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April 26, 2005
It's the Fullers Talking
March 28, 2005
What do we have left?
Why the 3 week prognostication? Spring quarter starts today and it is unlikely that I'll have better answers next week for what is likely to happen than I do right now. This is who the Sonics are, 8-5 team down the stretch. (That's 51 wins without the hot start, 56 with). Still, even that would have been a solid record compared to last year. But, I see 56 total.
I'll chip in here my thoughts, both of them, as the playoffs come closer into view. For now, the rest of the season.
13 games. Sonics are 48-21 today.
8 road games, 5 home games
Tue 29 @ Memphis 5:00pm FSN-SEA NBATV
Sonics will drop one of these next two and I think it is this one.
Griz are deep and athletic enough to outlast the Sonics. This is the game the Sonics can point to as missing Radmanovic's shooting.
Griz 103 to 97
Wed 30 @ San Antonio 5:30pm FSN-SEA NBALP
I think the win one for Timmy wears off by this game and the Sonics hit the offensive boards to beat the better machine with put backs and free throws. This could be the second seed deciding game or the second round match up.
Sonics 94-92
Apr Opponent Time* Local TV National TV
Fri 1 Portland 7:30pm FSN-SEA NBALP
Portland has made the mistake of playing to lose and can't win a game when they "feel" like it. The Blazers need to ward off the stink of losing but by the time this game rolls around the free agents on Portland will be auditioning more than they already are (if that's possible).
Shoot another one Damon! There is a difference between your team being happy that you are making shots and your team wanting you to shoot the ball even if you are hot. There isn't much mystery why the Sonics with 8 free agents and the Blazers with 7 are experiencing different results. It really is about team.
Sonics 98-95 (score will be closer than the actual game).
Sun 3 @ Golden State 3:00pm FSN-SEA NBATVHighDef
Sonics need to not chase Baron Davis, contest his rhythm but not his shot. This game bothers me.
I'll say pick'em and hope.
Maybe Sonics by 1, 97-96
Tue 5 @ Sacramento 7:00pm FSN-SEA NBALP
This could be the 1st round match up and the Sonics will put it on them this game. Lot's of bumping, lot's of contact. Get enough big people standing around and next thing you know Luke Ridnour is running like a little rabbit (this is a good thing). Kings have enough talent still to win this at home. Kings get this one unless Nate McMillan removes the thorn for Fortson's paw, then everything goes out the window and the Sonics start crushing teams again.
Kings 95-92
Fri 8 L.A. Lakers 7:30pm FSN-SEA NBALP
Sonics win this game? No.
Lakers lose it, tentative vacation plans are solidified for some of the Laker players. I'll guess this looks like a summer league game by half way through the third quarter. Send in the Clowns.
Sonics some number, Lakers some number less the number of 3 pointers missed or free throws missed (which ever is bigger).
Let's say Sonics 98 to 89
Sat 9 @ Denver 6:00pm FSN-SEA NBALP
What ye see Starbuck? A whale? No that's the ego of George Karl.
Nate out coaches George, not because Nate is a better coach, but because Nate isn't on a constant power trip. There's no good reason that the Sonics should win this other than George.
Sonics 99-97
Mon 11 Houston 7:00pm FSN-SEA NBALP
Zoinks! This would be an interesting game if McGrady was completely healthy.
I'll guess that the Sonics try to kick this one away by throwing the ball around the gym. That's just what it looks like lately when they face Houston.
Sonics are still deeper, though I see Sura is getting difficult for many teams to handle. He's no star but he's performing well and is just the kind of guy Van Gundy likes around his stars, a do it all utility man that plays the role that the game demands. But, by now it is clear, Nick Collison is a winner on many levels and many ways for the Sonics. I just see Nick performing well against this line up. Rockets make a mistake and feed the bear, Fortson turns into the Tasmanian Devil. Next thing everybody know, the game is over and the Sonics have won.
Sonics 97-94
Wed 13 Dallas 7:30pm FSN-SEA ESPN
Jason Terry again. Sonics win one and drop one against Dallas. I'm just not sure which one.
Dallas 103-99.
Fri 15 New Orleans 7:30pm FSN-SEA NBALP
This is a get healthy game for the Sonics, sort of a pre-post season game. Starters and rotation guys play hard, run plays, crush the Hornets for 40 minutes and then sit the starters as soon as possible. No point in getting hurt over the Hornets. A Robert Swift sighting?
Sonics 98-91
Sun 17 @ Minnesota 12:30pm -- -- What, no TV?
Twolves choose this game to not be jerks (to each other), why now?
Twolves 95-92
Tue 19 @ Dallas 5:30pm FSN-SEA NBALP
Sonics start to power up for the playoffs by winning this one even though it will not make much difference in the standings
Sonics strong on the road, 99-97
Wed 20 @ Houston
Pan appreciation night. Luke Ridnour runs around Yao Ming yelling "I can fly, I can fly!" Sonics bench plays the role of the lost boys and keep getting lost in Neverland (never take a shot when the play doesn't call for it).
Kevin Calabro eats popcorn and reminisces with Billy McKinney, Craig Ehlo keeps asking Kevin "Why do you keep calling me Billy?"
Houston is given the game in a ceremony commemorating Rashard Lewis' 20th game with tendonitis, Lewis doesn't play like he's hurt.
Rockets 98-93
What's that? 8 and 5 the last 13 games.
56-26
That's a solid season by any measure.
March 25, 2005
Swingman Cometh
I've been hoping for a month that Wilkins would get in for regular minutes and Radmanovic gets healthy. But I didn't want it to go down like this for Radman. I knew he could shoot but I've been pleased to see that he's a little more like his dad.
On 3/21/05 his +/- was -20.
The sporadic playing time prior to the Laker game made his +/- number meaningless since the sample used was statistically insignificant.
He had 16 points total before last nights game.
He has 76 total minute played. Last night he played 28 of those 76 minutes. The game before against the Bucks he played 10 minutes, the game before that he played 15 against the Lakers. Against the Bucks and Lakers he was productive on the defensive end of the floor. Last night he was just as good on the offensive end.
Last night against Portland he played 28 minutes, 7-10 FG, 2-3 3pt FG, 5-6 FT, 2 reb, 1 ast, 2 stl, 1 blk, 0 TO, 3 PF, 21 points.
The Blazers Miles was quieter after Wilkins entered the game as well. Miles was 4-4 before Wilkins came in and was 4-7 the rest of the game. That wasn't all Wilkins but it was more than a coincidence.
What do I think this means?
It means what I hoped it would mean, that is, that the Sonics have a swingman coming off the bench. He is replacing Rashard Lewis for 2 minutes. He's replacing Radmanovic for 1 minute. He's replacing Ray Allen for 1 minute. He's replacing Antonio Daniels for 1 minute. He's replacing Flip Murray for 1 minute.
All those little minutes are being spent covering up for not having a 6-6, 220 lb swingman on the bench. Well, there he is. He's young, he'll make mistakes, but he will give the Sonics more production in those 6 minutes (averaged) than what those other guys are doing trying to cover up that little hole in the line up.
I'm a little less nervous about Daniels and Radmanovic possibly leaving this summer with each passing game Wilkins plays. I won't entertain the thought of Allen leaving and leaving money on the table. I will think that the resigning of Allen will be less risk to the roster while Wilkins is here. As Allen would age Wilkins could take in a little bit more, as is the case in the way the Sonics develop players.
Wilkins has not shown that he's a starter or a wholesale replacement for the players we have, not yet. But, I remember what I saw a few months ago and saw what I've seen over the past 3 games. He can play.
With each passing game Radmanovic is losing leverage.
Maybe I've lost my mind. Look at the game flow from last night and see if you see something else.