[Evilmav2]

Chat with Scoop Jackson

Welcome to The Show! On Friday, Page 2's Scoop Jackson will log on to answer your questions about anything and everything sports related.

Scoop is a national columnist for Page 2 and a contributor to ESPN:The Magazine. He has weekly segments on Cold Pizza and Classic Now and is a regular forum guest on Rome Is Burning. He resides in Chicago.

Send in your questions to Scoop now and then join him Friday at 3 p.m. ET!

New York, NY: Do you take your coffee black?

SportsNation SCOOP JACKSON: No. Don't drink Coffe. Only Tea.

Scott (Victoria, BC): Scoop, Why isn't Avery Johnson getting more love for coach of the year?

SportsNation SCOOP JACKSON: don't know. he got my vote. matter of fact i have on my AVERY JOHNSON BASKETBALL t-shirt right now. :-)

Cleveland, Ohio: When will NBA be announcing the MVP?

SportsNation SCOOP JACKSON: right before the finals.

Nick, TX: Who do you like for NBA MVP?

SportsNation SCOOP JACKSON: LBJ then KB8 then Nashty

Bruce (Greensboro, NC): Scoop, I saw where you picked Lakers to upset Suns in the 1st round. I agree and don't actually think it is much of an upset consider they have Kobe. However, do you think Kobe can carry the Lakers to the Western Conference Finals or will Odom have to really step it up also? I think the key to the LAL is to get Walton as many minutes as possible because he creates easy buckets for all their offensively challenged players (besides Kobe and Odom).

SportsNation SCOOP JACKSON: To be honest, I'm really wiggly on the LAL's beating the Suns. Kobe's the Truth, but i don't kknow if he can beat that squad in a 7 game series by himself. Bottonline, ESPN asked me a quaetion and I had to give them an answer :-)

LL (NYC): When do you think the first nba player will start rocking Bapes in games? And why didn't Nike figure out the bright patent leather look for their OWN shoe?

SportsNation SCOOP JACKSON: That won't happen! Ever. :-) Unless Kanye has some game that we don't know about.

Jeff (Detroit): If you had one game to win TODAY, who would you pick to have on your team between Lebron James and Dwayne Wade?

SportsNation SCOOP JACKSON: DWade. I've seen him do it in the playoffs... twice.

poboy (cleveland): how could you not vote for kobe i no lebron espn boy and all but this is going a little bit to far

SportsNation SCOOP JACKSON: i feel you. KB8 did something this year that we may never see again. How I didn't vote for Kobe? I don't know. I honestly feel that what LBJ did this season was collectively more impressive.

Todd(Adrian,Mi): How good are these Pistons compared to the orginal Bad Boys?

SportsNation SCOOP JACKSON: great question. I can give you a better answer if they win it again. But until they get 2 chips like the bad boys, they aren't in the same convo.

sam (new york): Who is this years DPOY?

SportsNation SCOOP JACKSON: ZO!!!!

Aaron, Chicago IL: Why dont you like the Bulls?

SportsNation SCOOP JACKSON: I don't know. I do like them as a team, but I've been extremely hard on them. I'm proud of them, and I'm pulling for them. But They have so many holes that it's been hard for me to get on the bandwagon. But they proved me wrong this year, that's for sure.

Tim (Cleveland): If you where owner of the NYN what would you do with that mess? Fire Thomas?

SportsNation SCOOP JACKSON: And LB. After the saeson they had (I love them both, but...) they both gotta go.

ac (philly): scoop, in your last answer you wrote "for sure" but i believe the correct spelling is "fo sho." can you clarify this for me?

SportsNation SCOOP JACKSON: u rite.

Vince (PA): Where do u think Iverson will be next year?

SportsNation SCOOP JACKSON: not in Philly....

Gary Watson (Houston TX): When and why did you decide to leave SLAM magazine?

SportsNation SCOOP JACKSON: When: last February Why: ESPN gave me an offer i'da been the stupidest dude in the world to refuse.

JB (Philly): Do you think the media is overreacting to the AI-Webber tardiness situation?

SportsNation SCOOP JACKSON: a little... but it's understandable.

Mike (Chicago): Can you talk about something that you don't deem involves race?

SportsNation SCOOP JACKSON: of course. name one.

chris (la): do u feel u get the same level of respect as other writers on espn.com? or do you think you're perceived as lesser? personally, i'm damn happy you're there.

SportsNation SCOOP JACKSON: good question. I guess I feel equal, they've made me feel equal ever since I've been there. I never look at it as a comp b/t us. I'm just trying to come off as the "best" writer at the company. which i still have to keep pushing to reach.

Atlanta: Why haven't you answered my question about Bill Walton?

SportsNation SCOOP JACKSON: repeat the question... I'll try to get to it.

DEEP (CALIFORNIA): Scoop, I have heard people saying that the kings have a chance to take out the spurs. I think they will win one or two games max if that. whats your take on that?

SportsNation SCOOP JACKSON: i think it's a legit observation. the Kings do have a shot, Ron Artest makes them a team that could make that type of upset. Honestly, look at their record since he's been there. If he were there all season long, they wouldn't have been an 8th seed. They're a legit squad. Next year they might be scary.

Kobe from Cali: Your killin me, Scoop. How can you say LBJ is MVP over me?

SportsNation SCOOP JACKSON: not killin' you B. I want you to get the Finals MVP instead.

Tony (Utah): Scoop, answer this please. You don't put Kobe on Jordan's level do you?

SportsNation SCOOP JACKSON: not yet.

Internet King (Boston): Is Bill Simmons as much of an arrogant blowhard around the office as he is in his columns?

SportsNation SCOOP JACKSON: Bill's a cool dude. I actually like him.
(Ps: all of us work from different offices so we don't see each other too often)

Vince (PA): What moves do u think the sixers should do to try improve for next year?

SportsNation SCOOP JACKSON: see if they can make some moves to either get Paul Pierce, KG or Jermaine O'neal to replace AI. I think maybe it's time for both to move on. But only if they get one of those players in return.

shannon chicago il: scoop, why don't you just tell everyone that you've been pulling their leg about who is the real MVP is please explain to them how it isn't even close. lebron, nash, and kobe have all had a great season, but stern should drive to phoenix game 1 and give it to kobe right before jumpball. ps i'll hit you when we get back from mexico.

SportsNation SCOOP JACKSON: Ok, Mr. Club Interbnational, you right. Kb8, MVP. :-)

Mike D. (Albany, NY): How can you blast the Duke administration before knowing any facts about what happened on the night in question? It could turn out that the athletes biggest sins were having strippers over and underage drinking. A party that would seam to be relatively normal if it was at a non-athlete's fraternity. Or do facts not matter when aquisations are made.

SportsNation SCOOP JACKSON: no facts have nothing to do with me blasting the University. Like you said, "a party would seem normal if it was non-athlete's or frat." But it wasn't. C'mon man, 41 arrests in the last 7 years! All Lacrosse players! Those are THE FACTS! The univesity should have shut their wildness down a long time ago. That's why i can blast them,

Vince (PA): Who do you think should deserve the SLAM issue 100 covewr? AI? MJ? LBJ?

SportsNation SCOOP JACKSON: THEY'RE GOING TO DO SPLIT COVERS. BUT IF I HAD TO PICK ONE PERSON: LBJ. Slam in a awy discovered him, so it would be fitting.

Matt (Tustin): I gots an idea. How bout i rite in ebonics, use stupid abbreviations for evrabody, pretend i got some bball knowledge..then can i scribble for espn like scoop?

SportsNation SCOOP JACKSON: good luck.

Bryan (Raleigh, NC): When you say "different offices" do you mean sitting at in your PJs eating chips and drinking beer?

SportsNation SCOOP JACKSON: something like that. :-)

Jordan (San Jose): Ecko or Sean John?

SportsNation SCOOP JACKSON: LRG and BRS,

jay(nyc): Last shot, Game 7 Finals, game tied. Past or present, who takes it ? Past or present, who defends him ?

SportsNation SCOOP JACKSON: reggie miller takes it. doesn't matter who guards him.

Vincent (New York): Would you ever change the way you write to be more 'ESPN friendly'? Your article on march madness had more inside jokes and urban talk than the 3 Six Mafia acceptance speech at the Oscars.

SportsNation SCOOP JACKSON: i don't think so. One of the reasons i came over is because they said they'd let me be me, so...

d money (dallas): answer some real questions and stop taking all the BS ones... I asked about Dirk's disrespect.... I guess that answers my question... I guess Dallas will always be disrespected....

SportsNation SCOOP JACKSON: missed the Dirk q.. hit me back with it.

Dem (P-Hill, CA): You said that Tony Skinn was the most important player in the Final Four. Who would your most important player in the NBA playoffs be and why?

SportsNation SCOOP JACKSON: probably Kurt Thomas. If he balls (check PHX's record when he's DNP), they're going to be almost impossible to beat. Unless Stack does his thing. then he's the most important player.

Big Game James (Shreveport): Do you really think Shaq will just turn it on now that it's PLAYOFF TIME?!

SportsNation SCOOP JACKSON: i think so. But not like 40/20 Shaq, more like 25/10 enough to make it hard to beat Miami.

MIA: Damn Scoop there's alot of haters in here. Who are these guys the Duke Lacrosse team?

SportsNation SCOOP JACKSON: funny....

scott mcc (dallas): do think that dirk is the mvp for this year

SportsNation SCOOP JACKSON: i think he was in the conversation... and at some point someone asked about Dirk's disrespect. Hit me back with that question.

Worldwide Wes (NJ): i just had to make an appearance...

SportsNation SCOOP JACKSON: holla!

Will (NYC): When people react viscerally to you, is it difficult for you to deal with ill-will that is directed towards you for the way you write? Does it roll off your back or does it affect you?

SportsNation SCOOP JACKSON: naw, i let it roll. to alot of people i'm ignorant, to me alot of people are ignorant. so we're all even. my thing is always to make people see where I'm trying to come from, not to convince them on my opinion. but i can't front, sometimes i feel like I'm fighting a losing battle and it pisses me off. i'm human.

Milton (La): Ive sent about 40 questiosn and none of them anwsered mostly bout kobe and the lakers

SportsNation SCOOP JACKSON: you sent 40, i'm looking at 1785. do the math, yo. i might not get to you.

CN (Mass): Will Amare ever return to what he once was?

SportsNation SCOOP JACKSON: no.

Tyrone (Hotlanta): Do you ever wish that you could actually ball instead of just pretend and write ingnorant crap.

SportsNation SCOOP JACKSON: all of the time.

Rene (Cali): What cds u got in ur whip right now?

SportsNation SCOOP JACKSON: ghostface... on repeat.

Kevan (Rochester NY): Name one player that came back from MICRO fracture surgery to be the player they use to be. ...Penny was the first victim!

SportsNation SCOOP JACKSON: that's why i don't think Amare is going to come back as the same player. That injury is bigger than the player. Even JKidd isn't the same.

marv (lawrence): Will the nba ever be bigger than the nfl or mlb?

SportsNation SCOOP JACKSON: maybe. it will be a while before that happens. but there's a chance.

Travis (Indiana State): Are you and Steven A Smith good friends?

SportsNation SCOOP JACKSON: yes sir!!!

KJC NJ: SINCE I'M WRITING IN CAPS CAN YOU POST THIS? NEVER HAD ANYTHING POSTED ON ANYTHING, JUST NEED TO SEE WHAT IT FEELS LIKE

SportsNation SCOOP JACKSON: was it good for you?

Vince (PA): Larry Brown is an influential coach, he was a teacher in his early years and when he was with the sixers. But after screwing philly saying thatl be the last place he'll coach, and u know damn sure it wasnt LB's plays that got detroit thier rings. And with the horrific car crash that was the New York Knicks, dont u think enough is enough for Coach Brown?

SportsNation SCOOP JACKSON: I think coach brown needs to shut it down. He's too great of a coach to go out like this. I think if he gets out now no one will hold this season against him. but if he stays longer...

danny (new haven): hey scoop, say something controversial, like the pistons suck or nash is overrated because he's white. Everyone loves controversy

SportsNation SCOOP JACKSON: uh, Scoop Jackson loves white people! is that controversial enough?

Edrey (PHX, AZ): Scoop im begging you, please answer this question im a huge fan of yours and i need to know what you think, What percent of chance do the Suns got at winning an NBA championship this year?

SportsNation SCOOP JACKSON: 20%

Joe NY: Scoop- can I come next year when you and your boys watch the tourney. My college b-ball knowledge game is nice.

SportsNation SCOOP JACKSON: no problem. if you can find us, you good.

Matt (dc): If Arenas out duels Lebron in the playoff do you think he will start the the media hype he deserves?

SportsNation SCOOP JACKSON: no doubt. especially if he takes it and does the same thing in Round 2.

Jay (Argentina): Why is the NBDL allowing players out of HS?

SportsNation SCOOP JACKSON: because the "b" in NBA still stands for business. They aren't stupid.

ahs NY: PLEASE ANSWER THIS- doesnt phil jackson deserve some coach of the eyar consideration he helped kb8 back to the playoffs without much help.. 9 championships no COY awards is jus plaint crazy

SportsNation SCOOP JACKSON: yes he does. But I still think avery should get it.

Jim (NY): Scoop this is the first time im writing in, and I think it may be the last. I know you have many people writing in, but some of the questions you are answer dont even deserve the time of day. Your working for a sports network, so talk sports. I know i dont really care if you like ecko or guess genes.. I dont care if my questions are answered as long as i get to see other sports related questions being answered.

SportsNation SCOOP JACKSON: so was that a sports question you asked, Jim?

Little Timmy (Yay Area): Besides the Chris Webber trade Scoop, is the Warriors biggest mistake Firing Eric Mussleman, Letting Arenas go or signing Adonal " The human rock) Foyal to a long term contract?

SportsNation SCOOP JACKSON: the biggest mistake the Warriors made was breaking up the Arenas/Boykins tandem. Everything else was secondary.

mj (lexington): who's the number one pick in the draft? i say T. Thomas.

SportsNation SCOOP JACKSON: Leon Powe

Bakari (Washington, DC): Most hated: Kobe, Barry, TO?

SportsNation SCOOP JACKSON: BB. without question.

shane (grants pass, or): if you are larry bird and john nash offers you zach randolph, darius miles, steve blake, and juan dixon for jermaine oneal and a re-signed fred jones do you do it?

SportsNation SCOOP JACKSON: i'd seriouly consider it. I'd listen.

little man, black america: most hated: white politicians white corporate ceo white landlord????

SportsNation SCOOP JACKSON: white vp with gun while hunting... :-)

kevin(texas): What about KG for Gordon,deng,nocioni + 1st ?

SportsNation SCOOP JACKSON: never happen.

Paul (Canada): Do you think Mike James and CB4 will be back in TO next season? Also what do you think the chances are everyone will be kicking themselves in the crotch for not taking JJ Redick in the top 10 of this years draft come December?

SportsNation SCOOP JACKSON: i think both will be back. JJ top 10? I'm not sure anyone will be kicking themselves.

KD (Greenville, NC): TRUE OR FALSE: T Mac = the next Penny

SportsNation SCOOP JACKSON: never thought of that one. that's deep. answer? TRUE.

i'm out. thanks. peace.
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Chat with Chris Sheridan

Welcome to The Show! On Friday, ESPN.com's NBA reporter Chris Sheridan will log on to chat with you about the NBA playoff picture. Chris came to ESPN from the Associated Press where he spent the last 10 years as the lead NBA writer.

Sheridan's chat tips off at noon ET on Friday so send in your questions now and join him right here for the answers.

Sheridan archives: Columns | Chats

SportsNation Chris Sheridan: Greetings from New York, just a two-hour drive from Bristol where I went yesterday to make sure David Stern answered a tights question during his live online chat. You can read all about it in my blog today. All subjects are in play today, including playoff teams, non-playoff teams and the Commish. We're gonna start a couple minutes early so I can finish a couple minutes early and get to my travel reservations for this weekend in Cleveland and Detroit, where Insider will have extra coverage of LeBron's first playoff games and the Bucks' tights. Drum roll, please ...

Kazem, Montreal: How far do you see the Nets going in the playoffs? and do you think the Bulls have a chance of upsetting the Heat?

SportsNation Chris Sheridan: I picked New Jersey as my dark horse team, and I picked Nenad Krstic as my breakout player (although I'm having second thoughts about not picking Andres Nocioni). The whole NBA gang here at ESPN made similar picks, so be sure to take a couple minutes to check them out on the site today. I don't really think the Bulls can upset the Heat, although I can't ignore the way they've been playing lately (9-1 in April thus far). The Heat haven't played a meaningful game for weeks. So I'll give the Bulls a game for the surprise factor, but Shaq will be too much for them down low. Heat in 5.

Ricky (Holland, MI): Do the Pistons win their 2nd title in 3 years? If so, does losing Game 7 last year essentially cost them a "dynasty"?

SportsNation Chris Sheridan: Hey Ricky, are you one of those people who throw aroun the word dynasty too easily? It really bugs me when people do that. The Lakers were a dynasty in the '50s, the Celtics were a dynasty in the 60s, and the Bulls were a dynasty in the 90s. That's it. The list ends there. Talk to me again in four years if the Pistons have four more rings. (Sorry for the harsh tone, Ricky. Just messin with you. Things are all good here in Chatland)

Chris, Nova Scotia: What do the Magic have to do over the next few years to take the next step?

SportsNation Chris Sheridan: I don;t think they're going to get an extension with Darko done this summer unless it comes super-cheap. It would eat up a chunk of their '07 cap room, and I don't think Darko would do it anyway at a low price because he'd be nuts to give up the extra millions he could earn long-term with a strong '06-07 season. If they can make the right trade of Grant Hills's expiring contract this summer or at the deadline next February, it could speed up their transformation. There will be a lot of interest in Hill from teams looking to clear cap space for Rashard Lewis, Dirk Nowitzki, Chauncey Billups and a few others who can opt out of their contracts.

alon ((Brooklyn, NY)): Is there any hope for the Knicks?

SportsNation Chris Sheridan: No. The Nets will bring a title to Brooklyn before the Knicks get under the cap, Alon.

SportsNation Chris Sheridan: No. The Nets will bring a title to Brooklyn before the Knicks get under the cap, Alon.

Jeff (Iowa): Do the Bulls shop Gordon in the off-season?

SportsNation Chris Sheridan: Depends what he does in their last game, Jeff. Remember last year against the Wizards when he started and went scoreless in 16 minutes with 5 TOs? If he does that again, they SHOULD trade him.

Sam (NY): Considering the recent talk that the Pacers might trade Jermaine O'neal in the offseason, is it possible Isiah could get him for Steve Francis, Channing Frye, and a draft pick?

SportsNation Chris Sheridan: The Pacers really like Frye, but the only way they're giving up Jermaine is if they're getting Kevin Garnett back _ even if it takes an extra year of waiting. They also might trade O'Neal and whatever else it would take for the rights to Greg Oden in '07. Oden's still an Indy kid now, even though he's headed to Ohio State next fall.

Brian (Dallas): CS, It seems to me that everyone from Oregon to the outback is pushing for Kobe to claim the MVP? When did scoring points and falling into the playoffs become more important than bringing a team together? Dirk, for instance, had the best year of his career in terms of offensive production and team leadership despite the 180 turn in coaching philosophy.

SportsNation Chris Sheridan: Different voters value different things, and some put a higher premium on winning than others. Some ask the question "Where would they be without him?" and Kobe probably wins every argument that begins with that sentence. It'll be a tight vote this year, and the second-place votes (voters rank five players, who are then awarded on a 10-7-5-3-1 point scale) and third-place votes are going to carry a lot of weight.

Tad (Ithaca, NY): People are talking about possible upsets in the Wizards-Cavs series as well as the Nets-Pacers series. Which is likely to see an upset first?

SportsNation Chris Sheridan: If you consider the Wizards winning an upset, I'd pick that one. Washington handled Cleveland pretty easily during the regular season.

Tom (Chicago): What are the chances that Detroit can keep their 5 starters under contract long term?

SportsNation Chris Sheridan: One more year, unless they pay Chauncey. I think they'll keep Ben Wallace if they don't insult him with a low-ball offer, but Chauncey can opt out in '07 and will want a better deal. He'd due to make a little less than $7 million in 07-08 if he doesn't opt out, and he's worth an awful lot more than that.

Blake (Nova Scotia): Any reaction to the reports that Chris Bosh will sign a max extension in Toronto? IS Bosh that good?

SportsNation Chris Sheridan: If the Raptors don't make him a max offer, someone else will next summer when he's a restricted free agent. He's a max-value talent in the economic world of today's NBA. That's one of the byproducts of having system with a max salary structure. Lots of guys are worth it, even though some max players are much better than others.

Nan (Oregon): Is there any realistic trades for Zach and/or Miles for the Blazers? I hear that jermaine O'Neal Wants to come back.

SportsNation Chris Sheridan: I don't believe the Pacers are big Zach fans. It's going to be a heck of a lot harder for the Blazers to move him this summer after the stunt he pulled last weekend, leaving the arena in the third quarter.

himat (detroit): How can you say that the piston starters will only be together for a couple more years? Unlike almost every other team the pistons are not selfish and will give up some money to stay here. You'll see this starting 5 will last for quite a while.

SportsNation Chris Sheridan: Himat, you will be correct if Chauncey gets a fair deal from Mr. Davidson. He's a legit MVP candidate this season, but he's never made anything near the money those around him are making.

Nick (NYC): Hey Chris. Do you know the results of the NBA draft tie breakers that took place this morning??

SportsNation Chris Sheridan: Big ping-pong ball win for the Bobcats over the Hawks, Nick. In other tiebreakers, Minnesota beat Boston, Houston beat Golden State, New Orleans beat Philadelphia, Chicago beat Indiana, Sacramento beat Denver and New Jersey beat Memphis.

LaTaurus (Indianapolis): Do u see anyway in sac upsetting the spurs? Any possible way a slip up could happen?

SportsNation Chris Sheridan: I like the Spurs, but the Kings handled them pretty well in SA last week and can probably win Game 1 or 2. The Spurs needed a wake-up from the Nuggets last year before they got serious, and maybe they'll need one from Sac this time.

Cory Banks (New Orleans): Is it me or do you think the Wizards will sweep the overrated Cavs?

SportsNation Chris Sheridan: It's not just you, Cory. Stein picked the Wizards, too, and a lot of people are putting a lot of stock in the fact that Washington beat Cleveland pretty soundly in three of their four games this season. I'm going with Cavs in 7, but if I was a Cleveland fan I'd be a little bit in fear of Gilbert Arenas right now.

Joe (Canada): How does it feel to be completely wrong with your off season prediction about the Lakers? Especially Phil-Kobe relationship?

SportsNation Chris Sheridan: Not great, Joe. But thanks for reminding me. I have now predicted they'll lost to Phoenix in 6, and I'll count on you to get in touch with me a couple weeks down the road if I'm wrong on that one, too, Joe.

Heath (Tri-Cities,WA): Do you think there is a seed lower than 4 that could win it all, if so, who?

SportsNation Chris Sheridan: Whoever comes out of the Clippers-Nuggets series will get the Suns or the Lakers, and that's the easiest path anyone will have to the conference finals. But I don't think the Nuggets or Clippers could win it all.

Jason(Phoenix): Any way you can re-post the ESPN 'experts' pre-season predictions? It would be fun to see who was the most correct about the final standings.

SportsNation Chris Sheridan: We can do anything at ESPN, Jason. We'll put someone on it. If you want to check my picks, check my blog. I revisited them in a recent entry.

Porter (Denver): Who do you think deserves the MVP and who do you think will really win?

SportsNation Chris Sheridan: I think LeBron James deserves it, but I'm not yet ready to say that I think he'll win it. Too many wild card voters among the 125 or so people who got ballots.

Daniel (Bahamas): How much points do you think Kobe will average in the playoffs

SportsNation Chris Sheridan: Between 37 and 43, Daniel. Are you the guy in the Bahamas who stole my computer from the bellstand of the Atlantis a few years ago? I'm still sore about that.

Jon (Maryland): If the Knicks were in the NCAA tourney, how far would they have gone?

SportsNation Chris Sheridan: George Mason 93, Larry Brown 92.

SportsNation Chris Sheridan: That's it for this week, folks. See you next week, same chat time, same chat station.