Sczam Presczti Making Moves
Posted on Thursday, June 28th, 2007 at 8:28 pm by Brian Robinson
A new thread to get through the clutter of the old one.
I’ll have commentary up soon. Needless to say they have absolutely killed my enthusiasm. I can understand that trade, but not the pick of Jeff Green. I can’t for the life of me come close to understanding the second round pick of Landry. Trade down to #45 if he’s the guy you want…Crazy day.
There are more trades to come.
June 28th, 2007 at 8:34 pm
The ownership have succeeded in making the fan base not care about the team leaving for OKC! The general public never cared and now the fan base won’t either. Effin Great!
I like the trade.
June 28th, 2007 at 8:37 pm
anyone who stops caring long long long before a final roster is even set is way too fair-weather for my taste
June 28th, 2007 at 8:40 pm
I can’t believe what has happened today, This new gm just killed my hope for the team staying here.
June 28th, 2007 at 8:40 pm
Thats Seattle for you! I still care and actually I care more …but you know all those casual Sonics fans are going to see the headline that Allen was traded and immediatley stop caring. Final rosters mean nothing to them.
June 28th, 2007 at 8:41 pm
I can’t believe what has happened to the sonics today, This new gm just killed my hope for the team staying here.
June 28th, 2007 at 8:42 pm
agreed Brice. Everyone sounds like their ready to give up on the supes, why? Are you guys supporting the team or the players? The last thing we need right now is for everyone to give up on the team because of a trade (which I like btw). The youth movement has begun! Honestly how far was Allen going to take us (on those poor ankles for that matter)…
June 28th, 2007 at 8:48 pm
Give me a break with all the whining, for the love of god, we have been a bad team with Ray Allen. It isn’t like we just traded Tim Duncan after winning the finals, we traded an aging veteran who wasn’t going to lead us to a title. We finally have young talent to build upon, have some optimism.
June 28th, 2007 at 8:53 pm
What you want to do is draw the casual fan along with the die hard ball fans. Getting Durant will initially get you the ball fans. Getting rid of Allen is getting rid of the casual fan. He was the face of the franchise of the team the last few years. Like it or not, the window of keeping this team is closing, if not closed. Getting rid of Allen is only closing that door a little more.
Ask any ‘casual’ seattle sport fan… mention sonics, who do they know… RAY.
June 28th, 2007 at 8:54 pm
Thats Seattle! People support players, not teams! Look at the ridiculous Griffey crap that went down last weekend at Safeco, f**king ridiculous!!! This town is full of “feel good” fans who don’t know s**t. Damn it- I hate this place. This team IS as good as gone because everybody is giving up hope …WHEN THE SONICS JUST F**KING DRAFTED KEVIN DURANT!!! G*d damn you people! You’re all playing right into ownerships hands by falling further into apathy. F**k all you fairweather fans!
Seattle is horrible sports city, incredible we ever managed to keep and attract any professional team.
June 28th, 2007 at 8:55 pm
Yea, you guys are really something. This team has not done crap the last few years but you would think they were the NBA champs by the way I hear you crying.
I like Allen, but he is on the downturn. Durant is the guy and if so, you better start surrounding him with players that compliment him. Green does, Wright would have been ok as well.
This moves means they go hard to keep Rashard who also is a vey good complimentary player. They have 3 guys who can score virtually anywhere on the floor.
Not bad.
June 28th, 2007 at 8:55 pm
Yea, you guys are really something. This team has not done crap the last few years but you would think they were the NBA champs by the way I hear you crying.
I like Allen, but he is on the downturn. Durant is the guy and if so, you better start surrounding him with players that compliment him. Green does, Wright would have been ok as well.
This moves means they go hard to keep Rashard who also is a vey good complimentary player. They have 3 guys who can score virtually anywhere on the floor.
Not bad.
June 28th, 2007 at 8:55 pm
Yea, you guys are really something. This team has not done crap the last few years but you would think they were the NBA champs by the way I hear you crying.
I like Allen, but he is on the downturn. Durant is the guy and if so, you better start surrounding him with players that compliment him. Green does, Wright would have been ok as well.
This moves means they go hard to keep Rashard who also is a vey good complimentary player. They have 3 guys who can score virtually anywhere on the floor.
Not bad.
June 28th, 2007 at 8:55 pm
Yea, you guys are really something. This team has not done crap the last few years but you would think they were the NBA champs by the way I hear you crying.
I like Allen, but he is on the downturn. Durant is the guy and if so, you better start surrounding him with players that compliment him. Green does, Wright would have been ok as well.
This moves means they go hard to keep Rashard who also is a vey good complimentary player. They have 3 guys who can score virtually anywhere on the floor.
Not bad.
June 28th, 2007 at 8:56 pm
The casual fan doesn’t give a ****, the casual Seattle fan will bandwagon the **** out of the Sonics if we start WINNING. The casual fan doesn’t give a **** about Ray Allen. I mean seriously, are you kidding me? The casual fan doesn’t come to watch ****ing Ray Allen, they want to see a winning team.
June 28th, 2007 at 8:56 pm
The Sonics are finished in Seattle. Period. Today was the last nail in the coffin. Bennett is trying to cut salary and move. Re-signing Lewis doesn’t even make sense at this point. Where would he play?
June 28th, 2007 at 8:59 pm
no ****ing GM makes such a dramatic move without a bigger plan. Quit your *****ing and see what his following moves will be. “Sonics are finished in Seattle.” Get outta here with that ****, the Sonics are guarenteed to be playing here next year, if they can generate support within the span of next season.
June 28th, 2007 at 9:00 pm
“Getting rid of Allen is getting rid of the casual fan. He was the face of the franchise of the team the last few years. Like it or not, the window of keeping this team is closing, if not closed. Getting rid of Allen is only closing that door a little more.
Ask any ‘casual’ seattle sport fan… mention sonics, who do they know… RAY.”
this sounds really familiar…. oh ya!! when payton got traded for ray allen. all i heard was “NOO they are trading away the face of the franchise!!! this is horrible!!!”
Durant will become the face of this franchise so fast it will make your head spin.
June 28th, 2007 at 9:00 pm
Nice job rolling over for Bennett. F**king bulls**t. Whats annoying is people on these boards ARE NOT casual Seattle sports fans, IMO …but they’re giving up just as quick. Unbelievable.
June 28th, 2007 at 9:01 pm
An exciting young team with potential will get basketball fans excitied, Ray Allen or not. The bottomline is that we just drafted KEVIN DURANT, he will draw fans and excitement, that is what will help generate the interest to help save the team. If Ray Allen was this untouchable basketball god then he would have already helped get us an arena and taken us deep in the playoffs.
This team had to be rebuilt and I’m so happy that Sam Presti is taking the initiative to do so.
June 28th, 2007 at 9:01 pm
no ****ing GM makes such a dramatic move without a bigger plan. Quit your *****ing and see what his following moves will be. “Sonics are finished in Seattle.” Get outta here with that ****, the Sonics are guarenteed to be playing here next year, if they can generate support within the span of next season, there is still a great chance of the Sonics being supported.
Sam Presti has a vision and who are you to question the guy right now? Say we still had Sund. ok, best case scenario, we go to OKC, worst case scenario, we go to OKC. So just chill out, we still have a chance.
June 28th, 2007 at 9:01 pm
You know, I said on this blog we should blow up this team at the trade deadline. I was, of course, laughed at. Why given up your only two all stars I was asked? Well, we didn’t exactly contend for titles with them. So honestly I am not unhappy we blew this team up.
I am confused about all the seemingly redundant parts right now, but seriously, if this had been done 2 years ago most of us would have been happy they finally had the balls to do this. As long as some more trades are imminent, I am not unhappy at all.
With private parties (ie Muckleshoots) showing public interest in keeping this team in the area, I think we have a legitimate shot (convoluted roster and all) of keeping this team around.
June 28th, 2007 at 9:02 pm
Guys……Kevin Durant.
KEVIN DURANT!!!
That is all.
June 28th, 2007 at 9:05 pm
While I was watching the draft, I heard something about Atlanta’s #11 pick, Acie Law, coming to Seattle for Luke. Does anyone know what the status is on that? That would be a great move.
June 28th, 2007 at 9:05 pm
Coaching move will be critical. Got to teach, inspire unity, really know how to fashion 5 man lineups.
June 28th, 2007 at 9:06 pm
This is crazy! Poeple actually think losing a 32 yr old coming off dpuble ankle surgery is a bad thing? Forget about Wally, Green and West are well worth an aging Ray Allen. No question. How can you complain? The Sonics got alot better than 31-51 tonite. The ONLY downside of this trade, IMO, is Wally’s contract. And next year it will be easy to digest. Plus, I think he might surprise some people here. Maybe not…
All this talk about log jammed positions is way too premature. Give it a rest and let them work with all of this flexibility.
June 28th, 2007 at 9:07 pm
Thursday, June 28, 2007
Thorpe Likes Sonics Draft
There are not a lot of NBA analysts whose opinions I respect more than ESPN Insider’s David Thorpe, who writes about the league when he’s not busy training players like Sacramento’s Kevin Martin and 2006 Sonics second-round pick Yotam Halperin.
Thorpe told TrueHoop he loves what the Sonics have done tonight:
“Then Jeff Green is an off the charts good person, and probably the best player in this draft — except for maybe Julian Wright — to play alongside Kevin Durant. He can help the team without needing the ball, while being your third go-to guy.”
Go read Thorpe’s entire comment. You won’t regret it.
Oh by the way, Adam Silver just made the Sonics-Celtics deal official official (as if it wasn’t when Sam Presti told us about it).
http://draftbuzz.blogspot.com/2007/06/thorpe-likes-sonics-draft.html
June 28th, 2007 at 9:07 pm
Rebuilt, rebuilding, new face… this takes a few years.
this team doesn’t have a few years. We are looking at re-building a team, a young team, which takes TIME.
look at what presti said at his press conference, he can’t worry about the immediate wins, must look at long term. Yes, EXACTLY - if you didn’t have worry about where the team was going to be at.
But for a city on the verge of loosing its team, SO WHAT if they are in the finals three years from now if it is no longer in this town. So let’s rebuild for the future??? what future???
June 28th, 2007 at 9:08 pm
Dudes, relax. This was a great, great trade. Durant is THE MAN, and some are predicting Jeff Green to be a Scottie Pippen type guy. They can play those two, plus Rashard and really spread the floor and score from anywhere. This team will definitely challenge for the playoffes next year.
Also note that Ray-ray is going to start getting worse and worse defensively, and he’ll be untradeable. He wouldn’t be contributing when Seattle was pushing for championships. Great trade, good young team!
June 28th, 2007 at 9:11 pm
For whatever it’s worth, Mark Jackson on espn picked the Sonics as his winner of the draft. Jackson was a consideration for a couple gm jobs this offseason.
June 28th, 2007 at 9:13 pm
I don’t think the disappointment is about trading Ray, Ray, at least for most. It’s what they did with the #5 pick in the deepest draft in recent history. Green? He is a complementary scorer very similar to Rashard Lewis, but no where as good, in the near future.
If you are going to trade Ray, one of the best players in the league it’s got to be for something more and/or its got to be for something the team really needs.
If it was to draft Connely, I could understand it. But, clearly it was just for the #5 pick and filler. It makes no sense.
June 28th, 2007 at 9:13 pm
Jeff Green just described his game as a mix between Magic and Pippen. Passing like Magic and Defending like Scottie.
June 28th, 2007 at 9:13 pm
http://www.supersonicsoul.com/
my sentiments exactly. Its not ‘just’ trading away allen, its what we traded it for.
June 28th, 2007 at 9:13 pm
How is rebuilding after YEARS of mediocrity NOT exciting!@ Its not like we got some project C to build around we got KEVIN DURANT and Jeff Green, who despite all the hate for the trade could end up being a perfect counterpart for Durant. The short sightedness of Seattle sports fans ia amazing!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
THE F**KING FUTURE HERE G*D DAMN IT! Its worth fighting for.
June 28th, 2007 at 9:14 pm
Call it like Calabro—I talked to the actual Calbro tonight at fisher pavillion and he wasn’t half as optimistic as you…
June 28th, 2007 at 9:15 pm
IMO the problem isn’t so much trading Ray, it’s what we took back. If the trade was for Ratliff and say Rondo instead of Wally and West I would have been ok. As it went down though, we got screwed.
Does anybody think that Charlotte wouldn’t have happily given up #8 for Ray instead of JRich. I think that they do that in a heartbeat, and likely throw in a valuable piece to boot.
The way I see it, Presti basically took on Wally’s $25 mil. over 2 years for the right to move up from #8 to #5, which in this draft was basically a wash. Hell, I’d rather have Wright next to Durant than Green anyway…
June 28th, 2007 at 9:16 pm
From a style standpoint, Green seems like the type of complementary player who could grow and potentially flourish with Durant.
Durant is the centerpiece, the scorer, the dominator. While Green is the facilitator, the point-forward who guards the other team’s best offensive player, the guy who makes the game winning pass and plays championship defense. I fear that the team won’t be here to see that, though.
June 28th, 2007 at 9:17 pm
So what does the actual Calabro have to say?
June 28th, 2007 at 9:19 pm
I’m guessing Jermaine O’neal is on his way to Seattle.
June 28th, 2007 at 9:19 pm
Wright is a heartless stiff.
June 28th, 2007 at 9:20 pm
im sure all those bulls fans wouldve loved to have a ray allen one dimensional shooter to compliment MJ rather than a well rounded polished passer in pippen
Ill take green and durant along with a solid guard in west over an aging ray who will be worth jack squat in a couple years
June 28th, 2007 at 9:21 pm
Looks like we have the band-wagoners jumping ship. Figures.
Look, we all love ray allen, but has it occurred to you that this is also probably the best thing for him too? the boston 3 of pierce, ray-gun, and al jefferson should make the playoffs. if you actually care about ray, then be happy for him.
If you can’t get excited about kevin durant, then stick to being mariners fans or seahawks fans. seriously, if you can’t get excited about 2007-08 and beyond, then we don’t want you around. no one in this city is a genuine sports fan, they all just slobber over the local team du jour.
Kevin Durant. Jeff Green (i would have preferred brewer, but we’ll obviously be playing KD at SG, ala mcgrady), ‘Shard.
Go Sonics.
June 28th, 2007 at 9:23 pm
Perfectly stated Brice …too bad nobody can get over their love affair with yet another Seattle athlete.
June 28th, 2007 at 9:23 pm
We just don’t have time. If the Sonics weren’t in danger of moving. Not a horrible move IMO. But that isn’t the situation. Our future in Seattle would have been more optimistic with a Ray Allen/Durant combo. I don’t think this can be disputed.
I do think we could have gotten more from Boston considering they have coveted assets that were not included in our deal (Jefferson/Gerald Green). We traded them an All Star who despite his age is still one of the top players in the game. Expiring contract of Ratliff would have been nice. Not sure if he has much left as a player….but a veteran big man wouldn’t have hurt us. Especially for a year.
What’s done is done. Wally Z isn’t the worst player in the world. Lets stop acting like he is. No disputing his contract is horrible, but he can give us scoring off the bench and effort. Not necessarily a negative.
Did we get better defensively? I think we did. Delonte West helps the perimeter (I think). Green helps us defensively….he can guard a couple of positions.
I hate to see Ray go. But lets be honest. We were horrible last year.
June 28th, 2007 at 9:24 pm
Landry traded to Houston for next year 2 and cash??
June 28th, 2007 at 9:25 pm
Thats what I heard.
…and I hate Elise, Ian, Softy and KJR.
June 28th, 2007 at 9:26 pm
Calabro was trying to be positive–but he said this team will have to make a lot more moves in order to win in the next couple years…
June 28th, 2007 at 9:27 pm
You complete dumb***es. Did you watch the team last year? We had the lowest Bball IQ In the league. We have awful team defense. Jeff Green is a great, great basketball player. Not the scorer that a Ray Allen is. Think more like Detlef or McKey. You HAVE to have those kinds of players on your team. With the right matchup they’ll get you 20-30, but most nights you’ll get 15 with 7 or 8 boards, 3 asst, excellent man D and great team D. KD is going to be getting the 20-30 every night, we don’t need another “go to guy” we need glue guys.
Ah man..you people just don’t get it. Bball is about filling roles, not about bringing together as many scorers as you can get. Forget it.
June 28th, 2007 at 9:27 pm
“worth jack squat in a couple years”
yes, a couple of years… years years years… that Seattle doesn’t have. Did you guys forget that we don’t have a team in a year (or 3)??? who cares what the OK sonics is doing in three years??? This is about NOW, and getting rid of allen doesn’t help in the IMMEDIATE future, and yes maybe it’s a ‘love fest’, but if that’s what it takes to keep the team to stay, then fine, so be it. Thats my concern, not what the team is going to be in a ‘few years’.
June 28th, 2007 at 9:27 pm
Obviously. What the hell?
June 28th, 2007 at 9:28 pm
Sorry Matthew but Elise and Ian are pretty good. They have been Sonics supporters and cheerleaders since day one.
June 28th, 2007 at 9:30 pm
Preszti on right now.
Jeff Green compliments Durant.
Carl Landry, second rounder traded to Houston for next years second rounder and cash considerations
June 28th, 2007 at 9:30 pm
I certainly was no fan of Green prior to the draft, largely because he comes across as not that quick. Hoewver, I have started to do a little research. Apparently he came out as the most athletic small forward at the draft combine. Something I was surprised to learn. Remember - Presti is not an idiot. He has watched more tape than anyone here - I would guess (hope). His profile reminds me a lot of Derrick Mckey. Not sure if that allays any fears, but he was a very solid pro who played both sides of the ball.
June 28th, 2007 at 9:31 pm
Without Rashard on the squad, the team is currently already at the salary cap for next year with Szczerbiak, Wilcox, Ridnour, Watson, Collison, WIlkins, Swift, Sene, Petro, Gelabale, and then the estimated rookie contracts of Durant and Green judging by hoopshype… Why Jeff Green, the logical pick was Corey Brewer. Sigh.
June 28th, 2007 at 9:34 pm
What the team is going to be in a few years should be the excitement that keeps the team here!! …but Seattle is full of half-assed sports fans who don’t care unless they have immediate gratification. F**k them.
June 28th, 2007 at 9:34 pm
Nope, they sold Ray high, which is what they had to do.
If they’d waited a year, maybe two, they’d have been lucky to get Wally in return. It’s amazing that Ray’s been able to do what he’s done for us over the last couple of years - shooting guards traditionally do not age well. Best of luck to him in Beantown, of course.
June 28th, 2007 at 9:38 pm
I would rather have Green, who plays just as good of defense, and can play some point too, than Brewer who seems more one-dimensional. Green seems like the ultimate ‘glue’ player; he can do a little bit of everything: pass, shoot, post up, play defense, play some point-forward, be a vocal leader. He could develop into a very nice #2 who will defer to Durant, but perhaps be a Pippenesque allstar in his own right.
June 28th, 2007 at 9:38 pm
Jeff Green is sweet. I don’t think anybody should be disappointed with that pick.
http://youtube.com/watch?v=5vmWazeShXo
June 28th, 2007 at 9:39 pm
What Martin said. Green’s a good pick. Mon frere Gelloballer can start at SG, Wally can come off the bench for us - could Ray? No.
June 28th, 2007 at 9:41 pm
Jeff Green
http://youtube.com/watch?v=y8f1XLL2ILk
June 28th, 2007 at 9:43 pm
“but Seattle is full of half-assed sports fans who don’t care unless they have immediate gratification.”
EXACTLY, so why are you worried about the team in a few years. You sound like you know exactly what seattle sports fans are like, so why would you argue for the ‘future’? Why are the average sports fan going to get excited about a team 3-5 years from now??? - when there is NO single sign of their residency in this town?
June 28th, 2007 at 9:43 pm
With all that went on today, this is probably minor but you’d think the first pick in the second roud would be worth more than a future second from a team like Houston.
Even if you don’t want the pick, which they obviously didn’t, you still gotta get the most return for your assets.
They basically gave away the #31 overall pick in a deep draft for what will likely be a low second next year…again not a huge deal but disappointing nontheless as I thought they had a chance at a pretty good player with one of their 2 high second rounders.
June 28th, 2007 at 9:48 pm
Presti did discuss things in pretty good detail. I am encouraged by that.
June 28th, 2007 at 9:49 pm
Is there a link to the Presti audio/video?
June 28th, 2007 at 9:50 pm
TK - did Presti explain his reasoning (I mean, beside that part of the move to trade Allen was a salary dump). If he did explain, can you summarize?
June 28th, 2007 at 9:52 pm
because….Boston pursued the trade really hard, and Ray Ray would be better serve in Boston since UConn is close by. Yeah.
June 28th, 2007 at 9:53 pm
From listening to Presti on KJR, I’m feeling pretty confident he’s not done yet. He made it a point that this isn’t necessarily the same roster we are going to see at tip off. I am relieved.
June 28th, 2007 at 9:54 pm
Don’t worry everybody, Wally will fail his physical and this deal will be void.
June 28th, 2007 at 9:54 pm
I think this is a fantastic trade basketball wise. Jeff Green is big and strong enough to hold down the four in the West, where teams are choosing to go smaller rather than settle for mediocre size. He is a fantastic third fiddle to KEVIN DURANT (WE HAVE A SUPERSTAR PEOPLE, DON’T GET DOWN!) and Rashard Lewis, who is signable. Ray is coming off double ankle surgery, can’t play a lick of defense, and is owed a boat load of money.
I do see the concern over losing fan interest and losing the team, but I’ve always believed that the cheap bastard in Clayton Bennett won’t let him pay 50 to 100 million to relocate to a smaller market with a 90 million dollar arena.
June 28th, 2007 at 9:55 pm
So, are we keeping Luke?
When does his salary jump?
Is it tomorrow? Or in the next few days?
June 28th, 2007 at 9:55 pm
Presti’s comments about players being held accoutable in a defensive system was an interesting comment. Makes me believe re-signing Lewis may actually be a priority with his defense improving inside a system.
How Lewis is handled will tell all about whether the Allen trade was a cost-cutting move or not. If they give Lewis big money I think its safe to assume the Allen deal was purely unloading an expensive, aging player at the right time, not a cost-cutting move.
June 28th, 2007 at 9:55 pm
I think the commentary from mgmt that they will re-sign Rashard is just for show — trying to have some credibility/leverage for sign and trade talks. I doubt very much he’s coming back. You don’t draft guys at #2 and #5 for them not to be starters.
As many have said, it’s the timing of a blow-up like this that hurts here. We did stink last year, so from a make-the-team-better standpoint, you can’t argue too much (assuming they can sort out the redundancies at the forward spots), but from the keeping the team here perspective, it feels like a real blow.
June 28th, 2007 at 9:57 pm
Green Video
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5vmWazeShXo
Presti didn’t say much… same crap we will be hearing… they are versatile and he isn’t done. As soon as we can move Zerb… for a pile of hot steamy $h!t… i can tolerate these moves.
June 28th, 2007 at 9:59 pm
Ray went to UConn. He’s from South Carolina. It takes him closer to home……but the closer to UConn thing is an excuse.
June 28th, 2007 at 9:59 pm
heres something to make us feel better,
if you think about it, IF we never moved up in the lottery, we would still be at #5, drafted jeff green, so in turn trading Ray Allen for #2 and Kevin Durant. If you think of it that way, i would have done it in a heart beat!
June 28th, 2007 at 9:59 pm
“As soon as we can move Zerb… for a pile of hot steamy $h!t… i can tolerate these moves.”
LOL
June 28th, 2007 at 10:01 pm
Trading the 1st pick of the 2nd round for a future 2nd round pick will never, ever, ever be a good move. Especially when the pick is that of a good team like Houston. Maybe not a huge deal, but still indefensibly bad.
June 28th, 2007 at 10:01 pm
Exactly.
The sonics reached all day
Landry? he wasnt even in mocks to be drafted at all.
and Green at 5? He could have been there at 7 or 8. How about trading down and maybe getting additional compensation.
and sending the 35?
Ugh. Flabbergasted
ANd wally world for 2 years.
June 28th, 2007 at 10:01 pm
So the model that Presti is mimicking is not the Spurs…it’s the Golden State Warriors/Don Nelson model (Poppovich was a Nelson assistant) only with a team built around 6′8-6′10 players, rather than 6′5-6′8 players. In a sick and twisted way, I admire Presti’s ego. The comparison that Bilas made between Presti and Billy Beane seems somewhat valid given today’s events. In ten years, he wants people to be talking about the Sonic model, a basketball world where positions, height, and weight do not matter.
June 28th, 2007 at 10:05 pm
So we trade basically what is essentially almost as good as a first round pick..for a 2nd next year (which will be around in the 40’s at least..and maybe 50’s). and Cash.
And here is Portland getting a first round pick for cash.
June 28th, 2007 at 10:05 pm
Why not J. Richardson for the 5th? Was looking at Wally’s bloated overpaid ass in a supes uniform worth it? I watch him light up the Huskies for 55 back in the late 90″s when he had functioning legs…but now these salaries curiously expire about the same time the supposed Key arena lease expires…
Pg-Luke
Sg- J. Rich
SF-Lew/Durrant
PF- Wilcox
C-Swift (don’t call me smith)
June 28th, 2007 at 10:06 pm
Yeah, this day was a downer for me. It’s amazing how a day perceived to be franchise changing turned into a big question mark. I understand Ray is getting older, blah, blah, blah, but to trade him for 2 SF’s and a crappy PG?!?! Who’s the SG for our team now, huh? Damien Wilkins?! Ughhhh.
June 28th, 2007 at 10:09 pm
Delonte West is definitely not a crappy PG. …and by Presti’s own admission the current roster is not what you’ll see come tip-off of the regular season.
June 28th, 2007 at 10:10 pm
I am going to go on record and say that Ray Allen at 35 with his allegedly bad knees will be better than Jeff Green on his best day. I don’t think it’s out of the realm of possibility that the Celtics will be in the Eastern Conference Semifinals or Finals next season. How Ainge convinced Presti to take Wally, instead of Theo (who I think would have actually helped this team next season) is beyond me. Now, they can use him as a bargaining chip for trades to improve their squad for next season.
June 28th, 2007 at 10:11 pm
Big Day…
I really enjoyed watching Ray play the game. What a class act. Good luck to him in Boston.
No need to frown. Presti is not done shaping this team. This team will still put up a good amount of points should they sign Rashard, but are much, much better defensively. Today offers them the chance to make a second trade which I see coming in the following days.
Don’t get down be patient and faithful. This team was not going to win a championship next year anyway. They are a better team now than they were last year and its not over. However, this team will look really good moving into a new building in SEATTLE (Seattle Area).
We should be stroking Rashard…as he now has to become the leader of “his team”.
June 28th, 2007 at 10:11 pm
Big Day…
I really enjoyed watching Ray play the game. What a class act. Good luck to him in Boston.
No need to frown. Presti is not done shaping this team. This team will still put up a good amount of points should they sign Rashard, but are much, much better defensively. Today offers them the chance to make a second trade which I see coming in the following days.
Don’t get down be patient and faithful. This team was not going to win a championship next year anyway. They are a better team now than they were last year and its not over. However, this team will look really good moving into a new building in SEATTLE (Seattle Area).
We should be stroking Rashard…as he now has to become the leader of “his team”.
June 28th, 2007 at 10:12 pm
“but from the keeping the team here perspective, it feels like a real blow. ”
With all due respect,
I cannot understand that thinking at all. We pucked up a young marquee player and people think this is bad for our city? I feel like this will only bolster efforts to keep them here. If everyone would get over losing Ray and rally behind the fresh new ‘culture’, things could get well faster. You have to say that it looks like they are trying.
June 28th, 2007 at 10:14 pm
im starting to wonder what you all expected out of today?
draft durant, put up a big poster of ray allen, rashard, and durant all hugging and a big sign that says “ya we’re gonna lose a lot of games cuz even the pistons will throw up 150 a night against our defense, but at least we will score 120!!!!”
then have a press conference saying “ya, we really wanted to take advantage of some opportunities to build for the next 10-15 years, but we decided to just keep this team the way it was, but with a worse defense, and the same players who barely won 30 games last season. so dont worry, we might squeak into the playoffs by the skin of our teeth before getting blown out by the suns or mavericks, and then ray will be gone a year later for some crappy player becuase we didnt trade when his stock was high, but hey, now we keep all the fair-weather fans on board only to lose them all when ray leaves anyway, and then we won’t have anything to show for it but our hands in our pockets, yay sonics!!!”
June 28th, 2007 at 10:15 pm
Like Call it like calabro said, at first glance we kinda “pucked up” in this draft. heh heh. But I won’t make my final judgement until Presti is done. Like somebody noted, he mentioned in his interview that the final roster is not set.
June 28th, 2007 at 10:16 pm
the team is going to be awful next year….worse than this year.
June 28th, 2007 at 10:17 pm
Ray Allen and Paul Pierce will make great teammates. No, really …pfft. Boston is not going to the Eastern Conferance finals and definitely not The Finals next year.
June 28th, 2007 at 10:18 pm
I want to see Presti’s vision.
Either Green sits on the bench as the number 5 pick, or Lewis is gone.
Either way not good.
All three play at the same time? Doubtful, but the only way all of this makes sense.
June 28th, 2007 at 10:18 pm
And when summer league starts and Durant and Green light it up, we will be feeling MUCH better.
June 28th, 2007 at 10:19 pm
You folks need to research Jeff Green more, today was a great day for the Sonics. The goal is build a championship contending team, not challenge for a low playoff seed every year. We got great value for Ray Allen, a #5 pick in one of the best drafts for an aging veteran, and drafted what some people believe was the 3rd best player in the draft.
I can’t wait to see what the other moves will move be, we have plenty of pieces availible to wheel and deal.
June 28th, 2007 at 10:20 pm
Yeah sure we will heh.
June 28th, 2007 at 10:21 pm
Why are so many people blind?
Its not about doubting Jeff Green
Its about the sonics having 11 SF’s.
June 28th, 2007 at 10:22 pm
Don’t get me wrong, I LIKE DURANT & GREEN AS THE FRANCHISE DUO. Green’s versatility compliments Durant very well; he may have the best basketball IQ out of any player in this draft and he is a 5-tool player. Every championship team needs a Jeff Green. I just don’t see how this helps us keep the team in Seattle, as Allen is very good and was the face of the team.
Put me in the “Lewis will be S&T’d” camp. I think he and Wilcox and/or Ridnour will get packaged for a vet at a position of need. Having three 6′9 SF/PF tweeners is overkill.
June 28th, 2007 at 10:22 pm
Right, I’m sure Delonte West will be right up there with Steve Nash…I literally feel ill in my stomach when I think of how this CURRENT ROSTER (I understand he may not be done, but at this very moment these moves make me literally sick) will look on the floor next year…tbey should’ve ridden themselves of Swift or one of the other centers along with Ray.
June 28th, 2007 at 10:23 pm
“Did you watch the team last year? We had the lowest Bball IQ In the league. ”
You do realize that the players last year that dragged down our team’s BBall IQ (if you want to call it that) are still here. They aren’t the ones that got traded.
June 28th, 2007 at 10:23 pm
Great call ELF, seeing as the team isn’t even set yet. Honestly how people could be upset with getting rid of an aging leader of team that never did anything …that 04-05 was a great fluke with Nate, Ray, Reggie, Vlad, James, etc. all looking to get paid. The team sucked without Nate proding them.
June 28th, 2007 at 10:25 pm
bj quimba….no way. I’ve been reading posts here for the last few weeks and seen the name. IHS fame?
This roster is deep and has tradable assets. Luke only has a few more days before his salary increase sets in. Pending on what comes back you could see a vet with short contract and large salary or a comprable trade for Luke’s salary this year.
I like Delonte West. Good defender and would best be served as the first guard off the bench.
Lets toss around some names of SG’s that could be available via trade.
June 28th, 2007 at 10:25 pm
McCoy I complimented Presti but mainly in comparison to his previous performances. There were a lot of things unsaid but I feel I can begin to piece it together now.
Sund’s “Project Scoring Wings” has been replaced with Presti’s “Project Balanced Big-Wings”.
Allen-Lewis were nothing like Jordan-Pippen. New Sonics might be closer to that or Pistons if the talent evaluation was right and these guys can play above average defense at some positions to be named later.
Sund avoided 6-8 players, I always thought they were at the balance point and could do so much, now we will find out if that is the magic size these days. I think it will be an interesting product to watch over time.
June 28th, 2007 at 10:27 pm
I want the Sonics to stay of course, but lets be realistic. Kevin Durant hasn’t played a single second in the NBA and u r calling him an all-star. Im not saying that hes not, Im just saying that there is a possibility that he might not live up to the hype.
When u think of the Sonics… u think of Ray Allen. With him gone, even if Rashard Lewis is resigned no “new-stadium voter” will know who Lewis is unless they are a fan.
If things continue this way, the sonics will have a team with no veteran leadership, no big man, no PG, and a fan base that really wouldn’t care if the sonics were playing in Alaska next season.
Those of us who dont jump to conclusions however know that the few of us who haven’t given up in the last 24 hours must stick together.
Sonics fans: DONT GIVE UP!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
June 28th, 2007 at 10:27 pm
yup, sonics are a fluke since 05 because of ray allen, not whose around him.
we use the #5 pick on durants back up?
and we give up ray for that?
i wanna puke
June 28th, 2007 at 10:28 pm
… go vikings, 3rd watch
June 28th, 2007 at 10:28 pm
Why trade Swift! You have no idea of his abilities, the guys only 21 …and you obviously havn’t seen Delonte West play. The guy plays hard and defends and without being stuck in Doc Rivers ridiculous system may actually have a chance to flourish.
June 28th, 2007 at 10:30 pm
“I just don’t see how this helps us keep the team in Seattle, as Allen is very good and was the face of the team.”
Allen has nothing to do with keeping the team here. Look in the mirror; have you called the gov. and told her to be a leader in saving the Sonics yet? Have you callled your state representitives? Have you emailed David Stern? That wasn’t Ray Allen’s duties, it is us the fans duty. Ray is getting old and we got great value for him, it is a good move for the team. Now we as fans need to step up and build up the pressure for the arena.
June 28th, 2007 at 10:31 pm
I’m reserving final judgment until training camp, but right now this is one f****d up roster.
My only guess is they’re going to try and S&T Rashard now and try to pull off a BIG trade, like for O’Neal or Kidd. We’ll see. That’s the only move that might salvage things.
But all I have to say tonight is Jeff Green better be pretty damn good, because Danny Ainge just took an elephant-sized salary cap dump all over the Sonics.
What I hate most about the Boston trade is that Presti couldn’t at least get the expiring deal back and hold out for Theo Ratliff. Szczerbiak’s deal is just terrible, I don’t know what Presti sees in him. Without mentioning his complete indifference on the defensive end he’s a pretty expensive 6th man, unless they see him as a starting 2. Or, conspiracy freaks… do they indulge Rashard’s dream fantasy of playing the 2 and re-sign him???? Who knows. No clue what he’s thinking right now.
The optimist in me says there’s got to be more moves coming, but if this is the roster as it stands on opening night we’re screwed.
June 28th, 2007 at 10:31 pm
I was going to follow my own advice and wait until the next day to have my say, but I just have to jump in on the good, the bad, and the ugly.
Kevin Durant is nothing short of the franchise player for the Sonics. How can anyone be upset at todays draft? What would we be saying if all things stayed equal and Seattle had the #5 pick by way of the standings?
It’s obvious the Ray Allen trade is the big controversy of the day. Personally I didn’t think it would happen because I felt Boston didn’t really have any players that would make the Sonics better than if they kept Allen. In Szcerbiak and West I still feel that way. Wally’s contract is a little hard to swallow for me. Ratliff and West is what I would have held out for.
Speaking of Delonte West, he is a good, blue collar, hardnosed combo guard. When he went out injured the Celtics really suffered. Him and Tony Allen together added much needed swagger and toughness to that team.
If you take away that Jeff Green duplicates a position and only look att him as the player he is, that’s a good pickup for the Sonics. He’s everything that has been lacking on the Sonics the past few years. He’s versatile and team oriented, and well rounded on both ends of the floor. I’m not dissapointed he’s a Sonic.
The second round did dissapoint me. Derick Byars was ranked in the teens yet Seattle could have had him in the second round. The #35 pick wasn’t a big deal
June 28th, 2007 at 10:31 pm
The fans have the right to be critical of these moves. If we didn’t care we wouldn’t be critical,; we could be like the Jews when Hitler began exterminating them…stand by idly and say nothing until the team is packed up and gone. I don’t really think the legislature cares whether we have good players or not, but I’m pretty confident that all these new players could care less if they are playing in Seattle or Oklahoma the season after next…at least Ray & Rashard actually WANTED to keep the team in Seattle, these new players will put no effort in promoting keeping the team in Seattle, mark my words.
June 28th, 2007 at 10:32 pm
Last time I remember seeing you was in football huddle at Pop Keeney. Odie.
We gotta hook up for some Sonics games this year. I’m hooked on Durant. He is going to be special.
June 28th, 2007 at 10:33 pm
Here’s a two SGs available to sign or trade for:
GERALD WALLACE
JOSH CHILDRESS
Both are great players.
June 28th, 2007 at 10:34 pm
I agree basketball is about filling roles. So now we have the #2 and #5 pick in the draft that play the same position, SF. On top of that our best player left on the roster, a RFA is also our small forward. Add in to that that (debatable) our best reserve (Gelly) is also a small forward. To make matters more confusing, Wally Z, the most decent player we get in the trade is also a small forward. (he cannot play the 2 to save his life) Where the F*** is the vision?
Add in what Presti said about the trade was that it gave us some financial flexibility. A good idea and a solid reason to trade Ray. However taking on 2 years of Wally Z for $25 million ain’t my kind of flexibility. Additionally, Ray only had 3 years left.
Lastly, in terms of doing a S&T with Rashard, which should be obvious to all that is part of the plan. Do you really think you will get much back with all those SFs on our team? Does anyone really think management can credibly say they will match any reasonable offer for Rashard? The Sonics just completely telegraphed their next move and all the GMs in the league are licking their chops. It won’t be tough to get Rashard now. Orlando must realize that he can be had for less than the max.
I am so disappointed with Presti. The Kid just whizzed all over our franchise. As bad as the Sonics were last year, the consensus I saw in the media was that they had a good young core and needed that star to push them back to the playoffs. We drafted him tonight. But the GM is clearly going to get rid of 4 or the five starters, Ray is gone, Rashard is as good as gone and Luke and Wilcox don’t fit the desired profile. The fifth starter, Collison will be pushed to the bench by Swift. We are clearly rebuilding by gutting the house. The Sonics are at least 3 years away from sniffing the playoffs. At least OKC won’t be getting a good team from us.
June 28th, 2007 at 10:37 pm
Wally won’t be moved. It would seem that moving a big and/or one of the PG’s for a 2 guard is the move to make. Here is my list of 2 guards who might be available. J Terry, Maggette, Stackhouse, Childress, Mike Miller, Mo Williams, Q Richardson, ??. Not a whole lot to choose from. Childress is thte most interesting name on the list because of the Ridnour talk.
The year is going to probably start off pretty rough for sure even if we make a trade for a decent 2, PG or Big.
June 28th, 2007 at 10:37 pm
Well, I liked the trade (shrugs). Green could end up being the 3rd best player in the draft, I really like what little I’ve seen of West, and Wally is overpaid, but a VERY good shooter with an expiring contract in two years. I’m not as much of a basketball buff as most of you, but whats there to complain about?
I may be alone in this, but I think we got better in the short term and SIGNIFICANTLY better in the long term. It’ll be interesting to see what other moves Presi makes.
June 28th, 2007 at 10:38 pm
Ray Allen and Rashard Lewis didn’t and don’t care if the team stays here either to the extent you seem to think. They’re not your buddies!
June 28th, 2007 at 10:38 pm
So we trade basically what is essentially almost as good as a first round pick..for a 2nd next year (which will be around in the 40’s at least..and maybe 50’s). and Cash.
And here is Portland getting a first round pick for cash
Exactly. The fortune of trading a late 2nd last year to MEM and having it turn in #31 couldn’t have worked out any better…..until this masterful move.
I suppose Yao, McGrady, and Battier all go down with season ending injuries, the Sonics could end up selecting in the same posistion next year.
Maybe the cash considerations will be enough to build a new arena
June 28th, 2007 at 10:38 pm
I said big-wings and not big wings because both durant and green straddle the line between just wing or big.
If their position assignments in pros end up they are just average on defense then this core center duo may not end up with that much better results than previous administrations. Of course PG and center are important and wide open to different players right now but I assume they will be better defense than what we had last season.
An 04-05 like strong scoring bench appears to be a likely part of the plan but of course depends on coach.
June 28th, 2007 at 10:38 pm
holy crap elfboy, did you just just equate the sonics situation with genoicde? Wow, why don’t you just say that Clay Bennett is the NBA version of Idi Amin as well? Calm down dude.
June 28th, 2007 at 10:39 pm
Sorry, my finger hit the enter key. I’m not finished. The #35 pick wasn’t a big deal to me anyways. But #31 I thought could have netted us a sleeper.
All in all my most negative reaction is that the roster is unbalanced, really unbalanced. But if by some miracle they can get either Durant or Green to play shooting guard then I might be able to accept it.
I really was hoping for a new starting pointguard, but the offseason isn’t over yet. I am concerned over the move back once again towards a very young team. Like them or not, Rashard Lewis and ray Allen were the experienced leaders, and one is gone and possibly the other. No one has been brought in to fill the role of vocal team leader and the one to step in and take charge when games get tight.
I guess the simplest way to break it down is to compare who went out the door and who came in.
Allen, Lewis(possibly) out. Durant, Green, West, Szcerbiak in. Not a big upgrade considering where they finished the year.
I think many of us are now going to speculate on when the next show will drop and another trade takes place before the season.
June 28th, 2007 at 10:42 pm
I want some concrete facts. Officially, did the 31 trade go down? There’s no way in the world that all they got is 1 future 2nd rounder and cash. There’s more too that.
ESPN reports that (as Alex Chan mentioned) the Sonics will feature a lineup that includes 3 versatile 6′9″-6′10″ players and create their own mold of basketball.
I think this is a great move. This roster reminds me of how the Washington Huskies were structured in the year of Nate, B-Roy, and Tre except dramatically taller, more talented, and more polished. Who matches up with a team that runs out a lineup where the only player shorter than 6′9″ is Luke Ridnour/Delonte West? No one. This team creates nightmares for everyone. Granted, it puts a lot of man-to-man pressure on Swift down low, but all of the sudden you can get rid of Petro/Sene and Wilkens/Szerbiak and shuffle Nick Collison and Chris Wilcox at the 4 and 5 positions.
This is an exciting new breed of basketball that has potential to win NOW. The interesting thing about this draft is that the Sonics picked two of the most polished, NBA ready players in the draft. Not only that, but they held out on a PG in a weak PG draft to wait for an incredibly deep one next year, when they should have only 1 glaring weakness that conveniently corresponds with the strength of the ‘08 draft.
I was really into taking Brewer at the 5. That being said, I am now glad they didn’t. They didn’t blow this team up–they set it up for instant success with polished players that have loads of potential. It didn’t take Lebron and Carmelo a couple of years to be the most dynamic players on their team, they did it right away. And I fully expect Durant to do the same thing.
June 28th, 2007 at 10:43 pm
I cannot understand that thinking at all. We pucked up a young marquee player and people think this is bad for our city? I feel like this will only bolster efforts to keep them here. If everyone would get over losing Ray and rally behind the fresh new ‘culture’, things could get well faster. You have to say that it looks like they are trying.”
Not complaining a bit about picking up Durant, obviously, i’m excited to see what the guy can do. It’s the Ray trade, and the implication that RL will go too (b/c regardless of what they’re saying, I don’t see how RL/Durant/Green will work, even if between them they play 3 and4, I just think picks that high should/will be starters ultimately). Losing both Ray and RL, no matter how good these rookies are, probably means a losing year next year, and I’m thinking that a rebuilding team garners less attention and is easier to move. Adding a talent like Durant to Ray, Rashard, Collison, Wilcox, hopefully Swift, would’ve made them a playoff team, and maybe even a GS-like team that could have won a series.
Here’s my thing, of course I want the Sonics to get better, but my priorities are: 1. keeping them in Seattle, and, 2. getting better. I’m not going to care too much if Durant and Green lead the team to a title in Oklahoma.
June 28th, 2007 at 10:45 pm
Nice bit of much needed and completely appropriate optimism James.
June 28th, 2007 at 10:45 pm
3rd Watch/Odie… what up dude! Good to hear from you… that would be sweet to catch a game. Can’t wait to see Durant in action.
June 28th, 2007 at 10:52 pm
Jeff Green was listed on ESPN as being 6′7.25″ and 200 lbs. Durant was listed at 6′10 and 215. Physically neither of these boys will be able to hang with the PFs in the west. Remember, Duncan, Garnett, Boozer, Nene just to name a few. There are some big strong men, and Green and Durant just don’t belong at the 4. This is the only place Durant’s failure to bench 185 matters.
June 28th, 2007 at 10:59 pm
Harry–great post.
I’m OK with the moves. I like the idea of two 6′9-6′10″ types patrolling the offense and defensive lanes.
I HATE that we picked up Wally’s contract and don’t know what we’re going to do with so many SF and NOTHING in the way of guards.
But clearly much is still on the way.
It is very hard to believe we will keep Shard. That talk from management is just posturing IMO, but the league will see right through it.
A very strange day. But an exciting one. I will resubscribe to direct tv to watch this team develop.
Last year was so boring and uninspiring. There is something to follow and to track now.
June 28th, 2007 at 10:59 pm
As constructed before 4:30 pm tonight, the Sonics weren’t a playoff team. 2005 was a fluke. Presti blew this thing up. Would I rather of had Ratliff and his expiring contract? Yes. Ainge was probably unwilling to part with Ratliff and his expiring contract. Wally only has 2 years left and next year will be an asset. Ray had 3 years left and was going to make $18.8 million in the 3rd year. That’s $18.8 million off the books, with tonight’s trade. The Sonics will probably be one of the worst teams next year and will probably have another high draft pick. The moves tonight just delay everything for a year. Take comfort in watching Durant next year.
Presti is looking long-term. Us fans are looking short term due to the arena situation. I can’t see Stern letting the Sonics leave for OKC. That market is way too small. After the 2007 All-Star debacle in Vegas, Stern won’t let the Sonics move there. And there is too much money in this area to let the Sonics leave. We have the most millionaires per capita anywhere in the world. Plus, the Muckelshoots are positioning themselves as a major player to save the Sonics. Having spent a lot of time in Enumclaw, the Muckelshoot empire keeps on expanding. They have a ton of money thanks to the casino. The Sonics might be playing in Auburn in a few years, but I’ll take that over OKC any day. The only real threat is Kansas City. The Kings are a lot further along then the Sonics in their failed bid for a new arena. I can see them leaving for Kansas City before the Sonics. Plus, New Orleanes isn’t even close the pre-Katrina disaster. I don’t see that team lasting there that long. Keep the faith.
It sucks as a fan losing Allen tonight, but most fans probably felt the same way when GP was traded along with Desmond Mason. That trade worked out pretty well for the Sonics, as tonight’s trade will.
If the Muckelshoots step forward with an arena proposal, offering to pay a huge portion of the cost, would Stern let this team leave? I say no way. They paid almost $100 million for Emarald Downs. The Sonics, Storm and Thunderbirds could be playing in a new arena in Auburn in a few years.
June 28th, 2007 at 10:59 pm
This is the worst possible year to rebuild. You have to play exciting basketball NOW to capture the spirit of this city. Getting rid of Ray Allen is like if the Mariners would have traded Griffey in ‘95! Yeah the team will be great in a few years, but what good is that if they are playing in Oklahoma in a few years!
June 28th, 2007 at 11:00 pm
Agree TK that he seems to be doing the Detroit thing with big players.
Sonics still need upgrade at PG regardless. Whatever his other moves may suggest I don’t believe Presti is going to be content with Rid/Watson going into the season.
Hey why haven’t we talked about Steve Francis to Portland? Think he’ll even report?
June 28th, 2007 at 11:01 pm
I agree, James. Even Delonte’s 6″4′ - when he’s playing at the 1, he’s no dwarf. Imagine having him, Ra, KD, Green and Swifty on the court at the same time. Pretty much long and athletic at all five positions.
June 28th, 2007 at 11:02 pm
What team were you guys watching last year? Personally I had a hard time watching the supes, with the braindead, no-D, apathetic, no fight, non-competitive ball they played most of the year. Blow it up. You don’t change a culture with talk. You change it by changing the people. Like it or not, we payed Ray Allen to be the franchise player and leader of our team. We won 31 games like that. No, he wasn’t the only problem, but he for darn sure wasn’t the solution, and wasn’t going to be in the future. I hate Wally Z. I wish we didn’t have him on our team. But you have to take garbage like that in todays NBA to make trades work. If nothing else, he gives us 10-15 minutes a night of spot up shooting ala Hersey Hawkins. Of course he’s way overpaid, but it will be a nice contract to have on hand in a years time (notice how Boston was one of the big players this year cause they had a couple of big ugly contracts…wierd how that works). Delonte West is exactly what we haven’t had..smart, tough, competitive. Rather have had Rondo, but thems the breaks.
Too many SF…good grief. Durant and Green are just F. After PG and C (and even C is questionable) you just need bball players that fill roles. SHooters, Rebounders, creaters, defense,etc. Durant and Green fill multiple roles. That’s a good, no great, thing.
WIth the Richardson trade CHarlotte won’t be going after Rashard, I don’t think. No cap room. Orlando maybe. Look for a trade with Houston or Clips…maybe Knicks
June 28th, 2007 at 11:05 pm
“Hey why haven’t we talked about Steve Francis to Portland? Think he’ll even report?”
No, because Paul Allen will just buy out his contract. He was once considered one of the top PG’s in the league, but he has a lot of baggage. No way the Sonics bring him in, if that’s what you were implying.
Ridnour is as good as gone. Atlanta’s PG situation is still suspect. They weren’t happy with their current point guards, and Law isn’t going to come in and play at a high level.
June 28th, 2007 at 11:07 pm
The more I think about it, the more I love this trade.
Random thought:
I wonder if Atlanta would take Ridnour for their 1st round pick next year?
June 28th, 2007 at 11:10 pm
Ray had to go. 80 million in salary, bad ankles and hitting 32 as a shooting guard, a time when many start to decline. With Durant coming on as the face of the team we are clearly rebuilding. Keeping Ray didn’t make sense.
I would have liked to see the deal with Boston turn a little differently with the secondary aspects and I’ve always hated Wally but Green is reportly a stud and Presti and the guy from the Pistons are supposed to fine judges of talent. Let’s see how it goes and what the final roster looks like.
The model is not to win it all this year. Look at Portland, they had two lottery picks last year and a max salary guy in Zack and they still sucked. Things look better now as they add pieces but you’ve usually got to hit bottem and have a few years with high lottery picks (not 12-14) before you bounce back.
I’m reserving judgement until the roster is set opening day and hopefully the imbalance is corrected. Most of us liked the Presti selection. Let’s chill and let the man work. We can pile on him later if need be.
June 28th, 2007 at 11:12 pm
Trading Ray and drafting Durant and Green makes Rashard redundant. We need a shooting guard and an upgrade at PG. A S&T Rashard for either one would seem to be the next move. Any thoughts who might be available?
June 28th, 2007 at 11:12 pm
West is a decent player. He had similar stats as Ridnour, but is a better defender. We might have to wait until next year’s draft until the point guard situation is worked out. I can handle a West/Watson/Gelebale/FA (DeShawn Stevenson) guard rotation for a year.
Wilcox or Lewis will be moved before training camp. Both have value as does Wilkens and Petro. Even if we break camp with Wilkens or Gelebale as the starting 2 guard, is that all bad? Wilkens has always played better with starter minutes. Gelebale never got consistent minutes under Hill. He could have a break-out year. The Sonics have lots of athletes/defenders.
Everyone was so happy with Durant. Now that Allen is gone, everyone is ready to jump off of the bandwagon. Allen was an overpaid, one-dimensional player. With a healthy Swift, this team is better than last year’s team. Proabably not a playoff team next year, but if Durant is the real-deal, everyone will forget about Allen.
June 28th, 2007 at 11:20 pm
We won’t have this many forwards come opening night. You guys are such homers. Delonte West improves year by year (think Antonio Daniels) and Jeff Green is a great… an excellent basketball player. Don’t forget that we did get the leagues next superstar in Durant as well. I’m very optimistic about this team. If no moves are made, then of course this sucks. However, I highly doubt Presti is finished. I don’t get the Landry choice when there were quite a few guards on the board but I’m excited nonetheless. Get over it. It’s not over. I can’t believe I’m reading these bandwagon posts on SC… which includes Brian and Steve. Give me a break!
June 28th, 2007 at 11:23 pm
I would really like to know how Gelebale looks right now. I remember this time last year we were hearing all about the metamorphosis of Robert Swift, but everything’s been silent on the Sonics’ roster front. Could he live up to the 1st round caliber talent that he was acredited with at this time last year? Do the Sonics really need a PG or SG to make this roster complete? What happens to Wilkens, as he obviously doesn’t fit at all anymore with the new acquisitions? Anyone want to take the time to fill out a roster including all of our acquisitions from today?
June 28th, 2007 at 11:25 pm
Dammit, some of you guys aren’t that apt regarding the NBA. Anyway, I’ve got so many points to make that I’m going to do my best to lay them down in a coherent manner.
1. The Seattle Supersonics should’ve definitely looked into trading Ray Allen; however, the combination of a one-dimensional shooter in Wally Szczerbiak — who’s due a total of $25,000,000 throughout the next two seasons — a useless combo guard in Delonte West (Net Efficiency Rating: -0.5; Net +/- Production: -4.8; Net Points Per 100 Possessions: -4.4; Roland Rating: -1.7), and a point forward in Jeff Green who’ll have difficulty adjustin to the professional game is an awful return for Allen.
2. Jeff Green, who’s a point forward in the mold of Boris Diaw, will not be a successful player in the NBA. Although Green was a productive defender versus slow-footed wing players and undersized post players while at Georgetown, he doesn’t have the strength nor speeed to adjust on the defensive end against the talent he’ll face come each and every game—especially with a weak small forward like Kevin Durant playing alongside of him.
3. At this moment in time, the roster is so poorly constructed that it’s almost funny to me. For the folks who can’t comprehend the fact that this team is currently in shambles, here’s the depth chart for you.
C Robert Swift
C Johan Petro
C Mouhamed Sene
PF Jeff Green
PF Nick Collison
PF Chris Wilcox
PF Carl Landry (?)
SF Kevin Durant
SF Wally Szczerbiak
SF Damien Wilkins
SF Mickael Gelabale
SG Delonte West
PG Earl Watson
PG Luke Ridnour
Unlike some of y’all, I realize that Wally Szczerbiak, Damien Wilkins, and Mickael Gelabale lack the ball-handling and passing skills to fill the reserve shooting guard role on a consistent basis — which, by the way, is a moot point with the addition of Delonte West to the roster — thus, the team has a glut of players at that position. Indeed, it’ll be mighty difficult for the Seattle Supersonics to garner anything of value for Rashard Lewis via a sign-and-trade deal.
4. All things considered, the stage is set for the Seattle Supersonics to relocate elsewhere after the 2007-2008 season—y’all can bet on it!
June 28th, 2007 at 11:28 pm
I see that the guy I thought could be sleeper, Zabian Dowdell, didn’t get drafted. The Sonics should sign him for their summer league squad.
I have to ask this question. If the trade was Ratliff and West, along with the #5 pick(and Seattle picked Stuckey or Brewer), would people still be as upset? And in dispute of whoever said ESPN listed Jeff Green as 6′7″ and 218lbs., I read in a couple of sites where he’s listed at 6′9″ and 228lbs. I guess you will have to go to the official NBA site where they had the predraft measuements taken.
When someone here mentioned the Detroit comparison I immediately thought that West was a Pistons type player. Blue collar, hardnosed, defensive type. Hate the tattoo on his neck though.
And I didn’t catch any of Presti’s post draft comments. Can anyone confirm that he really said that the roster you see today won’t be the same one that will be at training camp? Just that comment makes me feel a little better about the pointguard position(hey, I can read whatever I want into it).
June 28th, 2007 at 11:29 pm
“Ray had to go. 80 million in salary, bad ankles and hitting 32 as a shooting guard, a time when many start to decline. With Durant coming on as the face of the team we are clearly rebuilding. Keeping Ray didn’t make sense.”
Exactly. The Allen move will push Gelebale or Wilkens into the starting line-up at the 2 guard. Having Wally as a bench player will only improve the Sonics. The bench last year was a mess. Mostly due to Hill in my opinion. Gelebale and Wilkens never got consistent minutes, plus they’re young and should only get better.
Ray took a lot of shots and dominated the ball at times. Not what you want with an incoming player like Durant. You want the ball in Durant’s hands. Green will be a role player and will play off Durant a lot better than Allen.
June 28th, 2007 at 11:29 pm
Taro, they don’t have one - it goes to Phoenix automatically next year, no matter where it falls.
June 28th, 2007 at 11:30 pm
He definitely said this most likely won’t be the roster we/you see on opening day.
I still don’t like his justification for picking Green and his mantra of “versatility”, but who knows. He’s the one who has the knowledge of being a GM, not me
June 28th, 2007 at 11:36 pm
I’m a believer in Presti and his vision for rebuilding the Sonics. From all accounts he is a genius and his plans for the team will be difficult to understand for a lot of simple-minded people. I’m excited to watch Durant and Green develop and grow together.
I enjoy Sonicscentral and the characters who participate on it daily. I appreciate Brian’s dedication to keeping Sonic’s fans informed with the team news.
I feel the Muckleshoot Tribe will be able to build an arena for the Sonics or else another divine intervention will take place to keep the Sonics in the Northwest (Gates?).
June 28th, 2007 at 11:37 pm
TO ALL OF YOU WHO ARE STRUGGLING FOR A BREATH OF FRESH AIR… READ THIS:
http://myespn.go.com/blogs/truehoop/0-0-7/David-Thorpe-Gives-Sam-Presti-an-A-.html
June 28th, 2007 at 11:38 pm
I wonder if Atlanta would take Ridnour for their 1st round pick next year? ”
1. No, Billy Knight isn’t that stupid of a person
2. The Phoenix Suns own the Atlanta Hawks’ 2008 first-round draft pick.
“I agree, James. Even Delonte’s 6″4′ - when he’s playing at the 1, he’s no dwarf. Imagine having him, Ra, KD, Green and Swifty on the court at the same time. Pretty much long and athletic at all five positions.”
Delonte West committed 2.03 turnovers per game last season and, moreover, has a tendancy to look for his own shot. As far as I’m concerned, he’s not a viable option at point guard.
“Delonte West improves year by year (think Antonio Daniels)”
Last season, Antonio Daniels had an assist-to-turnover ratio of 4.2 and drew a personal foul on 21.7% of his field-goal attempts from the floor. Additionally, Daniels’ peripheral statistics (Net Efficiency Rating: +0.8; Net +/- Production: +0.8; Net Points Per 100 Possessions: -0.2; Roland Rating: +1.7) are better than West’s peripheral statistics (Net Efficiency Rating: -0.5; Net +/- Production: -4.8; Net Points Per 100 Possessions: -4.4; Roland Rating: -1.7). Lastly, Daniels has not just the height and build, but also the speed and tenacity to defend both shooting guard and point guards; conversely, West is too slight to apty cover shooting guard and not quick enough to satisfactorily handle point guards.
June 28th, 2007 at 11:38 pm
“…especially with a weak small forward like Kevin Durant playing alongside of him.”
Ahahaha! AK, seriously, have you been hiding under a rock for the last six months?
June 28th, 2007 at 11:42 pm
“2. Jeff Green, who’s a point forward in the mold of Boris Diaw, will not be a successful player in the NBA. Although Green was a productive defender versus slow-footed wing players and undersized post players while at Georgetown, he doesn’t have the strength nor speeed to adjust on the defensive end against the talent he’ll face come each and every game—especially with a weak small forward like Kevin Durant playing alongside of him.”
According to Draftexpress.com, Green ranked 18th. I wouldn’t necessarily classify him as a poor athlete.
“3. At this moment in time, the roster is so poorly constructed that it’s almost funny to me. For the folks who can’t comprehend the fact that this team is currently in shambles, here’s the depth chart for you.”
True, for the moment. But will this be the case come training camp? I doubt it. Presti isn’t done. The Sonics have lots of trade-able assets. I guess the glass is half empty in AK’s world. Let’s give Presti some time. I think most of you naysayers will be singing a different tune coming October. Durant is ready to be a 20+ point night player. Allen’s production has been replaced. A few roster tweaks and this team is at least as good as last year’s team, if not better if Presti can make a few more good moves. Green will be a solid player, and West will be a could combo guard off the bench.
June 28th, 2007 at 11:44 pm
David Thorpe has inevitably been paid off by Clay Bennett to make those statements…that’s the most plausible thing I can come up with, unless of course he parties down in L.A. with Lindsay Lohan, Britney Spears, and Paris Hilton, snorting crack while driving on the wrong side of the road.
June 28th, 2007 at 11:47 pm
Delonte isn’t pretty to look at it, but he is a better all-around player than Ridnour. West plays defense and he hits the open jumpshot.
Wally World’s contract is undesirable, but he will contribute when healthy. Other than leadership qualities, he is a poor man’s Ray Allen. Wally won’t miss an open shot and there is actually very few players who can shoot better than him. Wally should play around twenty-five minutes a game and he’ll have no problem averaging fifteen points within that time frame, while shooting at a high-percentage.
June 28th, 2007 at 11:48 pm
Dammit, Ray Allen isn’t a one-dimensional player! Allen, without question, has an amazing handle of the basketball to go along with his sweet stroke from the field. Futhermore, Allen’s (Opponent Efficiency Rating: +14.4; Opponents’ Points Per 100 Possessions: 112.3; Opponents’ Net Points Per 100 Possessions: +1.3) subpar defense is nowhere near as atrociously abysmal as Wally Szczerbiak’s (Opponent Efficiency Rating: +16.7; Opponents’ Points Per 100 Possessions: 112.7; Opponents’ Net Points Per 100 Possessions: +5.4) uselessness from that end of the court. In addition, Allen is more deserving of the $52,000,000 he’s due from the remaining three years of his contract than the $25,000,000 that Szczerbiak will steal from the Seattle Supersonics during the next two seasons. Lastly, y’all are not only complete and utter idiots for devaluing Allen in such an imbecilic manner, but also for buying into Clay Bennett and Sam Presti’s nefarious plan like a bunch of mindless drones.
June 28th, 2007 at 11:48 pm
In case you’re interested:
http://boards.boston.com/n/pfx/forum.aspx?tsn=1&nav=messages&webtag=bc-celtics&tid=11706&redirCnt=1
Boston is bitching even more than you guys. Ha!
June 28th, 2007 at 11:52 pm
“Wally World’s contract is undesirable, but he will contribute when healthy. Other than leadership qualities, he is a poor man’s Ray Allen. Wally won’t miss an open shot and there is actually very few players who can shoot better than him. Wally should play around twenty-five minutes a game and he’ll have no problem averaging fifteen points within that time frame, while shooting at a high-percentage.”
If y’all abhor Ray Allen’s second-rate defense, then you’ll want to commit suicide after watching Wally Szczerbiak’s third-world defense after just a few minutes. Next, Szczerbiak will most likely be injured after a couple of games — especially since his ankles make Allen’s look like those of a strongman competitor — which should help y’all realize that he’s nothing but a ploddingly slow-footed stiff.
June 28th, 2007 at 11:54 pm
The Sonics’ summer league team will be SICK.
But seriously, a couple points:
(1) Durant and Green probably have the best bball IQ out of any two players in the draft. This will be an interesting brand of basketball. Green is definitely an athlete; he tested top 20 at the combine; is 6′9 1/2 in shoes, has a 7′1 wingspan, and a 38 inch max vert; his 3/4 lane agility was 3.3 which is BETTER than Durant. Green is a truly interchangeable at the 3 and 4. He can play spot minutes as a 1 even, or in a full-time point-forward role. He’s comparable to Diaw, but is bigger, more athletic, and has more tools. He is the ultimate Robin to Durant’s Batman; I really believe this.
(2) Some combination of Lewis/Ridnour/Wilcox will have to be moved for a defender/spot up shooter at the 1-2. Mo Williams, DeShawn Stevenson, Josh Childress et al come to mind. Ridnour and Lewis simply don’t fit this team anymore.
June 28th, 2007 at 11:56 pm
I spent a second thinking about how the Spurs and Piston teams are set up. Who is our Bowen/Prince? The shut down defender who can cover multiple positions when necessary? The Spurs have the big 3, a super back up, a shut down defender and a bunch of back up pieces. Sonics could have a big 2 and a super back up next year if they resign Lewis. If they could acquire a lock down defender at the 1,2 or 3, they are a young playoff team with potential.
June 29th, 2007 at 12:00 am
“Who is our Bowen/Prince? The shut down defender who can cover multiple positions when necessary?”
We just drafted him at #5.
June 29th, 2007 at 12:06 am
Ugh…listen,
Regardless of whether there are more moves to come, you gotta comment on what has happened. There’s about as much of a guarantee as nothing happening as there is of something happening.
So the stance of “the offseason not being over” is a little too optimistic for my taste.
Fact is, Presti definitely rained on our parade. There was not suppose to be an uproar of disappointment today. And that is the general feeling despite how you personally feel. IMO, All we had to do was introduce Kevin Durant to the team officially and celebrate.
Some other things I want to address…
Yeah we were horrible last year with Ray and Rashard. But at whos fault is that? Ray??? Ray did have injuries, but he was hardly the problem in what was one of his best years statistically. The whole team was unstable last year and I would’ve been interested in giving it another chance with the addition of Durant and a new coach/system.
What we got in return for Ray is ridiculous. Boston is already a bad trade partner considering they were worst then us last year.
Delonte West is not an upgrade.
And how are people saying we got better defensively when we just added Wally Z to our team. Jeez, talk about a player that I have no interest in being a Sonic.
Jeff Green sounds like a GREAT prospect. But this Scottie Pippen talks needs to stop, seriously, where is that coming from? I don’t recall any buzz about him before the draft, but now that we got him you guys wanna do research and watch YouTubes and convince yourself he’ll be worth trading our best player for.
I hope the guy does end up being able to compliment Durant in the form of playoff wins, but would anyone really bet on it?
At the end of the day, we should’ve kept Ray and kept the excitement that was around this team.
Instead excitement has been replaced with WHAT THE F IS GOING ON.
June 29th, 2007 at 12:10 am
I’ll always appreciate Ray and his contributions to the Sonics. I’ll treasure the time I’ve had watching Allen shoot flawlessly, while he always remained a class act, even when he was taken to the edge by Bowen and that Orlando guard. However, Green most likely will be the perfect compliment for Durant on the way to our first championship.
I hope Rashard can fit into the team’s future, but if he can be traded for an all-star caliber player to play the point or power forwards spots, then I’m sure Presti won’t hesitate to balence and improve the roster.
West - Watson
Durant - Wally
Green - Gelebale
Wilcox - Collison
Swift - Petro - Sene
Most likely traded:
Ridnour
Lewis
Wilkens
Wilcox
Petro
Watson
Maybe Collison or West
June 29th, 2007 at 12:14 am
you dont recall buzz around jeff green? he’s bee widely regarded as a top 10 pick since the college season ended, and since the combine his stock rose him to a consensus top 6-7 pick
June 29th, 2007 at 12:14 am
Here’s a two SGs available to sign or trade for:
GERALD WALLACE
JOSH CHILDRESS
Both are great players.”
First and foremost, Gerald Wallace and Josh Childress are small forwards. Secondly, Josh Childress isn’t a free-agent this off-season. Lastly, with the addition of Jeff Green, the Seattle Supersonics don’t have a need for either one of them.
“Who is our Bowen/Prince? The shut down defender who can cover multiple positions when necessary?”
The Seattle Supersonics don’t have that type of player.
“We just drafted him at #5.”
You’ve got to be kidding me.
“Ahahaha! AK, seriously, have you been hiding under a rock for the last six months? ”
An individual who can’t bench press 185lbs. is weak. You, sadly, are the guy who’s been hiding under a rock for the past couple of weeks.
June 29th, 2007 at 12:20 am
First of all, I liked the trade. It was smart to trade away Ray for no.5 pick, it will be good for the future dev.
However, their pick totally doesn’t make sense!! Why did they pick Jeff Green at 5????? There are much better players out there like Corey Brewer or Yi!!! Such a waste!
The Sonics GM doens’t know anything about basketball. Let me be the GM and I will make it a playoff team in 5 years!
June 29th, 2007 at 12:21 am
“you dont recall buzz around jeff green? he’s bee widely regarded as a top 10 pick since the college season ended, and since the combine his stock rose him to a consensus top 6-7 pick”
The buzz, as far as I’m concerned, has strictly been on Oden and Durant. Everyone else….has got about the same attention every projected lottery gets. In a way, there’s a Jeff Green every year.
June 29th, 2007 at 12:21 am
Who cares about winning next year? We wouldn’t have won anyway, this roster was constructed around a jumpshooter in Ray Allen and the hope that we could find a 7-footer who could play in the middle. The bottomline is that it didn’t work out and it never would, the old regime has been trying to patch this up for years and it needed to end.
If the Sonics end up staying I would rather them have done their due diligence and prepared for a successful future, not be stuck with an aging veteran who won’t take us to a title and who’s trade value plummets with each birthday he has.
WHAT WILL KEEP THE SONICS HERE IS EXCITEMENT AND A PROMISING FUTURE! Kevin Durant offers those things, look at the Blazers last year; a crappy team but the fans came out and supported it because they saw a vision and a good team a year or two down the line.
June 29th, 2007 at 12:23 am
Durant and Green complement each other very well. With the right players around them, this could be a perennial contender. I just hope they’re contending here, and not in Oklahoma City.
June 29th, 2007 at 12:23 am
i guess you don’t pay as much attention to the draft and college basketball as i do, cuz all I have been hearing in those worlds the past couple weeks it the rise of jeff green and the fall of brandon wright.
June 29th, 2007 at 12:24 am
anyone knows how ray feels about this?
June 29th, 2007 at 12:28 am
No, I’m not an avid college fan nor do I read draft websites. Not anymore at least.
I’m somewhere between a hardcore and casual Sonics fan.
To me its the same spit every year about the draft and the players in it. Jeff Green doesn’t sound like much of an exception.
June 29th, 2007 at 12:32 am
AK, you obviously didn’t hear what the team was saying regarding Durant’s bench pressing. Three years ago, Swifty had the same problem before they drafted him. Now he’s the strongest guy on the squad.
If you think for a minute that the fact he couldn’t bench press 185 four weeks ago stops you drafting Durant, just because he won’t be able to protect Jeff Green for the next few months while he gets strong, my head will explode.
June 29th, 2007 at 12:38 am
“If y’all abhor Ray Allen’s second-rate defense, then you’ll want to commit suicide after watching Wally Szczerbiak’s third-world defense after just a few minutes. Next, Szczerbiak will most likely be injured after a couple of games — especially since his ankles make Allen’s look like those of a strongman competitor — which should help y’all realize that he’s nothing but a ploddingly slow-footed stiff. ”
True, but Wally won’t be playing 40+ mpg with this roster. His third-world defense won’t be seeing near as much PT as Allen’s second-rate defense.
No response to my rebutall to your claims??? Ridnour for Johnson and Childress before training camp. You were advocating trading Ridnour for Johnson and the 11th pick. Why not add Childress instead of a rookie point guard?
June 29th, 2007 at 12:44 am
I know most fans will warm up to the new roster, especially now that the Sonic’s have a “franchise” player in Durant. KD is the new face of the Sonics and he will probably be the most celebrated athlete in Washington State before too long, sorry Ichiro. Remember the Sonics won the lottery and have the perfect player to build around. According to Rotoworld, Green would’ve been the top pick in next year’s draft had he stayed for his senior season. I don’t see KD’s and Green’s positions being a major problem as Durant “might” be better suited for shooting guard and Green is viewed to be more of power forward by some experts.
Stay positive as Presti’s next trade or signing should clear up the roster redundency. As much as it hurts, the Sonics have to rebuild for the future.
Good luck Jesus Shuttlesworth!
June 29th, 2007 at 12:46 am
Honestly, I was relieved when I heard this trade. I’ve been high on Delonte West since college, and all of the Boston rumors involving every other team always concluded with me saying something like, “I’d take that trade if they included West.” He is a wiry, athletic guard who can defend really well and, at only 23 years old, showed HUGE signs of improvement last season, dropping in 12 pts and 4.4 assists to go along with good rebounding, steals, and even blocked shots. He’s an extremely versatile guard, something that Ray ISN’T.
I love Ray, and I’m gonna miss him, but turning him into two extremely talented, young players AND Wally Szcerbiak (think of that expiring contract next season, can you say TRADE BAIT?! NBA people are all over expiring contracts now to facilitate bigger trades, this could be a GENIUS move by Presti that won’t fully show itself until next year if he works out a trade involving Wally’s expiring contract for a superstar ready to come play alongside Durant and Co.), is a wonderfully orchestrated move by Presti. He’s giving our team IDENTITY, and Jeff Green is the perfect player to complement Durant. Why do we need more shooters?! WE DON’T. If we can resign Shard, we’ll already have two major scoring options offensively, so guys like Ridnour and Green, guys who love to facilitate other players, are going to flourish in this system. Plus we get better defensively at three positions in one night? Wow, an absolutely tremendous job by Presti to sell Allen at the perfect moment.
It sucks that the uncertainty of the Soops in Seattle is hanging over our head, but optimistically, assuming the Sonics are staying, we’re all going to be incredibly thankful that this happened a few years down the road. It’s hard for basketball players to come back from ankle surgery, and Ray-Ray just came off double-ankle surgery after playing only 55 games last year. This move happens to be perfectly timed, because Ray’s coming off his highest scoring production! Let’s face it, he peaked last year before his injuries, and even with Ray-Ray in his prime, we still only made the playoffs once. This is SO incredible for our franchise to get our Jordan (Durant) and our Pippen (Green) in the same night, as well as a guard in West that I guarantee would’ve made MJ and Scottie happy.
I can’t wait to watch our team next year. We’re going to be tough to match up with night-in and night-out on both ends of the court. All we need to do now is lock up Shard, trade some bad contracts (Wilkins, Watson, etc.) for some players that are going to complement the changing face of our franchise and get to winning some games. Durant is our image now, not Ray, not GP, not Kemp. Seattle fans are always nostalgic (to the point of irrationality sometimes), but we’re not stupid. If Durant and Co. can win games, this team ain’t going anywhere.
June 29th, 2007 at 12:46 am
AK1984 is the only voice of reason on this board…
Get your fill of Durant next year cause he will be developing his game in OKC after 07-08 season ends..
Such a surreal day..from total euphoria to total despair in 30 mins no less…
June 29th, 2007 at 12:54 am
The shift from Alen to zerbi ensures the shot cutback that could not be ensured with keeping Ray.
“So the model that Presti is mimicking is not the Spurs…it’s the Golden State Warriors/Don Nelson model”
I don’t think so. on the size/versatility dimensions yes similar but I still think Presti will end up fielding a coach who will play an average to slow pace and not a superfast one.
I hoipe Green can play some PF because he isnt agile or speedy.
If the model is balanced big-wings then in terms of description alone Ty Corbin is an intersting name becuase he was a big-wing.
If you have one of the very youngest teams in tody’s nba do you want a youngish coach? Maybe. I think Ty Corbin might be a good coach but I dont know his head coaching chops firsthand. Mike Brown did a pretty good job in Cleveland and I think Corbin could too.
PJ would be one of oldest coaches. I ‘d still rather not go that way. Casey would be alright by me.
June 29th, 2007 at 1:00 am
And AK, it’s disgusting that you’re a) trying to compare Wally to Ray-Ray — There’s no comparison, that’s not the puzzle piece we traded for. We traded for Green and West. Wally just made the SALARIES work. The end. He’ll be gone in a year or two. And while he’s here, he can come off the bench to provide always-needed bench scoring, OR we’ll turn him into a major trade chip a year from now — and b) trying to compare Daniels (a player we DON’T have who’s making 4 mil more per season than West) to Delonte West, a player we DO have. But just for fun, let’s see how they “match up” …
Daniels: in 22 mpg, averaged 7.1 ppg, 3.6 apg, 1.9 rpg, .49 spg and .11 bpg.
West: in 32 mpg, averaged 12.2 ppg, 4.4 apg, 3.0 rpg, 1.07 spg and .49 bpg.
West also had a higher three-point fg percentage and a higher free-throw percentage. In more minutes played. On a worse team. With fewer scoring options around him.
Your arguments are irrelevant.
June 29th, 2007 at 1:02 am
I was speaking of green’s tests but like with Durant maybe that isnt a big dea. He is a fairly accomplished player.
If he plays PF I assume he loses the rebound war to counterpart but maybe Durant wins his by enough to compensate. But operating from perimeter and guarding a perimeter player he probably will rebound at a lesser rate than college.
Rebounds from center spot will be important. Petro might be one of the guys who doesnt fit or perhaps he stays but doesnt play much.
Durant, Green, West may remember Wilcox at maryland winning a championship. I dont know that they would necessarily view him in any special way from that but he has chance to bond with them.
Presti wanting competitors might not be charitable to Wilcox but perhaps he gives it some time. Wilcox as a 5 is better than many 5s.
I think Allen had enough chances here. 1 playoff series win wasnt enough.
June 29th, 2007 at 1:05 am
Durant and Green are two excellent additions to the team. Presti’s not done with the roster. Wait and see. Trading the two 2nd round picks was really unavoidable - there was no room for them this year. Plus they have two great rookies now and there would be no time to really give a couple more. Wait and see what the final roster looks like. I’ve always wanted to see a much better defensive approach since that is the key to success in the playoffs.
Now it looks like the team will be improved in that area. Wait and see.
June 29th, 2007 at 1:06 am
“I hoipe Green can play some PF because he isnt agile or speedy.”
A few scouting profiles of Green that I read actually say that he has the body to play a some 4 in the NBA. He’s a legit 6′9″ and, if we’re talking about “strength issues,” benched that infamous 185 lbs. 17 times at the draft combine, as well as testing extremely high in his standing vertical leap, running vert, and his overall speed and agility (in case you were wondering, he tested faster and more agile than Durant). Now, he’s no Russell Carter (who tested as the second best athlete at the combine), but honestly, who the EFFFFFF is Russell Carter?
I’m excited about watching our new core of Durant, Green, and West play next year. I think people are going to be completely surprised by how much West changes the game. And he’s only 23, and Green’s 20, and Durant’s 18. This is (FINALLY) a wonderful time to be a Sonic.
June 29th, 2007 at 1:09 am
I think the new tv deal is essentially an inflation increase year to year when you convert it. I mention it because i think it is a contributing factor for some teams dumping the highest level salaries. The revenue growth is going to somewhat slower than in the past. I think cap growth willl be slower and highest paid players might look a little pricer in terms of % of cap than maybe they could have been expected to be.
June 29th, 2007 at 1:10 am
Only FOUR PLAYERS IN THE ENTIRE DRAFT benched more than Green. Not that the bench means a damn thing, I just don’t understand why people aren’t being blown away by the type of player Green can become. He’s like a rich-man’s Boris Diaw. I feel very rich right now.
June 29th, 2007 at 1:15 am
Well, Erik, Antonio Daniels’ peripheral statistics indicate that he’s a more productive player than Delonte West. You refuted my stance with nothing more than basic statistics, though. I, therefore, have discarded your claim ’cause of it.
“Wally just made the SALARIES work.”
Theo Ratliff’s expiring contract would’ve made the salaries work, too, with the extra incentive of having 80% of his $11,666,666 salary being paid for by an insurance company.
June 29th, 2007 at 1:19 am
Durant & Green could develop into one of the best forward tandems in the league, no doubt about it. Both great character guys who work hard and are leaders. Where Durant is weak (defense, passing), Green is strong. Durant needs a #2 sidekick who can affect the game without necessarily needing touches. That’s Jeff Green.
June 29th, 2007 at 1:20 am
Don’t know how West ends up being used- it could go from 30 minutes at PG to 20 minutes split between PG/SG. I assume one of the incumbents gets dealt, most likely Ridnour.
How many of Sonics on opening day are on roster right now? 14? 10? Less? I’d guess 10 or less.
June 29th, 2007 at 1:24 am
Watch the earlier posted youtube clip of Green. Don’t worry about the highlights, just listen to him answering questions. He talks about wanting to get his teammates the ball more than get himself points, about how he’d rather pass than shoot, etc, etc. This is the perfect complementary player to someone as offensively dynamic and demanding as Durant (demanding in a good way, he’s gonna score so damn much they’ll have to find ways to keep getting it to him). Green’s attitude, not off-the-court nonsense, but his ON-court attitude, is exactly the type of guy I want on my team. People were talking earlier this month about wanting to trade Shard for Battier. We just drafted someone who’s going to give us that and much, much more.
June 29th, 2007 at 1:24 am
There’s no doubt that Green will probably play the “4″ so to speak; although Presti is seemingly bucking the position trend altogther. But if I had to guess, Green, with his strength and defense, would guard the other team’s 4 (or 3 if that is the other team’s primary option–in order to spell Durant on defense).
June 29th, 2007 at 1:31 am
Delonte West’s team +/- has bounced around- he had a +7 on/off in 05-06
This season was dealing with injuries / rotation jamup and a not good coach. He isnt an automatic, you have to use him right. His defense at Sg was good in the past. West may have a bit more chance to follow in footseps of Billups than Watson.
June 29th, 2007 at 1:34 am
“As a rebounder and defender, Green is very solid. He has good physical tools, including strength and length, and is smart and fundamental enough to get the job done. There are some concerns about how he’ll do defending athletic small forwards on the perimeter due to the way he’s played in college at the power forward position, but he leaves the impression that he should be able to adapt fairly quickly.” -Draftexpress
Either way, defensively I think it’s safe to say he’s got it covered.
And just because I’m excited, here’s some more on him:
“He’s an incredibly influential part of their offense, a point-forward of sorts, and that is reflected in the 5.1 assists he averages per tempo-adjusted 40 minutes, second in this draft amongst small forward prospects only to Corey Brewer at 5.2. Georgetown plays a unique Princeton-type offense that may or may not suit his strengths and weaknesses as a player, but Green does everything for them on the court.
Standing 6-9 with a small forward’s frame, he has good size for the 3-spot, but is certainly not a prototype as far as his hypothetical future NBA position goes. Cutting to the basket on back-door plays is another one of Georgetown’s specialties, and Green finds a lot of success doing so thanks to his high basketball IQ. Green is very solid getting off his feet, and also possesses outstanding hands, and therefore most lobs thrown his way will see his point guard credited with an easy assist. A decent amount of his offense comes with his back to the basket, where he does an excellent job using his combination of quickness, strength and smarts to spin off his man and either finish craftily or draw fouls. When teams throw a zone at Georgetown, as they often do, Green is the one that moves to the top of the key to force the zone to collapse around him, which gives him plenty of opportunities to show off his excellent decision making skills–either to find the open man or knock down a static mid-range jumper if the defense doesn’t react quickly enough.
This area, his perimeter shooting, is precisely where Green has improved the most this season, knocking down 41.5% of his 3-point attempts compared with 31.5% last year. He’s only attempting just over 2 and a half attempts per game on the year, though, which is not a high rate at all. For the most part he looks good knocking down shots from college range with his feet set, but his mechanics and accuracy take a hit when forced to shoot on the move or pull up off the dribble. As a ball-handler is where Green has the most work to do if he’s to play the small forward position full time, though. He’s clearly hesitant to use his dribble and the ball slows him down significantly, making his first step quite methodical, and he has a tendency to expose the ball to his defender, which leads to turnovers. When he does put the ball on the floor, it’s usually after using a shot-fake to get his man in the air and then finding an angle to methodically make his way to the basket. Green is a throwback player with an old-man’s game–which we mean in the best way possible– and sometimes you’ll see him swooping into the lane and throw up an incredibly old-school sky-hook.”
June 29th, 2007 at 1:38 am
If West is a SG maybe he scores and passes and plays some d there as part of the overall system. A part of passing answer with Green and the PG instead of a heavy part.
June 29th, 2007 at 1:42 am
This team needs a coach who can implement the triangle offense IMO, with Green as the point-forward and a defensive PG who can hit open shots (not Ridnour, but maybe West).
June 29th, 2007 at 1:44 am
zerbi off the bench, maximizing his shots into the minimum numer of minutes seems like the way to go. dont know if they think he will sell tickets but there are several groups they might think it would work with.
June 29th, 2007 at 1:45 am
I think West is a combo guard in all-aspects of his game. He’s going to be a great piece to this new “super-versatile” team Presti’s building. I would love to see him get a lot of minutes at the two and then support Ridnour at the one (while we trade away Watson’s overrated and overpriced contract). He showed he can play 30+ minutes per game for a full season, there’s no reason he can’t play 20 at SG and 15 at point, giving Ridnour 33 at point and Gelebale 15ish at SG off the bench. There are LOTS of moving parts working on this team right now, and coming from where we were yesterday, this is a tremendously good thing. You can definitely tell Presti’s not done though, we still need to clear up some of the logjam at the 4 and 5 and send one of the redundancies at pg to another team.
June 29th, 2007 at 1:51 am
West’s +/- was team’s best in 05-06. west and zerbi did not play well together this year. in 05-06 zerbi handled it but west suffered some.
June 29th, 2007 at 2:15 am
Why is everyone so pessimistic about the sonics’ staying in Seattle. Have a little faith!!! Enjoy this upcoming season (even if it’s another losing season), support the team, and know that this team isn’t going anywhere but up. Why would we want to give up on a team with so much potential? Knowing someday they might bring home another title? Why give up?
June 29th, 2007 at 3:02 am
Based on the comment thread, I wish I still lived in Seattle. It seems I’d be able to get some pretty good seats to watch an exciting, young basketball team.
I’ve said this many times, when you look at the team, don’t look at it in the mold of a 1/2/3/4/5. Look at it in the mold of passers, shooters, wing players, post players.
The Sonics big lineup is going to be a matchup nightmare for opposing coaches. It’s not a traditional lineup, but I think Presti is tapping into an undervalued commodity, in that people will throw crazy money just for a couple extra inches of height and give up skill.
June 29th, 2007 at 5:29 am
I love Presti already. The guy is different in so many ways:
-He is Young
-He obviously isn’t afraid of anything. His first major move as our GM is trading the face of our franchise, Ray Allen.
-He isn’t going to play the Danny Ainge card. Meaning he won’t do things for our franchise that is for the fans, and the fans only. He is doing what is best for the franchise itself. If he wanted to sell tickets he would have kept Allen, but he felt it was in best interest for the Sonics to ship Ray out, and start rebuilding around Durant.
-I love the fact that he is bringing in his own basketball model! When was the last time a GM came into the NBA saying he has a new model of basketball. I don’t know if a bunch of 6′9 guys is going to be good, but I trust Presti, he is a smart man. I’m slowly buying into his model of a bunch of interchangable SF pieces.
When it is all said and done, Presti is doing what is best for our organization, unlike Danny Ainge over in Boston.
June 29th, 2007 at 5:40 am
I’m with you Jeremy. I’m definitely going to fly in to Seattle for a game or two.
June 29th, 2007 at 6:25 am
alot of comments about the sonics are wrong
#1 losers since they were 31-51 the minute that swift their only center went down they were done for and lewis and allen out blew any chance at .500
#2 now we got small forwards, disagree lewis is your #3, durant can be the next T-Mac at #2 creating major missmatches and Green is more a #4 and Wally and play #2 since is more a spot up shooter anyway.
question was Green the best choice at #5 and can D. West play?
June 29th, 2007 at 9:19 am
I’m calling West as our starting SG next season, and a good fit–like Ray, he’s an outside shooter, a good passer/ballhandler for the position (though not enough of a playmaker to start at the point–he’s stretched there, hence his TO numbers), and a good rebounder for the backcourt. He’s also a huge improvement on D, and only getting better. I don’t think we’ll lose all that much going from Allen to West, honestly.
On the other hand, putting the bench together on this team is going to be very, very tricky . . .
June 29th, 2007 at 9:58 am
I think that a lost player in all this talk is Damien Wilkins. When we signed Damien to his current deal, he’d shown major promise in the playoffs and was coveted by a lot of teams, mainly Minnesota, if my memory serves. With Ray now gone, Damien will have the chance to showcase his talents in the form of significant minutes night in and night out. He’s the type of player that Presti seems to want in someone who’s both versatile in the positions he can play on the floor, and a defensive stopper. He’s shown that he can score, and he’s shown that he can defend. He just hasn’t been able to show it on a night-in, night-out basis. Now, if Presti’s vision is to be playing Durant at the 2, that would complicate things. Hmm…It’ll be really interesting to see this plan come to fruition.
June 29th, 2007 at 10:02 am
How many times are we going to start over?? How about putting some pieces together! If they could have added a low post scorer and a upgrade at point guard this team could have challenged next year. Instead, we will be waiting for another 7 years…
June 29th, 2007 at 5:15 pm
How thrilling to come back from vacation to deal with this nonsense. So, did anyone hear that the Sonics drafted Kevin Durant?
areacode206 Says:
June 29th, 2007 at 12:46 am
AK1984 is the only voice of reason on this board…
Get your fill of Durant next year cause he will be developing his game in OKC after 07-08 season ends..
Such a surreal day..from total euphoria to total despair in 30 mins no less…
Typical.
Clay Bennett is like a military general… confuse the enemy (Seattle’s fan base) before delivering the knock-out punch.
Divide and conquer.
August 22nd, 2007 at 4:05 am
learn about the stock market
This has to best my favorite article of 2007. I cant wait to read your next!
September 7th, 2007 at 12:45 pm
Jack
Great!
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