ESPN

John Hollinger

  (3:03 PM)

Greetings everyone, lots of interesting news to discuss so let's get right to it.

Ben (San Francisco, CA)

Anthony Morrow for MVP?

John Hollinger

  (3:04 PM)

Ok, that's a bit much. But that was quite an eye opening performance considering he's an undrafted rookie. The only thing that comes close, as far as an undrafted rookie, was a game Marquis Daniels had his rookie year in Dallas ... but that was in March, I believe, not the second week of the season. We'll know in time whether that game says more about Morrow or more about the Clippers.

Elizabeth (Chicago, IL)

Is Luc Richard Mbah a Moute the steal of the draft thus far?

John Hollinger

  (3:06 PM)

well, except for Anthony Morrow I guess. I don't remember him being that long in college, does anyone else? I think he has some limitations offensively that will keep him in an energy/defense role, but he's been pretty effective in that niche, and the Bucks have needed somebody like that for a while.

John (Portland, Oregon)

How do you put the Blazers behind so many teams that they beat on their home court?

John Hollinger

  (3:09 PM)

Well, if they had lost the Minnesota, San Antonio and Houston games where would you rank them? Basically, the power rankings see a very small difference between being 6-4 and being 3-7 with zero home wins.

Dave (MN)

What's slower? Your typing, your internet connection or Shaq running up and down the court?

John Hollinger

  (3:10 PM)

The problem is finding good questions, my man. Shaq has actually looked pretty good lately, though, so he's probably safe in this comparison.

Tom (Cleveland, Ohio):

I know you've predicted improvement, but what's your biggest suprise from the Beastern conference thus far?

John Hollinger

  (3:11 PM)

It isn't that any one team moved up necessarily, as much as it is that pretty much everyone has been better than expected, with the possible exception of Philadelphia. So as a result, the conference is WAY stronger than we thought.

kyle (new orleans)

john what is up with my hornets why cant they hit shots is this just a bad run or are they not playing together right maybe you can answer this for me

John Hollinger

  (3:12 PM)

The answer is that they don't have a lot of secondary offensive weapons, so if CP isn't getting 23 and 13 they're going to have some rough sledding on a lot of nights. Not to belabor the point, but this is another function of using the free agent money on Posey instead of addressing the James/Armstrong situations.

Brandon Phoenix, AZ

Why is it now when Parker and Manu out, the Spurs are playing better defense? They've been clamping down opponents as of late. What gives?

John Hollinger

  (3:13 PM)

Could just be random noise. The D has definitely been better lately than in the first few games, but it's hard to believe that replacing Parker with Hill could produce such a change. I think Pop is just bringing the hammer down earlier this year than in the past.

Disco (Chicago)

Sounds like the Thunder want to get Watson out of town and get Westbrook starting at PG, what you hearing on this front?

John Hollinger

  (3:15 PM)

I could see this happening at the deadline, but probably not any time sooner. I wouldn't be anxious to start Westbrook until he stops shooting so much (shameles plug -- there's more on this in today's Insider Gems).

Joe, RI

Funny how as soon as the Lakers face a physical Eastern Conference team, they get pushed around and lose. I thought Bynum was suppossed to solve all those "soft" questions.

John Hollinger

  (3:16 PM)

Is Detroit really that physical? Are Richard Hamilton and Tayshaun Prince your idea of brawny intimidators? Allen Iverson? Rasheed Wallace? Lakers played badly and selfishly, but let's not turn it into a morality play -- they just lost.

Steve Nash (Pheonix,AZ)

How come theres no love for a back to back mvp champion. I get shoved to the ground and I get suspended. What gives

John Hollinger

  (3:17 PM)

Another odd suspension ruling from the league office. I'm surprised they singled out Nash given what Shaq and T-Mac were doing, and the fact that Alston appeared to tag him a couple times on his way up from the floor.

Steve Nash (Pheonix,AZ)

I'm just like you.. Only 10 times better.

John Hollinger

  (3:19 PM)

And two inches taller, and Canadian, and with more hair and twin daughters and a far superior jump shot and ... well, other than that, though, we're really quite similar.

Stan Van Gundy (Orlando, FL)

We're winning and my team isn't even playing THAT good basketball. If this team gets it together, we may be very dangerous don't you think?

John Hollinger

  (3:20 PM)

What makes you think this isn't their level? I've had a couple questions like this, with the implication being that the Magic are really much better than they've shown so far. Give me one reason why.

Joel (Youngstown via Philly)

The Cavs are leading the NBA in offensive efficiency...is this the most shocking stat of the season to date?

John Hollinger

  (3:21 PM)

It's right up there, yes ... I smell a PER Diem item in my future. I thought if the Cavs won big it would be with defense.

Jon (Mad-town)

Is Ben Gordon play this year motivated by contract year, a statistical anomaly or the benefit of having a PG like Rose? Should the Bulls try and resign him?

John Hollinger

  (3:23 PM)

Well, given that its his third straight contract year I think we can rule out that angle. Mostly, I think the Bulls are playing a very guard-friendly offense that is benefiting Gordon and Rose at the expense of Deng.

Dan (NY)

Does Dallas kind of suck now? I know the Kidd trade was abysmal but are they even going to make the playoffs?

John Hollinger

  (3:24 PM)

Kidd-Harris is looking worse every day isn't it? Harris just carved up Atlanta ... That said, Dallas's role players are a much bigger problem than Kidd at this point. They're getting nothing from them, and the D has been substandard too. I'll give you odds on their making the playoffs on Thursday, when the Playoff Odds launch, but I'd put them well south of 50%.

Brandan Wright, LA

Any chance I get any playing time to show my awesome skill in Golden State or should I just bother Nellie for a trade a la Al Harrington?

John Hollinger

  (3:26 PM)

Wright' done well when he's had opportunities, but Nelly seems to be using him as a match-ups play, so some nights he's playing 25 minutes and other nights five. I think he's better than that, yes, but it's not quite time to start howling about a trade.

Udonis Haslem(Miami)

How am I not even on the All star ballot?

John Hollinger

  (3:26 PM)

Why, was there some threat that you might belong in the game? If the biggest controversy about the ballot is the exclusion of Udonis Haslem, then I think we can all move on to the next topic.

Christian (Denmark)

If the Cavs win 50 and Lakers win 65, who will then win the MVP?

John Hollinger

  (3:27 PM)

Interesting question, but the answer might be "none of the above" - check out what Dwyane Wade has been doing.

Jon (Mad-town)

If D-Rose keeps up his level of play does he deserve a spot as an Eastern Conference All-Star reserve?

John Hollinger

  (3:29 PM)

No, I can't go nearly that far. Eastern All-Star team is going to be very crowded this year given all the improved teams and new bodies (Brand, Wade, etc.)

Nick (Willi, CT)

Bucks fan in CT here...what is skiles doing with Sessions? he is clearly superior to Ridnour. Should he be starting or what?

John Hollinger

  (3:30 PM)

Shameless plug #2: There's an Insider Gem today on this very topic. But I'll say this -- the two-guard front with Ridnour and Sessions has been quite effective, and they'll probably stick with it as long as Redd is out.

Alex (LA< CA)

Did you happen to see the Suns playing some defense last night?

John Hollinger

  (3:32 PM)

Phoenicians are 5th in Offensive Efficiency, 14th in Defense, so this is still a team that wins by scoring. Last night was more a story of Iverson firing up bricks at the end of a long road trip.

Bryan (Phoenix)

Is Nate McMillan doing a good enough job in Portland? I know they had a hellacious schedule to start the year, but are they under-performing to a degree?

John Hollinger

  (3:33 PM)

They're not underperforming at all, the problem was that people were overexpecting. Unless Oden is a 22-11-3 monster, this is what we should have been expecting.

Cory (CO)

Denver won last night shooting an abysmal 33%...can the "Enver" remarks end now?

John Hollinger

  (3:35 PM)

Pretty amazing that they won shooting so poorly -- Nuggies are 7th in Defensive Efficiency, which isn't too different from a year ago, but because the pace is much slower they're likely to get a lot of recognition for it. And given that they gave away Camby and are essentially playing with two bigs right now, it is quite impressive.

Gabe (Costa Mesa, CA)

So the Jazz have been beaten repeatedly on this road trip. Should I be worried, or just wait patiently for everyone to return?

John Hollinger

  (3:36 PM)

I'm starting to get a little nervous, but it's tough to evaluate where they stand without a healthy Deron Williams, let alone not having Okur and AK.

Andrea Bargnani, Toronto

How did I look starting at SF on Sunday? Do you think coach will keep me there or will BC trade me for a wing?

John Hollinger

  (3:38 PM)

I actually thought he was more comfortable there than in the frontcourt -- seemed like he didn't feel pressured to do "big guy" things and could just play his perimeter game. There are going to be games when this alignment doesn't work (Can't imagine playing Orlando and putting him on Turk, for instance), but it's a decent way to get the most out of Bargnani.

Andrew (Portland, OR)

In the last two games Oden has actually put up a monsterous 18/14/5 per 36 minutes. Understandably now all he has to do is learn the pro game better and cut down on fouls.

John Hollinger

  (3:40 PM)

And in his first game he averaged 0.0 points per 36 minutes. You're extrapolating from an awfully small sample my friend.

Mark (Vancouver)

Follow-up to the McMillan question ... You recently mentioned in your daily Insider article that a guy like Sergio Rodriguez is being held back from his potential under McMillan's system. Is it also fair to say that this is also keeping Rudy Fernandez from racking up even bigger numbers as he would in a higher tempo offense?

John Hollinger

  (3:41 PM)

No, I think Rudy is pretty comfortable in the halfcourt and playing bumper cars off all the screens.

Joe (Davis)

Andrew Bynum or Andris Beidrins?

John Hollinger

  (3:42 PM)

So far this year it's Biedrins by a mile, and that contract he signed is looking like the league's biggest free agent steal. Look at the money Deng, Okafor and Iguodala got -- Biedrins is vastly outplaying all of them and got a fraction of the money.

Disco (Chicago)

45 minutes without a mention of Mark Cuban? Thoughts? I'm disappointed to see this, he's one of my favorite owners.

John Hollinger

  (3:43 PM)

I can't opine as to his innocence or guilt, but it would be unfortunate for the league if he were guilty, as on balance his ownership has very much been a positive for the league.

Joe (Georgia)

How far can the Nuggets keep going without any backup bigs?

John Hollinger

  (3:44 PM)

The bigger question is how long can Nene and Kenyon stay on the court at the same time. Neither is exactly renowned as an ironman, and the Nuggies have basically nothing in reserve. Renaldo Balkman is basically their backup 5 right now.

brandon Robbins (birmingham Alabama)

Reason One: Because Lewis and Turk are both shooting well below their Career fg and 3pt%. Lewis is shooting at .275 and Turk .286 % from 3. Both are almost 40% from 3 for their career. That is a very good reason to think the Magic can play even better. They both have been missing a lot of wide open looks. If they can go 7-3 and have yet to shoot the ball well, what happens we the shots start falling? Why should I not think Turk and Lewis will start shooting at their career level %????

John Hollinger

  (3:48 PM)

But that cuts both ways -- Pietrus isn't going to shoot 45.2% on 3s all year, their opponents aren't going to shoot just 32.0% from downtown, the starters aren't going to play all 82 games and Jameer isn't going to shoot 94.1% from the line. The Power Rankings have them 13th and maybe they're really more like 9th, but basically, this is what they are.

Sportnation (Everywhere)

You HATE my team _______ (insert team name!)

John Hollinger

  (3:49 PM)

Thanks. If you see car with Georgia plates and a "H8R" license plate pulling up in your arena lot, you'll know I'm at the game.

Brett (Charlotte, NC)

How has Adam Morrison looked to you? He seems to be flourishing (relatively speaking) as a scorer off the bench, where he can guard the opponent's backups. Did people write him off too soon?

John Hollinger

  (3:51 PM)

He's played like a reasonable NBA backup so far, and his shooting has been a helpful skill on this roster. I doubt he'll ever justify being the third pick, but if he keeps this up he's at least useful.

Paul (Trenton, NJ)

Should I be alarmed in Philly at how sloppy they are playing against any kind of good competition or just swallow hard and give them more time?

John Hollinger

  (3:53 PM)

The thing that would worry me would be the uneven start for Brand, but even that may be a question of shaking off some of the rust following the Achilles injury. The blown leads have been frustrating but I'm actually not that worried about Philly big picture, especially if they can get Lou Williams untracked.

Andrew (Vilnius, Lithuania)

When are you going to update your playoffs probabilities? I want more opportunities to point out your personal bias!

John Hollinger

  (3:54 PM)

Yes, that comes Wednesday or Thursday. And rest assured I'll be tinkering behind the scenes to bias it against your favorite team. Yes, I mean you!

Jon (Los Angeles, CA)

What are the Clippers doing wrong?

John Hollinger

  (3:57 PM)

I'm not sure we have a enough time or that, but a brief synopsis would be that Baron's shot selection is worse than ever, Ricky Davis has been unspeakably awful, and newcomers Gordon and Camby haven't provided much of a boost.

JP Baton Rouge

What are the Hornets' options for a backup PG?

John Hollinger

  (3:58 PM)

They went to Devin Brown yesterday but I wouldn't be shocked at all if they dipped a toe in the D-League pool to find a solution. Either that or they'll suffer til February and make a deadline trade.

Matt (Atlanta, GA)

Fall/oktoberfest seasonals are just much tastier than winter/christmas microbrew offerings. There. I said it. I defy you to disagree.

John Hollinger

  (4:00 PM)

i think you might have a point there. The Deschutes Jubilale I had last week was good, but I've had some fantastic fall seasonals. The one exception is a winter brew called Snow Goose made by the Wild Goose Brewery in Cambridge, Md. Haven't had it in a while (heck, I should probably verify they're still in business), but it was unbelievable.

Nuggets

If Chucky Atkins is 100% do the Hornets have a big for us in a trade?

John Hollinger

  (4:02 PM)

That's a potential solution, with the Hornets sending back somebody like Ely or Marks to get the Nuggets under the tax line. I don't have the salaries in front of me, this may need another body or two to make this work, but the general idea isn't a bad one if the two sides are kosher with making a trade in-conference -- not all teams are.

Joe (The Bay)

John, try Rouge Dead Guy from Oregon. It will put a smile on your face. Also, Spencer Hawes is suddenly trying to be Dirk Nowitski. Things are just zany up at Arco.

John Hollinger

  (4:04 PM)

I definitely will next time I'm in PDX -- I saw it in the store and thought with a name like that it probably had to be good. Also, Rogue Ales are generally really good. I'm perplexed by Hawes's 3-point ambitions, but many things with the Kings perplex me. At least they're keeping it interesting, and the two rookies are farther along than expected.

John Hollinger

  (4:05 PM)

Folks, that's all the time I have, but I'll be back at the same time next week. In the meantime, check out today's PER Diem on the use of big lineups and today's Insider Gems, and remember we'll have Playoff Odds coming later this week.