Chat with Michael Wallace

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Welcome to SportsNation! On Monday, we will dip into the world of the NBA and LeBron James, Dwyane Wade, Chris Bosh and the rest of the Miami Heat, as Michael Wallace from the "Heat Index" stops by to chat.

Wallace contributes to ESPN.com's home for everything Miami Heat. The Heat Index is a part of the TrueHoop blog network.

Send your questions now and join the chat Monday at 2 p.m. ET!

More NBA coverage: Heat Index | TrueHoop | NBA Index

OMARVLS (NORTH HOLLYWOOD, CA)


Micheal, I could understand LBJ wanting to go back to Clev but should he not want to go back as a multi-champ and top 7 player of all time.

Michael Wallace
  (2:02 PM)


Thanks for joining me again this week. I appreciate all the support for our weekly chat. We'll be going for 30 minutes today, so I'll get right to your questions. What LeBron said last week about leaving open the possibility of returning to Cleveland was his honest look at the situation. I don't blame him for being fond of his hometown team. My only problem was that he chose a poor time to flirt. No reason to even address that for at least another year. At least.

gray (Utah)


LeBron is the best player in the world, and it's not even that close. All the rest (Wade, Howard, Durant...) are competing for number 2 at the moment.Agree?

Michael Wallace
  (2:03 PM)


What we know is that LeBron is the best regular-season player in the world. He still has more to prove in the postseason, particularly deep in the playoffs. That's a fair assessment.

Dan (Minnesota)


Any trades involving the Timberwolves that could happen?

Michael Wallace
  (2:05 PM)


I've heard the speculation regarding a potential Pau Gasol-Ricky Rubio union there. But what I do know is this: Minnesota is stocked with trade chips, from point guard Luke Ridnour to forward Michael Beasley. If the Wolves are intent on getting a veteran, there are no shortage of options they could ship in return.

carlosspicyweiner neenah wi [via mobile]


Do you think that carmelo is jealous because jeremy lin is getting all of the attention

Michael Wallace
  (2:06 PM)


No. I think this could be a blessing in disguise for Carmelo. He gets to essentially ease his way back without trying to carry the entire scoring load for the Knicks. I think folks are making this far more complicated than it actually has to be.

Isaac (America) [via mobile]


Who are some of the best yoing teams right now?

Michael Wallace
  (2:08 PM)


That's easy. Don't look now, but Minnesota is .500. Memphis is getting its act together now. Those are two that quickly come to mind.

Marcus Rodriguez (Tampa, fl)


I know yal are running out of things to talk and write about on Jeremy Lin, But I have a suggestion/question...What if Jeremy Lin continues on with avg.25 pts per game.48% FG (Which is outstanding for a PG)11 Ast per game3 stls per game4.5 rebs. per gameand winning out for the rest of the season at rate 85% of the rest of their games for the season.Do you think he is deserving of the MVP?Should he win the MVP if such happens?Would he be more deserving over Kobe and Lebron, if such happens?And if such happens, what are his chances of winning the MVP?

Michael Wallace
  (2:08 PM)


That's an awful lot of "ifs" in the equation. I'm not sure I'm ready to go that far with Linsanity just yet.

mike d.from gary, ind [via mobile]


dont know if u remember my post a coupla weeks ago about boozer being lazy as hell. What do you thnk about the rumored boozer for gasol trade? if the CHICAGO BULLS can make this happen... Oh my god!!! Miami, its over!! your opinion...

Michael Wallace
  (2:10 PM)


What you have to ask is why would the Lakers want Carlos Boozer in return? What exactly is the upshot there, unless it was part of a larger trade package that brought the Lakers help at point guard as well? Of course, that would be a huge steal for the Bulls. But there has to be more to that deal.

Truman [via mobile]


Right now, would you take Kyle Lowry over Steve Nash?

Michael Wallace
  (2:11 PM)


Have you seen the way Steve Nash is playing lately? He could go another five years at this pace. I like the way Kyle has worked his way into a really good point guard in this league. But I'd take Nash.

Jaybry seattle [via mobile]


Why does chris bosh put up with lbj and d-wade i mean they are good but cb doesnt know what to do

Michael Wallace
  (2:12 PM)


It's been tough for Bosh to find a consistent rhythm on this team, particularly when LeBron and Dwyane Wade are healthy. But Bosh knows his in a great situation, team-wise.

Chris Fiegler (Latham,NY)


How will the Heat finish this season?

Michael Wallace
  (2:12 PM)


I had them going 50-16 this season. Looks like the could very easily do much better than that.

Jon (Miami)


Chris Sheirdan is reporting that Derrick Rose told the bulls he would like to play with Pau Gasol? Do you see any truth to this rumor? What do you think it would take to get a deal done? Boozer, watson, and a butler or a 1st? Maybe add brewer? If the bulls do trade for Gasol do they become the favorites over the heat to win the finals?

Michael Wallace
  (2:15 PM)


Chris does a great job. Has covered the NBA well for a long time. Still, it would seem a bit out of Derrick Rose's character to go to management to campaign for a certain player. Remember, this was the same Derrick Rose that didn't want to really be involved with recruiting stars during that 2010 free agency period. Pau would be a perfect fit for the Bulls, especially if they could keep Noah. But I just can't see how this deal works straight up.

Richard (Chicago)


Michael, besides Irving and Rubio, who is the rookie that most impress you until now and why?

Michael Wallace
  (2:16 PM)


Iman Shumpert and Markieff Morris are two that stand out to me beyond the high-profile guys at the top of the draft board.

Brian (Ft. Lauderdale)


With the way Miami has been playing, I'd like to nit-pick a little. Why is Miami's 3-point defense so bad this year?

Michael Wallace
  (2:17 PM)


Part of it is that the Heat is packing the lane and baiting teams to settle for long jumpers. But there have also been some perimeter breakdowns in terms of poor rotations to close out to shooters. Ever so often, a team will punish Miami's overaggressive nature. But most nights they'll be fine.

Frank (calif)


Wilson Chandler to the lakers would be awesome.

Michael Wallace
  (2:18 PM)


Yep, especially with Ron-Ron appearing on his way to checking out of the mix, one way or another.

Brad (Toronto)


Do you think any deal involving Pau Gasol will have to include taking on Ron Artest as well? Sort of like how teams must be willing to take Turkoglu if they want Howard?

Michael Wallace
  (2:19 PM)


I can see that happening. But I can also see teams holding off on Metta. He could be a deal breaker, depending on the stability of the locker room where he could be headed.

Kyle (NY)


If Davis Anthony and Harrelson all come back healthy for the knicks, do Novak and Shumpert still get any PT?

Michael Wallace
  (2:20 PM)


Novak is a shooter, and there will be spot-duty opportunities in D'Antoni's offense for knock-down 3-point shooters. I think Shumpert could be the one most affected if everyone is healthy. Still, he's done well enough to have some sort of role on this team. The Knicks potential depth is scary, though.

James (CT)


How long before Isaiah Thomas starts to garner some national recognition for his recent play?

Michael Wallace
  (2:22 PM)


Thomas is working his way into "potential steal" territory. But Sacramento has to win more games before that happens.

Frank (calif)


Why isn't Tristan Thompson playing +30 minutes?

Michael Wallace
  (2:23 PM)


He's been injured, so that sort of slowed his development a bit. But we certainly see the raw talent this kid has. He's also playing behind a few productive veterans.

meech (akron ohio)


do you think lebron has another gear to get to this season to finish everybody off

Michael Wallace
  (2:23 PM)


It's called NBA Finals gear. That's the one gear we're all waiting to see from LeBron.

Brian (FL)


Will we ever see Eddy Curry play 15 plus minutes in a game this season?

Michael Wallace
  (2:24 PM)


I know the Heat has vowed to take the long view on Curry. But I'm sort of confused at the strategy at this point. Giving him two or three garbage minutes a game doesn't do much for his development. He'd be better off getting those minutes in the first half when you can really evaluate his progress.

Rah (Newark, N.J.)


If you were the GSW's what would you target for Monta Ellis? I actually think a deal with the Lakers for Pau would be great for both teams. Especially if Warriors include Epke Udoh in the deal and maybe the Lakers include the back up pg. Your thoughts???

Michael Wallace
  (2:25 PM)


If Monta would by into a pure PG role, that deal would give the Lakers some real offensive punch in the backcourt. A Kobe-Monta guard tandem would be the most prolific one we've seen in a while.

James (CT)


Aside from the Knicks, what teams do you see making a second half surge this season?

Michael Wallace
  (2:27 PM)


I really thought Boston was on the upswing. But the Pistons seem to be the Celtics kryptonite. I see Memphis making a nice push in the west, especially when Zach Randolph returns next month.

Asheir Mohammed (Miami, FL)


Do you think Lebron is almost a guaranteed MVP this season

Michael Wallace
  (2:28 PM)


No. I think Kevin Durant might have something to say about that as we head toward the stretch run. I do think LeBron is in the driver's seat, though.

Will (Houston)


With the addition of J.R. Smith and Melo coming back from injury, if this new Knicks team were to mesh, do you see them beating the Heat in a seven game series?

Michael Wallace
  (2:29 PM)


Again, with the Knicks there are an awful lot of "if" factors. But assuming all goes well, they will certainly be a tough out if they face the Heat in a seven-game series. I just think New York plays at a pace that will fall right into the Heat's hands.

Philip (Miami)


Should the Heat fear the Knicks?? It looks like they have more fire power and look unstoppable with Lin on the floor.

Michael Wallace
  (2:31 PM)


As I said before, the Heat seem to struggle with teams that know how to slow them down. The Knicks are a team that would speed up the Heat, which plays right into Miami's strengths. Miami certainly won't fear the Knicks. But it will be an entertaining series. They play Thursday. Can't Wait.Thanks for another great week of questions. We'll go a full hour next week. Take care and enjoy the week and this weekend's All-Star game. Peace,MW

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