March 5, 2009

The 3-Man weave focuses on the Association. Coach Alvin Brooks III and Bob Dwyer (WFAN Radio, New York) and college basketball coaches take a look at the teams, the players and the hot topics of the NBA.

This week Bobby D and AB3 welcome Mike Lonergan to the weave. Now in his fourth season, Mike Lonergan’s Vermont Catamounts are co-champions of the America East Conference in 2009. In his short time in Burlington, Lonergan has kept Vermont among the elite in the conference. In 2005-06, Lonergan led the Catamounts, the least-experienced team in the nation, to the America East Championship game in his first season at Vermont. He became the third first-year coach in conference history to take his team to the title game. He guided Vermont to a mark of 25-8 overall in 2006-07 and won the America East Regular Season Championship with a 15-1 league mark. The Catamounts tied the school record for wins in a season and advanced to the postseason National Invitation Tournament (NIT) for the first time in school history. Vermont also tied for the national lead in road/neutral site victories with 16 and enjoyed a 13-game winning streak. Lonergan made a name for himself at Division III Catholic where took the program to seven consecutive NCAA appearances and nine overall from 1992 to 2004. He was the only coach in the nation in any division to win the regular season conference title each year in the seven-year span from 1998 to 2004. He was also the nation’s only coach to lead his team to the NCAA Sweet Sixteen each year between 1998 and 2002.


Boston cleared two roster spots to make room for Mikki Moore and Stephon Marbury. How much better are the Celtics, heading down the stretch?

MIKE LONERGAN: I would say they are a lot better. Marbury is a super talented player and I think he comes to Boston ready to play. A lot has been made about his attitude and unwillingness to be a team player, but I think it will work out well in Boston. It will just take him a few weeks to find a comfort level. Getting Marbury got most of the headlines, but picking up Mikki Moore should not be overlooked. This is a great signing for the Celtics. Moore is long and very active and he can step out and hit a mid-range jumper. Boston is much improved by the addition of these players.

ALVIN BROOKS: There was a lot of talk that Boston was going to get Andres Nocioni, but that fell through. There was also speculation that Joe Smith would land in Boston, but the Celtics picked up Moore and Smith landed in Cleveland. I like the addition of Moore for all the reasons Coach Lonergan mentioned. I will add that he is also a good character guy. I know Stephon Marbury’s character has been questioned, but I agree with Coach Lonergan again. I think that he will fit in well with the Celtics. Marbury wants to win a championship and he has an excellent chance in Boston.

BOB DWYER: Let’s compare these moves to the moves Boston made last year. A year ago Danny Ainge brought in P.J. Brown and Sam Cassell. Brown brought experience, toughness and rebounding to the floor. He played valuable minutes in the playoffs. Moore brings a little more offense and shot-blocking. Cassell gave Boston depth at point guard, which was important because Rajon Rondo struggled during stretches in the playoffs. Marbury brings more than just depth. If he is even close to where he was a little over a year ago, he is a major addition for the Celtics. The next month will be like training camp for him.


In the end was the trade-deadline much to do about nothing? Over-hyped?

MIKE LONERGAN: I would say yes. Aside from Orlando making a deal to get Rafer Alston, it was relatively quiet. I do like the Knicks’ acquisition of Chris Wilcox. He had a lot of promise coming out of Maryland and I think the move to New York could be beneficial. I think he will do well in the Mike D’Antoni system.

BOB DWYER: I wouldn't say it was over-hyped. It's a talking point and for good reason. The problem this year is every team is plotting for the summer of 2010, so teams were very cautious. But let's be honest, there is not all that much going on in the sports world these days, so all the attention in my opinion is warranted.

ALVIN BROOKS: The trades this year was more about money and not talent that will help their teams immediately. There was a lot of talk about a couple big name players being shipped but it never happened.


How about Orlando’s acquisition of Rafer Alston? Is Orlando still a contender in the Eastern Conference?

MIKE LONERGAN: Absolutely. With Jameer Nelson out they had to get a point guard. Alston is a really nice addition. When you have a team with as much talent as Orlando, the future is always now. You never know what next season will bring. That said; they didn’t mortgage the future in getting Alston. They did give up a first round pick, but it will be a late first round pick and I do believe that was worth giving up to get Alston. I actually see Rafer a lot in the summer months when I am recruiting. He works with an AAU team.

ALVIN BROOKS: Give Orlando a grade of “A” for getting Alston. The Magic benefits the most from all the trades that were made when it comes to immediate help on the court. Tyronn Lue and Anthony Johnson were not going to help them get to the level they want. When the playoffs roll around I think this deal will get more attention. I think people will realize how good of a deal it was.

BOB DWYER: I agree with Alvin. Orlando was the big winner following the trade deadline. Needless to say, losing Jameer Nelson was a huge blow, but they did what they could and sent a message that they aren't going anywhere. Alston is a more than capable point guard and with the ‘Big Three’ the Magic already have (Howard, Lewis & Turkoglu) they are going to be a handful in the East.


Cleveland was quiet at the deadline, but they did pick Joe Smith.

MIKE LONERGAN: Adding Joe Smith is big for Cleveland. With Ben Wallace going down with an injury, the Cavs needed more depth in the front court. Smith gave them some solid minutes off the bench last season so he will help. Overall I think Cleveland is pretty formidable. They didn’t make any major moves, but I don’t think they really needed to do anything dramatic.

BOB DWYER: I agree. I thought Cleveland would make a move, but I also think they'll be all right. They just got Delonte West back and they added Mo Williams in the off-season. Williams should help take some pressure of LeBron because he is not afraid to take a big shot. They have an inside presence with Zydrunas Ilgauskas, if he can stay healthy and LeBron makes anyone he plays with better.

ALVIN BROOKS: Like Bob said, Cleveland has LeBron James. Remember also that Anderson Varejao was not a major factor last season. He came in late and was bothered by injury. He is back playing at a high level again. And rookie J.J. Hickson has played well. His role will probably diminish with the acquisition of Joe Smith, but he is someone that they can count on in spot duty.


While Boston, Cleveland and Orlando are looking to make a run at the NBA Finals, the Knicks and the Bulls made moves to get into the playoff race.

MIKE LONERGAN: Let’s start with the Knicks. I think some people were surprised that they didn’t move David Lee or Nate Robinson. In fact they added some small pieces. Like a lot of teams the Knicks seem to be looking down the road to the summer of 2010. This season they appear to be eyeing a run at the 8th seed in the Eastern Conference. After some dismal seasons it’s good to see the Knicks greatly improved and pushing for a playoff spot.

ALVIN BROOKS: The Knicks added two guys, Chris Wilcox and Larry Hughes, who should be terrific in Mike D'Antoni's up-tempo system. I think Lee and Robinson also fit up-tempo style and they are young. I think the Knicks need to make sure they re-sign at least one of them. I don’t think they can keep both.

BOB DWYER: The Knicks are going to have some big decisions to make this summer. They stood pat at the deadline, but you can be sure there will be some moving and shaking this summer. They will not be able to sign both David Lee and Nate Robinson, so a sign and trade could be in one or both of their futures. Lee is a nice player and will fit any system, Robinson on the other hand is a freak of nature and does things on the court you shouldn't be able to do at his size. But at this point of his career he is not the type of player you can win with on a consistent bases and the Knicks really should have moved him at the deadline, because I don't think his stock will ever be much higher.


How about the Bulls?

MIKE LONERGAN: I think Chicago did a nice job of adding some pieces. Brad Miller was a player coveted by a number of teams and John Salmons can score. With a young point guard like Derrick Rose it can only help his development to have some playoff experience. The Bulls won’t be a major factor in the playoffs now, but they could be in a couple of years.

BOB DWYER: I agree with Coach. I like what the Bulls did and believe they certainly have a good shot at landing in the playoffs. Brad Miller is a versatile big man who can give Chicago a solid 15-25 minutes a night and allows them to bring Joakim Noah off the bench. John Salmons is also a very nice pick-up, when given a chance to play this guy has produced and he'll get a chance to play in Chicago, he can score, rebound and distribute. Look for the Bulls to be in the mix and they won't be an easy out for whomever they face.

ALVIN BROOKS: I agree with Bob and Coach Lonergan. The Bulls helped themselves by adding Miller in the middle and a productive swingman in Salmons. I do think they will make a run at the playoffs, but making it is another story.


Did the Hornets "attempt" to move Tyson Chandler signal a waving of the white flag?

MIKE LONERGAN: That was a very strange move. Chandler was such a big part of their success last season. With the Lakers and Spurs appearing to be formidable foes in the West, I think New Orleans was trying to shake it up. Remember they had a great season in 2008, but were unable to get past San Antonio. The Spurs are even better now, as are the Lakers.

ALVIN BROOKS: The Hornets have not had the success they expected and tried to wave the white flag but it didn't work. Chandler was sent back from Oklahoma City and that could make it a very difficult situation for Chandler and the Hornets Organization. Ultimately I think it won’t be a major distraction and they will be a better team with him than without him.

BOB DWYER: The New Orleans Hornets are a mess. It's unfortunate but this has little to do with what is happening on the court. This is all about the city of New Orleans. With the lingering effects of Hurricane Katrina, this city can only support one team and that team is the Saints. I'm not counting out another post season run by them, but who saw last year's run coming? Chris Paul alone makes them a threat every night. He's that freakin' good.


The final playoff spot in the West looks like a race between Houston and Phoenix.

MIKE LONERGAN: Let’s start with Phoenix, which continues to re-invent itself. I love Steve Nash, but trades and injury have really changed the chemistry with this team. With Amar'e Stoudemire lost for the season, Shaq has been a monster. He looks like the old Shaq. Long term I don’t know if he can produce like that, but I wouldn’t bet against him.

BOB DWYER: Losing Stoudemire is a huge loss. The resurgence of Shaq makes them intriguing, but if by chance they make the playoffs, the West is too strong for them to see the second round. And how much will they have left in the tank if they do make the playoffs?

ALVIN BROOKS: The Suns are done. Defense wins championships and they are just trying to outscore everyone now. It will be hard for Shaq to be productive in the long run at that pace.


How about the Rockets?

MIKE LONERGAN: Moving Rafer Alston tells you that they like the development of Aaron Brooks and they picked up Kyle Lowry in the deal with Orlando and Memphis. I think Lowry has a chance to be a very good point guard so I like that part of the deal for Houston. With Tracy McGrady they have not been able to advance in the playoffs so without him it’s not likely they will be a major factor in the West. Overall I think they didn’t hurt themselves in the short term and I think they are stronger in the long term.

BOB DWYER: Houston will probably make the playoffs, especially after Stoudemire went down. With that said, even with Rafer Alston they weren't a real threat and either way they have no chance of making it out of the first round.

ALVIN BROOKS: As a native Houstonian, I would like to plead the fifth on this question. Very frustrating!


Can anybody catch the Lakers out West?

MIKE LONERGAN: Not in the regular season and maybe not in the playoffs either. For the past few years the West has been viewed as the stronger of the two conferences, but the balance of power has shifted back to the East. San Antonio is strong and, if healthy, can challenge the Lakers, but I would be surprised if L.A. is not back in the finals against Boston.

ALVIN: Not sure about Boston being representing the East in the finals, but the Lakers do appear to be the team to beat out West.

BOB DWYER: I can't see anyone catching the Lakers for the number one seed in the West. The Spurs are going to be concentrating on getting everyone healthy for the playoffs and the Lakers have the best player on the planet, do the math. When the dust settles the Lakers will probably nab the number one seed overall, which will grant them home court throughout.

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