As teams position themselves to be the team to get Ron Artest in trade other players are in holding patterns, waiting to land. According to Steve "bskball" kyler at Hoopsworld
"There are three teams in the running for Ron Artest – The Timberwolves..., The Nuggets still have a hat in this dance, but need Atlanta or Seattle to step in and help trigger a deal..., The Warriors remain in the hunt..."
Read Steve's piece for the dirty details (the constant page updates, and fingering of my computer, at hoopsworld are a drag, and why I don't go there very often). The secondary players rumored to be of interest to other teams include Earl Watson, and the team calling, the Sonics. This rumor is according to Frank "the tank" Hughes.
Here are a few of the possibilities:
A) Denver is hoping to get players the Pacers want from the Sonics roster (or a pick and players they don't want).
B) The Timberwolves trade with the Pacers, Denver doesn't get a deal done with the Pacers and makes a minor deal with the Sonics for Murray and a big body.
C) The Warriors lose their minds and take Austin "Cromag" Croshere in a deal that lands them Artest. Denver doesn't get a deal done with the Pacers and makes a minor deal with the Sonics for Murray and a big body.
D) A or B, are waiting for Reggie Evans to have 90 days pass since he signed his contract with the Sonics to involve him in a deal.
I think that at this point there is a 63% chance Earl Watson gets to Seattle before the Sonics return from the current 9 day, 5 game road trip. The rising stock of Damien Wilkins at the point guard spot may temper the Sonics burning
desire for Watson, not enough to stop a deal, but maybe enough to keep from over paying for him. I think a deal still happens.
Ridnour, Allen, Watson, a solid back court, and Wilkins backs up 3 spots.
--
supersonicsfan
Search News and Information
Custom Search
January 02, 2006
January 01, 2006
NBA All Access, with Frank Hughes. (Damien Wilkins, Explained)
Yesterday, at about 3:45pm, while driving to the store to get a loaf of bread, I turned on KJR-am radio here in Seattle to hear Frank Hughes hosting his infrequent (not even on the schedule), NBA All Access show. For somebody like me that has a Basketball Jones the show was interesting, and entertaining. Good show Frank, It took me an hour to get a loaf of bread.
Frank is pretty easy going on the radio, has his own opinions, and doesn't sound like he's struggling to fill airtime. His reporting skills allow him to present a topic with all of the meaningful components required to not just impart information, but to actually tell a story. He's not a radio guy, and doesn't have the newscaster broadcast voice. He asks his engineer if he's getting close to commercial break when there is a natural break in what he's saying. But you know what, that doesn't matter, he knows what he's saying, it works. I likely wouldn't be giving Frank the props if I thought more highly of his journalism, though I enjoy his reporting quite a bit (journalism and reporting are two different things, and I meant exactly as it reads).
One story Frank told was about Gerald Wilkins thanking Ray Allen a couple months ago for taking Damien under his wing to show him the NBA ropes, and Allen thanking Gerald for raising a son that is a good person, and that is willing to listen to advice.
Frank characterized Damien as Ray's disciple. This is all good to hear when considering that the Sonics matched a 5 year offer tendered by the Timberwolves last summer.
Damien told to Frank after the Nuggets game that he was so intent on passing the ball to Ray Allen, and Rashard Lewis, that he didn't even see the defenders when throwing his first few passes and ended up passing the ball right to the other team. he settled down after that and just ran the plays.
Frank noted that Bob weiss likes length and defense, and that Damien may see more time in the point guard spot.
Good story Frank, good information, you had to be there to have that kind of thing to bring to the radio.
I'll speculate here, without much effort: I'll guess that the start three games ago by Ronald Murray was less productive than anybody had hoped for. I'll guess that Wilkins finishing that game did lead into his starting against Denver. I'll also guess that Ray Allen had something to do wth that as well.
Much like last year when Rashard was hurt, this year when Luke was hurt the Sonics found that Wilkins could step in and play and be productive. Damien's dribbling could be better, and he would likely need help getting out of back court against better point guards, but the rest of the things he was able to do made the team better. But, let's be real, his turn overs are greater than his assists. He will be able to fill the backup role to Luke Ridnour. Luke is 6th in the league in assist to turnover ratio (hey, where's Antoio Daniels on that list, had he qualified he would be 15th).
Let's recap, Flip Murray went from backup to Luke Ridnour, to backup to the backup behind Brunson, to backup to the backup's backup behind Wilkins three days ago. Flip isn't going to "get it" and suddenly become the player the team needs for THAT role. Flip is a fine player, he's just not a good fit for this team.
By the way, Flip isn't the only one playing for his next contract, with the score of last nights game 66 to 68 Reggie Evans decided that was the time for him to drive to the rim, too bad it resulted in a turnover. He's turning into Ruben Patterson (that's not a goood thing). There are much better offensive players on the team, and on the floor at that time with him, and he chose to force a ham handed drive into three defenders. Dear Bob Weiss, make it stop. It's fine to give him a few post-ups 5 feet from the hoop, but he shouldn't be even looking at the hoop when he's beyond the freethrow line (where he struggles in an empty gym).
See the game flow here Reggie was a -5 on the day. His +/- is -2.9.
Reggie can be traded after January 4th, I would be ok with that. I think that the closer we get to the end of this contract we will see Reggie working harder and harder for Reggie.
Frank is pretty easy going on the radio, has his own opinions, and doesn't sound like he's struggling to fill airtime. His reporting skills allow him to present a topic with all of the meaningful components required to not just impart information, but to actually tell a story. He's not a radio guy, and doesn't have the newscaster broadcast voice. He asks his engineer if he's getting close to commercial break when there is a natural break in what he's saying. But you know what, that doesn't matter, he knows what he's saying, it works. I likely wouldn't be giving Frank the props if I thought more highly of his journalism, though I enjoy his reporting quite a bit (journalism and reporting are two different things, and I meant exactly as it reads).
One story Frank told was about Gerald Wilkins thanking Ray Allen a couple months ago for taking Damien under his wing to show him the NBA ropes, and Allen thanking Gerald for raising a son that is a good person, and that is willing to listen to advice.
Frank characterized Damien as Ray's disciple. This is all good to hear when considering that the Sonics matched a 5 year offer tendered by the Timberwolves last summer.
Damien told to Frank after the Nuggets game that he was so intent on passing the ball to Ray Allen, and Rashard Lewis, that he didn't even see the defenders when throwing his first few passes and ended up passing the ball right to the other team. he settled down after that and just ran the plays.
Frank noted that Bob weiss likes length and defense, and that Damien may see more time in the point guard spot.
Good story Frank, good information, you had to be there to have that kind of thing to bring to the radio.
I'll speculate here, without much effort: I'll guess that the start three games ago by Ronald Murray was less productive than anybody had hoped for. I'll guess that Wilkins finishing that game did lead into his starting against Denver. I'll also guess that Ray Allen had something to do wth that as well.
Much like last year when Rashard was hurt, this year when Luke was hurt the Sonics found that Wilkins could step in and play and be productive. Damien's dribbling could be better, and he would likely need help getting out of back court against better point guards, but the rest of the things he was able to do made the team better. But, let's be real, his turn overs are greater than his assists. He will be able to fill the backup role to Luke Ridnour. Luke is 6th in the league in assist to turnover ratio (hey, where's Antoio Daniels on that list, had he qualified he would be 15th).
Let's recap, Flip Murray went from backup to Luke Ridnour, to backup to the backup behind Brunson, to backup to the backup's backup behind Wilkins three days ago. Flip isn't going to "get it" and suddenly become the player the team needs for THAT role. Flip is a fine player, he's just not a good fit for this team.
By the way, Flip isn't the only one playing for his next contract, with the score of last nights game 66 to 68 Reggie Evans decided that was the time for him to drive to the rim, too bad it resulted in a turnover. He's turning into Ruben Patterson (that's not a goood thing). There are much better offensive players on the team, and on the floor at that time with him, and he chose to force a ham handed drive into three defenders. Dear Bob Weiss, make it stop. It's fine to give him a few post-ups 5 feet from the hoop, but he shouldn't be even looking at the hoop when he's beyond the freethrow line (where he struggles in an empty gym).
See the game flow here Reggie was a -5 on the day. His +/- is -2.9.
Reggie can be traded after January 4th, I would be ok with that. I think that the closer we get to the end of this contract we will see Reggie working harder and harder for Reggie.
December 31, 2005
Flipping Out
What the player sees as getting them the best possible contract (or PT) is what the player will tend to do.
Sonics had the luxury of needing a backup PG last year (with Daniels) that saw as part of his path to a good contract the skills that were needed by the team, some passing, hitting some wide open shots when his player left him to double one of the all-stars, some driving to the rim to draw fouls, and talking the team talk even when he's a black hole once he puts a dribble down. All good in a backup, 3rd or 4th option player.
The Sonics also had a need for 15 minutes of shot blocking, 3 or 4 post-ups, JJ was able to do that for 8 games that counted.
It's what the team needed, it's what those players could provide because it was part of who they were.
Flip hasn't shown signs of being a point guard while not in a contract year, or in a contract year last year. I'm not quite sure why I was thinking that he would suddenly "get it", and run some plays that didn't result in letting go of the ball. Sonics gave him a clear path to show who he was, I think they knew, and that's what the Brunson signing was supposed to resolve.
It is unnatural for Murray to pass the ball.
We like Reggie Evans because he sees rebounding as his ticket, it's what the team needs. His post-ups might give him the idea that he should not let go of the ball.
His contract is tradable on 1/4/06, I don't know if he's coming back, by the end of the year the Sonics might want him gone if he thinks he's the second coming of Ruben Patterson in his contract year (minus the nanny rape).
Reggie's Assisted Field Goals, on court 54%, off court 57%, net -3%
Assisted FG% Allowed, on court 61%, off court 60%, net +1%
He's a negative 2 now, that number will grow (in a negative way) the more he sees post-ups as a ticket to a bigger contract.
I'll hope that the Sonics are waiting for Thursday and including Reggie in a trade to bring somebody bac that they actually want on the roster next year.
Bob Weiss can tell players what ever he wants, so could Nate, so can any coach, but that need has to be in the nature of that player.
~
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.
Sonics had the luxury of needing a backup PG last year (with Daniels) that saw as part of his path to a good contract the skills that were needed by the team, some passing, hitting some wide open shots when his player left him to double one of the all-stars, some driving to the rim to draw fouls, and talking the team talk even when he's a black hole once he puts a dribble down. All good in a backup, 3rd or 4th option player.
The Sonics also had a need for 15 minutes of shot blocking, 3 or 4 post-ups, JJ was able to do that for 8 games that counted.
It's what the team needed, it's what those players could provide because it was part of who they were.
Flip hasn't shown signs of being a point guard while not in a contract year, or in a contract year last year. I'm not quite sure why I was thinking that he would suddenly "get it", and run some plays that didn't result in letting go of the ball. Sonics gave him a clear path to show who he was, I think they knew, and that's what the Brunson signing was supposed to resolve.
It is unnatural for Murray to pass the ball.
We like Reggie Evans because he sees rebounding as his ticket, it's what the team needs. His post-ups might give him the idea that he should not let go of the ball.
His contract is tradable on 1/4/06, I don't know if he's coming back, by the end of the year the Sonics might want him gone if he thinks he's the second coming of Ruben Patterson in his contract year (minus the nanny rape).
Reggie's Assisted Field Goals, on court 54%, off court 57%, net -3%
Assisted FG% Allowed, on court 61%, off court 60%, net +1%
He's a negative 2 now, that number will grow (in a negative way) the more he sees post-ups as a ticket to a bigger contract.
I'll hope that the Sonics are waiting for Thursday and including Reggie in a trade to bring somebody bac that they actually want on the roster next year.
Bob Weiss can tell players what ever he wants, so could Nate, so can any coach, but that need has to be in the nature of that player.
~
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.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)