Seattle Supersonics: NBA fan blogs predictions
Posted on Friday, October 19th, 2007 at 12:57 am by Big Chris
I’ve been posting links to other NBA fan blogs the past few weeks, where they are posting their assessments of their favorite team. Today is our turn. I’ll throw out my thoughts, but it’s up to you Sonics fans to fill in the comments so that when people from around the NBA come visit us, we’ll have something for them to read.
Team Name: Seattle Supersonics
Last Years Record: Beautifully ugly, it landed us Kevin Durant! (31-51)
Key Losses: Ray Allen, Rashard Lewis, the dead weight of our former coach, Danny Fortson’s contract
Key Additions: Kevin Durant, Jeff Green, PJ Carlesimo, the return of Robert Swift, Sam Presti, Delonte West, and Wally Szczerbiak
1. What significant moves were made during the off season?
Ping-Pong Balls. The right combination coming up for the Sonics led to a complete overhaul of our roster. Add to that a new coach, and our new wiz kid Sam Presti and we are pretty excited for what will be happening on the court this coming season.
2. What are the team’s biggest strengths?
This team will have more options than the past couple of years on offense. There will certainly be some growing pains, with the high expectations on Kevin Durant to shoulder a sizable portion of the scoring load when he is on the court. The great thing is that there is room for him to grow on this team, to make it his own, and to give it his own flavor.
The Sonics have a fairly deep roster, though a roster that could still use some talent consolidation to improve the long term ability to advance deep into the playoffs. We have 3 guys who can run the point, all with different styles. We have a couple of scorers. We have guys who can and will bang inside.
3. What are the team’s biggest weaknesses?
Youth. An owner trying to wreck any positive momentum the team might build. There are a lot of unknowns at this point in the season for the Sonics with the amount of change that has taken place this off season. How quickly they gel as a team, and how quickly they take to PJ Carlesimo’s defense will be important things to watch.
4. What are the goals for this team?
The development of Kevin Durant, and to a lessor extent Jeff Green, will be of primary concern. Wins and losses remain important, especially with the issues going on with this team outside the white lines. Bringing Robert Swift back at a pace that both keeps his focus but also allows his body to come up to speed will be important. Finding ways to continue to develop the very raw Mo Sene. Figuring out how to best utilize Chris Wilcox will also be an important goal for this team.
5. Can this team make the playoffs?
I think this depends on how they play defense. There are potentially a lot of points in this roster, though points in ways different from our years of Rashard Lewis and Ray Allen. While there might be some real up and down periods scoring for individuals, I think there is enough talent that finding points won’t be all that tough. If the team can find ways to make key stops, and continue to improve on defense I think they have a shot at a 7 or 8 seed. A talent consolidation roster move could go a long way toward making this happen as well. I suspect this team will be a lot of fun to watch, but won’t have enough to break through in the Western Conference.
Predicted Record: 40-42
October 19th, 2007 at 2:28 am
The only way this team wins at all next year is if they play help defense like they did during stretches of the game yesterday. They can run like crazy if that’s the case.
They still don’t have a lockdown perimeter defender. This team is going to struggle mightily.
35-47.
October 19th, 2007 at 2:29 am
26-56.
October 19th, 2007 at 3:37 am
I stand by my prediction of 20-62.
http://sonicscentral.com/blog/?p=1462
The Seattle Supersonics are a poorly constructed team.
As it is, the front office needs to quicken the rebuilding process by trading several players who’ve got overpriced contracts (e.g., Luke Ridnour, Wally Szczerbiak, Earl Watson, Chris Wilcox, Damien Wilkins, et al.) and, in turn, acquire guys with expiring contracts in return for them; otherwise, there’ll be two painstaking transition seasons instead of just one.
That depresses me.
October 19th, 2007 at 4:19 am
We look better defensively. But we are going to have trouble scoring. Its going to be an up and down yet entertaining year.
I’d be shocked if we go 40-42.
I think 30-52 is pretty generous.
October 19th, 2007 at 6:34 am
I’m in line with Menace (hey that’s not supposed to happen).
Right now I think getting back to the 31 win total from last year would make for a solid season.
I will say that I think we might be the most exciting 30 win team in the league for the last month if these guys start to gel a bit.
October 19th, 2007 at 7:50 am
36-46
This team is young, but will start to gel halfway thru the season. Durant has no trouble scoring, but needs a bit more discipline on shot selection, his shots look sooo smooth it won’t be long before everyone is thinking “ray who?”
The difference between 30 and 40 wins: Team defense
Biggest issues right now: Nailing down a starting lineup at ALL positions, my best guess so far is
1- Rid
2- Durant
3- WallyZ
4- Collison
5- Thomas
October 19th, 2007 at 7:56 am
I think I’m right around the 37 win mark more or less. They will be an improved team this year and next year will be a jump to a contender for the #7 or #8 playoff spot.
October 19th, 2007 at 8:03 am
Big Chris, very nice write up. The only thing I don’t see eye to eye on you with is the record prediction. But it is nice to be optimistic. I am in the Menace and Scott camp on the record prediction.
October 19th, 2007 at 8:21 am
Wow, 40 wins?
Everything would have to go our way for that to happen.
I think something around 30 wins is what we’ll end up with, as the team starts out slowely and gets better and better as the season goes on.
Though, i’m with Scott in that we might be the most exciting 30 win team in the league and that we could the team that destroys other teams playoff hopes, because they can’t beat us, even tough everyone expects it.
October 19th, 2007 at 8:43 am
After a slow start due to brutal scheduling (a back-to-back for opening night and home opener. 8 of first 12 on the road, including a 5 game east coast run), the team gels in January and pushes to 35 wins.
October 19th, 2007 at 8:50 am
40-42?
I’d love it, but I do not see their defense helping them much in the first 1/4 to 1/3 of the season. Plus, looking at their schedule they have a brutal month of November, where my best out look for team is 4-12 or 4-13 if you include a lose to PHX on OCT 31st. Just on paper alone I have the Sonics (at best) being 30-52. Granted there throughout a season you always find a way to win a game you weren’t supposed to and vice versa.
Even if you take away the rough start I still seem them going 26-39 the rest of the way. If the Sonics can find their defense after a rough OCT/NOV then my might turn the 26-39 that I see them going the rest of the way into 33-32 or even 35-30, which gets them close to the 40-42 to prediction from Brian up above.
October 19th, 2007 at 9:59 am
30 Wins. And the hope that Carlesimo plays the young guys a ton. In basketball terms, wins this year are pretty irrelevant. It is about giving the young players a lot of playing time.
I would like to see these players play in roughly this line-up.
PG - Ridnour or West (26,24 years old)
SG - Durant, (18 yo)
SF - Green (21 yo)
PF - Wilcox (25 yo)
C - Swift, Sene (both 21 yo)
October 19th, 2007 at 10:19 am
22-60.
I’d absolutely sh!t if this team wins 40.
October 19th, 2007 at 10:20 am
28-32 wins - so I guess I’ll get specific and say - “30″
October 19th, 2007 at 10:24 am
I agree with AK & would say if we can trade Watson &/or Wally now for ANYONE with contracts that expire after this coming season that would be great. I don’t care who they are - just get Wally & Earl gone so we have more flexibility & salary room to bring new guys in sooner would be postive.
This “re-build” will take a few more moves. I don’t see Wally or Early being easy to deal at this time though. Maybe if another NBA team has a PG injury Watson could be dealt before the trade deadline. Wally will be a valuable trade asset next summer with his $12,000,000 salary for 08/09 expiring after that season.
I am not convinced Wilcox will be improved or worth keeping for the long haul but I’m more interested in keeping him around for awhile & see how he plays this year.
October 19th, 2007 at 10:31 am
My guess is 22 wins in a very tough conference. Too many new bodies, and still too porous on defense.
Tangent here.
Anyone else hear Mitch Levy’s rant this morning about Sonics PR? Apparently the Sonics have determined that they will make only one Sonic interview per week for the station KJR. Levy’s conclusion: The Sonics don’t want people to come to the games.
October 19th, 2007 at 10:35 am
So far, it looks like Durant is simply being plugged into Ray’s spot as designated outside shooter and the Sonics will continue to be a perimeter oriented team. Is this the big change in culture? Can anyone actually define the culture?
27-53
October 19th, 2007 at 10:36 am
D’oh! Let’s see if I can add.
27-55
October 19th, 2007 at 10:39 am
Barring any significant trades I’d be shocked to win more games this year than last and I’d guess fewer. I’ll go 28-54. 40 wins would be a miracle. I think we’ll see Clay at a SOS event before we see 40 wins.
Picking the starting line up and who will be dealt seem like more challanging projections.
For the line up:
West
Durant
Collison
Wilcox
Wally
Dealt before years end if possible:
Petro
Wally
Earl
Gelabale
October 19th, 2007 at 10:43 am
5 Main Goals for 07/08 season IMO….
1. Change the midset of the team/players to really believe in working on defense & installing a strong/solid team defensieve concept. Get PJ established in a positive way as a good coach (I’m hoping he has it in him!)
2. Helping KD & JG develop well
3. Figure out what to do with our centers: Sene, Petro & Swift (To sign or not to sign?)
4. Do some excellent internal player evaluation and accurately determine who would be wise to keep & invest more minutes and money into as players to join KD for the long haul.
EX:
A. Is Luke R. a solid starting NBA PG who can play 32-36 minutes a night and run the offense well & be adequate on D?
B. Is Wilcox a “Keeper” or do we deal him?
C. What about Swift? What is his realistic upside?
d. Is Delonte West a “Keeper”?
And the list goes on. This year is like an audition for every Sonic as PJ & Presti determine who they want to have around KD & JG as part of the core team in the next 7-8 years or so. PJ & Presti need to make real good player evaluations with the guys they have now.
5. Get a new arena going here & a new owner from Washington
Having said all that - assuming KD will be a “Top 10″ NBA star stud in 2-3 years & JG will be a VERY solid NBA starter - maybe even all-star level player (?) - I’m very optimistic about where the Sonics can be in 2-3 years. They just need…
KD to be the truth
JG to be an excellent player
PJ to be a strong/positive coach
Presti to make a few more moves that are good ones to build the right core around KD. They will have the draft picks, expiring contracts & salary room to do it over the next 2-3 years.
October 19th, 2007 at 10:47 am
I’m guessing 30 wins. If we go injury-free and they pick up PJ’s defensive schemes quickly, 38-44 is within reason. If one of our three best scorers (Durant, Wally, Wilcox) misses extended time with an injury, 20 wins is definitely possible. Assuming we can hold Clay to the lease, the best thing that can happen is 60 very exciting, competitive losses and a shot at Derrick Rose.
October 19th, 2007 at 10:48 am
JAZ….
I did not hear this on KJR > But if true this is another sign that Clay is undermining all efforts to keep the Sonics local - what a liar.
If your team is on the edge of leaving & you REALLY want to get a new arena build you go out of your way to create as much interest & awareness of your product/team as possible. DUH > Again - I did not hear this but it sounds ridiculous.
Sonic fans need to keep the faith - and keep writing political leaders and write Dave Stern a ton voicing our support for Sonic/NBA hoops in the Seattle region. We will obvioulsy continue to get no help from Clay B.
October 19th, 2007 at 10:49 am
Based on the limited amount of action we’ve seen thus far, here’s my latest rotation:
PG: West, Luke, Jackson
SG: Durant, Wally
SF: Green, Wilkens
PF: Collison, Wilcox
C: Swift, Thomas, Sene
expendable (in order of preference):
Watson, Petro, Gelabale, Wilkens, Wilcox, Wally, draft picks
October 19th, 2007 at 10:57 am
Wow!
It was so nice to see the game last night.
Finally to see some extended minutes and not just highlight clips.
I was shocked at how well Wally can play. Hopefully he will hold up and be available all year because from what I saw last night he can be a solid player. Wally and Kurt Thomas look like they could be a very good pair of reserve players and do some damage off the bench.
The way Durant plays made me thing of a term I have heard that applies to pitchers in MLB. “Easy Gas” Everything he does looks so smooth and easy, but it packs a punch. I cannot wait to watch him play 82 times this year. All the other young guns look promising too. Some more than others. Swift looked sorta off last night, I have definately seen better games from him, the Laker bench (Kobe, Kwame) were laughing like jackasses when Sene fell down. Couple of jerks that deserve each other. Jeff Green (aka The Handyman) because he can do it all, looks like he is going to be a complete player sooner than any other rookie. I am stoked to have this many promising young players on the roster and I will happily be patient while they grow and learn together. The future looks bright.
October 19th, 2007 at 11:06 am
Vinny, although Durant has a very sweet looking shot, “packing punch” does not come to mind. I think of punch packers as guys that take the ball to the hole strong and with regularity. Make the ref blow the whistle.
October 19th, 2007 at 11:07 am
Before the preseasons I would have said 32 wins, now my best guess would be 27 wins. IT isn’t that people have played poorly in preseason, but that I’ve remembered how much injuries can affect a team.
Swift and Wally are obvious candidates to miss time to injury. Ridnour and Collison both seem to end up playing through nagging injuries a lot. Kurt Thomas can’t keep going forever. Delonte West’s back may be a concern.
I think this team will be a .500 team when they’re playing well, and will have a couple of 2-10 losing streaks during the season.
October 19th, 2007 at 11:18 am
I want to see what videogame Durant can do!!! ESPN will run a simulation of the sonic season soon:
http://sports.espn.go.com/videogames/news/story?id=3046371
October 19th, 2007 at 11:41 am
“Anyone else hear Mitch Levy’s rant this morning about Sonics PR? Apparently the Sonics have determined that they will make only one Sonic interview per week for the station KJR.”
I heard the whole thing and immediately passed on the information to Brian and the rest of hte guys.
Theres some commentary about that in Washburn’s piece today in hte PI. KJR and the Sonics have a meeting this afternoon for ‘clarification’ on the policy.
Just another item to toss into the testimony about people in this region not caring about the team. If they won’t even put thier guys on the radio to get out in front of the public, how is the average fan supposed to become interested?
October 19th, 2007 at 12:01 pm
FWIW, Wilcox is a keeper. He will be the #2 scoring option and average 18 and 10. Just to be on the record.
And I’m going to go out on an unpopular whim and say that Durant gets injured this season (knock on wood).
October 19th, 2007 at 12:12 pm
I think we will be 34-48…my friend thinks 30-51-1 (power outage in the Key due to Bennett’s cheap ass not paying the electric bill)
October 19th, 2007 at 12:14 pm
I hope James gets injured this season (knock on wood).
October 19th, 2007 at 12:16 pm
28-54
Even though PJ hasn’t set a rotation yet, I’m going to predict that there will be stretches where we just can’t buy a win. 5-6 game losing streaks will be common. We will end up with a top 5 pick and select Mayo. He will then be plugged into the 2 guard position and create the following lineup for the future:
Ridnour
Mayo
Durant
Green
Swift
In the 2008-2009 season, “The Baby Sonics” will squeak into the playoffs as an 8th seed.
..Sorry I like thinking ahead :).
October 19th, 2007 at 12:23 pm
James….
I hope you are right on Wilcox. If you are - he can be a huge help & part of the core around KD.
I am not certain at all which CW will show up this year - the same as last year or a new & improved version. If CW can elevate his game to 18 & 10 with solid “D” the sonics future gets a lot brighter a lot faster.
What the Sonics really need is a “Beast” in the paint at the defensive end - either a #4 or #5 - someone who can slow down the top NBA power forwards at the #4 or bother them while playing at the #5. A shot blocker & 10 rebound a night guy.
EX: Garrnet, J. O’ Neal, B. Wallace, Camby etc.
I know these guys are hard to find - just saying we need one at some point in the next 2 years or so if the Sonics are going to be ready to roll in KD’s 3rd year towards the playoffs.
Can Wilcox develop into that kind of guy???? Swift? Sene?
I have my doubts - but IMO the Sonics will never contend for the title without some defensive stud in the paint.
October 19th, 2007 at 12:38 pm
Wilcox is the living definition of “short attention span.” He runs the floor hard, finishes strong, and generally exerts most of his energy on the offensive end. At the other end, he usually grabs only easy/uncontested defensive rebounds, and frequently loses track of his man, the ball, and his position within the defensive scheme.
It’s really too bad - he seemingly has no idea how good nor how rich he could be by applying consistent effort.
October 19th, 2007 at 12:42 pm
Hold the Mayo!
Seriously, I think Mayo is the next Vince Carter/Jerry Stackhouse type NBA player. Great for highlights, but not the mega superstar the hype made them out to be. I’d totally pass on him, even with the number #1.
http://www.draftexpress.com/mymock.php?page=official
http://www.nbadraft.net/
Hell nbadraft net has two guys, Rose for Memphis and Beasley for Kansas State rated a head of Mayo. Furthermore, I think Mayo is a classic Marbury vs Garrett problem for the Sonics. The guy isn’t going to like be number two to Durant, period! Look at what “Starbury” did to Minnisota? He completely wreaked that squad, but then as soon as he left they became a winner. I see Mayo being the same. Mayo’s so selfconscience about his “image” that he chose a completely random school like USC to go to so that he could get credit for rebuilding the program. The guy’s whole life seems planned and contrived. If you look about at A-Rod background it mirriors Mayo from the various high schools to the image conscience attitude. Do we really want this guy on the Sonics? I say no.
I say give me Rose, Collision, Lawson, Singleton, Manyor or Rice over Mayo as my point guard of the future in Seattle. I’d even settle for another wing player to willing to be another Green like Robin to Durant’s caped crusader at the shooting guard spot.
October 19th, 2007 at 12:55 pm
I’m going to say 32-50.
40 wins would be an astounding accomplishment if they can pull that off with a roster this young. Not seeing it yet if Durant and Green play at the level they did in the Laker game all year.
“So far, it looks like Durant is simply being plugged into Ray’s spot as designated outside shooter and the Sonics will continue to be a perimeter oriented team. Is this the big change in culture? Can anyone actually define the culture? ”
Is the rotation we saw last night going to be what we see all season? Seems premature to start making judgments about culture and style of play after one televised game. You could very well end up being right, but I’m not making final judgments on what the culture of this team is or isn’t after one preseason game.
October 19th, 2007 at 12:57 pm
“I say give me Rose, Collision, Lawson, Singleton, Manyor or Rice over Mayo as my point guard of the future in Seattle. I’d even settle for another wing player to willing to be another Green like Robin to Durant’s caped crusader at the shooting guard spot.”
I’d LOVE Rose as well, but what are the chances of us getting a top 2 pick again? He might even go #1. I’d love Collison, but not if we have a top 5 pick. He’s a stud defensively but is still figuring out how to run a team.
Just give me a guy who will make plays and puts pressure on the D constantly by attacking the hoop.
October 19th, 2007 at 1:05 pm
What the Sonics really need is a “Beast” in the paint at the defensive end - either a #4 or #5 - someone who can slow down the top NBA power forwards at the #4 or bother them while playing at the #5. A shot blocker & 10 rebound a night guy.
EX: Garrnet, J. O’ Neal, B. Wallace, Camby etc.
I know these guys are hard to find - just saying we need one at some point in the next 2 years or so if the Sonics are going to be ready to roll in KD’s 3rd year towards the playoffs.
Can Wilcox develop into that kind of guy???? Swift? Sene?
Yes, JJ! And an inside beast consistently on offense too… a complete player.
I have to say that this is the reason I feel a bit let down about the direction of this team since the draft. When the Sonics won the lottery, I thought the Sonics were getting a player in Durant who was going to be drawing comparisons to the Reign Man early and often. Ray was finally going to have that inside beast that he never had the opportunity to play with during his career (until now). The inside-out duo that every team needs to succeed.
Instead, Durant is taking Ray’s place and Green is drafted to play on the outside as well. The Sonics lose two superb perimeter players and replace them with draft picks that will also play on the perimeter, yet folks are excited about this supposed new direction?
BTW: I love that “Home of the Disturbing Fringe Element” now pops up on the title bar.
October 19th, 2007 at 1:09 pm
Two more cents…30 wins…but then I homer it up to 35 because I’m so damn excited for the season to begin!
October 19th, 2007 at 1:20 pm
I’m not making final judgments on what the culture of this team is or isn’t after one preseason game.
Nor am I, that’s why I used the “so far” disclaimer.
October 19th, 2007 at 1:35 pm
I think ten rebounds is a little high for Wilcox. We’re going to have to live with the fact that he’s not a good rebounder. I can see the 18 ppg but 8.5 rebounds seems more likely.
Do you guys know that Mayo’s ACT score was in the 95th percentile? I think the kid is being judged unfairly based on how he conducted himself in high school. If the choices out of high school were Oden and Durant, I’m pretty sure everyone here would choose the hyped-Greg Oden. Until we see how Rose and Mayo play, rather than just useless Youtube highlights, I cannot see how any of you can come to any conclusion regarding their talents and capabilities. I’m pretty sure that at least 86% of the bloggers here have never seen either of young man play.
October 19th, 2007 at 1:41 pm
Yeah Alex, but have you taken a good look at those youtube highlights of Rose? Yowza!
October 19th, 2007 at 1:48 pm
Team Name: Seattle Supersonics
Key Additions: Kurt Thomas gets honorable mention
1. What significant moves were made during the off season?
I would add, trading David Locke for Matt Pinto. Don’t overlook Craig Ehlo for a player to be named later, who turned out to be Steve “Snapper” Jones.
Seriously, for the rest of the country, in case you’ve been living in a box, we traded Ray Allen for Szczerbiak, West, and the pick that became Jeff Green. We (technically) traded Rashard Lewis for a trade exception that became Kurt Thomas and two future first-rounders (from Phoenix). Oh yeah, we hired a whole new coaching staff.
2. What are the team’s biggest strengths?
Big Chris said: “This team will have more options than the past couple of years on offense.” Translation: The Sonics are going to have to spread the ball around more this year because there are no proven go-to guys on this team. Our strengths are depth and potential.
3. What are the team’s biggest weaknesses?
I would add: historically bad defense and lack of a proven low-post presence on either end. You might include weak 3-point shooting (as a team) and lack of a lock-down perimeter defender.
4. What are the goals for this team?
How can you leave out landing a top pick in next year’s draft?
5. Can this team make the playoffs?
Odds: 20-1. Yes, I think if this season were played 100 times, the Sonics could squeak in 5, but that’s my hometown bias showing.
Predicted Record: 28-54
Most important question this preview fails to ask: Why are fans in Seattle excited about this team?
The obvious answer is Kevin Durant. Beneath the surface, we, as fans, are thrilled to be breathing the clear, fresh air of reason and promise instead of the choking smog of perennial mediocrity. We have a new GM who has come in and started fresh, and has a plan that he thinks will (eventually) mold a winning team. Will it work? Who knows? But at least we have reason to hope!
October 19th, 2007 at 2:01 pm
I guess i’m still optimistic!
I truly believe this team is better then last year. The coach seem competent, Ridnour has confidence, & we have Swift & Thomas this year. We actually have team defense sort of.
The Clippers has Livingston & Brand injured
Warriors lost Richardson
The T-wolves dont have Garnett anymore
As for the Lakers who knows how they will turn out with whole Kobe fiasco
The 7th & 8th seeds is up for grabs. I think we might come in 9th or 10th this year. Who knows we might make a little run near the end of the year once we start gel.
October 19th, 2007 at 2:01 pm
Good post, Casual Fan.
Translation: The Sonics are going to have to spread the ball around more this year because there are no proven go-to guys on this team.
Sounds like alot turnovers are ahead as this team struggles to score when the opposition clamps down on defense. Fast, sharp passing will be a key. Any hesitation will kill.
October 19th, 2007 at 2:26 pm
“Sounds like alot turnovers are ahead as this team struggles to score when the opposition clamps down on defense. Fast, sharp passing will be a key. Any hesitation will kill. ”
That’s what I’m worried about too because this team absolutely, brutally SUCKS at passing the ball.
Green seems to have a nice touch and court sense for moving the ball around…I definitely need to see more. My reaction to Green’s first stint on the floor was that he is going to have to be way more assertive and more involved in the overall action to justify taking him 5th overall. It’s just one game, but last night he looked more like a complementary player than a cornerstone/2nd option guy. I couldn’t see him regularly scoring 20 ppg or being capable of carrying the team on offense if need be. Again, that’s just one game though. Green is very smooth around the basket and has great body control. I could see him being very good at drawing contact in the paint.
October 19th, 2007 at 2:27 pm
“We will end up with a top 5 pick and select Mayo. He will then be plugged into the 2 guard position and create the following lineup for the future:”
I’m not all that high on Mayo.
He first needs to show me that him dominatind at the High School level was because he’s that good and not because of him being way older and therefore more phisically advanced then the other guys.
I mean he’ll start his freshman year at age 20.
“I say give me Rose, Collision, Lawson, Singleton, Manyor or Rice over Mayo as my point guard of the future in Seattle.”
I’m alright with Rose, but we’d need at least another top 3 pick(probably even the 1st) to get him and i don’t think we’ll be that lucky for the 2nd year in a row.
Collison and Lawson are mid to late lottery picks right now and i think they both could easily slip into the mid to late 1st round, because of them not being all that tall. Though, maybe something for that Suns pick.
BTW: I think we should keep an open mind and wait how the season progresses. Maybe we’ll need another guy at the 4 because we’ll deal, lets say Wilcox. Then a guy like Darrell Arthur of Kansas would make a lot of sense. Or none of our centers shows enough to convince Presti of his abilities. Then guys like DeAndre Jordan(Texas A&M), Roy Hibbert(Georgetown) or Brook Lopez might make some sense.
Though as of right now it think that if we can’t get our hands on Rose or even Mayo then a guy i really like is SG Eric Gordon(Indiana). He’s a bit undersized for his position but would make a great 6th man(as long as we don’t have a pg that is tall enough to defend off guards) that can score in bunches and defend real well.
Anyways, i think we’ll be able to talk a lot about that stuff during the season. And as i see it, the worst thing(from a basketball standpoint) that could happen to us, is us adding one of those talented youngsters to play alongside Durant, Green and whoever else emerges from that current group of guys.
October 19th, 2007 at 2:30 pm
They’ll win around 30 games IMO.
I just don’t see how they could make the PO with this team. The potential is here but they are clearly not ready.
October 19th, 2007 at 3:06 pm
Ryan C - To contend your points
1) “Warriors lost Richardson” - being that I’m down here in Warriors land and that I’m a season ticket holder (I gotta get my NBA fix some how) I’d like to comment that the Warriors didn’t have Richardson for much of the regular season and in fact the Warriors biggest problems isn’t his lose. M. Ellis, S. Jackson, M. Barnes, Azabuke, Bellinelli, etc will are pick up the slack, plus being that Nellie plays guys is sporadic fashion I’m sure J-Rich won’t be missed. Plus they’ve appeared to have gotten a O’Bryant motivated to play this season and Harrington’s been a beast in the preseason on the boards. The key for the Warriors is REBOUNDING, and if can get either POB or Harrington to hit he glass, then they’ll be back in the playoffs.
2) Also, Kobe isn’t going aware. He has a no trade clause. Buss will not deal him to another Western Conference team, therefore Chicago is really the only suitor out there, and frankly I don’t they would be able to pull the trigger on such a deal seeing as they blew they’re chance last season at acquiring KG or Gasol.
3) The T-wolves and Clippers were not in playoffs last season. And I don’t expect them to be this season either. So we agree on that.
4) You forgot that the Hornets almost made the playoffs last season and that includes them missing C. Paul for a month. Memphis has Gasol back and healthy (don’t forget they made the playoffs in 05-06).
5) Don’t pencil Den in to playoffs. They’re the Nets of the west. Big names, who year in and year out have to fear the injury bug (Camby, Nene, Martin, AI).
So in Short I think their are 3 open playoff spots in the West. And that Den, GS, LAL, NO and Mem will be fighting it out to see who gets them. Maybe that what you were getting at in your post, but the way I read it was that those teams weren’t playoff teams. It would take everything breaking the Sonics way (just like things broke the Warriors way last season) for them to sneak into the playoffs.
October 19th, 2007 at 3:25 pm
“Don’t pencil Den in to playoffs. They’re the Nets of the west. Big names, who year in and year out have to fear the injury bug (Camby, Nene, Martin, AI).”
The Nets always make it though. If Denver isn’t a playoff team…….Seattle isn’t a playoff team.
T-Wolves may be in the running for worst team in the L.
October 19th, 2007 at 3:29 pm
misread your post. disregard
October 19th, 2007 at 3:35 pm
“I think ten rebounds is a little high for Wilcox. We’re going to have to live with the fact that he’s not a good rebounder. I can see the 18 ppg but 8.5 rebounds seems more likely.”
so 1.5 less
October 19th, 2007 at 3:38 pm
Watching the Supes last night made it hard to see us winning more games than we did last year, unless some pieces fall into (or out of) place quickly. I love Gelly’s game but he doesn’t seem to work to improve and I think he & Petro are the odd men out.
Once PJ settles on a rotation, things can and should start to improve. Remember the way Nate squeezed (squoze?) 52 wins out of that piecemeal wally weaker/rick sund lineup 3 years ago? I think we have close to the same talent level, tho we are so much younger the leadership will have to emerge from somewhere.
Sczerbiak (sp?) can still fill it up. Swift & Sene can be a 1/2 decent 2-headed monster down low, with Collision taking minutes at the 5 also. Weezy looked surprisingly consistent last night. I think he’s slowly getting there — though any/all proclamations of a “breakout” year ring false to me, since he doesn’t seem to have the work ethic to make that kind of leap.
The rookies will need, and should get, lots of PT to make real contributions. Not sure about Delonte, tho I’m stoked to see him ball. Wilkins is an adequate backup 3. Luke & Earl are, well, Luke & Earl — neither should be a starting PG in the NBA, but either would make an adequate backup.
Being the homer that I am, I’ll say PJ figures out some combos & a rotation by the 5th regular season game or so and we start to steal a few wins, climbing to and over .500 for a while before teams start playing hard and our inexperience comes to the fore around the all-star break. Final record 38-44, 10th in the west.
October 19th, 2007 at 4:26 pm
we have our PG of the future in West - the guy is going to surprise a lot of people - average 15 points, distribute the ball, play solid defense - he will thrive under PJ Carlesimo (he was being suffocated in boston by the idiotic doc rivers). although i’m nervous about his back issues.
that being said, the building blocks for the future will be West, KD, JG, Collison, Bob Swift, and given time Sene.
West, KD, and Collison are capable of having great seasons in my opinion. add the solid pieces around them like wally, thomas, JG, an improved ridnour, and wilkins and i think 35 wins is not out of the question. going further, if the team can grasp PJ’s system and defense a push for 42 wins is possible.
i think the key to the season is West and Collison adding some extra punch behind durant both on offense and defense.
predictions:
ROY - Durant
Most Improved in NBA - West (based entirely on the SPU practice i saw by the way)
38-44
October 19th, 2007 at 4:44 pm
Ugh …just thought about the fact that we passed on Al Jefferson for Robert Swift. Yeah, Swift could turn into a solid NBA center, but Jefferson is already there.
October 19th, 2007 at 4:47 pm
nope.. definitely don’t share the same optimism as some of y’all.
Durant needs to work on his shot-selections. He will struggle as does most star players in their first year. Does anyone still remember Dirk’s first season? Or even Kobe’s?
Swift won’t be a factor until after the all-star break at the earliest with his repaired knee.
The addition of West and Wally won’t offset our loses in Ray and Rashard. So we are essentially the same team as last year.
Kurt Thomas is too old at this point to make any significant difference on defense.
this team wins 32 games at best. It is looking more like a 28 win team however
October 19th, 2007 at 6:10 pm
24-58
October 19th, 2007 at 6:17 pm
why are they playing durant at the 2? are they crazy? he is gonna lose his allaround game, he is good in the post, he is 6′10, he’s a very good rebounder as well, he is gonna be a power forward in this league when he fills out, this is crazy
October 19th, 2007 at 6:25 pm
“Kurt Thomas is too old at this point to make any significant difference on defense.”
False. He is immediately one of our best, if not the best post defender we have.
October 19th, 2007 at 7:26 pm
“Kurt Thomas is too old at this point to make any significant difference on defense.”
False. He is immediately one of our best, if not the best post defender we have.–Mencace.
Agreed. Obviously you did not watch the game last night if you don’t think he’ll be able to contribute. Actually, the Collison and K.T. combination might end up being our best defensive combination.
I would tend to agree with the guy on KJR who said that it’s impossible to predict how this team is going to do record wise. Heck, we haven’t even seen the whole roster together for one preseason game yet because PJ has been sitting guys every night so that he can get a good look. All I know is that I think the 20-22 win predictions are too low, and there are other predictions that seem to be too high as well. I’d say that the 30-39 win range is realistic.
There are a ton of unknowns about this team:
1) What’s our starting lineup?
2) What’s our best defensive front line? Andrew Binum shredded us yesterday, but, Collison sat out. How good can the Collison/KT tandem defend?
Judging by the elbows that Collison has thrown in the bast two years while blocking out (knocking Watson’s teeth out and giving KD a gash over his eye), the Collison/KT tandem might be our most physical one on the front line.
3) How much character does this team have? Yesterday when they cut LA’s lead to 5 points some players seemed ticked off by LA’s lead, but, then they let the Lakers run off with the game again… Will they be more pissed off about losses than last year’s group?
4) How long does Carlisimo need to install his system? If he keeps it simple, hopefully we can have more games like the one against Cleveland. Otherwise, it could be 6 weeks, 25 games, a season…who knows.
5) How badly will KD and Green hit their “rookie walls?”
———————————————
I’d like to make one more point: Please stop talking about O.J. Mayo and next years’ lotto. That’s too far off. I don’t want to be in the lottery again, and talking about it this early makes me peeved!!!
October 19th, 2007 at 8:02 pm
“I’d like to make one more point: Please stop talking about O.J. Mayo and next years’ lotto. That’s too far off. I don’t want to be in the lottery again, and talking about it this early makes me peeved!!! ”
You can choose not to read it. I’m just excited about this kid. I’ve been dorming here in L.A the past 2 years and have been following what he’s been doing. Sure he seems like he’s full of himself and carries a huge ego around, but he’s got a skillset similar to Dwyane Wade. Sorry for being interested and wanting to aquire that type of talent I guess.
October 19th, 2007 at 8:45 pm
RE: Rose and Mayo
Its fine to like those guys. They definitely have talent. But to talk about having them a year in advance is kinda like saying you hope we are one of the worst team in the L. I’m pretty much against tanking………especially before the season has even started.
October 19th, 2007 at 8:54 pm
““Kurt Thomas is too old at this point to make any significant difference on defense.”
False. He is immediately one of our best, if not the best post defender we have. ”
IF Kurt Thomas is our best post defender then we are in some trouble.
At this stage of his career we simply can’t rely on him to play more than 25 mins.
Kurt plays good defense, but if we are going to rely on his old knees to save us then I am not putting too much faith in our defense.
October 19th, 2007 at 9:13 pm
“IF Kurt Thomas is our best post defender then we are in some trouble.
At this stage of his career we simply can’t rely on him to play more than 25 mins.
Kurt plays good defense, but if we are going to rely on his old knees to save us then I am not putting too much faith in our defense.”
He’s the most craftiest for sure; he knows how to make his opponents uncomfortable in the post. But I don’t think the discrepancy between his defense and Collison’s is that much different. Collison is a bit more agile and just as physical, so in my opinion, we won’t really have to rely on Thomas as much as some might imply.
October 19th, 2007 at 10:05 pm
Who said he needs to save us? Just responding to ajws comment that he “is too old at this point to make any significant difference on defense.”
Thats simply not the case. He looked fine last night. Didn’t you watch the game?
October 19th, 2007 at 11:30 pm
Huh? I never said anything about Kurt being too old to make an impact.
October 20th, 2007 at 12:24 am
Sorry that was GP
October 20th, 2007 at 12:33 am
oh my man.. of course I watched the game bro… Me=DIE HARD sonics fan.. yay yay!!!
now back to the real: Kurt was aight.. I guess we have different perception and expectation.
For me, adding kurt thomas will not significantly make us a better defensive team to offset our steps back in offense; thus we will finish with a worse record this year, which is the point I wanted to make.
if I recall, Brian Cook dropped three straight buckets on Kurt last night.
Kurt Thomas will be servicable. He will instantenously make us a better defensive rebounding team. I do look forward to see him and Collison together, but I”m not sure if we can run 2 undersized PF together
October 20th, 2007 at 1:22 am
“if I recall, Brian Cook dropped three straight buckets on Kurt last night.”
And if you’re Kurt Thomas you let Brian Cook try to score three buckets in a row, he’s a guy that for his career makes 46% of his shots and spends a good deal of his time trying to hit jumpshots. It’s playing the percentages.
Kurt seemed to do just fine against Duncan last year in the playoffs. I’d tend to use that as his defense vs a meaningless preseason game where we were playing a half zone, half man to man defense on nearly every possession (in other words we weren’t doing either).
October 20th, 2007 at 1:50 am
Cool article by Kevin:
http://www.nba.com/sonics/news/collisonwilcox071019.html
We talk about PG, we talk about the 5, we question whether KD should be a SG or a SF, but we never talk about Power Forward because that’s one place that is well covered.
October 20th, 2007 at 3:13 am
“For me, adding kurt thomas will not significantly make us a better defensive team to offset our steps back in offense; thus we will finish with a worse record this year, which is the point I wanted to make.”
I hear that, but we were the worst defensive team in the L last year. We will definitely struggle on O. But defensively we have to be better now. Its impossible to be any worse.
October 20th, 2007 at 6:02 am
CasualFan Says:
October 19th, 2007 at 1:48 pm
“3. What are the team’s biggest weaknesses?
I would add: historically bad defense and lack of a proven low-post presence on either end. You might include weak 3-point shooting (as a team) and lack of a lock-down perimeter defender.”
Nice post Casual. ^^^^ looking at the above comment, we’re in trouble with that set of weaknesses. Let’s see, we’re screwed at the perimter and down low. No wonder everyone has such low prediction #s.
James Says:
October 19th, 2007 at 2:28 am
“The only way this team wins at all next year is if they play help defense like they did during stretches of the game yesterday. They can run like crazy if that’s the case.
They still don’t have a lockdown perimeter defender. This team is going to struggle mightily.
35-47.”
This is the prediction I’m going with. Agreed, James, defense is the key to getting even this relatively low # of wins.
October 20th, 2007 at 6:05 am
McCoy
“I would like to see these players play in roughly this line-up.
PG - Ridnour or West (26,24 years old)
SG - Durant, (18 yo)
SF - Green (21 yo)
PF - Wilcox (25 yo)
C - Swift, Sene (both 21 yo) ”
What about Collison and Thomas? I think Swift will be coming off the bench, at least until he’s healthy. I’d play Collison at the C, then backup with Swift. Thomas can back up Wilcox at the PF. Sene gets the scraps, if that. We’ll see how he does if PJ decides to give him more time.
I like the rest of your lineup.
October 20th, 2007 at 6:07 am
Dick said:
“BTW: I love that “Home of the Disturbing Fringe Element” now pops up on the title bar. ”
Yo Dick, me too. I even sent it to my buddy, I liked it so much.
October 20th, 2007 at 6:35 am
“When the Sonics make their exhibition home debut tonight against Houston at KeyArena, West will likely be in the starting lineup at point guard. Coach P.J. Carlesimo also plans to start forward Nick Collison, who sat out Thursday’s 126-106 defeat to the Los Angeles Lakers because of a bruised shin.”
This is a great article on Delonte West:
http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/sonics/2003963460_soni20.html
October 20th, 2007 at 7:23 am
You’re right speedcat, that’s a great article on Delonte.
I’m excited to see him play for us.
BTW: There’s also good article on Damien Wilkins from Gary Washburn. I think that Damien looks really good so far and i wouldn’t even be surprised(if the team thinks bringing Jeff Green off the bench this season is the way to go) if he’d be our starting SF this season.
http://seattlepi.nwsource.com/basketball/336258_sonx20.html
October 20th, 2007 at 8:14 am
I guess I’m with Steve, 24-58…
October 20th, 2007 at 8:18 am
D West could be an X-Factor though, as well as how much KD grows throughout the year. Not that I think it will make a HUGE difference, but if those guys as well as others step it up, then I think we can get into the 30s’. Alot of it depends on Carlisimos’ rotations, & how deep he decides to go. If he’s trying to develop guys(like Petro), then it could be a REALLY long year, but if he’s actually trying to get wins, & shortens the rotation, then closer to 30 wins seems within the realm of possibility…
October 20th, 2007 at 9:36 am
The one thing that I hate about predictions is that everyone has to “keep it real” by being realistic or pessimistic about how many games we are going to win based on last years’ record.
Why not re-frame the question like this:
How many games should this team shoot for as a goal if you were the coach?
October 20th, 2007 at 9:40 am
Thanks for the article on Delonte. If he can cut back on his turnovers, he’ll have a lot to contribute to this team. His defense, athleticism, jumping ability, and attitude are what I like.
October 20th, 2007 at 9:48 am
Why not re-frame the question like this:
How many games should this team shoot for as a goal if you were the coach?
They’re called “predictions”, not “hopes and dreams”.
October 20th, 2007 at 10:51 am
Tate- hehe
October 20th, 2007 at 11:44 am
Thanks Silvio… another good article.
I f’ing HATE Bob Hill. Trash talking your own players in the media, what a totally crass way to tank your team.
October 20th, 2007 at 1:00 pm
Thomas does two things for the franchise.
1. He provides vet leadership on defence next to young players.
2. He inflates the losses for a short time so the team can show a bigger loss for a team that isn’t going to win but 2 more games with that player, and then he’s off the books next year when they hope to have broken the lease and left for OKC.
34-48
There is something about not getting 50 losses that motivates coaches and players.
October 20th, 2007 at 1:07 pm
“Why not re-frame the question like this:
How many games should this team shoot for as a goal if you were the coach? ”
I doubt that anyone on the Sonics(from FO to players) has a real number they’re shooting for.
Though, the guys on the team should shoot for 82, cause you play to win, right?
“I f’ing HATE Bob Hill. Trash talking your own players in the media, what a totally crass way to tank your team.”
Calm down man. He got us Durant with that and he knows his act, as he’s also the guy that got the Spurs Duncan.
So if we ever need another top 3 pick……:lol:
October 20th, 2007 at 2:53 pm
“I f’ing HATE Bob Hill. Trash talking your own players in the media, what a totally crass way to tank your team.”
What is your opinion of Larry Brown? Who cares about B Hill anymore. He’s gone. But it wasn’t all his fault. Our players are just as much to blame.
October 20th, 2007 at 2:55 pm
“And if you’re Kurt Thomas you let Brian Cook try to score three buckets in a row, he’s a guy that for his career makes 46% of his shots and spends a good deal of his time trying to hit jumpshots. It’s playing the percentages.
Kurt seemed to do just fine against Duncan last year in the playoffs. I’d tend to use that as his defense vs a meaningless preseason game where we were playing a half zone, half man to man defense on nearly every possession (in other words we weren’t doing either).”
This is exactly right. It was a matchup problem that P.J probably didn’t even worry too much about. He just wanted to see how Kurt played with everyone else out there. During the season, I’m sure PJ will use him more as a specialty defender against other strict back to the basket players (i.e Howard, Duncan, Shaq, Mihm).
October 20th, 2007 at 3:07 pm
I like how you throw Mihm in there. One of these players is not like the other game?
October 20th, 2007 at 3:08 pm
I expect it will be a tough year. Injuries to our star players won’t matter because we have none. I expect 20 - 25 wins. We need to shore up the 4 spot. We must have a top tier talent there that can play defense and score. I am high on Derrick Rose for his speed and PG skills and Brook Lopez at the PF spot. Lopez brings defense and a 3pt shot.
Trade Petro, Gelly, and Watson for a high draft pick so we can have two top ten guys again next year.
October 20th, 2007 at 3:24 pm
Eh, Mihm’s not on their level but he plays mostly in the paint and with his back to the basket.
Sports Fan Says:
October 20th, 2007 at 3:08 pm
“We need to shore up the 4 spot.”
WTF? This is probably our deepest position. Sure we don’t have a complete player that plays that spot, but we can use a plethora of players there depending on matchups.
October 20th, 2007 at 4:02 pm
“Brook Lopez at the PF spot. Lopez brings defense and a 3pt shot.”
BROOK LOPEZ? Over Collison or Wilcox? Are you insane? Why in the world would we want a 3pt shooting PF?
October 20th, 2007 at 4:03 pm
Brook Lopez = Stiff
October 20th, 2007 at 4:20 pm
PS: Brook Lopez is not a 3pt shooter
October 20th, 2007 at 4:48 pm
BROOK LOPEZ? Over Collison or Wilcox? Are you insane? Why in the world would we want a 3pt shooting PF?
Remember Sam Perkins? Jack Sikma? A big man that can hit from outside pulls a defender away from the basket. We need more range at the four. Lopez is good to the college 3pt mark. Collison, Petro and Wilcox need to be in the paint to score. I like a PF to hit from the corner occasionally, not just grab rebounds and put it back in. Collison and Wilcox are good players but we need a great player at that spot. I don’t think Petro will be anything but average so he can go and we can develop Lopez for a couple years. He may be available where we will be drafting.
October 20th, 2007 at 5:06 pm
“Trade Petro, Gelly, and Watson for a high draft pick so we can have two top ten guys again next year.”
Look, Earl Watson, Johan Petro, and Mickael Gelabale have relatively little value on the trade market. Right now, the lowly paid Gelabale ($802,000) shouldn’t be traded anywhere, while Watson and Damien Wilkins are dealt to the Miami Heat for Jason Williams’ expiring contract.
“I expect it will be a tough year. Injuries to our star players won’t matter because we have none. I expect 20 - 25 wins. We need to shore up the 4 spot. We must have a top tier talent there that can play defense and score. I am high on Derrick Rose for his speed and PG skills and Brook Lopez at the PF spot. Lopez brings defense and a 3pt shot.”
Brook Lopez is a fairly versatile post player — even though he shot just 3 for 15 from beyond the arc last season, which verifies his lack of long-distance range — who relies heavily on mid-range jumpers and, at times, backing down in the paint against smaller opposition.
Yet, unless you want a younger version of Chris Mihm on the Seattle Supersonics, I’d suggest avoiding Lopez. In addition, Lopez’s scholastic setbacks are moderately worrisome.
Regarding power forwards, Kevin Love is an intriguing prospect. As it is, Love has the offensive repertoire and amazing footwork of a young Kevin McHale and, moreover, can throw an outlet pass better than anyone since Bill Walton. He’s a tremendous rebounder, too.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wxtiacYhWS0
The drawback with Love, though, is that he’s unathletic and has a history of knee injuries. His defense is also suspect, which kind of worries me. Nonetheless, I prefer Love over Lopez.
October 20th, 2007 at 5:21 pm
“Remember Sam Perkins? Jack Sikma? A big man that can hit from outside pulls a defender away from the basket. We need more range at the four. Lopez is good to the college 3pt mark.”
Dude, Brook Lopez isn’t the second-coming of Jack Sikma — and he certainly has nothing in common with Sam Perkins — so quit spouting such asinine drivel.
First and foremost, Lopez shot 3 for 15 (20%) from three-point land — which, without question, is piss-poor at any level — last season. Next, Lopez has gotten blasted for his 49.6% field-goal shooting due to shooting too many mid-range shots — although that’s partially a product of playing next to his twin brother, Robin Lopez, who’s specifically a center — and, as a result, he needs to further develop his back-to-the-basket game.
Furthermore, Lopez has hands of stone — as he averaged 2.1 turnovers per game to go with an assist to turnover ratio of .37 — and sucks at passing out of double teams. Lastly, the fact that Lopez was ruled academically ineligible for the 2007 fall quarter is a turnoff.
All things considered, Lopez is an overrated prospect.
October 20th, 2007 at 5:24 pm
Lopez?!
Don’t you mean Love from UCLA? That might work - if they got rid of either Wilcox or Collison first to create a position opening.
October 20th, 2007 at 5:44 pm
Silvio said: “Calm down man. He got us Durant with that and he knows his act, as he’s also the guy that got the Spurs Duncan.
So if we ever need another top 3 pick…… ”
Menace said: “Who cares about B Hill anymore. He’s gone. But it wasn’t all his fault. Our players are just as much to blame.”
Menace, my comment about Hill was in relation to the PI article on Wilkins. It spoke about Hill trash talking Wilkins in front of the media, and just reminded me of how many times he had done that to so many Sonic players. And from the article, it’s very clear that Wilkins REALLY didn’t like it. I just think it’s a particularly, terrifically bad way to run a team.
No, I don’t care about Hill anymore. That article just re-boiled my blood for a bit.
October 20th, 2007 at 7:07 pm
AK
“First and foremost, Lopez shot 3 for 15 (20%) from three-point land — which, without question, is piss-poor at any level — last season.”
Dude at this stage of his career 20% from 3 pt range is outstanding. Check out Perkins stats. He was in the 20’s the first
October 20th, 2007 at 7:11 pm
… Check out Perkins stats. He was in the 20’s the first 8 years most of the time. 30% is outstanding for a big man. 0 for 0 which is what we get from Wilcox, Collison and Petro is what is piss-poor.
Love is a great player now but may not have the upside and is only 6-8.
October 20th, 2007 at 7:19 pm
Sports Fan saod:
“Love is a great player now but may not have the upside and is only 6-8.”
Are you sure? I thought he was 6-10/6-11…
October 20th, 2007 at 7:59 pm
For some reason, Sam Perkins didn’t become a consistent three-point shooter ’til he joined the Seattle Supersonics. While I’m unaware of what led to such an anomalous transformation, my assumption is that the interior presence of Shawn Kemp and Michael Cage — along with George Karl’s up-tempo offensive scheme, which is what originally made Benoit Benjamin expendable — forced Perkins to alter his game. That, in my opinion, is the only conceivable explination for Perkins’ sudden metamorphosis on offense.
October 20th, 2007 at 9:10 pm
“Regarding power forwards, Kevin Love is an intriguing prospect. As it is, Love has the offensive repertoire and amazing footwork of a young Kevin McHale and, moreover, can throw an outlet pass better than anyone since Bill Walton. He’s a tremendous rebounder, too.”
I’m not sure about Love as a pro.
His limited athletisicm worry’s me and as Sports Fan pointed out, he’s just 6-9(which will probably be 6-8 after the Pre-Dreaft measurements) doesn’t helps either.
I think he could be one of those players who are great in College, but struggle in the pro’s.
If you really want a PF then i’d suggest Darrell Arthur of Kansas. If we’d want a PF/C that can light it up from anywhere then Kosta Kufos of Ohio State should be our man.
Though, i believe that we’ll draft a Guard in the lottery and maybe try to get another big with that Suns pick. I’d really like us to get our hands on Cal’s DeVon Hardin(if he’s still available then) with that pick. He’s added 20 pounds to his frame and should become a really solid big in the pro’s.
October 21st, 2007 at 12:36 am
He’s right about Love; he’s about 6′8. But, please let’s stop talking about next year’s draft.
——————————————–
“Why not re-frame the question like this:
How many games should this team shoot for as a goal if you were the coach? ”
I doubt that anyone on the Sonics(from FO to players) has a real number they’re shooting for.
Though, the guys on the team should shoot for 82, cause you play to win, right?–Silvio
——————————————–
Great, another year with low expectations, but, no goals. I sure hope not. One of the things that annoyed me about Coach Weiss is that he never stated his goals (in terms of wins) to the media because he didn’t want to be held accountable. It would be nice if PJ could at least say something like, we’re shooting for 36-42 wins.
October 21st, 2007 at 4:06 am
“Great, another year with low expectations, but, no goals. I sure hope not. One of the things that annoyed me about Coach Weiss is that he never stated his goals (in terms of wins) to the media because he didn’t want to be held accountable. It would be nice if PJ could at least say something like, we’re shooting for 36-42 wins.”
Sure, that would be nice, but that ain’t gonna happen.
Presti told everyone that they’re trying to build something and that they won’t skip any steps.
Carlesimo has his hands full trying to figure out a rotation and already mentioned that they’ll have to start from scratch and that things probably won’t look and/or work all that great at the start of the year.
So i doubt that you’ll ever hear them talking about a specific number of wins they want to reach this year. It’s all about finding guys that fit with Durant and Green and cutting the ones that doesn’t. That’s just the reality of rebuilding.
October 21st, 2007 at 9:47 am
If this team wins 20 I will be happy. They are a train wreck this year. Come back in three years. Durant is the real deal, but he’s surrounded by no one. Think O.J. Mayo.
October 21st, 2007 at 11:01 am
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October 21st, 2007 at 1:39 pm
25 and 57.
I’ve felt this team was poorly constructed since we let so many free agents go after the 52 win season, and not picking up anyone at the center position. Worst team at the 4 and 5 position last year… and it was Bob Hill’s fault? That’s a cop out. And don’t tell me EVERY single NBA team has at least one disgruntled player. If Wilkins didn’t like his 25 min per game under Hill, he isn’t going to like reduced minutes under Carlisimo either.
October 21st, 2007 at 2:33 pm
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October 21st, 2007 at 3:12 pm
relying on a bigman for outside shooting worked well in Sam Perkins’ case because the pg was the last pg to win defensive player of the year. Get a pg like that and you can do all kinds of crazy thing with guys that, in 99% of all other cases, should be in the paint helping the guys on the wings contain driving players and rebounding the ball.
A guy like GP is really, really rare. Not every team gets a super talented player with the 2nd overall pick.
Lucky for us we have another super talented player picked second overall, I don’t think the complimentry player to go with KD is an outside shooting front court player. I think it is a plsyer that can lay the wood on guys when he picks KD’s defender off him, a guy that can set a solid screen for a wing player to use, and be mobil enough to slide out of the way and his a stand still 12 footer well enough for the bigman’s guy can’t cheat off him to double a driving Durant.
October 21st, 2007 at 3:41 pm
I get impression that Love can hit the 12 footer and will lay wood on people. Now he isn’t to rule the paint on defense at that size but maybe he can be Collison with a shot or a young version of Scola?
October 21st, 2007 at 4:10 pm
Reportedly he has a long wingspan and plays taller and has lost some weight and is a better athlete than first impression might suggest.
Said to rebound well and throw good outlets for running game. Or if you wait for him stong in the half-court or possibly as a trailer shooting from wherever even 3 pt.
Sonics scouts should be covering him a good deal.
October 21st, 2007 at 4:20 pm
“Sam Perkins didn’t become a consistent three-point shooter ’til he joined the Seattle Supersonics.”
Fact
Brook Lopez. Thats rich. 3 pt shooter. hahahhahaaha
He will definitely be coming out this year if you want him. He won’t be playing for the Cardinal this season.
October 21st, 2007 at 4:48 pm
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October 21st, 2007 at 10:01 pm
AK1984 said: “For some reason, Sam Perkins didn’t become a consistent three-point shooter ’til he joined the Seattle Supersonics. While I’m unaware of what led to such an anomalous transformation, my assumption is that the interior presence of Shawn Kemp and Michael Cage — along with George Karl’s up-tempo offensive scheme, which is what originally made Benoit Benjamin expendable — forced Perkins to alter his game. That, in my opinion, is the only conceivable explination for Perkins’ sudden metamorphosis on offense.”
*Fondly thinks back to the game in the ‘96 playoffs where Sam utterly torched Hakeem*
Ahhh…. happy thoughts.
October 21st, 2007 at 10:48 pm
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October 22nd, 2007 at 8:57 am
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October 22nd, 2007 at 12:41 pm
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October 23rd, 2007 at 7:39 am
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October 23rd, 2007 at 7:45 am
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October 31st, 2007 at 10:06 pm
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January 11th, 2008 at 6:43 pm
Luct
It’s surprising more people aren’t talking about this.good post.
January 21st, 2008 at 3:22 pm
Any idiot can see that the Sonics need to change thier starting lineup. For now though…
(G) Watson, Who should realy be a back up high energy bench payer. We need a new starter for this position.
(G/F) Durant, Our future star player, keep him around
(F) Wilcox needs Coach’s to be on his back all the time to calm his game down and improve, and he might work out. Sonics should be on the look out for new player for this position though.
(F ) Green, his game will improve with playing time but he shows a lot of potential to improve.
(C) Sene, give him a shot and see how he works out.
Collison is a great bench player but we desperatly need a new (C) and I’m sorry guy’s but we have to get rid of Thomas, he’s over the hill. I say give Swift and Wilcox some playing time and watch them closely. Play Szcerbiak from time to time but we realy need to trade him with Thomas for some new younger fresh players. Ridnour and Watson should be your deep bench (G) players, sort of like Snow used to be but we desperatly need a new face for this position as a starter.
February 22nd, 2008 at 7:17 pm
chris benoit news
I don\’t understand it.
May 11th, 2008 at 9:34 am
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August 1st, 2008 at 10:44 am
The Ultimate Entrepreneur Club
Nobody can do everything. As your business grows you will need to outsource some of the work. You could hire employees but those ongoing costs can eat up a lot of capital. What if you need a certain task this employee does not know how to do? Do it you…