Ray Ratto Dec. 10 chat transcript

Dec. 10, 2010RATTO ARCHIVE
Nov. 19, CHAT TRANSCRIPT
Editor's Note:CSNBayArea.com Senior Insider Ray Ratto chats regularly! Be sure to join him forfree-flowing discussions on just about anything!
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Ray Ratto
Today on Le Chat -- Alex Smith, Cruel Victim of Career Hoax, or Savior du Jour? You decide. Starting . . . NOWFrom John Izumi
What up Ray, why does everyone think steph curry will be better then tyreke evans in the long run? If Evans ever learns to shoot OK, he'll be unstopable! Plus what are your thoughts on Demarcus Cousins so far, looks like he could be very good to. Thanks Ray, have a good day!Ray Ratto
What up is a very open and philosophical question. That said, Curry may have a better career once he's put at the off-guard where he belongs, and if his ankles hold up.Plus, I don't everyone thinks that Curry will have a better career than Evans; it's just that Evans is playing in secret right now. I think they'll be fairly equivalent players when it all shakes outFrom rachie
hi rey Ray Ratto
Other than the spelling, which gives me credit for being a Spanish king when I am clearly neither, hi back. From John Izumi
By the way Ray, Telll Matt Steinmetz to stop being a Kings Hater they will be much better then Dubs in 2 years. Ray Ratto
Yeah, Matt. You stink. We are embarrassed by your perpetual hatred of all things Sactonic. Now stop it, and that's an order.Ray Ratto
That work for you, John?From rachie
do you think the niners will be aggressive in the draft and go after the qb that they want or will they just sit back and take who ever falls to them. Ray Ratto
I don't even know who's going to be doing the drafting for them, buit it's cl;ear that quarterback will be a fairly gaping need for them. If I were them, I'd seriously think about trading up. Then again, if I were them, I wouldn't be 4-8.From Dae-Ho
Hey Ray, what available NFL head coach out there do you think is most qualified to turn this franchise around in San Francisco? Who would you like to see in charge? Ray Ratto
Bill Belichick, but he's kind of busy. In truth, though, I think the coach that wiould be best is the one that would be hired by a fully independent general manager who won't be hired, because I believe that's where the central problem lies.From John Izumi
Thanks Ray for that, but really what are your thoughts on Demarcus Cousins so far 11 and 7 per game in only 24 minutes a game Ray Ratto
I want him to play 35 minutes a game before I decide. He should be a dominant figure, but that's going to take timeFrom Finaddict
Better nickname: "LoCo" or "Juice Couture"? Ray Ratto
How about, "Shave that cheesy mustache until he can grow one that doesn't look like a smudge?" Or, "The Newest Member Of The Next Guy To Break Out Club" LoCo sounds like a kid's drink made of methamphetamine, and Juice Couture reminds me a master running back and beheaderFrom Dae-Ho
Any ideas then for a good general manager that should be hired (but won't)? Ray Ratto
Mike Holmgren. As long as he doesn't coach. I want him applying the big picture without having to worry about whether Michael Crabtree or David Baas is happy.From Guest
Ray, do we really have to talk about the 49ers? The Sharks are more intriguing. Ray Ratto
No, we don't have to talk about the 49ers, but if a guy asks me about the 49ers and I talk about the trade deficit, I look like an idiot. I await the day when the Sharks play 60 against a good team so we can decide where they fit in the big pictureFrom John Izumi
Yeah, if Cousins can play 35 minutes a game as i was thinking to in 2 years he will be a top 5 center or better even with all his issues Ray Ratto
Calm dowbn. A lot can happen between now and thenFrom Dae-Ho
Thanks for answering my questions, Ray! I feel almost famous now. Ray Ratto
That's a little creepy. But we're glad to help From John Izumi
Ray, you seem like a guy who doesn't likw to make predictions but tell me who makes the playoffs first dubs or kings? i say kings of course Ray Ratto
The Kings. The Warriors have too much to atone forFrom Thor
Who is the next Bay Area team to win a championship? Ray Ratto
The SabreCatsFrom Brian Fitch
Which Northern California franchise has the most appeal for you? Ray Ratto
Depends on the day. Today, it's FC Gold Pride, in memoriam. I'm in a blue mood From John Izumi
Thanks Ray for everything, see ya next week, Kings will make playoffs next year, i know i sound crazy but with a top pick this year, Evans and Cousins it sounds good to me. Peace out man! Ray Ratto
Peace out back out you.From Thor
What have you seen from the SaberCats to make you like them so much? Is it the ad campaign or the jerseys? Ray Ratto
The fact that they were ther last ones to win, and they're well-restedFrom King
If these were Willie Mays' prime years, what would he make as a free agent? Ray Ratto
57 trillion over nine years. No, he'd make A-Rod money. No, I'm wrong. 57 trillion sounds right -- especially with the Red SoxFrom King
Do you agree with the Giants strategy of basically going with the same team as last year? Ray Ratto
They tried to go outside, but they still have a hard time selling the park to big hitters. They won't be able to truly play the market ubnless (a) it gets better and (b) they free up Zito and Rowand's salaries. It would also help if they paid off the ballpark From Brian Fitch
Especially if the schools are excellent: a la Mike Hampton. Ray Ratto
In that case, we'll never get anyone againFrom Hugh
Is there any sport that you don't cover? Do you follow college basketball as well? Ray Ratto
Not deep on golf, auto racingor tennis. But football, baseball, basketball, hockley, soccer -- team sports, mostly. Oh, and curling. And the occasional big boxing matchFrom King
Do you think the Giants will be able to free themselves from some of either the Zito or Rowand contracts? At least enough to once again be a player for mid-range free agents? Wouldn't mind Beltre at 3B. Ray Ratto
No to either.From King
What's your take on the Werth contract? Ray Ratto
Good now. Bad later. You can't worry about the 2017 pennant race, thouugh. You have to win the one in front of you.From Hugh
Who is the best curler in the world? Ray Ratto
Jamie King of Canada, and German Andrea SchoppFrom King
But even with Werth, are the Nationals really in a position to contend? With Strasburg out, do they have the pitching? Ray Ratto
No, but how many years must they sit and do nothing? At some point, you have to act like you want to run with the big boys From Jon
Do you see the Yorks selling the 49ers if the next GMcoaching hire fails? Ray Ratto
I don't see the Yorks selling if a meteor hits YoungstownFrom Joey
Are the reports of Pablo Sandoval's weight loss bogus, or is there hope? Ray Ratto
I haven't weighed him, so I don't know. I think you'll know what he weighs when the Giants decide if he belongs in the major league camp in spring training. Also, his weight isn't the only issue. His willingness to become a more selective hitter, which has nothing to do with his weight, also matters greatlyFrom King
Why does Pablo need to become more selective? He was fine two years ago swinging at everything. Then he got bigger and couldn't catch up to pitches. Ray Ratto
No, the pitchers started throwing more balls in the dirt and farther away from the plate, and he didn't spot the differenceFrom Thor
Are you excited for the beginning of the Udoh era tonight? Are you predicting a triple double or a quadruple double? Ray Ratto
I'm predicting a quintuple single. Udoh fills their traidtional need for a really tall, impossibly thin lefthander who gets shoved around a lotFrom Kenny
I went on an A's blog and a good majority of the people on their belived Cust was a better option at DH than any other FA DH out there, even Matsui and Guerrero. How can anyone think that? Ray Ratto
HeroinFrom Brian Fitch
Will the Warriors win 30 or more games? Ray Ratto
Neither 30 nor more. Too many holes, not enough solutions. They really do have to tear this thing down to the studds and start all over againFrom Thor
Good call, with Udoh back to fill the Randolph and Wright role of tall thin player, can we expect the Warriors to finally return to the high level of play they showed last season? Ray Ratto
AbsolutelyFrom Thor
Can Curry and Monta co-exist long term in the backcourt? Ray Ratto
No. They both play the same positionFrom Thor
When you say tear it down to the studs, who do you keep? Curry and Lee? Everyone else is fair game? Ray Ratto
I'm not even sure you should keep Lee, but the timing of the sale meant that the real work of starting over again had to be put off for yet another yearFrom Brian Fitch
Any thoughts on the BCS championship game? Ray Ratto
Oregon wins late in a very good gameFrom Kenny
DO you think Campbell be the Raiders starting QB next year? Ray Ratto
Unl;ess they have some secret alternative, yeahFrom Brian Fitch
Thanks, Ray I'll bet the farm now. Ray Ratto
You have a farm? Why aren't you out slopping something right now?From Thor
I think Brian Fitch meant he's betting stanfurd now. But I can't imagine that's worth much Ray Ratto
No, I think he has a farm he's been hiding from the feds to avoid land use taxesFrom Thor
Have you watched any Cal Basketball games this year? Do they have ANY shot against Kansas in two weeks? Ray Ratto
Not enough to be an expert, but I have seen Kansas and I think Cal is in trouble. Too much depthFrom Kenny
Do you think there is a chance Raiders will be playing for the division against the Chiefs in the last week of the season? Ray Ratto
No. I never have seen the Raiders and I don't see them now.From Brian Fitch
It's a Christmas tree farm in the Pacific Northwest--it's a work free operation. Ray Ratto
The Pacific Northwest? Mendocino County? "Christmas trees"? Sure. Whatever you sayFrom Scott
Opinion on the A's stadium situation....I know you're a bit sour on the Athletics, but do you think there is a viable option, or do you think they will ultimately leave the bay area, or be sold? Ray Ratto
I'm not sour on the Athletics. I want two strong viable franchises I can watch all year. I am sour on San Jose, but I don't think they'll be moved. Sold is far more likelyFrom Hugh
What's your favorite holiday and are you planning on writing one of those "I would give the Sharks ____ for Christmas. I would give the Giants ____ for Christmas" columns that become oh so popular (to write) this time of year? Ray Ratto
The running of the bulls in Pamplona. Everyone gets a day off for that one, especially the ones who aren't quick enough. And no, I don't write holiday columns. I do have a soft spot for "What I would do with --------- if there weren't legal, moral and ethical laws against the indiscriminate use of firearms" columnsFrom Kirk
Can Vernon Davis be the second best option behind Frank Gore on a super bowl type team? Ray Ratto
I certainly don't think so.From Hugh
Have you seen a crazier ending than that Sharks-Flyers 0.0 seconds-left disallowed goal in overtime? Ray Ratto
The Big Game in '82 is still the best. That was pretty good, thoughFrom Andrew
Ray is the a player available around the trade deadline that you could see the warriors have chance of aquiring through trade? Ray Ratto
No, because the only players the Warriors have that anyone would want are Lee, Curry and Ekllis, and Curry is essentially untouchable. They're simply too far away Ray Ratto
Oh, and that Ekllis kid? Sheer poetryFrom Kenny
What is your opinion of Andre Ward? Ray Ratto
I'd whip his ass From Scott
Sorry...Should have re-phrased that one....Maybe sour on the Athletics current situation would have been a better way to put it. I know all too well as an A's fan, I'm having trouble stomaching it and just trying to keep loyal. I'm with you - two viable and well-run franchises would be great for baseball here. Besides the A's current starting pitching, and at times, having Billy Beane as our GM, what is the silver lining to look at for the A's? Anything to be excited about? Ray Ratto
Maybe they'll be sold to people who don't want it as a real estate dodgeFrom Kirk
Can Dorell Wright be a starting 3 on a playoff caliber team if he continues to grow? Ray Ratto
I see him as an eighth- or ninth player on a good team. Sorry, but I think that's the Warriors in a nutshell. No starters on good teams.From Hugh
If Monta and Curry can't co-exist on a winning team (which I agree with), which one do you get rid of? Is it the one who gets you the most or is there one you would try and keep? Ray Ratto
Coin flip. Ellis is a scorer, Curry is a shooter.From Kirk
You've said that the 49ers wont get their stadium in Santa Clara. Are you saying they cant raise the rest of the money privately? Ray Ratto
I'm saying they don't want to, and that a stadium is in general a bad investment in this economic climateFrom Tom
Who should the 49ers look for at the Quarterback position once the season is over? Someone like Andrew Luck in the draft or a Quarterback already established within the league? Ray Ratto
They'd have to trade uop to get Luck, which I doubt they have the pieces to surrender. So I'm guessing they'll have to troll the league for a bargainFrom Kirk
Don't you think Curry and Ellis become exponentially better on defense if they actually had a defensive presence down low? Then that combo would be sustainable I think. Ray Ratto
Without a good point guard, I think their skills are duplicative on a functioning playoff teamFrom Kenny
Scott mentioned having Billy Beane as a GM as a sometimes good thing. Beane has only gotten the A's to the Championship series once. When wiill people start to call for his head? Ray Ratto
Wednesday.Ray Ratto
No, I think the general apathy toward the franchise has undercut the discontent, because the real ire is directed at the owners, who only seem to peg their future to a stadium. The A's are just a tough sell right nowFrom Thor
In defense of Billy Beane, before this year, the Giants only reached the Championship Series once during Sabean's tenure. That worked out pretty well. Ray Ratto
You don't have to defend Beane to me. I just wish we'd see him with a full wallet one time, both for free agents and player development Ray Ratto
And with that, your lunch hour has been blown all to hell. Hardly worth it, was it? Well, look at the bright side -- Happy Hour starts in 20 minutes if you grease the bartender enough. If I didn't get to your question, it's because I am human filth