Half way through and what do we have?
Luke Ridnour named to the Rookie/Sophomore challenge, Sophomore team.
Below are the rosters for the 2005 got milk? Rookie Challenge:
ROOKIE TEAM ROSTER
Tony Allen
Boston
G
6-4
213
Oklahoma State
Luol Deng
Chicago
F
6-8
220
Duke
Ben Gordon
Chicago
G
6-3
200
Connecticut
Devin Harris
Dallas
G
6-3
185
Wisconsin
Dwight Howard
Orlando
F
6-11
250
SW Atlanta Christian Academy
Andre Iguodala
Philadelphia
F
6-6
207
Arizona
Emeka Okafor
Charlotte
F/C
6-10
252
Connecticut
Josh Smith
Atlanta
F
6-9
225
Oak Hill Academy
Beno Udrih
San Antonio
G
6-3
203
Slovenia
SOPHOMORE TEAM ROSTER
Player
Team
Pos.
Ht.
Wt.
College/Country
Carmelo Anthony
Denver
F
6-8
230
Syracuse
Chris Bosh
Toronto
F
6-10
235
Georgia Tech
Udonis Haslem
Miami
F
6-8
232
Florida
Kirk Hinrich
Chicago
G
6-3
186
Kansas
Josh Howard
Dallas
F
6-5
210
Wake Forest
LeBron James
Cleveland
F
6-8
245
St. Vincent-St. Mary HS
Kyle Korver
Philadelphia
F
6-6
211
Creighton
Luke Ridnour
Seattle
G
6-1
167
Oregon
Dwyane Wade
Miami
G
6-4
212
Marquette
http://www.nba.com/milk_rookie/rookie_challenge_050127.html
All very nice, I'm happy for him but I'll kick this out there.
Here are the top 10 assist PG's in the NBA, Luke is #9, second in the Western Conference.
http://tinyurl.com/4vst9
He's #5 in Assit/TO (AD is #1)
http://tinyurl.com/5fw2f
He might not be on the Allstar team, but maybe he should.
He turns 23 in 2 weeks.
You can get a better idea of how good a player will be by his 3rd or 4th season. He'll be 24 or 25, maybe an allstar second teamer. Stunning.
I think it is fair to say that the improvement in the Sonics has come from young guys maturing. Do nothing trade-wise works for young players. Return this same team next year and they are even better, just because.
I wonder if Ray will be around to see it.
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January 28, 2005
January 26, 2005
George Karl to Denver
He swiped the Bucks job from Chris Ford while coaching the Sonics, forced the Sonics hand by breaking rules about talking, got fired on purpose, got Chris Ford out of that job and took it and the largest coaching only deals at that time.
I can't wait to get the good, young players he casts off.
I predict:
He'll turn Melo into Bigdog in every possible way before you can say, baby blue.
I can't wait to get the good, young players he casts off.
I predict:
He'll turn Melo into Bigdog in every possible way before you can say, baby blue.
January 19, 2005
Lay the blame for the Denver loss where it belongs
It's my fault. I didn't cheer loud enough in my living room. I waited too long to put on my Supersonics pajamas.
I didn't yell at the tv that they were not exploring a defense to stop a smaller, quicker player with a funnel/zipper and shot blocker at the head of that funnel (though I'll not Collison's block in the fourth was pretty nice).
The team can forget about it and move on. I'll work on my game (watching) and see if we don't get a better outcome. Well, the picks could be cleaner and the guards could use them better. But, I'll fix the rest.
I didn't yell at the tv that they were not exploring a defense to stop a smaller, quicker player with a funnel/zipper and shot blocker at the head of that funnel (though I'll not Collison's block in the fourth was pretty nice).
The team can forget about it and move on. I'll work on my game (watching) and see if we don't get a better outcome. Well, the picks could be cleaner and the guards could use them better. But, I'll fix the rest.
January 15, 2005
AD, pass the ball, please
I can't take it. Trade him.AD for Jim Jackson.
Sonics likely win. I just can't take the pounding (of the ball on the floor by AD).
Sonics likely win. I just can't take the pounding (of the ball on the floor by AD).
January 12, 2005
Would Danny opt-out of his contract this summer?
Would Danny Fortson opt-out f his current contract given his productive play this year?
I'll say no.
One of the few things that has slowed down Danny Fortson in the past has been Danny and the people on the teams he's played on. He appears to have made friends and relationships on this team that help him translate his off-court situation being a good thing to his on-court perfromence as a good thing. One is the product of the other to some extent.
As for his off-court and on-court relationships I'll point to Danny and Luke Ridnour as having what appears to be a symbiotic relationship best summed up by these pictures.
This would be Luke Ridnour
And this would be Danny Fortson with Luke Ridnour "having his back".
BTW, see the story in today's The Tacoma News-Tribune on Rick Dupree for more links between some of the players.
I'll say no.
One of the few things that has slowed down Danny Fortson in the past has been Danny and the people on the teams he's played on. He appears to have made friends and relationships on this team that help him translate his off-court situation being a good thing to his on-court perfromence as a good thing. One is the product of the other to some extent.
As for his off-court and on-court relationships I'll point to Danny and Luke Ridnour as having what appears to be a symbiotic relationship best summed up by these pictures.
This would be Luke Ridnour
And this would be Danny Fortson with Luke Ridnour "having his back".
BTW, see the story in today's The Tacoma News-Tribune on Rick Dupree for more links between some of the players.
Trading Vitali
I think that Vitali is handling this well and professionally. I have had some things in the past that I have and have not liked about the Sonics organization. One of the things that I've liked is that they were accommodating to Eric Snow who was not playing, but sitting, behind Gary Payton and asked to be traded. Wally Walker not only traded him but sent him to a team that had a situation that could benefit Snow. The 76ers needed point guard help and Snow had an opportunity to play and develop. He ended up starting many games, had a trip to the NBA Finals, developed better skills and was rewarded with a pretty good contract.
I believe that Rick Sund and Wally Walker will work to find Potapenko a situation that would be beneficial to him if a trade returned an asset, at the very least didn't return some baggage or a bad contract.
Early last year Vitali was on the bench for the wrong reasons. This year he's on the bench for the right reasons. In either case Vitali has acted as the professional that he is. I believe that if the requirements can be achieved for both parties then something will happen.
What is possible? He could go to a loser team where he could start, play and display his skills prior to his impending free agency.
He could go to a team that is wanting to make a run at the playoffs, needs front court help but doesn't want to be tied to a long contract.
In either case I would look for him to go east where a team either plays against the Shaq lead Miami Heat, or is the Shaq lead Miami Heat.
From the SeattlePI.com
"We're still in the early stages," Bauman said of an inquiry into a trade. "Vitaly would be very satisfied if he stayed with the Sonics and played the whole season there. He just wishes he was more a part of it. He knows that he can do a good job."
I believe that Rick Sund and Wally Walker will work to find Potapenko a situation that would be beneficial to him if a trade returned an asset, at the very least didn't return some baggage or a bad contract.
Early last year Vitali was on the bench for the wrong reasons. This year he's on the bench for the right reasons. In either case Vitali has acted as the professional that he is. I believe that if the requirements can be achieved for both parties then something will happen.
What is possible? He could go to a loser team where he could start, play and display his skills prior to his impending free agency.
He could go to a team that is wanting to make a run at the playoffs, needs front court help but doesn't want to be tied to a long contract.
In either case I would look for him to go east where a team either plays against the Shaq lead Miami Heat, or is the Shaq lead Miami Heat.
From the SeattlePI.com
"We're still in the early stages," Bauman said of an inquiry into a trade. "Vitaly would be very satisfied if he stayed with the Sonics and played the whole season there. He just wishes he was more a part of it. He knows that he can do a good job."
January 09, 2005
Fwd: [homer] Re: Optimistic
Just so you don't think I'm a bandwagon fan I have some proof that I'm
just a homer.
38 to 45 wins, What was I thinking?
Begin forwarded message:
> From: supersonicsfan@xxxxxxxxxx
> Date: September 20, 2004 9:33:29 AM PDT
> To: xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
> Subject: Re: [xxxxxx] Re: Optimistic
> Reply-To: xxxxxxxxxxxxx
>
> Actually xxxxx, half of the rotation will have a career year. Every
> player that has a rookie contract will be making a next step or a 1st
> step. Are they significant contributors? That's a matter of opinion
> but some key guys is in this group.
>
> Collison will be. Better or worse isn't a measure here since he will
> have a shot at ROY. The position will be better. I expect him to have
> a career year compared to last year.
>
> Ridnour did show as the year went on that he was catching on to the
> flow of the NBA. I expect him to have a career year compared to last
> year.
>
> Swift will not see the floor much until the end of the season. There
> will not be a Booth or not to Booth question for Nate. It will be
> Potapenko, James, Fortson and Collison some. I expect that position to
> have a slightly better year compared to last year because there will
> be more consistent minutes. James had NO business starting or playing
> ahead of Potapenko (or Booth for that matter). The consistancy will be
> something new here but I expect Potapenko to adjust, he's also in a
> contract year. People here have mentioned James playing for his next
> contract but I think it would be more likely that Potapenko is the one
> to perform well with that motivation. Not a career year but better
> than last year.
>
> Murray is in his real second year, contract year, I expect him to have
> a career year compared to last year. He will not have superstar games
> like last year but a more consistant year.
>
> Radmanovic is in his contract year of his rookie contract. I expect
> him to have a career year compared to last year.
>
> Fortson will be encouraged to play the way the Sonics need somebody to
> play. He fills the void and the position is better because of it.
>
> Ray Allen is a guy that looks like he plays for respect, is healthier
> than last year, didn't play on Team USA and is likely training just
> incase he is playing in a contract year. I just don't have any doubt
> about this and I'm not sure why. Ray is in his prime. I don't expect
> him to be better but I expect him to play more games.
>
> Rashard Lewis, I'll say he has gotten to a plateau, though the
> addition of some real PF's should enhance his situation. It will look
> like a career year, but it will not be through his improvement as much
> as it will be the improvement of the position next to him.
>
> I would agree with xxxxx if this were an old team. Since I'm relying
> on some potential coming to fruition I'll just say that I'm slightly
> optimistic. 45 wins is possible high end, too bad that might not be
> enough for the playoffs.
>
> I'll call the range of wins 38 to 45 though I expect Nate, who is also
> in his contract year, to do everything possible to get into the
> playoffs and at the very least avoid a losing record.
>
> I'm guessing that these guys will be here next month.
> --
> supersonicsfan@xxxx
>
just a homer.
38 to 45 wins, What was I thinking?
Begin forwarded message:
> From: supersonicsfan@xxxxxxxxxx
> Date: September 20, 2004 9:33:29 AM PDT
> To: xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
> Subject: Re: [xxxxxx] Re: Optimistic
> Reply-To: xxxxxxxxxxxxx
>
> Actually xxxxx, half of the rotation will have a career year. Every
> player that has a rookie contract will be making a next step or a 1st
> step. Are they significant contributors? That's a matter of opinion
> but some key guys is in this group.
>
> Collison will be. Better or worse isn't a measure here since he will
> have a shot at ROY. The position will be better. I expect him to have
> a career year compared to last year.
>
> Ridnour did show as the year went on that he was catching on to the
> flow of the NBA. I expect him to have a career year compared to last
> year.
>
> Swift will not see the floor much until the end of the season. There
> will not be a Booth or not to Booth question for Nate. It will be
> Potapenko, James, Fortson and Collison some. I expect that position to
> have a slightly better year compared to last year because there will
> be more consistent minutes. James had NO business starting or playing
> ahead of Potapenko (or Booth for that matter). The consistancy will be
> something new here but I expect Potapenko to adjust, he's also in a
> contract year. People here have mentioned James playing for his next
> contract but I think it would be more likely that Potapenko is the one
> to perform well with that motivation. Not a career year but better
> than last year.
>
> Murray is in his real second year, contract year, I expect him to have
> a career year compared to last year. He will not have superstar games
> like last year but a more consistant year.
>
> Radmanovic is in his contract year of his rookie contract. I expect
> him to have a career year compared to last year.
>
> Fortson will be encouraged to play the way the Sonics need somebody to
> play. He fills the void and the position is better because of it.
>
> Ray Allen is a guy that looks like he plays for respect, is healthier
> than last year, didn't play on Team USA and is likely training just
> incase he is playing in a contract year. I just don't have any doubt
> about this and I'm not sure why. Ray is in his prime. I don't expect
> him to be better but I expect him to play more games.
>
> Rashard Lewis, I'll say he has gotten to a plateau, though the
> addition of some real PF's should enhance his situation. It will look
> like a career year, but it will not be through his improvement as much
> as it will be the improvement of the position next to him.
>
> I would agree with xxxxx if this were an old team. Since I'm relying
> on some potential coming to fruition I'll just say that I'm slightly
> optimistic. 45 wins is possible high end, too bad that might not be
> enough for the playoffs.
>
> I'll call the range of wins 38 to 45 though I expect Nate, who is also
> in his contract year, to do everything possible to get into the
> playoffs and at the very least avoid a losing record.
>
> I'm guessing that these guys will be here next month.
> --
> supersonicsfan@xxxx
>
January 07, 2005
Northern Exposure
Sonics games are getting picked up more and more by national broadcasts.
The only value to the team I can see is that they player value to the fan and possibly then to the other team might increase. Familiar names have more value. It becomes an easier sell in trades if the fans on the east side of the planet have actually seen somebody play more than the one time they arrive in town.
Also, when players like Rashard put up 35 and 11, even in a loss to the Wizards, and it is seen by more than the people reading this page then he's likely going to get more consideration for allstar voting, endorsements, little stuff like that.
Who is the backup PG for the Hornets? Not too many people in the west would know (including me) and they'd be PO'd if there team traded for him no matter how talented he is (or isn't). The backup SG on the Sonics is Flip Murray and the more people see him the more value he has to a fan base in trade.
The "Flip" side is that if you are familiar, not necessarily more talented, the perception might be that you are under achieving by not living up to your name recognition (I'll call them the "Name Blazers"). There are individual Name Blazers as well. Guys that were on TV a lot but were not really all that good, but, fans know who they are, they get bigger contracts or land on teams when they should get the hell out of the NBA (Travis Best, this means you).
Just my guess.
The only value to the team I can see is that they player value to the fan and possibly then to the other team might increase. Familiar names have more value. It becomes an easier sell in trades if the fans on the east side of the planet have actually seen somebody play more than the one time they arrive in town.
Also, when players like Rashard put up 35 and 11, even in a loss to the Wizards, and it is seen by more than the people reading this page then he's likely going to get more consideration for allstar voting, endorsements, little stuff like that.
Who is the backup PG for the Hornets? Not too many people in the west would know (including me) and they'd be PO'd if there team traded for him no matter how talented he is (or isn't). The backup SG on the Sonics is Flip Murray and the more people see him the more value he has to a fan base in trade.
The "Flip" side is that if you are familiar, not necessarily more talented, the perception might be that you are under achieving by not living up to your name recognition (I'll call them the "Name Blazers"). There are individual Name Blazers as well. Guys that were on TV a lot but were not really all that good, but, fans know who they are, they get bigger contracts or land on teams when they should get the hell out of the NBA (Travis Best, this means you).
Just my guess.
Random notes
I'm watching the Laker/Rockets game.
Rockets have 37 points in the 1st half. I have yet to see Tracy McGrady lead anybody to anything but a high lottery pick.
The Timberwolves just got by the Ivy-less 76ers, losing Cassell in the contest to an injury. Two things to note, Cassell kept them in that game, Try Hudson looked horrible. They better hope Cassell makes it back soon.
More random.
The Sonics just went 3-2 on a road trip losing 2 in a row for the 1st time this season. As bad as they looked I don't see the Lakers or Rockets making a run at the Sonics any time soon. Sonics have a couple days off before facing the Heat at home. I expect them to bounce back and take it to the Heat again. Sure, the Heat are kicking the Blazers around the Rose Garden, but that's not that big of an impact but they will be hitting Seattle on the second game of a road trip. They will arrive in Seattle the day that the Seahawks and Rams play a playoff game. There's going to be nothing for those Heat players to do but get into trouble.
Rockets have 37 points in the 1st half. I have yet to see Tracy McGrady lead anybody to anything but a high lottery pick.
The Timberwolves just got by the Ivy-less 76ers, losing Cassell in the contest to an injury. Two things to note, Cassell kept them in that game, Try Hudson looked horrible. They better hope Cassell makes it back soon.
More random.
The Sonics just went 3-2 on a road trip losing 2 in a row for the 1st time this season. As bad as they looked I don't see the Lakers or Rockets making a run at the Sonics any time soon. Sonics have a couple days off before facing the Heat at home. I expect them to bounce back and take it to the Heat again. Sure, the Heat are kicking the Blazers around the Rose Garden, but that's not that big of an impact but they will be hitting Seattle on the second game of a road trip. They will arrive in Seattle the day that the Seahawks and Rams play a playoff game. There's going to be nothing for those Heat players to do but get into trouble.
January 05, 2005
Nets exceptions
Nets have a 10 million and a 5 million dollar exception from last summer's salary dump.
If I'm Sund I'm calling and pushing Potapenko or James on them. They gave away big players with the picks in the VCarter trade and are now looking for some help.
Potapenko doesn't have much value to the young Sonics team past his ending contract, though, if he can walk and your team is in the east, has to face Shaq 4 times in the regular season and possibly 7 times in the playoffs, maybe you just gave away 2 bigmen to the Raptors, maybe you have a giant trade exception, maybe you have a 1st round pick that could be pushed out a year, maybe your roster looks like this
http://www.nba.com/nets/roster/
Maybe you signed Jabari Smith and think of him as an upgrade to your front court.
Martin trade picks coming in:
"The breakdown of the future picks acquired by the Nets includes: Clippers 2005, protected 1-14 or 2006, unprotected: Philadelphia 2005, protected 1-8 or 2006, protected 1-5 or 2007, unprotected: Denver 2006, protected 1-5, 2007, protected 1-2, 2008, unprotected. "
http://www.nba.com/nets/news/kenyon_040715.html
Picks sent to the Raptors:
"The two first round selections sent to Toronto were originally acquired from Denver as part of a trade made this past summer. The draft picks include Philadelphia’s first round pick in 2005, protected 1-8 or 2006, protected 1-5 or 2007, unprotected and Denver’s first round pick in 2006, protected 1-5, 2007, protected 1-2, 2008, unprotected."
http://www.nba.com/nets/news/carter121704.html
I'd like that Clipper pick that is lotto protected in 2005 and unprotected in 2006. I would start piling on some sweeteners to make that happen excluding rotation guys. I'd go as far as Murray, no, I'm not kidding.
If I'm Sund I'm calling and pushing Potapenko or James on them. They gave away big players with the picks in the VCarter trade and are now looking for some help.
Potapenko doesn't have much value to the young Sonics team past his ending contract, though, if he can walk and your team is in the east, has to face Shaq 4 times in the regular season and possibly 7 times in the playoffs, maybe you just gave away 2 bigmen to the Raptors, maybe you have a giant trade exception, maybe you have a 1st round pick that could be pushed out a year, maybe your roster looks like this
http://www.nba.com/nets/roster/
Maybe you signed Jabari Smith and think of him as an upgrade to your front court.
Martin trade picks coming in:
"The breakdown of the future picks acquired by the Nets includes: Clippers 2005, protected 1-14 or 2006, unprotected: Philadelphia 2005, protected 1-8 or 2006, protected 1-5 or 2007, unprotected: Denver 2006, protected 1-5, 2007, protected 1-2, 2008, unprotected. "
http://www.nba.com/nets/news/kenyon_040715.html
Picks sent to the Raptors:
"The two first round selections sent to Toronto were originally acquired from Denver as part of a trade made this past summer. The draft picks include Philadelphia’s first round pick in 2005, protected 1-8 or 2006, protected 1-5 or 2007, unprotected and Denver’s first round pick in 2006, protected 1-5, 2007, protected 1-2, 2008, unprotected."
http://www.nba.com/nets/news/carter121704.html
I'd like that Clipper pick that is lotto protected in 2005 and unprotected in 2006. I would start piling on some sweeteners to make that happen excluding rotation guys. I'd go as far as Murray, no, I'm not kidding.
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