Is anyone else sick to death of nothing happening? Just the amount of signings and rumoured trades that are floating around, and none of it involving the Supes. Obviously management are doing the logical thing. They are waiting, looking in their own backyard first, and will probably wait until the dust settles this month before looking at what's left over, both with FAs and undrafted rookies. They first and foremost want to bring back Vlad, Reggie and to a lesser extent, Wilkins and maybe Pot, and then see what holes need to be filled. I read in the times that Vlad gets back from vacation in Serbia today, and will meet with management tomorrow to work out what direction both parties will go in. Part of me is holding out hope that they'll pull a rabbit out of the hat and land an Eddy Curry or a Jamaal Magloire, but realistically I think Vlad and management will come to agreement on either a long-term deal or a one-year tender. So what do people think this season's roster will look like? Right now I think it will be pretty much the same, except someone like Dale Davis will take over in the middle, Flip will take over AD's role as the third guard, and Wilkins will be gone, maybe replaced by a guy like Alex Scales, and/or even a cheap FA like Matt Barnes. Luke and Nick will take on bigger roles too - Luke probably up to 35mpg while Nick may start and log 25-30. C = Davis, Swift, Petro (Collison, Fortson) PF = Collison, Evans, Fortson (Radmanovic) SF = Lewis, Radmanovic, Barnes SG = Allen, Murray, Scales PG = Ridnour, Murray, Cleaves With the natural improvement from Luke and Nick, can that roster contend for a playoff spot?
Im hopeful we can bring about the same kind of season as last year. The only big hit that we have really taken in my mind is losing Antonio Daniels. And if we have Flip as the backup guard then I think we are in some trouble, but I wouldnt be surprised if we dont see the same kind of rotation as last year. Maybe an actual backup pg getting Ridnours backup minutes. Im excited to see more Collision but a little nervous as to whether he can stay on the court for extended periods of time. On the subject of Vlade I really really really dont want to see him back on a 1 year contract. Vlade will obviously be gone next season if we do that. If hes so unhappy im all for trading him at this point assuming we get decent value in return. Although I think his contributions are infact nearly irreplaceable im not sure that they cant be subbed in with another players DIFFERENT contributions. BTW Sir Desmond do you really think its worth it to start a guy like Dale Davis? I dont think hes as serviceable as Fortson at this point in his career which with your rotation it would be pushing fortson out of the rotation. I know that your lineup was purely hypothetical, but as you suggested this is a boring time for Sonics fans so I gotta evaluate something
I just worry that without James, we lack a shotblocking presense. I don't like starting Fortson or Nick in the middle, or even Pot, because it leaves us without someone who can protect the basket. Davis can do this, as can Mutombo (also a FA). Realistically we need a stopgap in there for a season or two while we ease Swift into the rotation. I suppose the other thing is Davis would expect 25mpg, he probably wouldn't come if we merely offered him just James' 15 a game (although Mutombo might - will probably rather back up Yao and have a shot at a ring though). Fortson's minutes will drop anyway as Collison develops, but his place in the rotation may depend a lot on Reggie coming back or not. My issue is with a backcourt of Ridnour and Ray, not having a shotblocking presence inside could kill us. James only played 15 minutes, but he was at least a guy who could set the tempo early by making it tough for opposition drives to get to the basket. Nick will continue to have foul trouble if he is asked to be our main threat in terms of a shotblocker. (Geez this forum has been dull lately, but there just isn't anything to talk about!)
I just wonder if Swift could handle maybe the james type role from last year. Its a little bit of added pressure being a starter but realistically he wouldnt be on the court ever in crunch time and basically just opening up the 1st and 3rd. I doubt Weiss will give him the starting nodd for the reasons that you suggest but I just wonder if maybe its the best move Yes Very Very dull.
If we can land a deal for Magliore we have a title contender. Presumably we would lose Radmanovic in a sign and trade for him and one of our young 7 footers. I honestly think we are that one piece away from being a great team or the flip side being a first round exiter. We have to get a center or settle for mediocrity.
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting Odde24:</div><div class="quote_post">If we can land a deal for Magliore we have a title contender.</div> X 1000
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting Odde24:</div><div class="quote_post">If we can land a deal for Magliore we have a title contender.</div> Yes, Magloire is the final piece of the puzzle in Seattle to make them a title contender.
No matter how we go about addressing our free agent issues, we are still going to be much lighter up front with Big Game James departure. His contributions didn't always show up in the box score. He was probably our best one on one post defender just because he was so difficult to shoot over (and get position on). One of the reasons he was such an atrocious rebounder in the regular season is because he did a good job putting himself in a position to contest shots. With the exception of Magloire, I don't see us having a chance of acquiring someone who could be an effective force on both ends of the court in the post. Big Game James was a threat on the offensive end and was a deterrent for the opposition on the defensive end. I hope that we can get some back court insurance that is better than picking up an Alex Scales or even a Mateen Cleaves type of a player. Cleaves is a great locker room guy but I wouldn't want to count on him for consistent minutes throughout an NBA season. He has too many defiencies in his game. I don't think that there is a guarantee for any of our restricted free agents to return. After seeing Joe Johnson force his way out of Phoenix, I'm thinking we may also go the route of a sign and trade with Vlad. I'm sure that New Orleans would jump at the opportunity to grab Vlad and Swift with a draft pick, or even pick up Flip in a sign and trade. At this point I think that Rick Sund is listening closely to all offers. After the unexpected season that we had last year I think that it is going to be very difficult to duplicate the success that we had, particularly b/c of BGJ departure. That being said I think we did the right decision by offering him a 3 year deal as opposed to a 5 year deal simply b/c he has shown us before what type of a work ethic he has when he isn't competing for a contract extension. We are just going to have to live with the ups and downs of Bobby Swift in the post and hope that he can develop himself into a consistent defensive presence. ...and we also have to hope that Ray Allen doesn't think that his endorsement of Weiss gives him the right to think that he is a coach without the title.
ohh Shiek..you think I like to go after you a lot but how can I not when you think that the loss of Jerome James is what is going to take our success away from last season. What a joke. Ill go on record as to say that Big Swifty will replace Jerome James regular season contributions without any trouble. assuming hes the one that gets the nod for that sort of a role. It just honestly amazes me that you think were in trouble because we lost JJ and dont evne mention Antonio daniels. THATS the loss.
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting Coolguy777:</div><div class="quote_post">ohh Shiek..you think I like to go after you a lot but how can I not when you think that the loss of Jerome James is what is going to take our success away from last season. What a joke. Ill go on record as to say that Big Swifty will replace Jerome James regular season contributions without any trouble. assuming hes the one that gets the nod for that sort of a role. It just honestly amazes me that you think were in trouble because we lost JJ and dont evne mention Antonio daniels. THATS the loss.</div> I'm sure that you felt that your favorite Sonic Brent Barry wasn't replaceable either. The bottom line is this, Jerome James gave Fortson, Collison, an opportunity to play their natural position and/or limited minutes at the five. Neither Fortson or Collison is a five and it was easy to see by the number of fouls they committed a game that they weren't accustomed to playing large minutes at the five. Next year's team does not have that insurance (as it stands right now). How can you make the assumptions that Bobby Swift is capable of playing extensive minutes as a 20 year older? He struggled to stay on the floor in the summer league. Now I think that he will eventually earn his stripes but to say that we can count on him to be as productive as BGJ was even in the regular season is a stretch--and by productive I'm not talking about his averages across the board. His impact was more important than that. Johan Petro is a good ways away from contributing. Potapenko was never much of a defensive interior presence and I'm pessimistic of his return next season. We are light up front when we had a ton of bodies to throw at teams last season. That is why we played so well against the bigger teams in the league (SA, Miami, Sacramento, etc.). Antonio Daniels was a huge part in our success last season but his free throw miss cost us a chance at Game 7 against the Spurs. He is aging and was playing for his first real pay day in the league. Now that he has his money will he be the AD of last season or the AD of the underachieving 7 years before last season. Don't think for a second that our free agents to be last season weren't using last year as an audition for future employers. Coolguy, it amazes me how you judge the success of a player solely on his box scores--or commentary from unknowledgeable sources. It makes me call into question whether or not you are simply a fan of internet browsing as opposed to bleeding green and gold.
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting Coolguy777:</div><div class="quote_post">ohh Shiek..you think I like to go after you a lot but how can I not when you think that the loss of Jerome James is what is going to take our success away from last season. What a joke. Ill go on record as to say that Big Swifty will replace Jerome James regular season contributions without any trouble. assuming hes the one that gets the nod for that sort of a role. It just honestly amazes me that you think were in trouble because we lost JJ and dont evne mention Antonio daniels. THATS the loss.</div> Wow, as much as I have disagreed with Iron Shiek in the past (mostly involving RonMurray), I have to take his side on this one. I loved having Daniels, I wanted to give him a contract, but the Impact we will feel without JJ clogging up the middle seems more severe to me. You all can LYFAO at me saying that magliore is the final piece that could make us a title contender, but why is it funny that if we lost to the eventual champion, then upgraded at center we just might get over that hump? JJ was a huge loss, mainly because he is a huge man. So if we replace him with a guy that is better, why don't we have a shot? Imagine for a second that Rid, Collison, Evans, and even Lewis all show some improvement. Then, Imagine that we have a better starting center and a veteran like ...oh ...say ...Gary Payton off the bench. Didn't we contend for a title last season? if we made it through a Playoff series, then couldn't you say we contended at least? If we took games from the eventual Champion then can't we assume we may have faired better against them with a full roster? Why can't Magliore be the missing piece? Really. I want to hear this.
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting Odde24:</div><div class="quote_post">Wow, as much as I have disagreed with Iron Shiek in the past (mostly involving RonMurray), I have to take his side on this one. I loved having Daniels, I wanted to give him a contract, but the Impact we will feel without JJ clogging up the middle seems more severe to me. You all can LYFAO at me saying that magliore is the final piece that could make us a title contender, but why is it funny that if we lost to the eventual champion, then upgraded at center we just might get over that hump? JJ was a huge loss, mainly because he is a huge man. So if we replace him with a guy that is better, why don't we have a shot? Imagine for a second that Rid, Collison, Evans, and even Lewis all show some improvement. Then, Imagine that we have a better starting center and a veteran like ...oh ...say ...Gary Payton off the bench. Didn't we contend for a title last season? if we made it through a Playoff series, then couldn't you say we contended at least? If we took games from the eventual Champion then can't we assume we may have faired better against them with a full roster? Why can't Magliore be the missing piece? Really. I want to hear this.</div> Jerome James didnt change the outocme of any game for us this season. We dont have him we are still just as good. Playoffs ill give him props for..but he wasnt gonna be that player night in and night out.
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting Coolguy777:</div><div class="quote_post">Jerome James didnt change the outocme of any game for us this season. We dont have him we are still just as good. Playoffs ill give him props for..but he wasnt gonna be that player night in and night out.</div> He changed the outcome by setting the tone, just like Reg. And you are right! he probably won't be that player. But what does that have to do with anything? Whether or not he is here, we will miss his big *ss clogging up the middle and changing shots like he did last season. Magliore would be an upgrade and would make this a better team I believe. For some reason that is freakin hilarious.
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting Iron Shiek:</div><div class="quote_post">I'm sure that you felt that your favorite Sonic Brent Barry wasn't replaceable either.</div> Hated losing him but I understand it. Never thought Brent Barry was going to win us or lose us a championship. <div class="quote_poster">Quote:</div><div class="quote_post">The bottom line is this, Jerome James gave Fortson, Collison, an opportunity to play their natural position and/or limited minutes at the five. Neither Fortson or Collison is a five and it was easy to see by the number of fouls they committed a game that they weren't accustomed to playing large minutes at the five.</div> Do you think playing the 4 is going to lower Fortsons fouls? Also by looking at how much Jerome fouls its obvious he doesnt have much time at the center position either.... <div class="quote_poster">Quote:</div><div class="quote_post">Next year's team does not have that insurance (as it stands right now). How can you make the assumptions that Bobby Swift is capable of playing extensive minutes as a 20 year older? He struggled to stay on the floor in the summer league. Now I think that he will eventually earn his stripes but to say that we can count on him to be as productive as BGJ was even in the regular season is a stretch--and by productive I'm not talking about his averages across the board. His impact was more important than that. </div> Not extensive minutes. Were talking 15 or so minutes a game. See I disagree with you i dont think Jeromes contributions were much more then his stats showed. He seemed content in his role..that was the biggest plus I saw in him last year. I think we can get that out of swift. <div class="quote_poster">Quote:</div><div class="quote_post">Johan Petro is a good ways away from contributing. Potapenko was never much of a defensive interior presence and I'm pessimistic of his return next season. We are light up front when we had a ton of bodies to throw at teams last season. That is why we played so well against the bigger teams in the league (SA, Miami, Sacramento, etc.). Antonio Daniels was a huge part in our success last season but his free throw miss cost us a chance at Game 7 against the Spurs. He is aging and was playing for his first real pay day in the league. Now that he has his money will he be the AD of last season or the AD of the underachieving 7 years before last season. Don't think for a second that our free agents to be last season weren't using last year as an audition for future employers.</div> He missed a big free throw, but without him we wouldnt have been in that situation anyways. he hit so many big free throws and so many big shots and made so many big plays throughout the playoffs I think its a little rough downplaying all that for one mistake. As for your question about what will daniels be good point I dont now and he wasnt worth 5/30 mil. I agreed with not giving him that contract just think its still a major hit and without a doubt the biggest hit of the summer. <div class="quote_poster">Quote:</div><div class="quote_post">Coolguy, it amazes me how you judge the success of a player solely on his box scores--or commentary from unknowledgeable sources. It makes me call into question whether or not you are simply a fan of internet browsing as opposed to bleeding green and gold.</div> I dont know how to respond to this because I dont know what the hell you are talking about. I dont make my judgements based solely on boxscores. i watched nearly every Sonic game last season and i make my judgement based on that. My judgement based on that is that Jerome James was a very small factor to the Sonics success last season. Why are you suggesting im getting this from unknowledged sources or from box scores? I mean seriously you come at me and make a suggestion like that i want to hear your reasoning because i have a strong inclination that its based solely on ignorance.
