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December 21, 2006

I don't think Jim Moore is a stupid guy.

I don't think Jim Moore is a stupid guy, he just doesn't know what he's talking about when it comes to professional men's basketball, in particular, the Sonics.

How else can one explain to Moore the difference between Dennis Erickson and Lenny Wilkins; as people, as in stages of adult life, as what is commonplace among college football coaches that haven't won a darn thing (lie your way to a better job) and what is common place among Hall of Fame coach's with a championship ring (his reputation is beyond reproach).

"Wilkens told Bennett that his coaching days were over, and Dennis Erickson said he'd stay at Idaho, too." Jim Moore, Seattle-PI

Lenny said his coaching days are over, how about if Jim Moore does not infer that Lenny is a liar. It's just an embarrassment to Moore to make the comparison.

The majority of his story hangs on Lenny being a liar, so, that's out the window.

Bob Hill very well might not last the season, but it will not be Wilkins coming in to replace him.

The dark horse: Rudy T

December 16, 2006

Pool the Talent into Fewer Players

I watched the end and then the beginning of the replay of the Sonics vs. the Cavs last night. Life without Ray both sucks and blows. The earlybirds chirping that the team was fine without Ray are likely pretty quiet this morning.

Ray is out, so Earl starts or is out. The domino effect is that we don't have a another guy in the second unit that can play with Earl or carry the load in a pinch. It's a good role for Earl when Ray is healthy, like Bobby Jackson 4 years ago with the Kings.

So, the team looks bad, and maybe somebody is going to be fired or traded very soon. I'll tilt toward trading somebody, here's why: firing Bob means you still do not have a go-to guy coming off the bench, it isn't going to solve the roster problem. Rick Sund will have to do something. If Ray is out for too long I expect the colimnists (not you beat writers) to start throwing cout coaching names that would not ever happen, Larry Brown, Rudy Tomjanovich, Paul Silas, (or any basketball equivalent to Lew Pinnela would do). Just don't go there.
The roster is the problem, with or without a healthy Ray Allen.

You have 3 guys that don't have a conscience when it comes to shooting the ball:
Ray
Rashard
Earl
Luke is getting there, but he gets timid if he misses a few shots.

Petro will shoot the ball from the elbow every time, I'm ok with that but he's not a go-to guy, third option or off the bench scorer (not yet).

The rest of the players all clutch the ball and pump-fake out on the perimeter. They either don't have the skill to hit that shot, the will to shoot that shot, or the ability to move the ball closer to the rim and create a better opportunity for themselves. Damien is getting better at trying it.
What you have left are rookies, guys on rookie contracts, Danny Fortson's expiring contract, an extra second round pick in each of the next three years, and the December 15th free agent trade deadline passing (or 90 days, whichever is later).

Hill is trying to get Wilcox to step back and be the guy coming off the bench to score while Ray is out, that's what I think he was doing with the roster move yesterday. But that move just points to a hole in the roster for a featured bench player.

I would look for a veteran player that has a couple years left on a slightly bloated contract (somebody making around what Fortson is making) and move Fortson and either a couple second round picks, or a #1 (lotto protected) with one of the kids.
I would look to upgrade a spot not occupied by Ray. Trade many for one. You see one of these former starters get a second life on another team as a bench guy every year. The trick is finding one that can accept a role coming off the bench if they are featured and get regular minutes (that's you too Earl).

Another reason I trade many for one is that we have a bunch of kids already with two second round draft picks coming in the next three years (on top of the first round picks). We are NOT going to have room for 9 more rookies over the next 3 years and the rookies we have right now. We can but don't expect to win any games. I know second rounders don't always make the team, but there's almost no shot at making the team in the next few years as a second rounder with the rooster we have, you might as well trade some of the picks.

I think Swifty is a keeper and the starting center as soon as he can play. Petro is a keeper. Petro might be a good option to fill Wilcox spot if he walks in 3 years.

Sene was a good pick but he doesn't have much of a roster spot. Centers have trade value most of the time.

Collison is the guy they put next to the other guys that are missing their rotations on defense. The center directs and communicates a lot of what has to happen. Nick can do this, Petro and Wilcox both work well with Nick, and you can play Petro and Wilcox together. Those 3 with Swift next year should be plenty of front court. Hill has to pick one of those guys, maybe it is Petro, and regularly post the guy up.

When Ray is healthy Earl can play carry part of that load, but the team needs a backup SF or SG (or a SF/PF tweener) that can catch and shoot, and must defend on the other end of the floor. We need a veteran, other than Earl, that can keep the kids from melting down when Ray and Rashard are not on the floor.

Name the vet that is between 6-7 and 6-9, makes nearly as much as Danny, can play with Earl and one of the three young bigs (all three of Wilcox, Collison, and Petro can play center or PF), can defend, can hit an open shot.

Maybe that type of player isn't the right move, but it looks like what is missing to me.
This team needs to get it's 15 players worth of talent into 9 guys that are actually going to play. We need an upgrade where the team is lacking and not move one of the few parts that isn't struggling.
Trade many for one.

Go Sonics!

December 09, 2006

Consider the Source

Consider the Source

SEATTLE - As was reported in the Tacoma News Tribune today, Frank Hughes reports that Desmond Mason thinks that the Sonics would have been better had the kept the roster from 2001-2002 season together.
Mason took the time to speak with former Sonics players Shammond Williams and Vladimir Radmanovic, and Mason said all three came to agreement on one thing:
If the Sonics had not broken up the team in 2001 by trading Gary Payton and Mason to Milwaukee for Ray Allen, Kevin Ollie and Ronald Murray, the team would have achieved more success and Howard Schultz would not have felt compelled to sell to Clay Bennett.

"Honestly, if we could have kept that group of guys together... the outcome would have been a little different," Mason said before the Sonics hosted the Hornets Friday night at KeyArena. "That is what good teams are made of, like Detroit and San Antonio, they keep their guys around, they let them grow together, they let them play together and learn each other. You can get good that way.

"When you keep cycling guys in and out, it is hard to get a good feel for basketball. I honestly think the situation would be better. I think Nate (McMillan) would still be here and Howard would still be owner." Frank Hughes,Tacoma News, Inc.


Just so we all know what team he's talking about, here's the roster:
Vin Baker $11,250,000
Brent Barry $4,680,000
Calvin Booth $4,539,000
Predrag Drobnjak $478,558
Antonio Harvey $715,850
Jerome James $465,850
Rashard Lewis $4,413,375
Randy Livingston $653,350
Art Long $465,850
Desmond Mason $1,155,240
Olumide Oyedeji $465,850
Gary Payton $12,926,493
Vladimir Radmanovic $1,452,000
Ansu Sesay $332,817
Earl Watson $332,817
Shammond Williams $1,750,000
Ruben Wolkowyski $545,385
Source - Basketball-Reference.com

I'm not sure that I really have to write too much more, but seeing Mason's comments I am convinced that there is at least three people that will need an explanation (that's you Shammond, Radmanovic and Mason).

Let's take a closer look, just once.

Vin Baker was just cut by the Timberwolves. His prime basketball years were spend as a drunk. He's not on the same planet as Chris Wilcox or Nick Collison.

Gary Payton would just now be making around $17 million. He would be the third guard on the current Sonics roster. Luke Ridnour or Gary Payton right now? If you have answered Gary Payton then you haven't watched a basketball game in the past 3 years.

Brent Barry, remember him? He's a great guy, a great shooter, and would be the worst defender we would have if he were in the Sonics roster right now. He doesn't look too bad with Tim Duncan standing behind him, and Vin Baker isn't anything close to Tim Duncan. Brent is making $5,117,880, and will make $5,554,370 next year.
Hmm, 35 year old Brent Barry, or 27 year old Earl Watson? They are making about the same amount of money over the next two years, Watson has two more years beyond that, when he's the ripe old age of 29 (prime years).

Calvin (Boot) Booth or Danny (2 points take down) Fortson? It doesn't matter, one of them was some kind of help two years ago, the other wasn't ever much help.

Drobnjak, Vin Baker and Calvin Booth were so bad that this guy got playing time.

Antonio Harvey, who?

Jerome James. That pile of crap couldn't get playing time on the Knicks. He would be sitting behind Swift (even with the injury), Collison, Petro, Saer Sene, Andreas Glyniadakis, on the depth chart.

Rashard Lewis, still here, actually improved his dribbling and defense a little bit this past year. He benefitted from the coaching of Bob Hill. Players actually improving under the coaching of Nate McMillan was rare.

Earl Watson was on that roster, but was left off of the playoff roster, and left the coach and team that didn't appreciate what they had.

Ansu Sesay: Desmond Farmer.

Shammond Williams. Where do I begin? The Sonic fan's term for dribbling too much and hogging the ball is called "Shammond-ing" the ball. Shammond Williams is no Mike Wilks.

Olumide Oyedeji, he never turned into an actual basketball player.

Art Long, it wasn't too bad having a guy coming off the bench that was willing to set a hard screen (since Vin Baker wasn't about to do it). Too bad Nate McMillan left him off the playoff roster too. He also had a bad knee.

Desmond Mason, the debate is over Mason (17th pick overall, making $8 million dollars this year for NO) and Damien Wilkins (undrafted, making $2.7 million this year). Gosh, it is a great debate, too bad for Mason that he's being compared to an undrafted player that is entering his 3rd year in the league, while he's entering his 7th.

Vladimir Radmanovic. The Sonics could use another shooter, he could have taken 42 million dollars from the Sonics but opted to take a one year deal. He ended up with a 30 million dollar deal. Do the math Radmanovic!
His best year was stepping in for Vin "dislocated toes" Baker in that 2001 - 2002 season and performing quite well. He hasn't played that well since then, not even close. He's a 6-10 3-point shooting backup small forward that chose not to make an effort to be a good defender.
Radmanovic was moved out and Earl Watson was moved in. The team is better with that one move.

Ruben Wolkowyski meet Andreas Glyniadakis. One of you is willing (as Kevin Calabro would say) to lay some lumber on somebody. The other is helping the opponent up off the floor while the game passes you by.

I'm not about to compare Nate McMillan's coaching to Bob Hill's. I've blotted out the bad memories of Nate McMillan's "coach by feel" bullshit. The jury is still out on Bob Hill's in-game coaching, but it is light-years ahead of Nate McMillan's.

Hill has gotten his young players to understand that they need to work on their games in the summer, and he actually gave them instructions on how to get better. McMillan got his players to understand that they do not get to play unless the got better, and getting better was left up to the player. There has been more player development over the past 10 months than there has been over the past 10 years.

Hey, where's Ray Allen in all this? That's right, the rest of the team would be better that the 2001 - 2002 team without Ray Allen in the equation.
Ray Allen is a better shooter than anybody on either roster. He's a better defender than the guy he replaced (that's Brent Barry at shooting guard, and I know that isn't saying much). He's been a better leader to the younger players. than GP ever was.

As for Howard Schultz not selling the team, It wasn't all up to Howard. I don't think Howard would be owning the team no matter what happened, short of winning a championship. The 2001 - 2002 roster wasn't going to get there before Gary Payton's prime years had run out. The team was bleeding money and the other owners had enough.

I'm not so sure that the other roster would have been better, maybe the first year or two, but not in year 3, not to the Wstern Conference Finals, but they didn't have a future. The future is where Clay Bennett and this roster is heading. A team with a future could be imagined to be playing in a new arena, in the future.

Desmond Mason, and the what could have been, should be left in the past.

November 11, 2006

It's the King County Food and Beverage Tax, not the Seattle Food and Beverage Tax

SEATTLE - Reported today in the Seattle Post-Intelligencer was a statement by the Washington Restaurant Association in support of extending the King County Food and Beverage Tax to supply $60 million for a new Sonics arena.
"We would love to see the Sonics stay, and we think there is a funding package out there that will allow them to do so," Trent House, the association's government affairs director, told the Seattle P-I. "We are more than willing to help the new owners."

A representative for Hertz and Avis also told the P-I the rental car giants are open to keeping a 1 percent rental car tax in place to help fund a new Sonics arena.

The tax was created by the state for the county, according to the Washington Restaurant Association, to fund the professional baseball stadium in Seattle. This tax was NOT created by the state for the city of Seattle's exclusive use. The county is the taxing authority, responsible party, for this tax. It is NOT solely up to Seattle how and where this tax is collected or spent. This simple fact has been lost on people like Seattle City Council President Nick Licata, and political troll Chris Van Dyk.

Ballot Initiative 91 (I-91) was not a State Initiative.
Ballot Initiative 91 (I-91) was not a County Initiative.
Ballot Initiative 91 (I-91) was a City of Seattle Initiative.
Please read the lead paragraph from the Initiative:
AN ORDINANCE to Prohibit the City of Seattle from Providing or Leasing Facilities or other Goods, Services, or Real Property to Professional Sports Organizations at Below Fair Value, and Providing A Method to Enforce this Restriction.


What the result of the vote (74.05%. 103371 votes) means is that the city is not allowed to participate in funding a sports arena unless they make a "rate of return on a U.S. Treasury Bond of thirty years".

Seattle City owned Key Arena is not a site that can be used unless the "rate of return" stuff above.

With the support of the Sonics new arena from the Washington Restaurant Association and Hertz and Avis rental car companies endorsing the extension of King County Food and Beverage Tax to support the new Sonics arena the 22 million dollar debt still owed in Key Arena will not likely get resolved through refinance of the reconstruction using the King County Food and Beverage Tax.

Not only did the City of Seattle reject the Sonics, they rejected support for the intent of the tax source. The city is now on the hook for that $22 million = dumb.

Still, it is possible for the Sonics to stay in Seattle using the King County Food and Beverage Tax. What!!!

That's right, the Sonics and some oother partner could build a new arena on King County owned property, or on private property, in the city of Seattle tomorrow and there isn't much the City of Seattle could do to stop it using I-91. Why do you think the King Dome was named the King Dome and not the Seattle Dome? I-91 doesn't give the City of Seattle the authority to stop the collection of the county tax in all of King County, including Seattle, or the spending of that tax money on an arena in King County, including in the city of Seattle as long as they don't use city owned property. King County is the taxing authority granted by the State of Washington.

The City of Seattle is out of the sports arena business. I live in North Seattle, if my back yard was large enough I could give it to the Sonics for a new arena, the county could fund the construction with the King County Food and Beverage Tax and I-91 couldn't stop it. The City doesn't own every plot of land in the city.
The City is out but the city isn't, get it?

As a side note: Why would you partner with somebody that owes $22 million on a proposed property anyway? It isn't as if the collecting and spending of the tax is up to them. That includes using the tax to cover the $22 million dollar Seattle debt and Nick Licata's dream for a new wine and cheese tasting palace at Seattle Center.

King County Food and Beverage Tax could be spent on a new arrena in Renton, Bellevue, Fall City, Tukwilla, Shoreline or Duval (well, maybe not Duval) and that would be up to King County Executive Ron Sims, the King County Council, the Washington State Legislature and the Governor of the State of Washington, Chistine Gregiore.

Notice how I didn't say Nick Licata, or Greg Nichols, Chris Van Dyk, or I-91. Know why? Because they do not have the authority to decide anything beyond Seattle owned property using I-91. They said what they had to say through I-91 limited to the City of Seattle owned property, that's the limit of there authority. Now they may argue their point of view at another level of government, but it is above their level.
They are not the "deciders" for the rest of us.

November 04, 2006

2 Down, 80 to Go

SEATTLE - The Seattle Sonics have given up 110 points to Portland last Wednesday at home and 118 on the road in LA against the Lakers on Friday. In the loss against the Lakers Luke Ridnour fouled out of the game, the Sonics committed 30 fouls, Lakers 16. The Lakers shot 48 freethrow attemps to Seattle's 16. It's pretty simple really.

As I wrote, in part, in a prior post on October 28th:
Ridnour: He's going to have a hard time adjusting to not knowing if the center behind him will actually be there in position. Luke has to make contact with his man early in the dribble to apply pressure without getting called for shooting fouls. Look at how the Sun's pressure the ball and sometimes foul, but they don't send people to the FT line. The Suns get the and-1, they don't give it, that's how they win. Pressure early Luke.

You, Luke Ridnour, must apply pressure to the player while the ball is on the floor. It is possible to have 4 team fouls a quarter, 20 in each game an NEVER send the other team to the freethrow line. That is in fact a perfect game to me. Having applied good defense to the point of fouling once in a while and yet not fouling in a way that gives up a single point. I have no doubt that if a team were to It is possible to have 30 fouls and only send the other team to the line 6 times for 12 points, unlikely, but possible. In order to send a team to the line for 48 attempts you have to hack at guys while they are in the act, a lot.

Not having the rotation set before the first game, due to Robert Swift's injury, has impacted the rotations on defense.
I think they will figure this out very quickly. Sene looks like a quick study.

Stop sending the other team to the freethrow line, move your feet, stop grabbing, play ball.

October 28, 2006

Let the Basketball Games Begin, Please.

SEATTLE - Now that the meaningless preseason is over and the roster is as set (give or take a 15th player that isn't in the rotation) let's take a look at this year's Sonics.

Here is my rotation... but first.

Curse of the shaggy red hair!

Robert Swift: I don't know if we will really understand what a major blow to the season an injury to Robert really is.


Robert Swift, NBA.com image.

Big Rob suffered a torn anterior cruciate ligament on 10/26/06, in a preseason game against some meaningless team. He's done for the year.

What does it mean?
Well my starting rotation of Swift, Wilcox, Lewis, Allen and Ridnour works because there is a shot blocking, rebounding, center playing big and tall behind a back court. The back court isn't very good at stopping anybody but they are not too bad at directing players in to double teams and dead end drives. The dead end is the chest and raised arms of Robert Swift. This really throws the team and the court out of balance.

My guess is that the Sonics will be in a cycle of trying to compensate for having to play smaller by playing a better defending PG more at the expense of the productivity of Ray Allen and Rashard Lewis. They will be playing swingmen in combinations to limit the lack of short blocking in the front court. How do I know this? Just look at the Sonics when they didn't have a shot blocking center prior to Robert Swift. The 15 glorious minutes Jerome James provided count but the Sonics, and now the Knicks, couldn't count on JJ to be in the game, every game. What I saw in the preseason from Robert was somebody working very hard at being an anchor on defense, at being in the game and influencing the way the other team plays.

There is an outside chance that Mo Sene can provide 5 quick minutes of shot blocking, but you are asking a lot. I expect Johan Petro to figure a few things out and the Sonics to help him figure out. until he does you are going to find a variety of guys playing center. This will have a ripple effect through the line-ups (see above). I don't expect Bob Hill to pull a Nate McMillan and play a different starting line-up every 3 games.

So, here it is, for the first few games.

Sene: He will start as often as the Sonics play a team with an actual center. Portland has two, neither of them stars, but effective. I expect Petro to back him up and start more games by the end of the season.

Wilcox: He's having to learn how to play the game. Between he and Sene we will see the need for Collison and Fortson to come in early and often.

Lewis: This year Rashard shows a better handle on the ball and that doesn't mean he's taking too many guys to the rim, but it does mean that he can get a few dribbles down to add movement to his mid-range short. Covering a guy that is 6-10 that can't dribble too well can be done with a smaller player on the wing. Defending a guy closer to the basket that doesn't dribble too well can be done with a bigger player. But defending a guy that can get a few dribbles down and then shoot that's 6-10 presents some problems for quite a few teams. He could end up in the allstar game. Wilkins will back-up Lewis.

Ray Allen: He's usually the best player on the floor. Here we are going to see, sooner or later (I bet you think I might say Kareem Rush, and you'd be wrong) Mickael Gelabale. Gelabale is more dynamic than Rush, he can put pressure on teams in more ways in the half court. I wouldn't be to shocked to see Gelabale on the floor with Allen in the middle of games against teams that don't have a dominating PG.

Ridnour: He's going to have a hard time adjusting to not knowing if the center behind him will actually be there in position. Luke has to make contact with his man early in the dribble to apply pressure without getting called for shooting fouls. Look at how the Sun's pressure the ball and sometimes foul, but they don't send people to the FT line. The Suns get the and-1, they don't give it, that's how they win. Pressure early Luke. Ridnour likes to pass the ball, Allen and Lewis like to shoot it. What Allen and Lewis think is the important part here, and why he starts. Watson get's a lot of PT backing up Luke and some time next to both Gelabale and Allen.

A combination coming off the bench of Petro and Collison early to spell Sene, followed by Watson, will make for some defensive stops and wide open 3's in transition for Ray Allen and rashard Lewis. Gelabale and or Wilkins comes in for Allen and the focus shifts to Watson. Wilkins (or Gelabale) comes in for Lewis and Watson and Wilkins get to pressure the other team by being physical. Wilkins and Watson should get to the freethrow line a bunch this year.

In the end, I predict the Sonics finsh the year on another up note after a start and winter not nearly as horrible as last season: 43-39, second in the NW Division, 7th seed in the west.
With Robert Swift I think they would have won 48 games, 1st in the NW Division, into the second round.
The leadership of Ray Allen will carry this team to a better record than maybe they should really have without Robert Swift in the line-up.

Go Sonics!

As a side note, Steve Kelley wishes Wally Walker "Good riddance". I tend to agree that it's good that Walker will not be part of the Sonics future. They need a new leader for the new ownership to make a big push for an arena in Bellevue. Now, if only Steve Kelley would resign we would really have something.

October 13, 2006

Supersonics Pre-Season Radio

Dear David Locke,
Please tell me where the players are on the floor. You do a fine job of telling what they are doing, and the activity. "Watson comes off a pick from Collison", great, where the heck are they? Left side, right side, high screen, 10 feet from the rim, 20 feet out. Stop pimping prerecorded items while the ball is in play and broadcast the game.

The point is that I can't see the game so the Sonics have decided to broadcast these games on the radio and you have been tasked with DESCRIBING the action. The describing has to happen on every play. It's a key component of the event in relationship to that medium.

Maybe you are busy with the features, and they take some getting used to doing and hearing. I think the broadcast is over produced in the use of these features and under produced on the actual game call.
I know that I have been spoiled with Bob Blackburn and Kevin Calabro calling games and I expect that you will grow into this.

It is preseason for everyone, including you.

September 27, 2006

Tom Chambers and Wally Walker take you to School!

SEATTLE - The Seattle Sonics Legends Tour keeps rolling, this time to the school that my two son's attend: Daniel Bagley Elementary, Saturday, September 30, 11 am.
This Week's Sonics & Storm Legends Tour Stop:
This Saturday (Sep. 30) at 11 a.m., join the Sonics at Bagley Elementary (7821 Stone Avenue North) as the Legends Tour honors legendary forward Tom Chambers. The festivities include complimentary food and beverages, music, Sonics & Storm giveaways and a children’s basketball clinic led by Chambers. The court at Bagley Elementary was renovated by the Sonics & Storm Foundation NeighborHoops program. Click here for directions. - Supersonics.com

It's located on 80th, behind the old Chubby & Tubby.

This morning I saw the workers layin the stripes down, the posts are up but the new backboards and rims were not up, they will be by Saturday.
Come on by, thank the Sonics and Storm for supporting Seattle Parks and schools. Tom Chambers will hold a clinic for the kids.
Here's the schedule from the PTA:

Date: Saturday September 30th

Time: 11:00 am

Location: Bagley Elementary School

Agenda:

10:45 am Band/DJ/Music begins

11:00 am Program starts

Emcee (Kevin Calabro) welcome crowd

11:03 am Sonics & Storm Foundation rep address crowd

School rep: revisit of when court was first established

11:10 am Legend introduced, give plaque and addresses crowd

11:13 am Emcee, Legend, Wally and court rep cut the ribbon

11:20 am Initiate first play on the court with honoree (first basket)

11:40 am Mini-skills clinic begins with community kids

Noon Meet & Greet/autograph session with Honoree off to the side
at corner of court

Band/DJ/Music resumes

12:30 pm Close of program

Go Bagley Bees!

September 23, 2006

Summer is over, get ready for the year-long arena story

SEATTLE- On Wednesday the soon-to-be owner of the Sonics, Clay Bennett, restated his desire to keep the team in the 15th largest media market and not move it to the 54th, well, not in those exact words.
Bennett, who arrived in the Pacific Northwest this past weekend, participated in Monday's U.S. Bank Governors Cup on Monday at the Golf Club at Newcastle, teaming with Sonics guard Ray Allen in a foursome.

Wearing a white University of Oklahoma windbreaker and still smarting from the Sooners' controversial loss Saturday, Bennett expressed optimism regarding a new multiplex arena in Seattle or in a suburb such as Bellevue.

"I am ever encouraged each time I'm here and as the meetings progress and as we continue to begin to frame up our team and ideas about the future," he said. "I continue to see a successful conclusion." From Gary Washburn's story in the Seattle PI.


Bennett has also said that the 12 month exploration in the northwest for a solution to the Sonics future would actually start after he actually had approval from the league to buy the team, that is supposed to happen at the October 24th league meetings.
Bennett also says that a site will emerge soon with a proposal. I expect all that to come rolling out as soon as he can legally say something, in late October, right before the season starts.
It's going to be a strange trip this year, hang in there Sonics fans, they will play some basketball too.
Go Sonics!

BTW, Collison and Ridnour are going to wait until next summer to talk about contracts. Like I said, "just maybe, both of those guys want to become restricted free agents next year." You can't tell me this is what the Sonics wanted, no way, they wanted those two to be under contract, but, it isn't what the players wanted. They want to get paid, they want to play and maybe they don't want to go to Oklahoma.
If Luke Ridnour loses his starting spot then maybe he doesn't want to hang around. If Collison is thrown in to stop the players that Wilcox can't defend and the team management does not see value in that then maybe he doesn't want to be here. They can afford to wait and see, it can only help them get more years by having the media talk about there contractual future everywhere they go.
In both cases we are lucky to have coach Bob Hill. I think Hill is a better communicator with all of his platers than Nate McMillan ever was, better than Bob Weiss.

September 04, 2006

Guess Work: Collison and Ridnour might want to sign

Wednesday, August 30, Percy Allen of the Seattle Times speculated that the signing of Nick Collison and Luke Ridnour to contract extensions "might be extremely difficult."

Allen noted all kinds of things, Chris Wilcox and his conrtact, Ridnour's value compared to Leandro Barbosa, blah, blah, blah. Allen makes a point when observed by how these guys fit into the team. But maybe, just maybe, both of those guys want to become restricted free agents next year. Why?

#1. The Sonics do not offer long deals unless it's cheap.
#2. The Sonics do not overpay.
#3. The Sonics do not break from #1 or #2 unless they are pressed by another team.

Another team can only press the Sonics if a player is a free agent, even a restricted free agent.

It is not out of the question for some other team to offer Ridnour the full MLE next year when you look around at the league and see what is passing for a starting PG in the NBA. Looking at the MLE in terms of money paid out in a contract extension it is overpaying. When it is viewed in the context of Ridour walking and the Sonics with nothing, matching the MLE next summer looks like a more reasonable proposition.

Maybe Ridnour wants to play on a team where he knows he's the starter, whatever, he doesn't have to sign anything until next summer. I think the Sonics look at the possibility of looking for another PG like they were when they were scambling for Earl Watson and just get it done. I don't see the Sonics wanting to go down that road next summer with Ridnour.

The flip side: Collison just isn't in a position right now to not extend his contract and if he can keep the years short then he, and Ridnour, could add a longer term deal on after the rookie and extention are played out.

I don't see either of these guys wanting to sign for cheap and to play through prime years and then hope for a better deal when they are 28 or 29. Trying to find a full MLE deal when you are 29 is pretty tough. It isn't as if Ridnour and Collison are 22 and can play out a three year extension and then have a reasonable chance at a long term contract. They both have to buy short or buy long, but something in the middle is out of the question.

I don't think the Sonics want to look 3 years down the road and see both Wilcox and Collison gone, so, signing Collison to a short deal doesn't help the team.

With Danny Fortson on the slow train out of town this team will not risk losing Collison too. The team will be young and thin as it is. If the money isn't high enough, or the years not long enough, then both Ridnour and Collison might opt to become restricted free gents. It has as much to do with what the players think as any thing else.

In the end I think the Sonics see both Ridnour and Collison as good investments in sound players that will hold their value for more than the next 5 years, so extending both of them for four years beyond next season doesn't have too much risk in those guys losing trade value. It will get done.

I don't agree with Percy Allen, I don't see the resigning of both of them as "slim". Between you and me, when you look closely at what Allen wrote you see that he was just stating his opinion (filler). He didn't offer any meaningful information that you or I couldn't gleen from the internet. My opinion is that he's wrong. I'll also state that he just threw this out there and he doesn't really know. He wasn't reporting, he was speculating.

August 25, 2006

New Sonics Owner Bennett Assembles an Arena Team

SEATTLE - According to the Seattle Times Eastside bureau reporter Ashley Bach, the new Sonics owner, Clay Bennett, has assembled a team of bankers and construction consultants to formally explore all opportunities to locate a home for the Sonics to play in after the 2010 season. Bennett has also hired a public affairs specialist Jim Kneeland to act as a local liaison.

Is Jim Kneeland the same guy that contributed to Greg Nickels 2004 re-election campaign and his 2004 re-election campaign?
$600 James A. Kneeland :   Pacific Public Affairs, Consultant

Not that there's nothing wrong with it, just asking.

Is this the same Jim Kneelend that was the spokesman for Seattle developer David Sabey?

Same Kneeland that works for Pacific Public Affairs PR firm?

Seattle Mayor Greg Nickels wants the team to stay at KeyArena, and he had lunch with Bennett during a visit earlier this month.

"We just think the Key still makes sense," Deputy Mayor Tim Ceis said Thursday.
The Seattle Times.

Let's understand something here, If Mayor Greg Nickels, and Deputy Mayor Tim Ceis think they can spin this and have the Sonics look like they are the bad guys for going to another site, then they are flat out stupid. The fact is that they have three stone cold offers for a 44 year old building and not much else. That will get old and become and easy target for the newspapers to beat them up with and it isn't much of a position to have since the new owner is thinking bigger. It just makes the city look smaller for not rising to the challenge of making this work for the Sonics in this city. It becomes one of many things the city leadership can't get done. Do everybody a favor and get the hell out of the way. Key Arena is your new white elephant, Nick Licata killed this before it got started. You might as well start throwing him under the political bus right now.

The Key Arena isn't made for NHL Hockey and would cost quite a bit to restructure in order for another tenant (like hockey) to be able to use that facility. On top of that, the city council insists on having the tenant pay for upgrading the building and hand the city a significant amount of revenue from the enhancements when that same tenant can go some place else and not have to pay as much rent. This is a prime situation for somebody with a lot of worthless land to plant an arena on a portion of it in order for the rest of the land to inflate in value. The Seattle Center site is dead, the land values have been played out, capitalized.

Look around the city, the area, for a spot that could use a landmark and let's get this thing done.

BTW:
Tonight on FoxSports Northwest The Sonics rolled out a commercial featuring Chris Wilcox, "Wilcox is back", "29 games", "68 dunks".
Great commercial, they roll some text and a sequence of ferocious dunks, that's a ticket seller.
Click HERE to see 1 minute and 30 second highlight reel of Chris Wilcox, RealPlayer file. There are some nice passes from Luke Ridnour, some drives to the rim, and a nice pass off a high-low play with Nick Collison tossing a nice pass to Wilcox cutting backdoor. Plenty of good passers on the team, great shooters and smart players for coach Bob Hill to use. This should be a great season.

August 15, 2006

Sonics Re-sign Wilcox

SEATTLE - The Seattle Sonics announced today that they have resigned power forward Chris Wilcox.
“We’re thrilled to welcome Chris back to our team,” said Sund. “We indicated this summer that getting Chris signed was a priority and he is on board. The Sonics had a winning record after acquiring Chris and we want to build on that success. He’s a good fit in Bob Hill’s system and the style that Bob likes to play.” Supersonics.com


The team did not disclose the terms of the deal. It has been widely reported that Wilcox had signed a 3-year deal with a salary ranging from 21 to the latest figure of $24 million.

After not listening to David Locke on the radio for the past couple of months I now find his banter trite. His blog entry that, I guess, is supposed to evoke a level of excitement has all the freshness of a used car salesman's pitch.
Mission Accomplished. Okay, I should find a different phrase. You get the point - after the fantastic finish to last season the Sonics wanted to reload the same team and let it gel.
With today’s signing of Chris Wilcox, that goal has been attained. David Locke.

Blah! When did you write that, July? I bet you had two written and just emailed it in.

If you want the full on fresh then check out Big Chris at Sonicscentral.com
Hill also burst out in a grin when Wilcox was asked which skills he had to improve and the first word out of Wilcox’ mouth was “Defense. Wilcox advises that he feels he needs to work on all aspects of his defensive game, specifically shotblocking to be a better player. This summer he advises that he has been working out in Houston with former NBA coach and player John Lucas and that he will return to Seattle to work with the coaches sometime soon. He has a set list of skills and drills to work on assigned by Coach Hill who advised that “The first three things on everybody’s list were all the same and they were all defense.” Hill believes that Wilcox will benefit greatly with a full training camp in which he has a set role and goals on the floor.
Big Chris at Sonicscentral.com

Solid action Big Chris.

Good for the Sonics and the fans, let's forget about next year for just one day.

August 14, 2006

Wilcox to Sign 3 Year Deal with Sonics

SEATTLE - KING TV Sports anchor Paul Silvi is reporting on Nowrthwest Sports Tonight that Chris Wilcox will sign a 3-year deal worth 7 million dollars a year. The contract will be signed tonight or tomorrow.

August 12, 2006

Kemper Freeman Jr is Old School (Business School)

SEATTLE - Kemper Freeman Jr, pardon the phrase, is old school (that is business school). He says what he thinks and doesn't overreach. He's doesn't appear to be thoughtless, just conservative in his choice of phrases to get to the point. He is stepping up to take chance to be part of a significant revenue generator for Bellevue. Planting a multimillion dollar multi-use facility on and next to underutilized land will only improve the value of that property. It could be a big money maker for somebody that owns and controls land near such a facility.

"What have we got to lose trying to keep them here?" Freeman said Wednesday. "It's like we've adopted a losers approach. They are not gone but they will be gone if we continue to sleep through it."

He repeated his belief that a new arena could be built primarily with private, not public money.

"There's no interest in a big wad of dough from government on this," Freeman continued. "Once you start down the trail of 'Uncle Sugar is going to bail you out' your brain turns off."
Kemper Freeman Jr said in the King County Journal.



He's right, there are people dancing around with their words, mostly trying to mitigate political fallout, well, everybody but Christine Gregoire. It's time for those in power to make use of their power to the benefit of the community, and maybe even themselves. Freeman is willing to take a look at how this could help his city. I don't see anybody on this side of the 520 bridge making that kind of effort.

At this point I score the winners being: Christine Gregoire for her political leadership; Kemper Freeman Jr for his business leadership, Howard Schultz for knowing when to fold 'em (I'm not kidding).

Another winner is Art Thiel for telling everybody to move on from the venting the after the sale was announced and for asking some meaningful questions. I'll take a turn at answering them, as I see them right now:

  • Do enough important as well as ordinary people care?

    The fans care, SonicsCentral is all whipped up. As far as the important people go, people become important through action (see Christine Gregoire and Kemper Freeman Jr).

  • Can the developments be marshaled in 12 months or less?

    Kemper Freeman Jr said on KJRam that 12 months is plenty of time to know if this is going to happen here.

  • Where do we sign up for a Tully's franchise?

    Let's not be rash, though I've made the switch myself, mostly because of the taste.

    The losers so far are: Nick Licata for not representing all of us; Steve Kelley for being so disconnected from reality that he channelled the dearly departed Sam Schulman so that Steve could mash his sour grapes over the 11 year old firing of Bob Whitset; Seattle Mayor Greg Nichols for being a spineless weasel.

    On the Chris Wilcox front I wrote on August 4, 2006 :
    They should meet halfway, 3 years @ 7.25 mil =21.75. The Sonics will save money off Collison, and Wilcox will not leave 4 million dollars on the table this season going forward.


    This looks like it's close to happening, maybe this coming week.
  • August 11, 2006

    Clay Bennett Frames the Discussion, Advantage: Bennett

    SEATTLE - Clay Bennett arrived in town with a plan, that is clear. He has talked to local business and political leaders pitching an idea of building the best arena, as great as Safeco Field.
  • You want Seattle to have the best, don't you?
    And this great thing would need something happening all year long and not just on days that basketball is played, maybe an NHL team, or Arena Football.

  • You like the idea of having something exciting happening all year long, right?
    There are events that can't be held at Quest Field anymore because they are building on top of parking lots, according to Kemper Freeman JR.

  • You like the RV, boat, garden, affinity group of your choosing, being held in the Seattle area, at the best facility anywhere: you would like that wouldn't you?

  • You love many things about Safeco Field: you would like to have the finer things available to you at the new arena, don't you?

    If you turn down the chance to have meaningful discussions about this wonderful thing then that is up to you.

    No whining, no marginalizing, no hair splitting. There is a great opportunity to build something new, exciting and interesting and if you don't want something new, exciting and interesting then you are not new, exciting and interesting.

    Clay Bennett has framed the discussion, changing the language from words like extortion used by local politicos to words of his choosing, words like "value proposition", and "finest building in the country" (TNT).


    “Our job, as I see it, is a value proposition and a business plan relative to a new facility,” Bennett said. “It is not just a basketball arena. It is a multipurpose entertainment complex. (It will be) a basketball, potentially hockey, restaurant and retail development complex. And it is going to be our job to model that and understand the economic model. That is our objective, our methodology and our approach.”
    Clay Bennett in the Tacoma News tribune, August 10, 2006.

    The Sonics have gone from one owner that sells a product that sells itself, partially on the fact that it is addictive, and on to an owner that is a businessman that wants his $350 million dollar investment to keep its value by staying in a top 15 market and not have that value sink like a stone by going to a top 50 market.

    If this doesn't happen in Seattle then Kemper Freeman Jr. will make it happen in Bellevue. And if that doesn't happen then Bennett will shop around for a home before settling, and I do mean settling, for a 5 year old arena in the 50th media market in the United States of America.

    Here's an idea, buy a house in Seattle and then move that house to OK City and tell me what it's value is then.

    Let me help you:
    Oklahoma City, Oklahoma
    Median resident age: 34.0 years
    Median household income: $34,947 (year 2000)
    Median house value: $80,300 (year 2000)

    Single-family new house construction building permits:
    1996: 1953 buildings, average cost: $97,600
    1997: 2040 buildings, average cost: $99,800
    1998: 2402 buildings, average cost: $104,600
    1999: 2867 buildings, average cost: $112,900
    2000: 2044 buildings, average cost: $115,300
    2001: 2373 buildings, average cost: $122,300
    2002: 2997 buildings, average cost: $125,800
    2003: 3402 buildings, average cost: $129,400
    2004: 3815 buildings, average cost: $135,100

    Do you know how many houses of any size or age list in Seattle for $135,000?
    The answer is zero.
    Check the listings for house values here!

    Now understand, the point isn't that houses are freakishly expensive in Seattle, they are, it's that the people here have the means to buy them. Those people will pay a couple more bucks for a Sonics ticket, and buy an over priced beer at the game, and pay for parking (because there's not much choice in parking here). It's about the revenue this population generates, and the media market that feeds it, the 15th largest media market.

    I'm sure Oklahoma City is a great place to live, great fans, great part of America. The fact is that those people are not building a new "Safeco Field" basketball arena in 5 years when the Ford Center is not churning enough money to justify a $350 dollar investment. The economy is not the same there as it is here. An asset that is based on the value of the economy is worth less there than it is here.

    It's Seattle's team to lose.
    OK is where they go if things go wrong.
  • August 04, 2006

    If Wilcox Signs for One Year, Collison will Cash in

    Today in the Seattle Times Percy Allen reports that Wilcox is likely going to sign the one year, Qualifying Offer, of 3.6 million dollars.

    Reports nearly a week ago that the Sonics were on the verge of signing Wilcox to three-year, $24 million deal were false, according to Sund and Fried." Percy Allen, Seattle Times...
    The two sides appeared to find common ground on a three-year deal. However, the Sonics continued to maintain that Wilcox is worth $6.6 million per season, and their offer is about $6 million less than his demands.
    - P. Allen

    It's hard to say that the rumor was wrong at the time it was said, and things may have just changed in a week. Well, it wasn't even a week ago when Percy Allen reported this:

    With trade proposals from at least three teams still on the table, the Sonics may be nearing an end to negotiations with Chris Wilcox on a three-year, $24 million proposal from his Washington, D.C.-based agent Jeff Fried.

    According to a team source, an agreement is imminent, with at least one of the team's new owners, G. Edward Evans, planning to return to Seattle this week, possibly for the announcement.
    - P. Allen

    I would give SonicsCentral a bad time about spreading that same rumor last week, both repeating rumors. I'm not sure if both Percy Allen and Brian Robinson speading the same rumor means that Brian has become more of a reporter, or that that Percy has become more of a blogger. If that's both or neather then I'm disappointed in one of them, or both.

    At any rate, we will see what really happens ... when it really happens. There's still a good change Wilcox signs a three year deal. That would be best for he and the team. It's rare when a player takes the one year contract that he makes up the money left on the table (see Vladi Radmanovic, Stro Swift, etc..). Three years is short enough to bank 24 million and still get to the market again for a long term contract, he's 23. But the story last week was 24 million (8 million a year) and now it is 19.5 (6.5 million a year). I'm not sure where Percy Allen get's 6 million as a difference unless the Wilcox demand wasn't 24 million, but 25 (what's a million among millionaires?).

    If it comes right down to it, the one year deal, Wilcox play for one year and then he could walk away. Not good for ether side. The Sonics also have Ridnour and Collison in line for possible contract extensions.

    The Wilcox one year deal would mean much to dealings with Ridnour, Collison on the other hand could pick up some of the cash Wilcox is leaving on the table. Collison would have a little more leverage, not much, but some. And that leverage that could translate into dollars.

    So, do the Sonics pay Collison a little more or just go a little higher next week with Wilcox and spend that little bit of money there? I think that either way the Sonics are going to pay out that 6 million. It's either going to hold wilcox here for three years or it's going to over pay Collison for the next few years. If they go short with Collison too then they have an unstable power forward spot with two guys fluffing up their numbers at the potential cost to the rest of the team.

    If Wilcox signs the one year deal look for Collison to make a little more money and for Petro to get playing time at power forward (his furure position). The Sonics will give Wilcox the same line they gave Radmanovic, if you are signing for one year then the team will look to develop players they think will be here past the current year. That's the team's leverage.

    They should meet half-way, 3 years @ 7.25 mil =21.75. The Sonics will save money off Collison, and Wilcox will not leave 4 million dollars on the table this season going forward.

    Go forward!

    July 28, 2006

    Did Wilcox Get Extra Money as a Result of Moore Trade?

    SEATTLE - Chris Wilcox and his agent Jeff Fried are in town to get a deal done.

    "It makes sense to me now why things went the way they went," his agent, Jeff Fried said. "Apparently, their hands were tied pre-sale to do anything of any material note. Now that the sales have taken place, I'm hoping good-faith discussions can transpire as to what is fair and equitable. This can't drag on any longer." If a deal isn't reached, Wilcox will be forced to accept a one-year offer worth $3.6 million. (Thu. Jul 20, 2006) - Fox Sports

    It's unlikely that Wilcox would leave money on the table as Vladi Radmanovic did last year and sign for the one year Qualifying Offer of $3,577,168 when he could make double that this year if he signs a multi-year agreement.

    The agent is dreaming if he thinks the GM from two weeks ago (Rick Sund) will not act the same way as the current GM (Rick Sund) and give Wilcox whatever the agent wants.

    It is likely hat the Sonics have a salary number that they want to stay at. In order to stay there and offer Wilcox more money they might have shipped off Moore, not just because they didn't really need him, but because they had other uses for that salary space.

    I expect Fried to wake up and see that Rick Sund is still there with about the same deal as he had to offer Wilcox two weeks ago.

    Fried, take the 3 year deal, ask for a 4th player option, and move on with your lives.

    July 27, 2006

    Post 100! Why I Write About the Sonics

    SEATTLE - I started writing this blog for a few reasons, here they are:
    #1 - To sharpen my writing skills through practice.
    #2 - To write about something that I had a real interest and I didn't see myself losing interest.
    #3 - To record my thoughts on the Sonics and be able to go back and see what I was thinking in the past.
    #4 - To share ideas about the Sonics, the NBA.
    #5 - I am a Communications Major, I study media as an undergratuate at the University of Washington, this forum allows me to share my ideas on writing, the media, reporting, journalism, media bias, definitions of media roles; all wrapped around a subject many people can idenntify.

    There are a few other reasons that will come to mind as I write this, but I have to say that I didn't arrive at all of those reasons before I started this blog. I'm a Sonics fan.

    My first post was a placeholder:

    December 13, 2004

    When I get around to it, maybe Thursday, maybe sooner
    Oh ya, you can't wait around here all day hoping for something to read on the Seattle Super Sonics, so don't. I'll post about once a week, give you my thoughts, observations and critique on my team. This is a test page. Check back within a couple days and I should have this rolling.


    Riviting.

    This might have been the first story that I had written that was put together pretty well.
    March 25, 2005
    Swingman Cometh


    For a few months I wanted to be a writer. A month after that story I started writing on another blog for a few months. I enjoyed the crowd that read and wrote there. But, as things there changed I had the feeling that my idea of media and writing was not quite the same as some of the people there. A few clearly had motives and operated in ways that conflicted with my ideas of journalism ethics, a healthy recognition of ones own bias, and whether I was part of some freelance Sonics PR group or if I was writing in a free press.
    A couple of the writers there had crossed a few lines and I don't think they really knew what business they had entered through the blogger pass key. Ask yourself a few questions before playing around in an profession, like, what are the norms, ethics, and practiced methods?
    As a reporter you do X, as a journalist you do Y, as a blogger you define Z. On that blog I didn't fit in that idea of journalism.

    On new years eve 2005 I didn't feel like I could honestly participate in that forum so I stepped away and wrote this here:

    I write here to improve my writing, what I write here is my opinion, my interests, to give focus to what is written.
    I'll post regularly here, the other place I have posted is going bigtime. If that site wants to republish my writings, feel free, as long as you link back to this site to give credit.

    I'm back here, and Happy New Year.


    One of the writers from the other blog contacted me, via an exclusive yahoo group email list, to talk me into continuing to write at the other blog. I relented, I liked the discussions on the exclusive email list, I liked having a few more people read some of the things that I had written. I was also going to school at night an could ne commit to writing on my own blog enough to make it worth doing.

    In my mind I thought that I would write something on the other blog once in a while and when I thought I wanted to write a longer story or rip somebody I would write that on my blog here.

    Well, what kind of writer does that? Why was I doing this again? Oh yes, to improve my writing skills. How could I really do that if I'm not honest with myself when I'm writing? Everytime I wrote something I thought about what I shouldn't say. I had changed from a writer to more of a media critic, and how could I rip some of the writers on the same blog while possibly still having some kind of courteous discussion on the blog or the yahoo email list? "Hey, sorry for ripping you on the blog, how about that game last night?" Oh ya, that just makes me a two faced jerk, but how?

    Well, I was having a problem being objective with the writing of a few people that I view as not having much objectivity, not in a journalism sense. Maybe that's a difference in perspective even among bloggers. I'm a supersonicsfan, I'm not looking to be a buddy to the players, beat writers, or readers. I'm interested in writing about the good, bad and ugly things that effect the team, including some of the press. A few of the writers on the other blog looked for ways to improve the image of the team, and I'm not in that business. That kind of thinking sends you down a path of limited objectivity. The Sonics have a PR department for that, players have agents for that, and if they are not doing a good job of selling their product then they need to get a new PR department and new agents.

    I kept trying to resolve my motivations with that of the drivers of the other blog. There are some good writers there, but it just isn't me. To some extent I felt like most of what I was writing there wasn't really so much about writing but to somehow propel the blog and its writers to some bigger and better thing. I know it wasn't really like that but it just felt like that. I felt like I was working for that blog, running in place. It wasn't why I started writing. I wasn't being honest with myself or those other people on that other blog.

    So, two weeks ago, after reading something that drove me crazy, I dropped out. I dropped off the yahoo email list, I dropped off Sonicscentral as a writer (though I'm still a reader and enjoy what they do) and came back to writing here, A week before the Sonics were sold.

    Why do I write about the Sonics now? Because I'm a sonicsfan and I want to improve my writing without the group think. If the Sonics went away, and I hope they don't, then I would find something else to use to improve my writing.
    I would still write.

    Feel free to leave a comment, they are ALL moderated, it's a way to contact me without everybody reading your comments.

    Sonics Trade Mikki Moore to Nets for 2nd Round pick

    SEATTLE - Today the Seattle Sonics traded Mikki Moore to the New Jersey Nets for a second round pick in the 2009 draft. Moore, a 7-foot veteran center, was signed by the Sonics on August 31, 2005 to a two year contract. The Contract was for one year plus a one year player option.

    The play of first round draft pick Saer Sene in the Rocky Mountain Reviewsummer league games has shown that he could see some floor time this coming season. With three young centers on the team and a need shore up depth at other positions made Moore the odd man out.

    When it became known to me on July 10 that Moore had exersized his option I wrote this:

    As much as I like Moore, and think he would be a better influence on the young players than wrestle mania's Danny Fortson, but he may have opted in to get paid all summer until the Sonics cut somebody loose. If the Sonics want to keep all of the second rounders then somebody has to go. They are not paying Danny Fortson $6,596,990 to leave, not when they can pay Moore $1,070,000 to open the roster spot.

    The reality is that the Sonics have 3 more picks coming next year and they have to figure out who can play, who they keep, and who they don't. They should consolidate the roster into 10 guys that will play and 2 or 3 guys that are developing. Swift, Petro and Sene look like they will land on both of those lists, playing and developing.
    It's also quite likely that Yotam Halperin goes back to Europe for another year. Paccelis Morlende was drafted in 2003. They need to know this summer if he can play.

    Consolidate.
    - from Seattle Sonics Sign Rookie Draft Pick Sene, July 10, 2006

    As it turned out Moore did get paid this summer and was delt, Sene did step up, and a few other players this summer sorted themselves out. Word is Paccelis Morlende is on the outs. Noel Felix doesn't see guaranteed money until after January 10, with Moore leaving the likelyhood of Felix being in a Sonics uniform on January 11 just went way up.

    The number of players on the roster that have contracts at 12:

    Ray Allen - SG
    Nick Collison - PF
    Noel Felix - SF
    Danny Fortson - Doghouse
    Rashard Lewis - SF
    Johan Petro - PF
    Luke Ridnour - PG
    Robert Swift - C
    Earl Watson - PG
    Damien Wilkins - SG
    Saer Sene - C
    Mickael Gelabale - SG

    Two free agents the Sonics have rights are:
    Chris Wilcox - PF - Restricted FA
    Mike Wilks - PG - FA

    If Wilks were to return that would put the roster at 13, but that's very unlikely. 13 is the likely total not including other draft picks once Wilcox signs a contract.
    Andre Emmett was named to the All-Revue Team. The Sonics may see the 6-5 Emmett as an asset. If Emmet makes the team then the roster is at 14 and likely somebody goes to Idaho, maybe Emmett, until Danny Fortson goes away.

    July 26, 2006

    Sonics Technofile: wikipedia.org/wiki/Supersonics

    First of all, let me state for the record that this doesn't have much to do with the playing of basketball but for the growing source that wikipedia is becoming for the NBA fan.

    Check out the Sonics page here! It gives a brief history of the team. It warns you at the top of the page "This article documents a current event. Information may change rapidly as the event progresses."

    I really didn't have too much to say, other than I enjoy the structure of the page, the detail of the information, the links to much finer detail on nearly anything you can think of that involves the Sonics. Think I'm joking? Check out the Kevin Calabro page here! It's complete with a sound sample.

    The top NBA page and how everything is connected is easy to use. I'm not saying this is perfect, just saying it is useful.

    There is even an explanation of the brief history of time right here!

    I had just spent the past hour rummaging through the links and thought some of you might find the depth of some of the information interesting.

    On a side note: I know that there was a poll on how people in Seattle felt about the Sonics staying or going. It would be interesting to see how many people would be in favor of the Mariners or Seahawks staying if it meant having another new stadium. I was at the mariners game last night and it was not a full house, not even close. The Seahawks just went to the Superbowl but I would guess that it would be about 50/50 on keeping any of the other two major sports teams if it meant keeping the current tax on car rentals, hotels and restaurants.
    But, the media is busy whipping up the masses with one data point, never mind a half empty Safeco Field. You have nothing to compare the Sonics poll against.

    Try this on for size, in 1996 the Seattle Times had a poll AFTER Paul Allen purchased the team with the full intent of keeping the team here.
    You need to register to read the archived story here!

    From the story: Seattle Times Poll -- Hawks, We Love Ya, But Don't Send A Bill -- Majority Don't Want Public To Fund Stadium
    Jack Broom, Elliott Almond
    Seattle Times Staff Reporters
    Business: Sunday, December 15, 1996.

    About the poll

    In the Seattle Times Poll, 400 King County residents were contacted by Elway Research. The sample carries a margin of error of 5 percentage points, meaning that in theory, findings have a 95 percent chance of coming within 5 percentage points of results that would have been obtained if all King County adults had been interviewed.

    ---------------------- A new Seahawk stadium? ----------------------

    Based on your knowledge of the issues, would you say you support or oppose public funding for a new stadium for the Seahawks?

    ------------------------.

    Strongly support 19%

    - - - - - - - - - - - - .

    Somewhat support 18%

    - - - - - - - - - - - - .

    Somewhat oppose 17%

    - - - - - - - - - - - - .

    Strongly oppose 41%

    - - - - - - - - - - - - .

    Don't know/no answer 5%

    ------------------------.

    --------------- Stadium options ---------------

    Local officials are considering a variety of options to accommodate Paul Allen and the Seahawks. Do you strongly support, support, oppose or strongly oppose these options:

    Renovate the Kingdome using public funds only.

    ------------------------.

    Strongly support 11%

    - - - - - - - - - - - - .

    Somewhat support 23%

    - - - - - - - - - - - - .

    Somewhat oppose 20%

    - - - - - - - - - - - - .

    Strongly oppose 43%

    - - - - - - - - - - - - .

    Don't know/no answer 3%

    ------------------------.

    Using private and public funding, tear down the Kingdome and build a new football stadium, plus a new facility to accommodate trade shows and other activities.

    ------------------------.

    Strongly support 25%

    - - - - - - - - - - - - .

    Somewhat support 21%

    - - - - - - - - - - - - .

    Somewhat oppose 14%

    - - - - - - - - - - - - .

    Strongly oppose 35%

    - - - - - - - - - - - - .

    Don't know/no answer 5%

    ------------------------.

    Use private and public funding to renovate Husky Stadium so the Seahawks could play there.

    ------------------------.

    Strongly support 18%

    - - - - - - - - - - - - .

    Somewhat support 20%

    - - - - - - - - - - - - .

    Somewhat oppose 14%

    - - - - - - - - - - - - .

    Strongly oppose 44%

    - - - - - - - - - - - - .

    Don't know/no answer 4%

    ------------------------.

    Use private and public funding to build a new football stadium in suburban King County.

    ------------------------.

    Strongly support 15%

    - - - - - - - - - - - - .

    Somewhat support 23%

    - - - - - - - - - - - - .

    Somewhat oppose 17%

    - - - - - - - - - - - - .

    Strongly oppose 40%

    - - - - - - - - - - - - .

    Don't know/no answer 5%

    ------------------------.

    Do not build or renovate; just leave the Kingdome as is.

    ------------------------.

    Strongly support 25%

    - - - - - - - - - - - - .

    Somewhat support 19%

    - - - - - - - - - - - - .

    Somewhat oppose 18%

    - - - - - - - - - - - - .

    Strongly oppose 32%

    - - - - - - - - - - - - .

    Don't know/no answer 6%

    ------------------------.

    Copyright (c) 1996 Seattle Times Company, All Rights Reserved.


    Well Sonics fans, how does that grab you? The Seahawks were staying and most of the fans didn't want to spend any public money on a new stadium. That poll was in 1996, the year the Sonics went to the finals Paul Allen was asking for public money to fund his stadium.

    On yet another note: If I hear another person say something about not being able to play NHL hockey in the Key Arena after the 1995 remodel I'm going to kick in my radio. Think about it for one second, or maybe two, there's no NFL at Safeco, no MLB at Quest Field, both paid for with a car rental, hotel and restaurant tax. The multi use staduim was never a good idea and just imagine how wonderful having NHL hockey implode in our very own city would have been.
    NHL shut down for a year, A YEAR, to straighten out its financial situation. Now you can catch hockey on the OLN network. And you think the NBA economics are messed up.

    NBA played a 50 game season when they had a lock-out that ended in 1999, Baseball played 112 games of the 1994 season, NFL played 9 games after a lock-out in 1982. With all three of the major sports this town was out of it's mind on how bad those given sports were for not having games. Imagine having the NHL lockout here. What a great and wonderful gift that would be to the local press, and what an absolute drag on the already saturated luxary suite market the NHL would have been. This town, in a perfect world, could not support a 4th sport like hockey.
    For you hockey fans out there, read every word of this before you open your yapper about not having NHL hockey in Key Arena.

    July 22, 2006

    Rocky Mountain Review: Three Years, Three Centers

    The Seattle Sonics have drafted a center every years for the past three years. Each year they have sent that rookie to the Rocky Mountain Revue in Utah. I have posted a snip of the stats for each one in their rookie run in the RMR. At the bottom of this post I have links to the RMR team stats for the past three years. Feel free to check them out.

    Rookie Swift, 2004, 6 games played, 6 games started

    Totals
    MIN FG FGA PCT
    130 10 24 .417

    Averages
    MIN REB AST STL TO BLK PTS
    21.7 3.5 0.5 0.50 1.0 0.50 4.3

    Rookie Petro, 2005, 6 games played, 0 games started

    Totals
    MIN FG FGA PCT
    71 6 13 .462

    Averages
    MIN REB AST STL TO BLK PTS
    11.8 1.3 0.3 1.00 2.3 0.67 2.3

    Rookie Sene, 2006, 4 games played, 4 games started

    Totals
    MIN FG FGA PCT
    92 14 25 .560

    Averages
    MIN REB AST STL TO BLK PTS
    23.0 4.8 0.5 1.00 1.3 3.75 8.3


    I would put the per 48 minute averages here if I thought that they had some value. They don't.

    The sample size is too small, that mix of players and competition is a variable, and I didn't watch any of those games.
    There's only one thing to do: guess.

    I'll guess that the Petro numbers are too small for even this comparison, so I'll settle on Swift and Sene.
    Sene's numbers are better all along the board. I'll guess that he's further along at this pont than Swifty was.
    That's a very good sign. Let's just hope that Sene makes the Swift leap from summer league struggles to NBA player in as short of time as Robert and Petro have. But, the early numbers look good.

    Let me point out that Robert Swift was with this roster:
    Wilkens
    Collison
    Cleaves
    Morandais
    Singleton
    Ridnour
    Young
    Mills
    Smith
    Swift
    Zimmerman
    Powell

    You could play these 5 guys in an actual NBA game: Cleaves, Ridnour, Wilkins, Collison and Swift. I'm not sure the same could be said for the line ups Petro and Sene played with. Let's see:

    Petro played with:
    Scales
    Cleaves
    Dickens
    Felix
    O'Bannon
    Blackburn
    Williams
    Swift
    Brown
    Miles
    Petro
    Byrd

    Hmm, Petro was the backup to Swift since Swift was going to get thrown out there, eventually. Noel Felix makes an impression, but there isn't a Ridnour or Collison in that bunch.

    Sene played with this group:
    Emmett
    Miles
    Farmer
    Bobbitt
    Sene
    Brown
    Felix
    Swift
    Langford
    Burrell
    Reiner
    Halperin
    Morlende

    Uhh, I guess we don't know how much talent is there other than to say that at least Felix and Swift are NBA players. We really don't know, but let's be fair, as a rookie Swift played with two other first round picks.

    The 2004 stats can be found here!
    The 2005 stats can be found here!
    The 2006 stats can be found here!

    I can't decide what's worse.

    Is it Steve Kelley kissing Bob Whitsitt's butt for the second time in one week (read here) or is it the nearly unintelligible ramblings of Brian Robinson (read here) that are the worst things to read?

    Dear Steve,
    Bob Witsett messed up the Blazers. The Seahawks won AFTER he was canned.

    "What would Schulman do about Sonics now?" - Steve Kelley wrote in the Seattle Times

    One thing Schulman might NOT do is put words in a dead man's mouth.

    Kelley writing the words of a man that died three years ago:

    "So let's get the right people talking to the city council and Legislature. People who won't have their feelings hurt when the politicians don't roll over for them.

    "People who won't cynically ignore the city council's proposals the way the Sonics did. Deal-making people like former Sonics president Bob Whitsitt. Tough guys in the same mold as me. Let's get an arena deal done and then go after the New Orleans franchise.
    - Steve Kelley, again from the Seattle Times

    You parade Sam's persona around in some pathetic attempt to snuggle up to Bob Whitsett? Please, STOP. Get your lips off Whitsitt's butt, it's too embarrassing to watch.

    Dear Brian,
    write one story about your hate of the city council; then write another story about Robert Swift; then write a Doogie Howser diary entry about how you can't believe Robert isn't angry about the Sonics picking Sene. Mashing them together was painful to read. They would make two fine stories and a good diary entry.

    "It is almost comical to compare the actions of the 20 year old young man to that of our local politicians. While the city council has delved into the blame game and attempted to absolve themselves of any responsibility the redhead simply works hard without promises or expectations other than those he puts upon himself. " - Brian Robinson writing in Hoopsworld.com

    Here's an idea, don't compare them.

    Well, the answer to which is worse is: Steve Kelley. Brian Robinson bothered to go to Utah to see the summer league and report something. Kelley hasn't reported anything in years, you can tell by his references to Bob Whitsett. Kelley doesn't have any new material to work with. He's resorted to a dead guy and a has been.

    July 21, 2006

    I'm Full. Next up, the future of the Sonics

    As the local heavyweights digest the story and offer well thought out reconstructions of the trail that has brought us here Frank Hughes took a trip down memory lane:

    There is a scene in the movie "The Talented Mr. Ripley" in which the characters of Matt Damon and Gwyneth Paltrow sit on a sailboat in the Mediterranean Sea and analyze why their relationships with Jude Law's character had changed so dramatically.

    Paltrow explains that Law's character is the kind of person who can focus his attention solely on you, make you feel as if you are the center of the universe and nothing could be more important to him. And then he gets bored, the attention goes away and the person feels empty, vacant and confused, wondering what he or she did wrong to elicit such treatment.

    That, in a nutshell, is Howard Schultz, an entrepreneur whose romantic attention was focused exclusively on his basketball team for about a year. Then things didn't quite go the way he envisioned, he got bored and discouraged, and he decided that he wanted out (regardless of the impact on people's lives).
    - Frank Hughes, ESPN inline.

    Art Theil asks this to lead off a clean look at how seattle got to this point:
    It's been a healthy vent. Now what?

    Indeed, now what? I've thought about how Howard Schultz's 5 year plan ended with no defined future for the team and a new owner that doesn't have to play the Local Hero game.
    I think you could read both stories by Hughes and Theil and have a pretty clear picture of where we are, how we got here, and why the new owner was treated as if he was just going to move the Sonics right away. That wasn't even part of his day one conversation. Oddly enough, it was part of his day three conversation, saying in the Seattle Times:

    "I think if we get to the point where we are at an absolute standstill," Bennett said, "there is nothing on the table and both sides of the table understand that we're not going anywhere, we are absolutely hoping to bring it to Oklahoma City."
    - Clay Bennet said while back in Oklahoma.

    I did read that he spoke slowly, I guess he was going to get to this at the press conference in Seattle and is just now spitting it out. Honesty will get you further with people in Washington than half the story here and the rest of the story said in Oklahoma.

    Mr Bennett stepped into the middle of a domestic. He is mostly upfront about going through the motions, but we all are reacting as if that's all he's doing. It's hard to act some other way after living with the bullshit coming from the political side and the team owner side over the past few years.

    Let's be fair to Mr Bennett, he might not have an open arena to take the Sonics home to if the Hornets can play in New Orleans. If that's the case then here (Bellevue) is as good as any other place. So, don't leave your seat Sonics fans, the opera aint over till the fat lady sings.

    And that was the gentle part, Frank was frank. Art was artfull, and Bennett has to show by action that he is willing to have the team stay in Washington State.
    And Steve Kelley... he's still kissing the butt of thrice fired Bob Witsitt.

    July 20, 2006

    Bellevue Sonics? Only if George Shinn Get's His Way

    SEATTLE - While Seattle City Council President Nick Licata and Mayor Greg Nickols issue well thought out press releases OKNO Hornets owner George Shinn is straddling two different markets, laying claim to both. Who does he think he is, Al Davis?

    Fact is that Shinn needs a place for his team to play and returning to New Orleans that is still struggling to recover might be a business loser for a very long time. As it is, he does have his team playing to sell out crowds in Oklahoma. Why should he leave? What is there to go back to in the near term?

    The conspiracy theorists are already at it over at SonicsCentral.com. There might be a second NBA owner behind Oklahoma's grassy knoll.

    The questions I've heard from a few radio hosts on why the Sonics might not leave center around the size of market Seattle is as compared to Oklahoma. Really, there aren't major league baseball and football teams slicing up that market, so just stop with that silly markey talk... and move on to comparing the Seattle market with New Orleans post-Katrina. Why? Because that's the net effect for the NBA. No matter how you cut this up Oklahoma is going to have a team, the question is if Seattle or New Orleans will. The answer is likely neither. The Sonics could move to Bellevue and leave Seattle with an empty Key Arena. The Hornets could stay in Oklahoma and leave New Orleans with enough to worry about beyond filling an arena.

    Right now, my money is on Washington Governor Christine Gregiore to be the one to step in and keep the Sonics in Washington. Maybe New Orleans should get the promise of an expansion NBA franchise from the league for when they are ready for such distractions.

    Stay Sonics!

    July 18, 2006

    And Darkness Fell

    40 years of basketball and the best chance of keeping the Sonics in Seattle is this:


    Upon the formation of his investor group in February, Bennett said: "The bottom line is, we want a team for this market."

    But on Tuesday, he had a different message. He told a Seattle news conference that he would keep the team in Seattle if an agreement could be reached for a new arena. In a news release, Bennett said he hoped the Sonics would succeed in Seattle for "decades to come."

    "Owning an NBA franchise and a world-class facility in this market is a good place to be," Bennett said. "That said, as you know, I certainly hope that in time, Oklahoma City gets a team, and I think we will."

    Bennett said the new ownership group has a "12-month commitment" to Seattle, in which it will attempt to negotiate for a new arena. He said the group was "sincere" but would evaluate its other options if an agreement for a new arena wasn't reached in that time frame.

    "I think everything's on the table after that year, and if we run out of all our options, I'd love to have the team in Oklahoma City," Bennett said.

    "Certainly Oklahoma has become clearly a viable NBA market."
    - New OK Sonics owner, Clay Bennet's comments from the Associated Press

    Thanks for nothing Howard, enjoy your 90 million dollar profit, just don't expect me buy your story.

    'Now, I am become Death, the destroyer of worlds.'

    July 16, 2006

    Spurs Beat Sonics 73 to 70 in Summer League Play

    The Sonics dropped a second game yesterday at the 2006 Rocky Mountain Revue. This loss was at the hads of the Spurs, 73 to 70.
    The Sonics are 0-2 so far in summer league play.
    Check out the box score.

    Points of note: the Spurs center Ian Mahinmi had a 13 points, 8 rebounds and 2 blocks.

    For the Sonics, Andre Emmett lead the way with 21 pints and 7 rebounds and 1 assist.
    Seattle's first round pick, Mouhamed Sene, had 8 points, 5 rebounds and 2 blocks. In Mouhamed Sene's game against the 76'ers he had 6 fouls, in this game he had 2 in roughly the same amout of playing time.

    The Sonics were out rebounded again, this time by 6, 33 for the Sonics and 39 for the Spurs. The Spurs had 18 assists while the Sonics only had 9.
    Pass the ball.

    July 14, 2006

    76'ers Beat Sonics in Summer League Play

    Summer league got rolling today for the Sonics at the 2006 Rocky Mountain Revue. The final score was Philadelphia 88, Seattle 74.
    Check out the box score.

    Points of note: Shavlik Randolph had a 25 points and 13 rebounds for Philadelphia. 76'er rookie and former Washinton Husky Bobby Jones played 2:20, scoring 0 points.

    For the Sonics, Noel Felix lead the way with 19 pints and 3 rebounds. Seattle's first round pick, Mo Sene, had 7 points, 4 rebounds and 5 blocks.

    The Sonics were out rebounded 24 to 42 for the 76'ers.

    Read the recap here! Seattle’s first round pick, Mouhamed Sene, made his presence known early in the game at Salt Lake Community College on Friday scoring the first five points for Seattle and blocking two shots within the first minute of the game. Sene played only six minutes in the first quarter and scored seven points.

    July 12, 2006

    NWCN-TV in Seattle: Sonics have made a contract offer to Wilcox

    SEATTLE - The Sonics have made a contract offer to restricted free agent Chris Wilcox according to Northwest Cable News program Northwest Sports Tonight. The reported offer is from 3-to-5 years, and averages more than the 5.2 million dollar mid-level salary cap exception.

    The complete lack of details is unfortunate. But, the news that the Sonics have made an offer, and that it isn't for 6 years is something.

    My guess hasn't changed: 4 years, between 32 and 37 million. I'll gues that there would be a player option for the 4th year. Knowing how the Sonics negotiated with Rashard Lewis I would have to say that bonuses will be tied to performance. Rashard Lewis received a million dollar bonus for making the NBA All-Star team two years ago. I would expect the same type of incentives as part of the Wilcox offer.

    Mickael Gelabale Signed by Sonics

    SEATTLE- The Associated Press is reporting that the Seattle Sonics have signed Mickael Gelabale. Gelabale, 23, is the Sonics second round pick from the 2005 NBA draft.

    Gelabale, the Sonics' second-round pick in the 2005 draft, signed a two-year, $1.6 million contract with Seattle on Wednesday. The first $200,000 of his deal will go to help pay a $700,000 buyout of his contract with Real Madrid, with the rest paid by the Sonics. - The Associated Press

    The six-foot-seven swingman will join Damien Wilkins and Noel Felix in competition for playing time behind either Ray Allen or Rashard Lewis.
    The Sonics continue to stockpile young and reportedly talented players on their roster.

    Congratulations to Gelabale and the Sonics!

    July 10, 2006

    Seattle Sonics Sign Rookie Draft Pick Sene

    From Supersonics.com:

    Sonics Sign Sene


    SEATTLE - The Seattle SuperSonics today announced they have signed first round draft pick Mouhamed Sene. The Sonics selected Sene with the 10th overall pick in the 2006 NBA Draft.
    "We’re glad to get Mouhamed on board," Sonics General Manager Rick Sund said. "His participation in this month’s summer league in Salt Lake City will give him a feel for the NBA and he can begin to get acclimated to the style of play."
    An early-entry candidate for the draft, Sene garnered the attention of the basketball community at the 2006 Nike Hoop Summit, when he recorded 15 points, six rebounds and nine blocked shots in 27 minutes of action. He spent the 2005-06 season with Verviers-Pepinster of the Belgium Division I League. Sene also participated in the Reebok Eurocamp in Treviso, Italy in both 2004 and 2005.

    "We’re excited to sign Mouhamed," said Sonics Head Coach Bob Hill. "With his ability to block shots and rebound, we hope he can give support to Robert Swift and Johan Petro to improve our defense in the paint."


    Sonics player page for Sene states that his uniform number is 18.

    Also in the news today the Sonics announced that Mikki Moore has taken his player option to stay in Seattle for one more year.
    With the signing of Sene and new of Moore staying that puts the number of players on the roster that have contracts at 12:

    Ray Allen - SG
    Nick Collison - PF
    Noel Felix - SF
    Danny Fortson - Doghouse
    Rashard Lewis - SF
    Mikki Moore - C
    Johan Petro - PF
    Luke Ridnour - PG
    Robert Swift - C
    Earl Watson - PG
    Damien Wilkins - SG
    Mouhamed Sene - PF

    Two free agents the Sonics have rights are:
    Chris Wilcox - PF - Restricted FA
    Mike Wilks - PG - FA

    That would put the roster at 14 if Wilks were to return, but that's very unlikely. 13 is the likely total not including other draft picks.

    Three second round draft picks are on the summer league roster taking court this week at the Rocky Mountain Revue starting July 14.
    Denham Brown - SF
    Paccelis Morlende - G
    Yotam Halperin - G

    That would put the rother at 16.

    As much as I like Moore, and think he would be a better influence on the young players than wrestle mania's Danny Fortson, but he may have opted in to get paid all summer until the Sonics cut somebody loose. If the Sonics want to keep all of the second rounders then somebody has to go. They are not paying Danny Fortson $6,596,990 to leave, not when they can pay Moore $1,070,000 to open the roster spot.

    The reality is that the Sonics have 3 more picks coming next year and they have to figure out who can play, who they keep, and who they don't. They should consolidate the roster into 10 guys that will play and 2 or 3 guys that are developing. Swift, Petro and Sene look like they will land on both of those lists, playing and developing.
    It's also quite likely that Yotam Halperin goes back to Europe for another year. Paccelis Morlende was drafted in 2003. They need to know this summer if he can play.

    Consolidate.

    June 29, 2006

    Sonics Draft Saer Sene

    I know nothing about him, you likely don't either so don't pretend to be happy or unhappy about the unknown.

    NBA Draft Profile: Saer Sene

    Read the HoopsHype.com interview with him here (from May 4, 2006): Was there any economical pressure that pushed you to enter the draft this year? It happens with many college players that go pro early because they need to provide for their families. Is this the case with you?

    SS: No, that's not a problem. The financial situation is not a problem. (His manager says that money is not a concern for him since he has a contract with Charleroi that pays him well and his family is not money-hungry anyway. The buyout of his contract is not really expensive – just the maximum NBA teams are allowed to pay under league rules).

    Good luck Sene!

    June 27, 2006

    Sonics NBA Draft Prediction

    1-9 don't care, take THAT mock drafters!

    The most extreme thing I could think of for the Sonics to do:

    #10 O’Bryant picked by Seattle, traded to the Suns for #21 Alexander Johnson and #27 James White

    When that doesn’t happen then the Sonics select with the 10th pick of the 2006 NBA Draft: Ronnie Brewer.

    Bobby Jones will be drafted by the Sonics in the second round. Basketball fans too cheap to buy Tyee Club Husky tickets latch onto the Sonics, wear Bobby Jones jerseys to games even though he doesn't play but once every 5 games, and that's for 2 minutes. The next year the Sonics trade Wilkins and Bobby Jones takes his roster spot.

    Well, I've channeled Ed Glosser: Trivial Psychic, enough for one night, wait...
    You're gonna treat yourself to a vanilla ice cream.. you're gonna eat it too fast.. you're gonna get an ice cream headache.. it's gonna hurt.. real bad.. right...

    One more thing, have you had enough of the Larry Brown/Isaih Thomas/Knicks jerk session? Please Knicks, pull your pants up, we are all sick of watching you beat each others behinds with newpapers. Once George Karl gets sucked into this story I'm Lewis Black all over this. What's Mr Black's tag line? Oh yes, "Enough already!"

    To Hell with the Knicks!
    Go Sonics!

    June 25, 2006

    Loose Lips Sink Ships

    The rarest of rare things happened yesterday, there was a trade rumor involving the Sonics.
    Here it is from DraftExpress.com:
    Multiple sources have told DraftExpress today the a deal that the Pheonix Suns and the Seattle Supersonics are working on a potential blockbuster trade.

    Stop DraftExpress! Ok that's likely very true. People say all kinds of things to media for a variety of reasons. Resume DraftExpress.

    " The Sonics have implied to numerous people ovewr the past 48 hours that "something is going to go down," while another source in Seattle told us that the Supersonics are "getting very close" to finalizing a trade.

    Stop DraftExpress! They say principals are Lewis, 10th pick with Fortson's ending contract for Marion and the 27th pick.

    Well, that's far reaching. I would have to wonder who would say such a thing to DraftExpress. I do not doubt that the Sonics are calling teams to talk trade, it was in the newspaper yesterday.
    This was written by Frank "the Tank" Hughes in the Tacoma News Tribune yesterday: ...the Sonics are entertaining thoughts of trading down to get a first-round pick next season, giving them two picks in what ostensibly will be a strong draft year.

    However, that decision will not be made until next week, according to general manager Rick Sund. Currently, teams are completing their player evaluations. They will take stock of their strategies over the weekend and begin making calls to other teams to talk trade possibilities on Sunday or Monday, with things heating up as the draft approaches.


    Stop Frank! The Sonics will call teams and talk trade. Not that Frank thinks they will, Sund says they will.

    Now a raking in the order of believability:
    #1: The Sonics are calling teams to talk trade. That appears to be a fact.
    #2: The Sonics could trade down in the draft (see the rest of Frank's story). That appears to be a fact.
    #3: Somebody contacted DraftExpress and said the Sonics are talking to teams (see#1) and that they are close to something (see #1 again), and that the person contacting DraftExpress said the Lewis+Fortson+10th pick for Marion+27th pick. That appears to be a fact.
    #4: The Sonics are shopping Fortson. That appears to be a fact.
    #5: The Sonics and Suns have had some contact. That appears to very likely (see #1 again).
    #6: The Suns and Sonics mentioned Lewis or Fortson or 10th pick or Marion or 27th pick. That appears to somewhat likely (see #1 again).
    #7: I'll throw this out there, #10 for #21 and #27. It's possible they mentioned this.
    #8: Lewis+Fortson+10th pick for Marion+27th pick, or something a lot like it, is "getting very close ". I'll believe it when it happens, and not one second sooner.

    The problem is not this rumor, or that there is a rumor; but the problem is that the Sonics don't ever talk about trades so anything that remotely involves the Sonics becomes a hot potato among the Sonic fans. They are tight lipped. Ray Allen didn't know he was going to be a Sonic until the day/hour it was happening. Payton didn't know he was going to the Bucks until the day/hour. They swapped for each other AND the Bucks were playing the Sonics that night in Seattle. Nobody knew because the Sonics don't talk and insisted that the Bucks (including bigmouth Karl) not talk.

    The Sonics just don't talk. Maybe that's changed. Maybe it's crap.