barring injury, will have a great season. I think he's a lock for the top 3 if he stays healthy.

The Sarge (South Carolina)

Happy Veterans day to all our troops! Any buzz on Brandon Jennings, Demarr DeRozan, and Jrue Holiday?? When can we look for another one of your Draft columns??

Chad Ford

  (1:50 PM)

DeRozan has the most raw talent of the group. He is a freak athletically. They question is about his mental toughness. Jennings is off to a nice start in Italy. I think he's a lock for the Top 10, probably Top 5. Holiday is the wildcard just because we'll have to wait and see how UCLA uses him. They have a stacked backcourt. If he ends up playing significant minutes at the point, he's also a Top 10 pick this year.

Craig (PA)

Can you compare Ricky Rubio to other top picks in this years draft? Even if Rubio is the top PG, isn't it always smarter to grab an elite center #1 (Mullins)?

Chad Ford

  (1:52 PM)

That's right. Big men, if they are available, almost always go first. Point guards are the second most coveted position however. So if Mullens struggles, Ricky will be in a good position to compete for the No. 1 pick.

PG (ATL)

Draft question. I read that Ricky Rubio is undecided on whether to declare for the draft in 2009, 2010 or at all. Do you really think there's a chance he skips the NBA and stays in Europe?

Chad Ford

  (1:53 PM)

No. Not unless he has a major injury. He'll be in the 2009 NBA Draft.

Brian (Belle, Missouri)

Hey Chad who do you think will draft Tyler Hansborugh? Hes a great player, what do you think about him?

Chad Ford

  (1:54 PM)

He's tough and has a great motor. But his ceiling isn't very high. I'd say mid to late first round.

Dan (Chicago)

Who is the #1 pick in next years draft?

Chad Ford

  (1:56 PM)

To me ... BJ Mullens has the inside track. His size, athleticism and potential have NBA scouts drolling. But beware, scouts were saying the same thing about Texas AandM center DeAndre Jordan last year. Jordan slipped all the way into the second round.

Chad Ford

  (1:56 PM)

I've got to run everyone. Will be out of the country next week, so we'll pick up the chat again in 2 weeks.