Kris and Dan Answer NBA Questions

This is a segment we started last NBA season. Like most things in my life, it started strong and then fizzled at the end, like a John McCain Campaing.


1) Is Rudy Gay this years breakthrough superstar?

DAN
If he played on any other team but Memphis, yes. Well, not any other team. He wouldn't be on Charlotte or Oklahoma City, either. Or the Hawks.

Rudy Gay is fantastic. He's an athletic scorer, that can shoot from long range and finish spectacularly. He can create his own shot off the dribble. He is really exciting to watch, capable of a 'get out your seat yelling DAMN' play at any moment.

This year, he will average something like 22 points, 7 rebounds, and 3 assists.

The only people that will know this, however, are the hardcore hoop addicts. The League Pass subscribers. The ones who might actually see a Memphis Grizzlies game. The casual fan will hardly notice, because they hardly even know there's a team in Memphis, and Memphis isn't going to be on national TV unless they make the playoffs, which they won't.

So, no, unfortunately, Rudy Gay will not be a breakout superstar. He will be an All-Star, and he will be the league's best-kept secret, taking that title from Chris Bosh.

KRIS
I must admit, I sort of like Dan’s theory; if an NBA game is played in Memphis, does it really count?

I also agree with everything Dan said about his skill and athleticism as a ball player, Gay is fantastic. He came into college with a tremendous amount of hype, but never fully materialized. Some of that could be due to the fact that his game is just more suited for the NBA. His rookie season was good, but enigmatic, much like his college career. He has worked on his outside shooting to become a very good NBA player.

I do believe he can be the nreakout star of the year, even playing in Memphis. I point to one of the things Dan said about him; He is really exciting to watch, capable of a 'get out your seat yelling DAMN' play at any moment. He has that eye popping quality and explosiveness to his game that could make him a Sports Center favorite, like a young Amare who first gained fame by just thunder dunking on people before his game was fully refined.

So I am saying yes, I think he will be this year’s breakout star, but still a pretty good secret.



2)Can a team that starts Matt Barnes and Raja Bell, voluntarily, win a playoff series even though they have 3 potential Hall of Famers also starting in Nash, Shaq and Amare?

DAN
Raja Bell has started for a team that won a playoff series (the Suns.)

Matt Barnes has started for a team that won a playoff series (the Warriors.)

So, yeah, those two guys playing with Amare, Shaq, and Nash (and Grant Hill, and Barbosa, and Diaw, and that Lopez twin) can win a playoff series. I wouldn't bet on two playoff series, or three. But can they win one? Most assuredly.Keep in mind, a team that started Jameer Nelson voluntarily won a playoff series last year. And he wasn't playing with any future Hall of Famers (Dwight Howard is borderline at best.)

KRIS
Good point Dan, highlighting the fact that Barnes and Bell have won playoff series. And yes they do have a very talented team around them. As for Nelson winning a playoff series I think your Memphis theory applies here, if a playoff series happens in the Eastern Conference, does it really happen?

I am not sure how far the Suns can go though, if their veterans start to play old it could be an early exit for them, and I don’t see them as a championship contender.

However, while doing some exhaustive research for this question I did come across and obscure ruling. In the NBA Rulebook, Version 6.7, under Playoffs, Section 4, subset D article VII: Any team which starts Matt Barnes and Raja Bell, and not because of injury or death to a teammate, may not make the playoffs in the Western Conference. An exception to allow them to play in the Eastern Conference can be made if, and only if, America were to actually elect a Black man President someday (yeah right!!!).