David Aldridge

  (2:26 PM)

Good afternoon, everyone. I apologize for the delay...a mix-up on my part. So let's not keep your questions any longer.

Mike (Moorhead, MN)

Tough game for the Wolves the other night, but did you notice that as soon as they started to get back in the game, the refs took over. LA was in the penalty with 8:30 left in the 4th and most of those calls were total crap, what do you think?

David Aldridge

  (2:27 PM)

I don't think I'd use that word, Mike. The Wolves were fouling Shaq intentionally by their own admission. The only questionable call I saw was the foul on Hassell when he blocked Kobe's shot. The Lakers won because they were more aggressive.

patrick

David, could not disagree more with your assesment of the Malone penalty. how could you compare this to Peeler's blow to Garnett?

David Aldridge

  (2:29 PM)

For all you folks who have said Malone just set a "hard screen in the flow of the game," let me ask you: 1) Why, then, was he ejected from the game? And, 2) Why did Phil Jackson say 'we'll have to live with the consequences of what Karl did' after the game? It was a cheap shot and he should have been suspended for Game 3.

Paul (NY, NY)

Should Emeka Okafor already be shopping for Micky Mouse ears?

David Aldridge

  (2:30 PM)

I would be surprised if Orlando, after exploring trade offers, does anything other than take Okafor. It's going to be hard for them to move guys like Howard or Gooden now that the luxury tax is again looming.

Mike (Houston, TX)

Hey DA, love reading your articles. I remember awhile back you wrote an article talking about the Spurs could be the next NBA dynasty. The Laker series showed the Spurs have the potential, but also are a little ways off. How far off do you think they are and what do you think needs to happen for this to become a reality?

David Aldridge

  (2:32 PM)

They're going to have to look long and hard at Bruce Bowen and Turkoglu. They were going 3 on 5 too often against L.A. I think they need to go get someone who is a lead pipe cinch from the perimeter. I know the Rockets don't have much use for Eric Piatkowski, for example. And they have to re-sign Ginobili. But they'll have to check on Kobe's availability first.

Joel (Washington, DC)

DA, it looks like the interior D in Detroit has rattled Artest, O'Neal and Harrington. What can Carlisle do to get them back on track? Would playing the bench more minutes help?

David Aldridge

  (2:32 PM)

Jermaine said last night that he wants the ball more. I would accomodate him.

Doc Rivers (Beantown)

DA, will the Celts 3 draft picks help me out at all next season?

David Aldridge

  (2:38 PM)

I don't know, to be honest with you. The two in the 20s certainly wouldn't figure to provide immediate impact. But there's nothing to keep Ainge from dealing the picks to move higher.

Matt Tate California

What do the clippers do with the second pick? pick or Trade? I say trade to get a point guard like devan harris or pick howard and trade him for players and draft picks to the highest bidder what do u think

David Aldridge

  (2:41 PM)

I know Mike Dunleavy believes the team badly needs a point guard. The scouts I've talked to are split on whether Devin can play the point. Maybe they'd go for Shaun Livingston, but I'd think they'd look seriously at a trade.

Mike (Indy)

What is your personal opinion on Hack-a-Shaq as a philosphy and how it effects a basketball game? Also, do you expect Minny to try it again tonight?

David Aldridge

  (2:42 PM)

I'm not a big fan of it, but like Chris Rock says, I understand. What else can you do with Shaq? He's too strong and he's going to dunk on anyone Minnesota throws out there.

Mike (Detroit)

Hey DA, love your work. It seems to me that whether the Pistons win or lose in the conference finals or even the finals, this summer they need to address some scoring needs. Do they have a chance to pull in a big time scorer such as Paul Pierce or even T-Mac through a trade? Would that destroy the great defense? Your thoughts?

David Aldridge

  (2:44 PM)

They are somewhat limited offensively, but with Okur and Rasheed's free agency I don't see them being able to bring anyone in. I don't think they're interested in Pierce. TMac's a different story, but everyone wants him.

Sean (Chicago)

DA, keep it real. The Bulls definately need to shop the #3 with one of their three young players for a proven veteran scorer - which one of the three will it be? Talk is it won't be Curry, but are people interested in Chandler or Crawford?

David Aldridge

  (2:46 PM)

If Dwight Howard is still there at 3 I think the Bulls may well take him and move Chandler.

Mike (OHIO)

What do you think the Cavs will do with their 10th pick? Will a gem like Paul Pierce fall to the Cavs and Lebron's future running mate?

David Aldridge

  (2:47 PM)

There could be a good player at 10...maybe a Josh Smith or a Devin Harris (though both will probably go a little higher). The Cavs need some shooting, and J.R. Smith can flat out stroke it.

Darius (Oakland)

Who is your sleeper star player to get dealt this summer? I'm thinking Ray Allen will be gone from the great northwest...

David Aldridge

  (2:50 PM)

Ray potentially being dealt is no "sleeper." That's been written about for weeks. Shareef Abdur-Rahim, too. I think there's a chance Shawn Marion could be dealt--though not for TMac, as has been rumored.

MJ, Washington DC

David, PLEASE ANSWER!!! Since they are retaining Adelman for another year, what do my beloved Kings need to do personel wise in order to get over this proverbial game seven playoff troubles?

David Aldridge

  (2:51 PM)

First, you have to see if Webber gets completely healthy. Then, use the mid-level to get a defensive-minded swingman. And Peja has to come back next year with a new move, something that can get him to the basket in the halfcourt.

JC (Panamá City, Panamá)

Miami did great, they have a nice group of players, and I think they will do good in the free agent market, but what do you think they will do in the draft, PG, C or best player abailable?

David Aldridge

  (2:53 PM)

They need size and there will be size available when they draft.

Annette (Dallas)

David, can you tell us what you expect the Mavericks to do?

David Aldridge

  (2:54 PM)

Actually, I don't expect them to do very much. Cuban seems to be committed to bringing Nellie back next year, and I'm not sure he has much choice. That team has been built for offense. You're not going to trade Dirk, and Finley's not going anywhere, either. So enjoy the 55+ regular season wins.

delando las vegas

what do you think the wizards will do with the fifth pick, is there any foreign player they will look at

David Aldridge

  (2:55 PM)

I think they were really hoping to be able to take Okafor or Howard. I think they'll look at Childress if he's still on the board.

Evan (Houston, TX)

What's your stance on expanding the Developmental League into a 15-team minor league for the NBA? With teams drafting guys just to leave them overseas or grabbing high schoolers and hoping they'll pan out, it seems to be neccessary.

David Aldridge

  (2:59 PM)

I'd have no problem with it as long as veteran players (perhaps defined as anyone on their second pro contract) could not be sent down to the minors unless they were on injury rehab. I worry that coaches would use the minors to discipline problem players, not develop young ones.

Saul (Los Angeles)

Any pt. guards ready to contribute in the draft

David Aldridge

  (3:00 PM)

Most of the people I talk to say that Livingston has a chance to be special pretty quickly. And those that think Harris can play the point like him a lot. But everyone, as I said, doesn't share that view.

David Aldridge

  (3:00 PM)

Oh, and there are a lot of Jameer Nelson fans as well.

Harold (Los Angeles)

Do you see any other aging players doing a Malone/Payton and taking huge pay cuts to play for a contender?

David Aldridge

  (3:02 PM)

No one specifically comes to mind, but if the Lakers win the title it certainly will be a great example for others. Especially since Malone in particular has been so instrumental to L.A.'s success.

Pilo (Stockton, CA)

Who will win the Finals? DO you think Detroit/Indiana has a great chance of defeating the LAKERS?

David Aldridge

  (3:02 PM)

Honestly, no. When the Lakers focus and concentrate on defense, no one can beat them.

Jam, Detroit

Was Reggie fouled by Rip Hamilton on the 3 point attempt at the end of game 3 or was it a good no-call? I realize that it's tough to make that call at the Palace, but being as unbiased as possible, it looked like Reggie got Rip in the air and Rip didn't exactly jump straight up and down.

David Aldridge

  (3:05 PM)

Tough no-call. I thought Reggie would get the benefit of the doubt...but I normally don't like that head fake-lean into the defender call. There was contact. It was a judgment call.

David Aldridge

  (3:08 PM)

Folks, I have to run. But to sum up--since many of you totally have misinterpreted what I wrote on Monday--I do not believe the lack of a suspension indicates any kind of "conspiracy" to help the Lakers. What I said was it makes those who are already inclined to believe in such things more sure about their delusions. Also, I know Malone was on defense. The "hard screen" comment came from someone who'd e-mailed me defending Karl's actions, saying they were just part of the game. Well, I don't think they're part of the game. Otherwise, as I pointed out, Malone wouldn't have been given a flagrant foul and ejected. Anyway, thanks for taking part in the chat. Sorry I was late. We'll do it again next week.