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Chad Ford

  (12:12 PM)

Hey everyone. Sorry for the late start. Lots of phone calls today about age limits, draft stuff, etc. Let's roll. . .

Jon (Winnipeg)

Why do the Kidd-to-Spurs rumours persist when it is clear that he is not the type of player that they need? I think the Spurs need a big man to fill the shoes of the retiring David Robinson. And if they have to give up either Parker or Ginobili, they'd be crazy to make a trade.

Chad Ford

  (12:15 PM)

Whenever you have a chance to land a MVP caliber player like Kidd, you take it seriously. I love Tony Parker and so do the Spurs, but he's not Jason Kidd. I do agree however, that because of their lack of depth, they may be better off getting a couple of players with their cap money (Lamar Odom and a guy like Brad Miller) would be great and keep a backcourt of Parker and Ginobili together.

Chad Ford

  (12:16 PM)

Speaking of Ginobili, he's finally healthy and that should give the Spurs a big boost. Yes, he's a rookie. But at age 25 he can really help them down the stretch. Had he been healthy all season, I think he would be right up there with Yao and Stoudemire for the Rookie of the Year award.

Rich (Philly)

Is Jason Kidd becoming a distraction to his team with all of the talk about him wanted to play with TD?

Chad Ford

  (12:18 PM)

I think there's some of that. Whenever a player chooses to leave the door open like Kidd has, it's a distraction. Kidd plays on a young team so of course it bothers them. In the end, I think Kidd either goes to San Antonio or stays in NJ. I don't see a lot of other realistic choices out there for him.

Will (West Philly)

Tony Parker is a good PG. Can the Spurs keep the money that they have will have, and go after KG in 2004. Duncan and KG would be be fun to watch and I would hate to see a good young player traded no reason.

Chad Ford

  (12:20 PM)

Kobe, T-Mac, KG and Rasheed will all be free agents (if they opt out of their deals) next summer. It's not a bad idea. However, KG would have to take a serious pay cut to play with anyone other than Minnesota.

Mark (Boston)

Chad, What happens to the Celt's cap number if they can work out a deal and buy him out for a lesser number (ala Shawn Kemp) Does the contract amount or the buyout number count against the cap? Thanks

Chad Ford

  (12:22 PM)

I don't think there will be a buyout. Kemp's situation was a very odd one. I just don't see it happening again. I think the Celtics are stuck with Baker. Their only hope for cap space would be if he's ruled medically incapable of playing. Then, if Baker agreed to retire, they could get some cap room down the road. But right now, the Celtics are stuck with him for the next three seasons.

Kevin (DC)

With MJ playing many more minutes what kind of position would that put them in next year. Also, realistically which free agents would they be able to go after this off-season?

Chad Ford

  (12:25 PM)

I think it hurts them from a development standpoint. Kwame's averaging about 18 minutes a game now. Good young players like Rip Hamilton and Courtney Alexader are gone. Once MJ leaves, it's back to the lottery. As far as cap space goes, they'd have plenty (about $12 million) if Stackhouse agrees to opt out of his contract. However, that isn't likely. If he doesn't opt out, they're looking at between five and seven million next year.

Katie (Sandy, UT)

What do think of Andre Miller maybe going to Utah? Do you think he will stay with the Clips?

Chad Ford

  (12:27 PM)

I think there's a great chance that he ends up there next year. The Clips won't pay for him and he likes coach Jerry Sloan. If Stockton retires, it will be a great fit.

Mike (San Diego, CA)

How about them Suns? In back to back nights, they win in San Antonio, and they beat Portland at home. Do you think, once they get big Jake back, and Penny gets to full strength, they can compete in the playoffs?

Chad Ford

  (12:28 PM)

I think they'll start rolling again. The Suns really missed Penny. He was running the point, allowing Marbury the chance to play off-guard. The offense will run better once he's healthy and they won't have to rely on Joe Johnson who was very streaky. I think if the Suns stay healthy, they're in the playoffs.

John (New York)

ESPN has posted an article about the Clippers signing both Tim Duncan and Jason Kidd. Setting aside the likelihood of such a scenario, is it even possible this offseason?

Chad Ford

  (12:30 PM)

Yes, the scenario I wrote about on Page 2 works under the salary cap. I think everyone would be interested but, at the end of the day, it would take a serious financial commitment from Donald Sterling. I just don't see that happening. Sorry Clippers fans.

Jared (Boston)

Can the Warriors grab the 8 seed? Or are they a victim of good team-great conference?

Chad Ford

  (12:33 PM)

I think the Warriors are the best story in the NBA this season. However, with the Suns healthy again and the Jazz looking like they won't slow down, I think it will be hard to sneak into the playoffs. Still, it shouldn't take away from what the Warriors did this season. Had they played in the East, they'd be a top four seed. If Eric Musselman doesn't win Coach of the Year, it's a crime. It's hard to believe that anyone has turned around such a bad situation so quickly without any major player changes.

John (Santa Barbara)

Hey Chad - stop riding the wests jock and talk about the east - are the sixers possibly a 1 or 2 seed with they way they are playing and the way detroit, new jersey, and indiana have forgotten (it seems) how to play?

Chad Ford

  (12:36 PM)

O.K. I still think, that the Nets, Pacers and Pistons will end up with the top three seeds when the smoke clears. The Nets and Pacers have the most talent. The Pistons are the most cohesive. I also like the Hornets. I think they'll be in the mix by the end of the season. I like the Sixers, but I still think they have too many issues with that front line. My one sleeper is Orlando. They could be a fifth seed by the end of the season. Gooden and Giricek have done wonders for them.

Mike(Chicago)

Whats up Chad! So is this what Krause envisioned, the twin towers both going 20+ points and 10+ rebounds? I think if these guys get consistent they can beat up on an undersized eastern conference next year. But I still think they need to make one more trade to clear up their point guard situation.

Chad Ford

  (12:39 PM)

The Bulls win last night against the Warriors was a peak into the future. The big front line of Curry, Chandler and Donyell Marshall is tough to beat. I think Chandler and Curry are really starting to come on. One more year and they're going to be tough to deal with. The only thing missing was Jay Williams in the backcourt. I know Jamal Crawford played well, but Williams is their point guard of the future.

Cody(Cedar Rapids)

Do you see the bulls getting a different head coach next year, like a Van Gundy or Riley and keeping bill as an assistant or is Bill the head guy for a while?

Chad Ford

  (12:42 PM)

I think that Krause will consider doing something like that once the team is ready to compete. I think they're another season away. They need to move Crawford, Fizer and their draft pick this summer and try to land one more All-Star caliber veteran. If they do, they'll really start to come together. Three young players (Williams, Chandler and Curry) are enough to build around.

Jt (toms river)

With the way Gooden is playing do you think he can with the Rookie of the Year Award or is Amare and Yoa to far to catch?

Chad Ford

  (12:43 PM)

No. I think Yao has it locked up. He's getting better every game. Stoudemire has slipped just a bit, but he's still been pretty consistent all season. Gooden is playing great basketball right now, however. Had he been on the Magic all season, he would've had a good shot at the award.

Lynn: (Reston, VA)

What do you think the chances of Carmelo Anthony staying at Syracuse more than one year? If he stayed, would he have a chance to get drafted #1 in 2004?

Chad Ford

  (12:45 PM)

Possibly, but I think he's one and done. He's a top three pick in this year's draft. I don't know why you risk it if you're going that high.

Josh(Toronto)

Great article on the lottery today on Insider Chad, who do you think the lottery bound Raps should be looking at in they're range(3-8)?

Chad Ford

  (12:47 PM)

I think a guy like Anthony is the way they need to go. They need another pure scorer to take the pressure of Vince. The Raptors do have other issues (point guard, center) but taking some of the load of Vince is the biggest priority.

Brian NYC

So how good is Mickael Pietrus? Is he top 5, top 10 in the draft? I'm sure he's got a lot of potential but comparing him to MJ seems a little unfair.

Chad Ford

  (12:49 PM)

I think the point on Pietrus is that he's a lot closer in style of play to MJ than he is to Nowitzki or Gasol. We tend to lump Europeans together. Pietrus is very athletic and has an NBA type game. He reminds me of hybrid between Ray Allen and Desmond Mason. Great shot, great athlete, great defense. I think he'll be a top 10 pick for sure once he starts working out. He could go higher if the workouts go well.

Fetu (Buenos Aires)

Is there anything Darko could do to become the 2003 #1 Overall Pick?

Chad Ford

  (12:51 PM)

Probably not. The hype around James is amazing. Most importantly to owners, he'll put people in the seats. I'm not sure Darko can do that.

arash (anaheim hills)

lakers using their mid-level on elton brand. what do you think are the chances of that happening?

Chad Ford

  (12:52 PM)

Zero. Brand is a restricted free agent. If he took a tender offer from the Lakers for the mid-level, the Clips would match and he'd be stuck on the wrong L.A. team. Look for Brand to take the one year tender and become an unrestricted free agent in 2004.

Chris(Dallas)

Do you have any idea if the 7'3" High school kid from Korea will declare for the draft this year?

Chad Ford

  (12:55 PM)

You're talking about Ha Seung Jin, a 17 year old , 7-foot-3 center from Korea. He's getting a lot of buzz right now because the SFX agency is representing him, but I don't think he'll be in the draft this year. He can play, but he needs a lot of work. A lot.

Josh Meyer (Palmer) IA

What are the odds of GP landing in Minny this summer?

Chad Ford

  (12:57 PM)

It's possible. He'd have to agree to a big pay cut. But, if he doesn't want to re-sign with Milwaukee, I don't see a big free agent market out there for him. He's exactly what the T-Wolves need.

Chad Ford

  (12:58 PM)

I've got to run folks. Thanks for stopping by today. Make sure you check out Insider. We're starting to get into the draft. It's worth a look folks.