NBA Basketball

Ivan Carter and Michael Lee
Washington Post Staff Writers
Wednesday, May 30, 2007 2:00 PM

Washington Post staff writers Michael Lee and Ivan Carter were online Wednesday, May 30, at 2 p.m. ET to field your questions and comments about the Wizards, the playoffs and all the latest NBA news.

From The Post:

Wizards Coverage

The transcript follows.

Discussion Archive

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Ivan Carter: No question about what the hot topic is going to be today. Kobe and the Lakers (once again) making headlines. I'm in sunny Orlando for the pre-draft camp and the news popped a little while ago while I was on a jog in between sessions so I haven't had a chance to gauge league reaction yet. That will come later. Also getting a look at some draft prospects including some locals like DJ Strawberry and JR Reynolds. Let's get to it.

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McLean, Va.: Any truth to these Randolph for Jamison rumors? And can the personalities of Arenas, Stevenson, and Randolph work on this team? I see them getting bored on a long road trip and setting Etan's dreads on fire.

Ivan Carter: Before we get to Kobe: I've asked around about the so-called Randolph rumor and from what I can gather, there is nothing to it. It came from Sam Smith of the Chi Tribune, who essentially writes a trade rumor column. The Portland people I spoke with yesterday said the Wiz and Blazers have not discussed a Randolph deal and that vibes with what I know about the Wiz. Abe Pollin isn't going to trade his favorite player since Wes Unseld (Jamison) for a guy who has been arrested repeatedly, plays no defense and has a monster contract. Not going to happen. That said, you'd better believe that Portland is looking to move him. They'd love to.

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Michael Lee: Whew. I know there are two conference finals going on, but we've had a pretty interesting day, given Kobe Bryant's trade demand today. I hope we can talk about more than Kobe, especially with two pretty good series going on. I'm ready to talk, though, so let's go. . .

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Oxon Hill, Md.: Any chance the Wiz make a play for Kobe realistically?

Ivan Carter: Assuming Kobe sticks by his guns (he's changed his story four times now in the last four days) and the Lakers actually meet his demand, the only teams I see having a real shot are ones with a great young talent or two AND a high pick. To me, that screams Chicago, which could offer a Luol Deng and a Ben Gordon plus the ninth pick. That's a package the Lakers would at least have to consider. Memphis could offer Pau Gasol and the fourth. Milwaukee has Michael Redd, Bogut and the sixth. Again, it's early but I have to think that the Lakers would ask for the moon or sit on him.

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Adelphi, Md.: What's wrong with the Pistons? It doesn't appear like they're running their normal offensive sets or playing with their normal defensive aggressiveness. I've seen so many open lanes where a help defender has normally filled the hole! Honestly I just don't think they're motivated, because the Cavaliers aren't that great, and LeBron still hasn't asserted himself for an entire game yet.

Michael Lee: What's wrong with the Pistons? The Cavaliers! It's time to give Cleveland some credit. This isn't about the Pistons being unmotivated or complacent. The Cavs have frustrated Chauncey Billups to no end, and they have the Pistons looking confused in crunch time and struggling to find a rhythm on either end of the floor. The Cavaliers aren't great, but they've been the better team throughout this series. Think about it: They've outplayed Detroit for all but the final minute in Game 1 and the final minute in Game 2.

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Oxon Hill, Md.: Since the Wiz have the rights to two bigs from last years draft, does that give them the option of drafting the best available player instead of drafting a big out of need, say Thaddeus Young as opposed to Jason Smith?

Ivan Carter: Jason Smith, a 7-footer from Colorado State, is a guy who intrigues me. He'll be here in Orlando this weekend to workout for a bunch of teams but he declined a chance to play here this week. I wish he had because I would have liked seeing him go up against another big man, Aaron Gray from Pitt, who is here. The Wiz are scheduled to work Smith out and I could see them taking him if he shows something. Again, I haven't seen him myself so I can't offer much insight. I'll ask around a little more this evening.

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D.C.: Is the Orlando draft camp now a place for second rounders to audition?

Ivan Carter: Pretty much. About the only name players down here are Jared Dudley from BC and T Green from Florida. The big dogs again decided not to come and show their stuff. The only first rounders to come out of the camp last year were Renaldo Balkman and Jordan Farmar. It's a bummer because it would be great to see at least some of the lottery types square off against some of these late first and second round guys.

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Washington, D.C.: With Kobe's recent request to be traded, how about this:

Haywood, Thomas, Stevenson and the rights to Juan Carlos Navarro for Kobe. The Wizards new starting lineup would be:

Gilbert, Kobe, Booth, Jamison, Butler

off the bench: Daniels, Blatche, Songaila, Roger Mason, Pecherov

Let's do this!

Ivan Carter: Uh, don't think that one is going to get it done.

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B-B-B-B-Billups.: Fellas,

What's going on with Chauncey man? Cleveland is his kryptonite, and I don't know why? Can you explain this, and how do you see this series messing with his money come free agent time?

Michael Lee: The Cavaliers have been able to completely disrupt Billups on the offensive end by throwing a help defender to get the ball out of his hands, and to cut off his driving lanes. And, you know, LeBron put a number on him last night, especially in the fourth quarter.

You know this situation with Billups is looking like Ben Wallace last year in the conference finals. He looked like a shell of himself against Miami, Flip Saunders decided not to even play him in the fourth quarter and the Pistons probably realized that they didn't need to overspend to keep him. Did it hurt Wallace at the bank? No. He got $60 million.

But the Pistons are serious about keeping Billups. I don't know how much money he has lost, because this series is looking like the exception as opposed to the rule when it comes to Billups.

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Chris, dc: what about Kobe for Etan and Haywood?

Ivan Carter: Now, that's more like it. I'm sure Kupchak would keep his job with that one.

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Before every pronounces them dead . . .: Does the media need to be reminded that the Pistons lost three in a row to the Cavs in the second round last year and still won the series? There has been way too much premature jocularity over the Cavaliers.

Michael Lee: No. The media doesn't need to be reminded of last year, because every one is aware of the situation and written about it to death. This is two different seasons, two different teams. Last year, Detroit won 64 games and Cleveland won 50. This year, Detroit won 53 and Cleveland won 50. So, the separation between the teams is not that much, plus the Cavaliers have are a more experienced playoff team and LeBron is getting better each game.

The concern with most in the media is that it's been four games and the supposed "real" Pistons have yet to show up. Well, maybe these are the "real" Pistons.

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Woodbridge, Va.: Wizards draft question...What do you think about the Wiz taking Reyshawn Terry from UNC with the 16th pick. I know it's a a little high, but the kid is going to blow up in the NBA. He's a "poor mans" Corey Brewer. 6-8, highly athletic, defensive stopper, very good long range shooter. Could take the place of Jarvis Hayes and provide some toughness to boot.....

Ivan Carter: Terry isn't even here in Orlando so I have to think that he's not going in the first round. He may be there in the second.

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Lanham: If the Wizards choose to allow Stevenson (who I hope they can re-sign) to part, what keeps them from starting Butler at shooting guard and starting Songaila at power forward?

Ivan Carter: It's an option but Butler has clearly shown that he's more comfortable playing at the 3 where he tends to get shots at the elbows, on the baseline and out front in transition. Plus, I think he's better defending 3s like Al Harrington than 2s like Michael Redd etc. Should the Wiz allow Stevenson to walk (and I hear they might if he wants five years, $25 million) they'll have to go out and find a 2.

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D.C.: Yes, Deron Williams is having a great playoff run, but do you guys agree he is the second or third best PG in the league, as many seem to think. I love his game, but he's not even the best player on his team, Boozer is. Put Chris Paul on the Jazz, and he'll look just as good. Heck, Baron Davis was being hailed as the second coming of Isiah a couple of weeks ago.

Or am I nuts, and we're witnessing a D. Wade like coming out party?

Michael Lee: It sounds like you are drinking some serious Deron Williams Haterade Fierce. This guy is legit. He has been a winner ever since he was in college at Illinois. He led that team to a national championship. Plus, Williams is a really tough dude. He has the look of an assassin on the court and he is definitely making a name for himself at the only time it really matters.

It doesn't matter what you think about Paul, the Jazz saw both and went with the guy they thought would be better. I'm not saying he is, but I'm not saying that Paul would be a better fit for what Utah does. Williams is the real deal, partner. When you can bust Bruce Bowen - one of the league's best individual defenders - and the Spurs - one of the best defensive teams in the league - on a nightly basis, you cannot question that he is good.

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DC: "Haywood, Thomas, Stevenson and the rights to Juan Carlos Navarro for Kobe" What is this guy thinking? Lakers would have to give up Bynum as well to even it out.

Michael Lee: While we're at it, let's get Phil Jackson, too.

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Washington, D.C.: Can you tell us a little bit about the Wizards front office's international scouting resources, etc.? Does the team have scouts stationed full-time overseas? How many? The team drafted two international players last year -- which particular scouts identified and championed those selections in the organization?

Ivan Carter: That's a great question and I must admit I'm a little ashamed not to know more details about how exactly they scout over there. I do know this: They do have scouts assigned to various Euro leagues and those guys write regular reports for Ernie and crew. Also, Ernie made at least two trips over to Europe this season to personally eyeball last year's guys - Pecherov and Veremeenko - and see other prospects. I also know that they have detailed info all of the potential picks this year. I'll find out more and I think you just gave me a good story idea. Thanks.

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Long Island, N.Y.: Ivan/Michael

For the few/proud Net fans, what is your hunch on what Thorn does do for 2007? Do they just resign VC and try once again with this team? Sign/trade VC somewhere? Trade Carter, RJ and Kidd? Try to trade for Kobe?

Michael Lee: From what I'm hearing, the Nets are in a tough situation. The Nets are in a bad situation in New Jersey, because nobody cares about them. They can be a finals contender and still draw a half-empty arena. With that said, they are thinking about keeping the team intact so as not to alienate the few fans they have left. Kidd may demand a trade, but the Nets would like to keep this group together and maybe think of rebuilding shortly after they move to New Jersey - or maybe they just try to lure LeBron from Cleveland in three years (I'm kidding Cavs fans).

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Washington, D.C.: Here's what I don't get about Kobe: who wants to be bothered with a prima dona like him? As I recall, he pretty much made the Lakers get rid of Shaq and Phil Jackson by essentially saying that he could win a championship on his own. Well, we all saw how that turned out...to say nothing of his whole attitude and his off-court issues. Who really would want a headache like this?

Ivan Carter: As Michael knows, I am not the biggest Kobe fan in the world and he clearly had something to do with Shaq's departure, I don't care what he says. But, I will say this: Kupchak has made some bad moves. Caron Butler for Kwame. Overpaying Radmanovic. Not finding a better PG than Smush Parker. Not pulling the trigger on a deal that would have landed J Kidd last season. Kobe does have some reasons to be ticked.

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Reston, Va.: Which would fare better against San Antone - Cleveland or Detroit? Why?

Michael Lee: Was that Cleveland and Detroit or Cleveland or Detroit? Because if you had a team with Chauncey Billups at point, Richard Hamilton at shooting guard, LeBron James at small forward, Tayshaun Prince at power forward and Rasheed Wallace at center, they could give the Spurs a run for their money. As for Cleveland or Detroit, I think the Spurs beat either team. Before this series, I would've said that Detroit had a better chance against San Antonio, but I'm beginning to have reservations about them. They haven't look impressive since taking a 3-0 lead over Chicago to be honest. Cleveland just isn't ready to knock off San Antonio, no matter what LeBron does. I think after San Antonio finishes off Utah, Tim Duncan can start getting sized for ring No. 4.

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D.C.: A bomb was dropped in LA today where Kobe wants to be traded and would even consider playing in Pluto. Given that, the Wizards might have a chance at landing Kobe. Numbers indicate a trade would work for Arenas and Caron. If you were Grunfeld, would you do it to bring this superstar into town? He'd be the toast of the East, now that all of the attention is on the West.

Ivan Carter: Grunfeld would have to at least consider it, wouldn't he? Thing is, Kobe wouldn't take such a deal because he'd be right back where he started: on a team with a limited supporting cast (he'd have Jamison) and zero chance of winning a title in the near future.

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Washington, D.C.: Why hasn't there been more talk of the end of the Jazz/Spurs game on Monday? The commentators noted that the first technical on Fisher was not deserved because of the Ginobili acting job, but no commentary on the second technical that cause the ejection, and likely a fine to one of the "nicest guys in the NBA." I would think at least a look back at the first technical to show that Fisher had been undeservingly ejected would be shown, but instead they discuss how Fisher was "staring down" Ginobili when in reality he was walking over to his fallen competitor after a hard foul to help him up with his open hand outstretched.

It's important for the referees to keep games under control, but it was pretty clear that they were expecting fireworks like what happened in Spurs/Suns game 4, and were really quick with the whistle. The outcome was already pretty much sealed, but referees should do their job for 48 minutes just like the players, no?

Michael Lee: You're somewhat right. I agree that the referees really lost control of that game down the stretch, but I don't think it influenced the outcome more than Manu Ginobili did with his stellar fourth quarter performance.

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Mike (D.C.): With the 16th pick, I have no idea who the Wizards will pick. I really like Sean Williams from Boston College. Amazing shot blocker and a very good rebounder. I think he has the spark the Wizards need. I know he has off court problems but do you think he'll be a good pick?

Ivan Carter: Williams is getting some attention because he clearly has talent but he got booted off his team in college and those character issues could be a concern. I'll find out if the Wizards have a plan to work him out. If they do, that would at least indicate that they are intrigued.

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Burke, Va.: Any chances Seattle or Portland would trade their first-round picks? Also, what's the early read on Oden vs. Durant and who will go No. 1?

Ivan Carter: I was asking about Portland's situation yesterday and a Portland guy I spoke with said GM Kevin Pritchard is sincere when he says that he hasn't made up his mind about taking Oden or Durant. Word is that Pritchard likes Durant and has for a long time plus, the Blazers have a strong need for a scorer. I still think they take Oden but Portland plans at taking a long, long look at both of them before locking in.

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Hyattsville, Md. : As much as it pains me, I'll take one for the team and ask a non-Kobe question:

Can we agree that the Cavs are the worst team to ever get this far? My God. you drop Lebron, and they're the Bobcats. That said, I think its not outside the realm of possibility that they win this thing. They hung with the Pistons with LBJ having two lackluster games, and it looks like the King has awakened. Am I dreaming to think that this in the next round, we'll get to see Anderson Varejao And Manu Ginobili go head to head in what would have to be the Greatest Flopping Match-up of All Time?

Michael Lee: I will not agree with you there. The Cavaliers are not the worst team to make it this far. They won 50 games and finished with the No. 2 seed. Trust me, there have been worse teams to advance this far. You realize Boston made it to the conference finals with 49 wins in 2002. The Knicks made it the NBA Finals as the eighth seed in 1999. The Pistons got swept out of the conference finals in 2003. I could go on, but you catch my drift.

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Blacksburg, Va.: what's the word down there on Zabian Dowdell? I hear his stock is rising to late first round. Has he played in any of the games today?

Ivan Carter: I was watching him last night and again this morning and he caught my eye (as did JR Reynolds of UV and T Green of Florida). Dowdell is quick, a good defender and has made his mid-range Js. I'll see a lot more starting tonight when the games continue. One thing I remember from last summer's camp was that it took a couple of days for guys to settle down, forget that they are playing 10 feet away from Michael Jordan, Larry Bird, Jerry West and Lenny Wilkins and simply play ball. Guys should start to show themselves tonight. I'll blog accordingly with an emphasis on the area guys: Dowdell, Reynolds, DJ Strawberry, Ekene Ibekwe, Sean Singletary and Coleman Collins.

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DC: Rumor has it that the Wizards covet Anderson Varejao. One worded question: WHY? We do not need another 6-10 guy who shoots poorly from the FT line, has no offensive game, and has big hair.

Ivan Carter: I disagree. He is exactly the kind of player this team needs: high energy, rebounder-type who runs the floor and doesn't need plays to be run for him to be effective. In fact, I think he's a better fit for the Wiz than the Cavs because the Wiz run.

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Salt Lake City: I saw a girl blow a kiss to Ginobili.

He fell down, then drained the free throws.

Ivan Carter: Nice. I agree. Way too much flopping by him and everyone else in these playoffs. It's disgusting actually.

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Baltimore: Any chance DJ Strawberry gets drafted?

Ivan Carter: I'll do some asking around about DJ the next two days and blog about it. Haven't watched him much down here yet.

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New York, N.Y.: How would it be possible for Kobe to be traded to a team that still keeps its best players? It doesn't seem possible.

Prediction: Kobe never wins another title. Ever.

Michael Lee: You know Kobe puts the Lakers in a terrible position, similar to what they had to deal with, with Shaq in 2004. How do you trade the best player in the game and get equal value? Chances are the team that gets Kobe would have to give up the farm for him, but the cupboard would be bare once Kobe arrived. He'd be in a similar situation.

But I understand Kobe's frustration. I spoke with a scout this week, who told that the Lakers have had one legit starter the past two seasons - Lamar Odom - yet he has been able to get them to the playoffs. He is carrying a heavier load than any one-man show in the league. I just hate it when players do this. It's not good for the game - and Kobe can expect a hefty fine from the league for this. Ron Artest got $10,000 for doing it almost a year ago, but Kobe is in THE glam spot in the NBA. The Commish cannot be happy about this.

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Brooklyn, N.Y.: I suppose Kobe could have made this news over the summer after the NBA Finals. But of course he gets maximum attention for making noise now.

Do you get the sense that this megalomaniac couldn't stand that basketball was going on and he wasn't being talked about? He's probably befuddled as to how we can all go on without him. He's so pathetic. It's really sad to see such a talent I once had so much respect for continue to slide away into oblivion.

Ivan Carter: I tend to agree with you.

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College Park, Md.:"He has been a winner ever since he was in college at Illinois. He led that team to a national championship."

Perhaps a little refresher on the past NCAA Basketball Champions is in order...

2007- Florida

2006- Florida

2005- North Carolina

2004- Connecticut

2003- Syracuse

2002- Maryland

Illinois was in the 2005 Championship GAME, but they did not actually win the title.

2004-

Michael Lee: The championship GAME in 2005, forgive me.

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Northwest: Greg Oden - next Michael Olowakandi or Moses Malone? Is he really a sure thing? Durant looks to have more of the NBA type game at this point.

Ivan Carter: Oden is no Kandi-man I can tell you that. Not sure if he's Moses though. The key is his age: he's a pup and you have to think that he's offensive skills will develop while his defensive skills are already good enough to make him better than most centers in the league already.

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Phoenix: While it's obvious that Kobe cannot win with the current Lakers roster, what kind of team (in general or specifically) do you think he would best fit in with?

Michael Lee: You know that's a good question. I think Kobe needs to be surrounded by some good athletes, a quality point guard and a defensive-minded center. A team like New Orleans would be perfect with Chris Paul and Tyson Chandler, but they have nothing to offer. The Bulls make the most sense, but the Lakers be happy with Luol Deng, Ben Gordon, the No. 9 pick and whatever else? I tend to think not. It's a really tough situation for the Lakers. I don't see how they pull this off and make their fan base happy. Lakers fans really have never recovered from the Shaq trade - and it's been downhill ever since.

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Brooklyn, N.Y.: Would this just be brilliant: Straight up trade Kobe for D. Wade? Ha!

Michael Lee: Hah, indeed.

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D.C.: Okay, but if Chicago gives up Deng, Gordon, and their pick, what would they have left? Don't say Hinrich, because Hinrich won't be bringing the ball up the court. Also, would Kobe avoid Chicago due to the MJ stigma, or would he accept that challenge?

Michael Lee: Kobe wanted to go to Chicago when he entered free agency in 2004, so it isn't far from his mind. Hey, the boy has wanted to be Jordan since he entered the league, why not give it a shot now?

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this could work: Amare and Diaw to the Lakers for Kobe and Bynum.

Michael Lee: I don't know, I'd have to think about that a little. I think one of the reason Kobe is mad is because the Lakers never traded Bynum to get Ron Artest or Jason Kidd. I think he realizes Bynum isn't ready yet, but I don't know. Playing with Nash might not be so bad.

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Washington, D.C.: Ray Allen and the No. 2 pick to LA for Kobe?

The interesting thing about both Detroit and Cleveland is that in this era of "Big Threes" -- i.e., teams with three prime players and lesser players fit in around them, Cleveland has a big four (James, Hughes, Gooden and Ilgauskas), and Detroit arguably has a big five (although I would not consider Webber in that "big" category any more).

Michael Lee: I would not say Cleveland has a big four. It has a big one - the chosen one, to be exact. The Pistons actually have a big four (yes, the four starters not named Chris Webber); they had five with Ben Wallace.

But to answer your question, I don't see how Seattle would give up the future star of this league for Kobe. He'd be in the same situation he was in in Los Angeles, carrying a roster of scrubs.

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Washington, D.C.: Guys - Do you agree that LeBron takes too many steps a few times every game? That empty lane flush in the first quarter looked suspect.

Michael Lee: Yes, he does travel every now and then. I think we've seen that many times from him - like Game 3 against Wizards last season. I remember sitting in on an officials meeting once and they told a group of reporters that they don't always call travel if a player is making an aggressive, basketball move. I was baffled at the time, but I realized that it is really difficult calling games with these supremely gifted athletes. When they drive to the basket, officials are often looking for contact more than looking at feet.

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Oceans 24: : Am I nutty conspiracy theorists, or does this seem like a con? Could it be possible that Kobe's doing this to force Jerry West's hand? The Lakers will fall into the dark ages without Kobe, and that would kill West to see. Maybe this threat is just a stunt to scare West into coming back. Am I crazy?

Michael Lee: I'm pretty suspicious about this whole thing, too. Kobe is being a bit wishy washy about this, saying he wants to be traded if Jerry West isn't around, that he doesn't want to be traded and not that he wants to be traded, no matter what. He has thrown Mitch Kupchak under the bus and backed it up repeatedly. But to attempt to upstage the conference finals is pretty lame, too. I'm not sure what Kobe's deal is. It just seems that somebody in the organization has royally upset him, but for him to come out now about all of this Shaq stuff, I don't know. I don't think it makes him look good in any way. He got his wish of having his own team and after three years, he wants to bail. I understand his frustration but . . . this could've been handled a little cleaner I think. This is really sloppy right now.

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James Dolan, NY: Can I get Kobe?? I am ready to send the entire Knicks roster and Isiah Thomas to LA?

Michael Lee: I bet you are. Too bad your entire roster finished worse than the Lakers, a team Kobe is trying to run away from.

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DC: Kobe could go to NJ for a sign and trade agreement for Vinsanity. He'd be united with JKidd in the NY/NJ limelight.

Michael Lee: I don't know. The fans in Los Angeles love Kobe - or at least they used to - so I would not want to be the dude who had to replace Kobe. You think Vince could handle that pressure? He couldn't handle the pressure in Toronto. He's not looking so good in New Jersey. LA would eat him alive. I cannot think of too many people strong enough to handle replacing Kobe. I wouldn't want to be Mitch Kupchak right now, either.

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Denver: Why is everybody so down on Greg Oden's offensive game? Do you think Kevin Durant would have had the impact he did if he had surgery on his right wrist?

Compare Oden to Shaq, Hakeem, Duncan and Ewing in their freshman years. I would argue that he is more polished than any of those guys were at 18/19. He already has a legit hook shot and his drop step, up and under, and spin moves improved DRAMATICALLY as the season went on and the cast was tapered down.

Michael Lee: I'm not worried about Oden on offense. That'll come. Didn't people think Patrick Ewing had no 'o' at Georgetown? I think the system at Ohio State wasn't very conducive to his game. But as long as you have a center who can defend and rebound, that other stuff is not really an issue. Defensive-minded centers take you further than the one-dimensional scorers, like Eddy Curry or whatever.

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Michael Lee: Hey, people. I've really got to go. It's been fun. We'll do it again next week. By then, the Finals will be set. Peace.

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