NBA Mailbag: Offseason predictions? Best pickup game ever?
Draymond Green is among the players who could change teams during free agency this offseason.
The NBA Mailbag is here to answer your questions throughout the 2023 offseason! Have a question for Jamal? Submit it at the bottom of this edition of the NBA Mailbag.
Who is your favorite free agent this year and where do you think he will sign?
– from McCoy in Denver, CO
The most intriguing free agent to me is Draymond Green. If he doesn’t go back to Golden State, then that’s officially an end of an era. So it’s two-fold. Another team would get an impactful player and the Warriors would enter a new chapter. He would fit with so many teams that are trying to get over the hump.
What’s your biggest prediction heading into free agency?
– from Deven in New York
My biggest prediction isn’t about a free agent. It’s that Damian Lillard stays put in Portland. Even though he’s not a free agent, he’s been a big part of the offseason discussions. But I think he’ll stay with the Trail Blazers.
Do you think James Harden will re-sign with Philly? And if he doesn’t, what team would be the best for him?
– from Kyson in Greenville, TX
Yes, I think he’ll re-sign with Philly. He has a close relationship with Daryl Morey from their days in Houston. And in terms of winning and money, they can check both of the boxes. He could go to a team that’s not as ready to win and get more money. Or he could go to maybe an even better team and get less money. Philadelphia strikes both in the middle, so I think that’s the best situation for him.
What are the factors in choosing a new team?
– from Samuel in Gresham, OR
Everybody’s factors are different. But the three things that play the biggest part for most players are location (where your family is going), roster fit and money.
Do you have any notable free agency moments from your career?
– from Dean in Los Angeles, CA
When I went to the Clippers, Chris Paul was one of the first people I talked to when free agency officially opened. We were both at Hoopfest and we stepped away from the action to chat. That was really cool, especially since I ended up being with LA for the next five years.
Do you think Victor Wembanyama will be a top 5 player in the league in 5 years?
– from Jonathan in South Carolina
That’s a great question. It depends on health and how quickly he adjusts. But it’s pretty impossible to predict. It does seem like he’s a guy who’s focused and really in love with the game. So health could be the deciding factor since the skillset is definitely there.
Taylor Rooks chats with Victor Wembanyama at the 2023 NBA Draft.
How much time do players take off during the offseason or are they in the gym every day working on their game?
– from Jerry in Tennessee
Players usually take time off as soon as the season is over to let their bodies rest and recover. After 2-3 weeks, they start getting back in the gym, but it won’t be at the volume they just ended the season at. They may start with spot shots and pull-ups for a week to get their body back. Then you build from there.
In the offseason, how do you balance your off-the-court life, while also making sure that you’re getting prepared for the next season?
– from Caden in Salt Lake City, UT
I play basketball every day, so I’m probably an outlier. But for a normal player, they get their workouts done first and then they have a lot more time the rest of the day to do other things. They can set whatever schedule they want in the summer, which is different than during the season when you’re on the team’s schedule. So most players get their work done first then they can dedicate time to the other areas they want to focus on.
Are players on a workout plan designed by the coaching staff in the offseason or do they get to choose what workout they do every day?
– from Brady in Kentucky
It’s a little bit of both. For young players, they set guidelines for things they want you to focus on. Like saying, “You’re going to get a lot of these types of shots” so you know the points of emphasis to improve. For veteran players, they have a more established sense of who they are as a player and they identify on their own what they want to work on. Teams give them the leeway to come up with their own plan.
Where is your favorite place to vacation/favorite thing to do during the offseason?
– from Autumn in Mobile, AL
My favorite thing to do during the offseason is stuff for my foundation. I have a lot more time to dedicate to camps and summer leagues and different events to help my community. So that was usually the focus of my offseasons, besides obviously playing every day. As far as my favorite vacation place, I would say Seattle when I was playing cause I never wanted to leave. Other than here, I would say Hawaii.
What’s the best summer pickup game that you’ve ever played?
– from James in Seattle
Good question. I’ll tell you the best one I played and the best one I didn’t get the chance to play. The best I played was in Chicago at Hoops the Gym with Michael Jordan. Ray Allen was there. Tim Hardaway was there. Jay-Z and Beyonce were even there watching! Everyone was out to watch Michael Jordan on his return.
The best one I didn’t get the chance to play was going to be at Rucker Park in New York. It was going to be myself, Shaq, T-Mac, Eddy Curry, Lamar Odom, Sebastian Telfair and LeBron against ‘Melo, Stephon Marbury, Zach Randolph, Amar’e Stoudemire, Jermaine O’Neal, Rafer Alston, Yao Ming and Allen Iverson. It was going to be the best game that ever happened on the blacktop… then the blackout happened and there were no lights in New York.
Are there any big names that you’re hoping to get to The Crawsover this summer? Can’t wait for it to start back up!
– from James in Seattle
Yes, there are some big names that are in the mix. A couple I’ve talked to and confirmed already. And then there’s a big fish out there that we’re trying to pull in. So we’ll see how that goes. But right now, there definitely will be some star power at The Crawsover this summer.
It’s almost Tiiiimmmmeeee at #TheCrawsOver @ssvisualworks pic.twitter.com/kbAYtD2JYw
— TheCrawsOver (@thecrawsover) June 27, 2023
How do players find out they’re traded?
– from Malachi in Canada
A lot of players find out through social media now. If a team is upfront with you, then they try to tell you first. One time I was traded and I knew about it at 8 in the morning. But the team didn’t tell me until 5 at night. So I knew all day I was traded, and I was pissed off.
How do you think the John Collins trade for Rudy Gay will affect the Atlanta Hawks?
– from Sam in Pennsylvania
They’ll miss him. He brought so much to their team. But I think it’s best for both parties to separate because it seemed like John wasn’t the John he had been in previous years. He’s trying to reestablish and find his way again, so this could be a really good trade for him.
What do you think about the CP3 trade?
– from Bradley
I like it. Whenever you can bring high-IQ basketball players into what Golden State does, it’s a good thing. They pride themselves on being high-intelligence players and there’s nobody more high IQ than CP, right? So it could be a really, really good marriage. He will probably need to shoot more 3s than he’s ever shot, but it should be fun. I’m excited to watch how they work him into the system.
Which current NBA player in your modest opinion shows the most love for the game?
– from OJ in Harlem, NY
Man, there are some guys who really love it. KD, LeBron, Steph, Westbrook and CP. Those names jump out at me.
What sparked your 51-point outburst at 39 years of age? What was your mindset throughout both the day and the game?
– from Allan in California
What sparked it is that I only needed 25 to be the third player in history with Kareem and Kobe to score 25 in three-straight games in their 19th season or later. So I knew the history of the game. I had 25 going into the 4th quarter, so I was like, “Oh, I got it. Now I can just go really hoop.” It was a fun game, and it was Dirk’s last game so that made it extra memorable. The energy in Dallas that day was unbelievable. It was a sight I’d never seen before. You could feel it as soon as you woke up. Right away you felt the energy. So that was a great score in the background of my 51-point movie.
Who are your top 5 all-time greatest 3-point shooters in the history of the NBA?
– from Doc in MNL, Philippines
- Stephen Curry
- Ray Allen
- Reggie Miller
- Larry Bird
- Klay Thompson
What do you think is the difference between today’s NBA and 00’s NBA?
– from Galt in Mongolia
It’s a younger league, first off. And it’s less physical today. But probably more skills overall from top to bottom.
A few weeks ago, I asked you what player a middle schooler should model their game after, and you answered Grant Hill without the hops. I am curious to know, what is the best way for a player to improve their hops?
– from Aiden in Martinsburg, WV
An underrated way for you to improve your hops is to get a strong core. If you get a strong core and stretch a lot, then you will jump higher. And you can work on that from home so you don’t have to go to a gym.
I keep freezing up in games and instead of playing like I know I can play, I start excessively passing and sometimes don’t even put the ball down to dribble. I know I can play well but I just get too nervous. Can you help, please?
– from Lincoln in Ontario, Canada
Trust the work. Work ethic eliminates fear. I heard that from the great Michael Jordan. If you’re prepared and you’ve done all the work, trust that then your true game will come.
Have A Question For Jamal? Submit It Below!
Check back next week for another edition of the NBA Mailbag!
