The Grant Napear Show - March 14, 2012
Today was a busy one on the Grant Napear Show with NFL Free Agency starting, the Kings struggling, and the Warriors making a big time trade. Grant discussed some of the moves made in the NFL since free agency started, as well as gave his thoughts on who won the trade between Milwaukee Bucks and the Golden State Warriors, Mike D'Antoni parting ways with the New York Knicks and what the Kings need to do to improve on their performance in Tuesday night's loss to the Warriors. Grant took calls from listeners on what their favorite team should do in free agency, what they thought of the Warriors and Bucks trade, what may happen next with Mike D'Antoni, what the Kings might do at the trade deadline, and what the Kings need to get back to winning following a dismantling on Tuesday night by Golden State.
Grant interviewed Bob Fitzgerald and Ian Thomsen Golden State Warriors television play-by-play man Bob Fitzgerald talked about the Warriors trade for Andrew Bogut and Stephen Jackson. Bob talked about how this is trade was reminiscent of the trade for David Lee. In this trade the Warriors gave up Monta Ellis, Ekpe Udoh and Kwame Brown, and fans are worried that the Warriors jeopardized their future. Bob observed that fans felt the same about trading Kelenna Azubuike, Anthony Randolph and Ronny Turiaf for David Lee, but those three guys have mostly fallen into obscurity.
Bob also talked about how this trade can't be evaluated yet because Bogut is not healthy. He discussed how people want to look at this trade as a failure already, but until Bogut plays and his health is certain, there is not a winner or loser in the trade.
Finally, he talked about how losing Ekpe Udoh might be the biggest issue for the Warriors. Udoh got hurt right after he was drafted by the Warriors out of Baylor, which made a lot of people look down on him. He also discussed how Ekpe Udoh hustles, plays defense and rebounds which is difficult to find. However the acquisition of Bogut will help the Warriors inside when he's healthy because as Fitzgerald said, he is a top 5 center in the NBA.
Ian Thomsen from Sports Illustrated talked about the Knicks and Mike D'Antoni being fired. Ian discussed the interaction between D'Antoni and Knicks' owner James Dolan. There is speculation that Phil Jackson may be the Knicks next head coach, but Jackson would not like dealing with an owner as hands on as Dolan. There's also discussion that Jerry Sloan may go there, but Ian said that Sloan won't go there for the same reasons.
Next, Ian talked about the Warriors and Bucks trade and how it works for both teams. He talked about how Milwaukee was able to unload Stephen Jackson's contract and Andrew Bogut's lack of productivity due to his health issues. He also talked about how dynamic Brandon Jennings and Monta Ellis will be in the Milwaukee back court. For the Warriors, he said that if Bogut gets his injuries in order, he is a top 5 center in the NBA and will be a great edition for Golden State. He also talked about how the Warriors get to keep their first round pick from Utah if they finish in the bottom 7 in the West, in which case this trade becomes an investment in their future.
Grant also asked Ian what may happen with the NBA trade deadline looming at noon Pacific Time on Thursday. Ian talked about Dwight Howard and what happens with him at the trade deadline. There is an ongoing saga with whether Howard will stay with the Orlando Magic. He also talked about the Lakers and the necessity for them to acquire a guy like Michael Beasley from the Minnesota Timberwolves or Ramon Sessions from the Cleveland Cavaliers by using the trade exception they got from giving Lamar Odom to Dallas. Ian said they have three stars in Kobe Bryant, Pau Gasol and Andrew Bynum. He thinks that a trade using Gasol or Bynum is not going to help them, and they should just add a role player like Sessions or Beasley.
Next, Ian discussed Demarcus Cousins. He did a story on him for Sports Illustrated, and thinks that Cousins' personality will help him be a real leader for the Sacramento Kings. Ian called him the "prototype center for this era." He also said that Cousins' ability to do things away from the basket will allow him to really dominate in the low post.
Finally Grant asked Ian about the Boston Celtics. Ian talked about what the Celtics may do at the trade deadline and why they're looking to move a good, young point guard with Rajon Rondo. Rondo's inability to lead consistently is the reason that somebody with his amount of talent is on the trading block. According to Ian, Rondo has had problems keeping his cool, and that's why the Celtics would trade him. While he doesn't think Rondo should be traded, he said that if Rondo does go, he should be traded for what he's worth and not just given away.
