Chad Ford

  (1:00 PM)

Aloha everyoneThanks for coming to the chat today. We'll briefly talk playoffs and some other Association stuff first and then dig into the NBA draft for the majority of the chat. Let's roll ...

Alex (Anaheim)

Can Indiana pull this off, or was that just a miserable night for Miami?

Chad Ford

  (1:03 PM)

Indiana is much better than people are giving them credit for. They have a more complete team. But when the top 3 players all play for the Heat ... I understand why folks struggled to see how they would compete. With Bosh not on the floor, the Pacers have a great shot of taking them out and representing the East in the Finals.

Adam (Chicago)

Your thoughts on Wade and Lebron critizing the Pacers for a mild celebration after winning game two. Those two are the kings of premature celebrations. not 1,2,3,4 ,5 uh no it's actually going to be zero again.

Chad Ford

  (1:04 PM)

Did you see David West urging his teammates to cut that out and get into the locker room? That's what kind of presence he's been all year for Indiana. He may have been the most important free agent acquisition for any team this year. His veteran leadership has really pulled the team together. He's teaching them as they go. It was a mistake to celebrate and you can bet West let them hear about it.

Moses (TN) [via mobile]

Me being a Lakers fan, confirm them not having a chance against OKC especially after game 1 lol

Chad Ford

  (1:06 PM)

Can't read everything into one game. Thunder were rested, Lakers weren't. Not sure this will be a sweep. Lakers will be tough outs at the Staples Center. But hard to imagine, short of a major injury, that the Thunder aren't advancing to the Western Conference Finals. They just have too many weapons and much younger legs.

Kelly (Jacksonville)

Considering they've been declared dead at the start of every season for the past five years, yet are once again at the top, how many more years do you see the Spurs (as constituted now) staying relevant as contenders?

Chad Ford

  (1:09 PM)

What a great question. Tim Duncan still has juice in the tank, when healthy, Manu is a killer. Tony Parker is currently at the top of his game. We've assumed for years that Duncan and Manu would lose enough, because of age, to hurt the Spurs. But RC Buford and company have done a great job of bringing in talent around them to help keep things going. I said it on draft night, but Kawhi Leonard was the steal of the 2012 NBA Draft. I think they'll roll by the Clippers and the Spurs-Thunder series should be an amazing one. Right now they may be the two best teams in the league with Bulls out and the Heat without Bosh.

Josh (Lancaster, PA)

Garnett in 2009, Perkins before Game 7 in 2010, Rondo in 2011 and now Allen/Pierce/Bradley in 2012. Injuries suck...

Chad Ford

  (1:11 PM)

True, but they are part of the game, especially for older teams. Pierce and Allen, especially are going to struggle with them more as they get older. I still think the Celtics can take the Sixers, but it's a lot closer contest than people expected.

Dave (Orlando)

What do you see as the most likely course of action for the Magic this summer?

Chad Ford

  (1:15 PM)

I think you'll see them let go GM Otis Smith and head coach Stan Van Gundy in the next few days. From what I can gather, they've already begun to kick start a search for a new GM. I think it's time for a major change in the front office, but I wonder if they'll be able to find a better coach than Van Gundy. I know he can grate on players, but given the wholesale changes coming in Orlando, he'll have a new group of players to grate on. I could see them hiring someone like former Knicks GM Donnie Walsh or Pacers GM David Morway there. As for Dwight Howard, I think everyone realizes he's gone sooner or later and the focus will be on how to best rebuild the team.

Paul (Portland)

What's up with the Blazers search. It's going on forever, again!

Chad Ford

  (1:19 PM)

Given that they've had3 different GMs the last three years, I think you can understand why they are treading carefully to try to make sure they find the right person. They've interviewed Jeff Bower and David Morway. Sounds like they want to talk to at least one more candidate. I think they feel like they have enough organization in place to be patient.

Philip (Germany)

If you were the bulls gm, what would you do in the summer? Amnesty boozer? trade deng/noah? sign steve nash?

Chad Ford

  (1:22 PM)

Pray that Derrick Rose gets better. It looks like he could be out the entire season next year. The Bulls will be extra conservative with him. He's the franchise. I think you'll see a lot of veteran teams make a huge push for Nash. If Nash wanted to do a one year deal, Chicago might be a good spot. But they'll have a lot of competition and I think there will be better fits for him. I'm not sure there is much else they should do right now. Obviously, if they could move Boozer, that would be an option. But until they know Rose's future, it might be a bit premature to make a move.

Dwight Howard (Orlando)

Are the Mavs going to get Williams?

Chad Ford

  (1:23 PM)

Good question. Just depends on what the Nets can do this sum mer. If they can land Dwight Howard, I think he stays in Brooklyn. If they can't, I'd put Dallas a the top of the list.

Chris (Phoenix)

Although it would almost certainly never happen, what would the hypothetical demands be to land the #1 draft pick via trade? Basically, what is Anthony Davis's approximate trade value before ever playing an NBA game?

Chad Ford

  (1:26 PM)

It depends on the team that gets the No. 1 pick. But given his size and upside, I think it would require a Top 10 player in the league or multiple young All-Stars. The one scenario where I could see it getting traded? The Nets land the No. 1 pick and trade it to Orlando for Dwight Howard.

Danny (Cleveland)

When is the draft lottery announced?

Chad Ford

  (1:27 PM)

May 30th.

Fran (Bristol)

Bradley Beal or Jeremy Lamb?

Chad Ford

  (1:33 PM)

My colleague Fran Fraschilla took this topic on in Insider yesterday and Fran leaned toward Lamb. However, Beal is No. 3 on our Big Board and Lamb is No. 11. I'm obviously leaning the other direction for two reasons. Fran makes a lot of good points and Lamb clearly has an important size advantage. But two things I'd consider. One, is that Beal is, in my opinion a much more aggressive player and has a better motor. Teams are concerned with Lamb's ability to coast and his lack of experience being a go to player. Second, I think you have to factor in that Beal was one of the two or three best high school players in the country who went to a team that at times played four guards and played him out of position. By the end of the season, Beal had clearly surpassed Lamb. I think he's a better shooter, will be a better scorer and I'd take him ahead of Lamb at the top of the draft. However, I think there's a very good chance that Lamb could be a top 6 or 7 pick.

Joshua Vahcic (Cleveland, Ohio)

If the Cavaliers end up with the 2nd pick overall in the draft, who do you think they will draft? Bradley Beal or Michael Kidd-Gilchrist?

Chad Ford

  (1:35 PM)

Great question. I think it's something several teams including the Wizards, Cavs and Raptors would struggle with. I think Wizards & Raptors would lean MKG. Cavs would lean Beal right now.

Brandon (Phoenix, AZ)

I see a lot of Lamb in Paul George. Lots of skill but George still coasts at times and defers too much even though he has an opportunity.

Chad Ford

  (1:36 PM)

See some of that too, but George much taller. I think he measured like 6-10 in training camp this year.

Ryan (Lexington, KY)

How good would the Wizards become with Davis? Playoff team?

Chad Ford

  (1:39 PM)

Probably still a player away from that. Teams that would go from lottery to playoffs with just adding Davis? Golden State, Detroit, Portland, Milwaukee, Houston

David (St. Louis)

Will Perry Jones play SF or PF?

Chad Ford

  (1:39 PM)

Depends on the coach, but I think he's better suited to the 3 in the NBA.

Paul (New Orleans, La.)

Better fit for the Hornets: Thomas Robinson or Andre Drummond?

Chad Ford

  (1:40 PM)

Drummond is bigger and has more upside, but much, much riskier. Given everything that's gone down in New Orleans, I think they'd take Robinson. He gives them the sort of toughness that they need and should be able to contribute right away.

d (nh)

based on potential alone who would be top 5 in this draft

Chad Ford

  (1:42 PM)

Pure potential? 1. Anthony Davis 2. Andre Drummond 3. Perry Jones 4. Tony Wroten Jr 5. Harrison Barnes

Mel (Denver)

based on ability to play in the NBA right now, who would be top 5 in this draft?

Chad Ford

  (1:44 PM)

Most NBA ready? 1. Anthony Davis 2. Thomas Robinson 3. Brad Beal 4. Jared Sullinger 5. Dion Waiters

Greg (Phoenix, AR)

Where would Derrick Williams go in this draft?

Chad Ford

  (1:44 PM)

5 to 10

Mike (Milwaukee)

How high could you see Terrence Ross going? Once workouts start, his combination of shooting and athleticism could shoot him up the draft boards...where do you see as his ceiling in terms of draft tier?

Chad Ford

  (1:46 PM)

He's a real sleeper for me. He's got a lot of intangibles and was just stuck on a pretty dysfunctional team this year. I wouldn't be shocked if he was the second two guard off the board ahead of Lamb, Rivers, Waiters. But I could say that about all 4 two guards behind Beal. Different teams all have them ranked differently.

Dan (WI)

Will Barton is skinny. Is that the only reason he's project as a fringe first rounder? He seems like a lot better player than that.

Chad Ford

  (1:47 PM)

He's another sleeper. Has a really nice mid range game. He could easily sneak into the first round.

P.J. (Guelph)

How much of a concern is Quincy Miller's knees to NBA GM's and how much is it affecting his draft stock?

Chad Ford

  (1:48 PM)

Not a big deal. It affected him more during his freshman season than it should in the draft process. He's a major talent ... had he returned to school, we would've had him in the Top 6 for 2013.

Rod (Indiana)

Larry Bird just won executive of the year. Thoughts?

Chad Ford

  (1:52 PM)

Well deserved. He and David Morway have created another model of rebuilding a franchise. You can either blow up a team, grab high lottery picks and cross your fingers that you draft the right guys (the OKC model) or you can try to stay competitive, draft smartly, be judicious in who you pay in free agency, look for chemistry and fit and try to build a team that's focused on the interplay of talent. I think for owners that don't want to get very bad to get very good, Bird has showed them another way.

Scott (Indy)

Late to the chat. With Morway interviewing in Portland, don't you think that's a pretty strong indicator Bird will be back in Indy next year?

Chad Ford

  (1:52 PM)

Yes. I think the reports that Bird is retiring are very premature.

Nick (Gelnmont, NY)

How high do you think Moe Harkless can climb in the draft?

Chad Ford

  (1:53 PM)

He's got a lot of space to climb. He wasn't scouted as heavily because scouts didn't think he'd go pro this year. Lots of talent there. He's going to have to shoot the ball better in workouts.

Marc (New York)

Kostas Papanikolaou was amazing in the Euroleague Final Four. Did he boost his draft stock into the first round?

Chad Ford

  (1:57 PM)

That may be going too far. Teams were impressed with his play -- especially on the defensive end where he shut down Andrei Kirilenko. But he's now strongly on the radar as a potential second round pick. It's a weak international class and his performance at the highest level of European basketball was very impressive.

Chad Ford

  (1:58 PM)

Gotta run everyone. We'll do this again next week from the road. I'll begin my annual draft workout tour next Monday! We'll see you then.