Let me start today's column with a reference to a previous one. Apparently there was a small misinterpretation of last week's column that featured several topics. Specifically, it has to do with a section that attempted to step into the mind, if only for a moment, of Howard Schultz. I made a reference in respect to Schultz's perspective; and in one of many breaths compared this year's Sonics to how an extension of the Westphal era might look.
At least one person took the reference rather literally.
2001 Sonics = 1999-2000 Sonics
Not the case, and trust me, if I honestly believed this to be true, I would more then stand by it. Now to be completely fair I must also say, as of November 19th, they weren't exactly 180 degrees in every sense either. Additionally, my definition of the "Westphal era" is in part a misnomer; it has less to do with Westphal and more to being .400 with star veterans and a viable support cast.
My opinion of the Sonics isn't necessarily what I think Schultz is thinking, or concerned with the same anxieties I necessarily would be concerned with. Schultz is an owner; I am a fan, which is a key difference. Schultz probably even had a much greater expectation then I had. Shoot, as of opening night I didn't think we'd even make the playoffs, nevertheless still happy to wear gold and green!
To get into the mind of Howard Schultz, I have to drop my own view of the Sonics and essentially become one with his. Or at least try to.
I first study his initial and very public plan he laid out for the Sonics in the spring. That plan gave MAJOR hints at what he felt was ultimately best for the Seattle Supersonics. Also, I take into account the more obvious characteristic of Howard Schultz; he is a visionary. Seeing with the mind's eye, looking at the bigger picture always. He was very public with what he wanted to do with the Sonics, and was confident when calculating the anticipated benefits.
From that quick study I began to portray how he might be viewing the Sonics now, November 19th, in his deafening silence, as his initial plan failed to be implemented and was forced to go with "Plan B": To retain players he'd ideally liked to have dealt.
I have a Russian friend. My Russian friend once told me he had a saying in Russia that goes like this:
"If you're not part of the solution, you're part of the problem".
Payton and Baker was not part of the Schultz's "Plan A" solution. We know that much.
I will refrain from spelling out anything further at leave it at that.
Whether or not one agrees with that sentiment, (I'm not even saying I agree), but I am swimming through Schultz's thoughts, which are strongly visible in his actions. And we know his actions were to deal those 2 to the point where the whole world knew our agenda.
I am being real.
Now it's November 19th. Plan B long has been forced onto Shultz, and to be very diplomatic, he has no choice to give it a shot. He didn't fully impose his will on the team; the circumstances of the team partly imposed its will on him.
November 19th: Sonics not very good.
He is watching his all-star veteran point guard dominate the opposition with great numbers as in the "Westphal era" and watching the Sonics lose as in the "Westphal era".
And lose. And lose.
November 19th: Sonics are looking up at the Clippers and Warriors, sitting on the bottom of the Pacific with a brutal stretch of games ahead.
When you are denied your true vision, and watch plan B failing, it's human nature to wonder "what if".
What if we were able to go with, Plan A?
Now, it doesn't take a genius to figure out if a visionary Schultz isn't revisiting that bigger picture, dreaming of what could have been with the concepts of "Plan A" and "trade" biting at him as GM Rick Sund's phone's ringing from calls from other GMs.
This is where I step out of being Howard Shultz and become SFS.
Plan B, without shaking things up, was dangerously close to an extension of the Westphal era. Same major components, same World B. Free lack of restrictions on the star's shot attempts and essentially become the teams' offense, essentially the same tendencies?
But my personal feeling on the Sonics?
I wish they would cut down on Lewis, Payton, and Barry's minutes and distribute them to Radmanovic and Watson.
Other then that, I'd say I'm happy with the season. The general feeling towards the McMillan era is a positive one; and the team appears to finally have a viable future as oppose to one based on wishful thinking.
But in the mind of Howard Schultz? I can't help but wonder how much he was thinking of Plan A, when Plan B was sinking, fast. In this columnist's opinion, I don't think that Payton to Milwaukee rumor was totally baseless, as some would like you to believe.
Again, as of November 19th.
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