Chat with Chad Ford
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Ford covers the NBA and NBA Draft for ESPN Insider and also makes appearances on ESPN Radio and ESPNEWS.
Send your questions to Chad now and join him right here in The Show on Thursday at 1 p.m. ET!
Ford Archive: Chats | Columns
Chad (Santa Maria): Is it a bad sign that the Lakers fell behind by 20 or a good sign that they came back to win?
Chad Ford: Both. I think every year we count the Spurs out prematurely. As they showed in Game 1 ... they are going to make this a series. Psychologically, I think it was a big win for the Lakers. Now they know that even when they play badly, they can still beat the Spurs. I picked the Lakers in 7 and I'm sticking with that pick.Boyd (Salt Lake City): I just don't understand how you could pick Detroit in 6? Boston beat them 2 out of 3 in the regular season (and the win by Detroit was on some VERY questionable officiating in the 4th)Billups only shot 39% percent against the Celtics ?(Despite everyone saying how hard he killed Rondo-not true.)And Garnett routinely destroys Rasheed Wallace-EXPLAIN YOURSELF ! (I command you.)
Chad Ford: I think the Pistons have been a better playoff team than the Celtics. I think they have more depth. They're rested. And they've been here before. Most of this Celtics team hasn't. I do think the Celtics are very, very talented ... but I still see the Pistons pulling this out in 6. I think they'll win Game 2 and roll from there.Johnny (LA, CA): I don't understand the Beasley fascination. He's not big enough to dominate down low like Amare Stoudemire so basically he is going to do most of his work facing the basket. If that's the case then there's no question you take Rose which I'm confident the Bulls will end up doing.
Chad Ford: Personally, I think Derrick Rose is the best player in the draft. So ... I feel you. But ... Beasley is great and he's probably a better fit on the Bulls now. I think he'll be better in the post than you give him credit for. Rebounding is the one stat from college that almost always translates. The big worry about Beasley isn't really talent ... it's the off the court stuff. What kind of kid is he? Will he work hard? Does he have the maturity to be a No. 1 pick? Those are the questions that could scare the Bulls off Beasley. But on talent? The kid's an incredible basketball player who's game should translate well to the pros.Mike (Miami, Fl): How significant do you think Rose being a chicago native will be on the Bulls decision with the first pick, and if they do take rose, is there a chance miami trades for hinrich and drafts beasley?
Chad Ford: It's significant. There's a groundswell of support for Rose here in Chicago. He's a great kid and should be a dominant point guard in the pros. He's a big upgrade over Hinrich. It will be tough to trade Hinrich because of his contract. I can't see Miami giving up the No. 2 pick for Hinrich, even if the Bulls threw in another prospect like Noah or Ty Thomas.Jeremmy (Chicago): Chad, I think you're a little too harsh on Tyrus Thomas. He wasn't handled well by the previous coaching staff and hasn't had many opportunities to play. In spite of that, he's still just 21, he's played well when he starts, and he's shown brilliant flashes. If the Bulls have trouble deciding who to choose, they should draft Rose to keep Thomas in the picture.
Chad Ford: This is a good point. If Rose was the pick and the Bulls brought in an offensive mastermind (like Mike D'Antoni ... oops) then a combo of Rose, Gordon, Deng, Thomas and Noah would have been off the charts. Rose will help Thomas if they play the right style.Steve (New York): Do you think D'Antoni is re-thinking his signing with the Knicks now that the Bulls have the #1 pick? If that had been known before the lottery do you think it would have made a difference in his decision?
Chad Ford: I'm sure he is. I asked him that question on lottery night. We have the video of his reaction on the site. With Rose and D'Antoni the Bulls would've been great. However the Bulls are the biggest losers here. D'Antoni was the perfect coach for them ... I still don't understand how they slipped away.Andrew (Hollywood, FL): Pat Riley has made it clear that Rose is at the top of his board. What do you think the future looks like if Rose goes first and the Heat take Beasley?
Chad Ford: Good. I think Beasley would be a good fit on the Heat. I think he can play with Marion and Wade. However, it sounds like given the choice, they might opt to trade the pick or ... I'm hearing they'll also seriously consider O.J. Mayo. He's here working out with Dwyane Wade. I think they'd actually be a better combo in the backcourt than Wade-Rose because O.J. can really shoot the ball.Mick (SF): Chad - Outside of Beasley and Rose, who has the potential to be "special"? Mayo? Bayless?
Chad Ford: Mayo. No question. He's suffered from such extreme expectations. I watched him for two days, spent a lot of time talking to him and I'm blown away. As far as basketball goes ... he really has it all. I think he'll be good enough to play point on the right team, but even if he doesn't, he really can score. As a person, I was impressed. I've heard all the bad stuff, but what I saw was a very intelligent, respectful and humble kid who is working his butt off. I think he's misunderstood. I know he's had a few issues in high school -- but honestly how many kids do you know that haven't had any issues in high school? I think he's a clear top 3 pick ... he might even crack into the No. 2 conversation with Miami.Eric - NYC: Well - it seems as there is no shot the Knicks get OJ Mayo. Is DeAndre Jordan a possibility? He's perfect for the 3 year 'rebuilding'.
Chad Ford: He's the highest risk-reward player in the draft. He has the physical tools to be a Dwight Howard type player ... but I'm not sure he has the work ethic. The rumor is that he's already got a Top 5 promise ... so that would exclude the Knicks. I'm just not sure Donnie Walsh is really willing to gamble on him.Chris (St. Paul, MN): Do you realize what you've just done with your response to Andrew from Hollywood? You've actually given me hope for my Wolves and the draft i.e. 1-Rose, 2-Mayo, 3-Beasley. Why did you do this to me? You're cruel. Now I have hopes.
Chad Ford: With the third pick in the draft ... Kevin McHale selects Kosta Koufos. Nobody can shatter your hopes like McHale.Jeremy (Eugene,OR): Would the Twolves really pass on Mayo to draft Lopez? Seems like a pretty big reach
Chad Ford: I've heard that the three guys they like are Lopez, Mayo and Gallinari. Lopez fits a need ... but Mayo is the best fit and an upgrade, in my opinion, over Rashad McCants and Randy Foye. Gallinari is the wild card. He's good ... it's just a question of how good. He'd be a good fit there.Finn (Seattle, WA): So after your piece on Mayo, has he changed your Mock Draft? I'd love to see the SOnics get him at 2. With he and Jeff Green, the Sonics have the potential to be a very solid defensive team. Agree?
Chad Ford: For me ... I'd take O.J. over Bayless ... but a lot of NBA guys disagree. Bayless may be a little bit more ready to play the point guard ... though watching O.J. I think he's under rated as a point guard. On a team like Seattle, he'd be very good next to Durant.Krish (Memphis): Chad, love the chats and posts. PLEASE tell me that the Grizzlies are not the team that has promised DeAndre Jordan the 5th pick. I think he's going to be terrible (and I also think OJ Mayo is going to just be average). Kevin Love is the right choice for them.
Chad Ford: Maybe they'll package the pick and Mike Miller for more expiring contracts and late first round picks. Who knows what the Grizzlies will do. They really need a big, but the best players available right now are probably guards. Anthony Randolph would be intriguing.Chris (Minneapolis, MN): "Rebounding is the one stat from college that almost always translates." Kevin Durant?
Chad Ford: Ummm.. I have no idea what the Sonics were thinking when they put KD at the two guard position. That explains his poor rebounding stats, not his ability.Martin LA, CA: Kevin Love to me is the surest thing in the draft... You know exactly what you gonna get and what he needs to be around to be good.. He would be perfect paired with a Dwight Howard
Chad Ford: Surest thing? Really?? I like Love. I like him even better now that he's lost some weight and become more explosive. But he's average height and just average athletically. That makes him a question mark. But if we're talking basketball IQ, strength and skill then yeah, Love is great. I think he'll get a strong look from the Bobcats and Pacers in the lottery.D (Indiana): why isn't Speights more highly regarded? I hope the bobcats consider him at 9!
Chad Ford: He should be. He's 6-11. athletic, can score in the post and he's got a better than expected perimeter game. I worry a little bit about his feel for the game and rumors that he isn't the most motivated guy ... but what I saw in Vegas .. he's working really hard at the moment.jon (new york): chad, realistically, what are the knicks options at 6?
Chad Ford: Trade is probably the best. Gallinari is probably second. They'd love Rose, Mayo or Bayless, but I don't see any of them getting to No. 6. Bad luck for the Knicks.Justin (Milwaukee): Where do you see Michael Redd being traded this summer?
Chad Ford: If the Bucks go with a shooting guard like Eric Gordon ... yes. Redd has value and they Bucks need to retool. I think he, Charlie Villanueva and Mo Williams are the three guys who could be sent packing.Seth (Los Angeles, CA): Hey Chad, if the Bulls select Derrick Rose do you think the Clippers should make an offer for Kirk Hinrich? Maybe sign and trade Maggette?
Chad Ford: That's an option. But again Hinrich's deal isn't great. I think they'd have to get more ... and Maggette wouldn't be the guy they'd target. Brand would be.Jason (Brooklyn): How serious are the Nuggets about shopping Melo? What kind of offers are out there?
Chad Ford: Sounds like he's on the block along with everyone else in Denver. There will be lots of interest in Melo ... the Nets obviously have interest. I think the Bucks will too. Knicks for sure. The Nuggets want to cut payroll and obviously get a higher pick in the draft. The Nets have some pieces to make that happen. The Bucks may be in a better position to do it.Ben (Charlotte): What's the best option for the Bobcats at #9? Kevin Love seems like a player who could thrive under Larry Brown, but is there a trade out there the Cats could make w/ their pick? Could GW + #9 = Carmelo?
Chad Ford: Last time I checked, Larry Brown and Carmelo Anthony hated each other. Remember their Team USA run-in? Love is an obvious fit and the Bobcats need rebounding. However, can they really afford to take two unathletic players in the lottery (remember Adam Morrison Bobcat fans?). Love's knee problems also will raise red flags. What they really need is a center (Okafor's better at the four) or an upgrade at the point (Westbrook would be a good compliment to Raymond Felton).JB Portland: What is Joe Alexanders upside? Who could he compare to in the NBA?
Chad Ford: He's one of the BEST athletes in the draft. He's still just scratching the surface of his talent. As far as comparisons go ... not an obvious fit but maybe Shawn Marion without the rebounding.Dan (NYc): Chad- An an international antitrust case, what level of domestic involvement is necessary before a foreign plaintiff has standing to sue in a U.S. court?
Chad Ford: Yeah ... I wasn't paying that close attention in law school. I teach more international conflcit resolution that takes place outside the courtroom. What's the answer Dan, I'll post it.Steven (Toronto): We know Brook Lopez has a ton of potential but what about his brother? Is he a "what you see is what you get" or does he have untapped potential still?
Chad Ford: I think some teams feel that Robin is a safer pick because you know what he is ... a hustle guy who could be a Varejao type player in the league. Brook is clearly a better offensive player .. but is he good enough to be a great pro? I think his ceiling is probably closer to Chris Kaman's. Not bad, but not Dwight Howard either.GREG - GI, NY: Fran Frascilla (sp?) said that Danilo Gallinari could be the best player in the draft. is he smoking something or is this kid the next Euro star?
Chad Ford: I know one NBA scout who agrees with him. So he's not alone. But ... honestly I think his lack of great athleticism keeps him from being able to be an elite player in the league. A lot of scouts compare him to Toni Kukoc. Toni was a very good NBA player ... but he wasn't a superstar. Rose and Beasley and O.J. for that matter have superstar potential.Kyle (OH): Any chance Eric Gordon slips to the Pacers? Would they take him even if a PG was still on the board?
Chad Ford: Probably not, but if he did, they'd be crazy not to take him. He'd give them the shooting and athleticism that Jim O'Brien currently lacks in the back court. As far as PGs, Westbrook and Augustin are the only two that might be there. Tough call ... Westbrook is the better athlete and defender, Augustin is a much better playmaker, but undersizedSteve, Los Angeles: I saw something about the Sixers looking to get Zach Randolph...I would think Donnie Walsh would move him or Curry in a heartbeat if the opportunity arose. Will it? Can either of those two possibly be traded?
Chad Ford: If Walsh can trade them ... he will. Randolph would fit a need for the Sixers ... but at what price? He's over paid and has too much baggage.Matt (ATL): Chad, Now that Lindsey has removed himself from consideration, who do you think the Hawks will/should hire as their new GM? Also, will the owners insist that the new GM keep Woodson as head coach? thanks
Chad Ford: I think they have to re-open the search. Go after Pacers GM David Morway ... Donnie Walsh's right hand man in Indiana. He's the next best thing to Donnie.Cameron (San Diego, CA): What are your thoughts on Chase Budinger? In a recent mock draft, ESPN has him falling into the 20's. At the end of last year and at the beginning of this year, experts projected him as a lottery lock. Can he fall that far and who can you see picking him up?
Chad Ford: He's a great athlete and a good shooter, but he doesn't really have a mid range game, isn't a great defender and doesn't always assert himself. I think he's in danger of slipping. I think his range is 13 to 22. Chad Ford: I've got to run everyone. Let's do this again next week. I'll be in Orlando at the pre-draft camp. Should here lots of great trade rumors there.
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