Horrible game. I only picked it up halfway through the 3rd but I saw pathetic defense, careless ballhandling, awful shot selection and a general lack of execution in every aspect of the game. I have to give props to Ray for hitting those game winners against SA and the Grizz, but he seemed to get caught up in his duel with Kobe tonight, throwing up some horrible horrible shots. Rashard looked tentative on his bad ankle, although nowadays its hard to tell. Damien Wilkins seems lost out there, passing up open 17 footers for contested 15 footers, and missing badly. Plus he can't seem to take more than one dribble without losing control, maybe he got that from Nique. And Ridnour again sits in the 4th, I think the only time he got was when Phil Jackson selected him for a jump ball when Big Game Mikki popped his finger lol.
Where do we rank in the league in points in the paint? I just want to see the ball go in the post more. Wasn't the priority for the remainder of the season was to develop our young players? If that is the case, why am I watching Ray Allen continue to jack up contested shots--as he is dribbling out the shot clock. This game made me sick. I know that Robert Swift hasn't been as consistent as he was for that short stretch in February but it would be nice from time to time for him to get the ball in the post. Same with Johan. And I would love for Bob Hill to tell Wilcox to work harder on the post as opposed to shooting 18 footers. I'd like to see our bigs get more offensive rebounds too. We are just too soft as a team. I like Watson's toughness and Wilkins is a pretty tough wing player as well. I think he would have done a much better job containing Kobe than Ray did. He should have gotten more minutes once it was obvious that Sweet Lew was ineffective. Bob Hill needs to mandate that our post guys get some post looks b/c we aren't going to get better if Ray Allen is looking off his teammates.
Sonics settle for too many J's and don't use the paint. They also don't use the defense but thats a different story.....
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting Iron Sheik:</div><div class="quote_post">Bob Hill needs to mandate that our post guys get some post looks b/c we aren't going to get better if Ray Allen is looking off his teammates.</div> Great point that I hadn't considered before. I love how Bob Hill talks about biting the bullet and committing to developing our young bigs; apparently that means learning how to set screens for Ray and helping him out on D. We really do need to start running some inside stuff for these guys, Wilcox included to help them and us develop some inside prescence. <div class="quote_poster">Quoting Iron Sheik:</div><div class="quote_post">This game made me sick.</div> As I was watching Ray dribble down the shot clock into the corner, 2 guys covered him, he pump faked and then shot a fadeaway and missed, I said to myself 'sickening'
Seattle's offense over the course of the season is one of the best in the league. Top 5 in offensive efficiency. Their problems are almost totally defensive. That's where the adjustments need to come if they're going to improve. Deja Vu. I remember posting almost the exact same thing last season.
