<div class="quote_poster">Quoting Sir Desmond:</div><div class="quote_post">And I thought Greg Oden having to go to college wouldn't affect us. Anyone a fan of Rudy Gay?</div> Step aside, he's ours
Atleast Weiss said hes going to make some changes. Potapenko is just absolutely not getting it done. I mentioned after Petros bad performance benching him but in hindsight it was clearly a bad idea. I mean we didnt bench James for every bad game he had. Did anybody else get a little sad seeing Daniels make a driving 3 point play where he got Luke to foul him and then see Flip run down the court and bobble the ball out of bounds which has become a in game ritual for him when he steps on the court. But hey atleast Luke was better yesterday,...I mean if Allen was shootin better with Luke on we might have been able to only lose by 30...25 maybe? Nah thats prob a little optomistic.
If you have a Sixers, T-Wolves and Laker fan posting in here you know it was either a very good or bad night for the Sonics. Seriously though, the Sonics need to step it up. Luke my personal standout player this year which I project to average 12 and 8 is off to a slow start. The turnovers are killing the Sonics and not to mention they are getting outrebounded by an average of six I believe. From my knowledge Weiss wanted this team to run this year and get into the open lane, and that cannot happen if they are not defending and rebounding the ball well. Giving up 137 Points is freaking sad, but seriouisly it was more of a case of the Wiz's being extremely hot but that doesn't hide the fact that the Sonics was bad, very bad on the defensive end. Btw, Vlad for MVP!!!!
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting odde23:</div><div class="quote_post"> Maybe to all ('cept Shiek) our surprise, we do need Jerome James. What James did well last season was step out and set picks. He is a big boy, hard to get around. Sure he didn't do much but foul people in the paint, but what we miss about him is that he set the tone. "Come in the paint and you are going to the foul line with a knot on your head, because I can't gaurd you but I can hit you." Vlade just needs to shut the hell up. If you get five minutes, play five minutes. Every second of every possession is precious. So lose the I need to get into a rythm crap. By the time you get into a rythm we are down 20 because you are doing the cha-cha while your man is showing you a close-up of thier crotch. I feel better.</div>Funniest post ever!
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting Avery:</div><div class="quote_post">If you have a Sixers, T-Wolves and Laker fan posting in here you know it was either a very good or bad night for the Sonics. </div>I'm a trendsetter, what can I say? LOL, I can't believe the funk Seattle is in. I know the season is young still, but damn, Washington ran off 137 pts in regulation and Seattle didn't even break a hundred. That's wrong on so many levels.
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting Avery:</div><div class="quote_post">If you have a Sixers, T-Wolves and Laker fan posting in here you know it was either a very good or bad night for the Sonics.</div> Why Sixers? I thought we were friends <div class="quote_poster">Quoting Avery:</div><div class="quote_post">Seriously though, the Sonics need to step it up. Luke my personal standout player this year which I project to average 12 and 8 is off to a slow start. The turnovers are killing the Sonics and not to mention they are getting outrebounded by an average of six I believe. From my knowledge Weiss wanted this team to run this year and get into the open lane, and that cannot happen if they are not defending and rebounding the ball well. Giving up 137 Points is freaking sad, but seriouisly it was more of a case of the Wiz's being extremely hot but that doesn't hide the fact that the Sonics was bad, very bad on the defensive end.</div> Yeah in hindsight, turning us into a running team seems pretty ridiculous. Sure Luke can push the ball assuming we actually defend and rebound, but it's not like we're chock full of finishers - no Marions, Amares, guys like that. We're jump shooters, not finishers, plain and simple. <div class="quote_poster">Quoting Avery:</div><div class="quote_post">Btw, Vlad for MVP!!!!</div> The whole league knows Vlad is an idiot.
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting Roland Hood:</div><div class="quote_post">Yeah in hindsight, turning us into a running team seems pretty ridiculous. Sure Luke can push the ball assuming we actually defend and rebound, but it's not like we're chock full of finishers - no Marions, Amares, guys like that. We're jump shooters, not finishers, plain and simple. </div> And that is why this team needs to make a trade. We are going nowhere with the outside/outside game we are trying to play. It is a shame that Vlade so stupidly overvalues himself, because we may have been able to work out a sign and trade.
To be honest, a game like this maybe good for us down the road. I guarantee that you will see an inspired effort by the Sonics on Sunday. We have prideful guys on our roster and a prideful man running the ship in Rick Sund. I heard that even he gave the team a tongue lashing after this one and I guarantee that it got the attention of the players. Here is the bottom line: people on this roster have to understand that they need to play a complete game for us to be successful. Ray and Sweet Lew have to become better defenders and rebounders Luke has to make plays as opposed to expecting others to make plays for him Nick Collison has to find a way to get points outside of junk baskets around the hoop Danny and Reggie have to set the tone on the backboards and with screens Petro needs to make his fouls count Vitaly needs to provide us something on the inside Damien has to find ways of putting the ball in the hole without being a black hole Vlad needs to have a permanent seat on the sidelines if he doesn't realize that you play for your contract and not lobby for it. Flip needs to find whatever bit of pride he has in himself and take it upon himself to be a constant contributor for this team--his inconsistency is killing our bench. Everyone on this roster can bring more to the table. Should we be talking about firing Bob after 5 games? No. There is a ton of time to turn this ship around but at the same time he needs to stop catering to the demands of the players (ie Ray and Vlad) and put his own stamp on this team. The players may not respect him at first if he changes his demeanor but I've yet to see someone check himself in the game without the coaches permission. I know that Brendan Malone ruled with an iron fist at times--maybe he needs to become more of an active voice in that locker room. Granted, I'm frustrated as hell at this team but I'm not ready to thrown the towel in yet this season. Dudes like Fortson, Reggie, Clinton and Flip have a ton of pride about themselves and I think when push comes to shove their leadership will end up being more dominant than negativity brought on from Vlad selfishness or from the condescending remarks made by Ray Allen.
Ya the problems are without a doubt all over the place but i really wouldnt put much of it on Allen and Lewis. I feel like they are almost the only 2 that have looked like they have had any intensity on offense or defense. With changes coming where do you guys think they are most likely to come from. Im personally expect Potapenko to go to the Inactive List and maybe Moore as well. Moore really hasnt gotten a square chance but it sounds like Weiss wants to activate Petro and Swift. I would like to see us really mix it up. Maybe a starting lineup of Petro and Collison? We need to get Collison going and let him know hes a key part of are team and he needs to step it up. This is by no means an insult or demotion on Evans who I think has probably been are best player outside of Allen and Lewis this year. Atleast hes came to play atleast I think. As for off the bench at guards I think we have got to to design a better system with Flip on the court. I feel like we are bringing him on the court and expecting Luke Ridnour or expecting Ray Allen and not working things to what is going to be benefitial with him on the court. Perhaps some more isolations or even some pick and roles. Flip has shown he can pass the ball well in certain situations. Infact he had 2 very nice passes in a row last night.
Granted I've only seen the Minny game and the first half of opening night, but since we're pointing fingers - Fortson needs to either control his emotions or sit. Even as a Sonics fan, some of those boneheaded fouls are at best ridiculous and at worst downright dirty. - Rashard needs to get in the post more and shoot that baby hook or draw a double team so we can start swinging the ball to the guys that can't get their own (read: pretty much everyone on the roster). But floating around the perimeter does nothing for this team. - Give Vlad a permanent spot on the bench. At this point I'm not sure what it would take to give him 30 mpg again. - Ridnour has to start playing like he belongs in the league. He acts like a scared rookie out there and frankly against Cassell and Arenas, he looked like a boy against men. - Weiss has to tell Ray that Flip's going to have the ball in his hands even with Ray on the court, and if Ray is the leader he says he is, he'll realize that it's for the betterment of the team. That's all I can think of right now
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting Roland Hood:</div><div class="quote_post">That's all I can think of right now </div> I still say we need a trade. Sactown is barely using Kenny Thomas, and I think they would be willing to look at deal involving Flip (who could ok the trade for a chance to play more). Detroit might be willing to part with McDyess (who would not mind being a starter again I wouldn't think) in order to get younger and give Darko some floor time. ...but these guys are old right? Sure they aren't spring chickens, but we need some solid veteran leadership. Ray can't do it on his own. Rashard has already proven that he isn't a leader.
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting odde23:</div><div class="quote_post">I still say we need a trade. Sactown is barely using Kenny Thomas, and I think they would be willing to look at deal involving Flip (who could ok the trade for a chance to play more). Detroit might be willing to part with McDyess (who would not mind being a starter again I wouldn't think) in order to get younger and give Darko some floor time. ...but these guys are old right? Sure they aren't spring chickens, but we need some solid veteran leadership. Ray can't do it on his own. Rashard has already proven that he isn't a leader.</div> I happen to be a fan of Kenny Thomas - one of the better defenders in the league at his position. I don't know about giving up Flip, though, and not sure why Sac would want him with Garcia and Martin playing that position too. But yeah as far as trades, I'd say the only untouchables are Ray and Collison. I like Rashard and I think he's a good player - but I don't think he's a premier small forward. His rebounding, defense and ability to create are all below average. He's probably the only guy on the roster with any real market value, so if, say, Philly wanted him for Igoudala, or Boston for Pierce (+Swift ), or NJ for Jefferson, Utah for Boozer...just throwing stuff and making conversation
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting odde23:</div><div class="quote_post">Maybe to all ('cept Shiek) our surprise, we do need Jerome James.</div> Feel free to take him, because my Knicks certainly don't need him.
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting Roland Hood:</div><div class="quote_post"> Philly wanted him for Igoudala, or Boston for Pierce (+Swift ), or NJ for Jefferson, Utah for Boozer...just throwing stuff and making conversation </div> I think you've been playing too much NBA Live.
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting Casual:</div><div class="quote_post">I think you've been playing too much NBA Live.</div> Good thing I left out Artest and Foster
<div class="quote_poster">Quote:</div><div class="quote_post">Why Sixers? I thought we were friends</div> If you give us Reggie Evans we will be best friends.
Hey if you guys are way pissed at the Sonics FO (like many of us have been going on 10 years now), take a minute to look at this website: www.FireWallyWalker.com - send us some ideas, links, graphics, stats, etc. There's an email address on the site to send stuff to. PS this site is just starting so don't flame us just yet. thanks. http://www.firewallywalker.com
