Sums up our whole season today - numerous close losses, and our 10-16 record could look a little bit better if the ball had bounced our way a few times. In fairness we could have put the game away a few times, but when you lose to a 30 foot heave at the end of the first overtime (I know it only tied the game, but it would have deflated us a fair bit on the road in a back to back). Full credit to the Grizz as they kept fighting, but that's a tough game to drop.
Just as a sidenote - going into the game, Rashard had hit 48 of his last 49 FTs. He went 12/13 tonight from the stripe, and you can't fault him as he had a monster game, but when did he miss that one freebie? At the end of the first OT with a chance to put us up four, which would have rendered Atkins' three as irrelevant.
<div class="quote_poster">Sir Desmond Wrote</div><div class="quote_post">Full credit to the Grizz as they kept fighting, but that's a tough game to drop.</div> I don't think that tough is the word that you are looking for. This is a demoralizing loss that I think is going to cost a lot of people their jobs, including Bob Hill and Rashard Lewis. I haven't been this upset about a Sonics loss in a long time. This team fought and played their asses off last night after arriving from Detroit the night before. They played that game like it was an elimination game. I saw more fight and heart from Rashard Lewis than I had ever seen ever. He willed this game into overtime. That face up, jab step, missed runner, and two rebounds in traffic against two Grizzlies to put that game in overtime was unbelievable. Bob then decided to go with Petro and Collison to start the overtime, when Weezy had been playing well and Collison was on the bench for damn near the entire fourth quarter. We built a nice lead and then started conceeding baskets in hopes that we'd make our free throws and end the game. Rashard Lewis caught the ball in the corner after Alexander Johnson got another unconstested dunk. Lewis wasn't guarded and he just held the ball. Two Grizzlies then ran at him to foul him, meaning that someone was open. Rashard conceeded the fact that he wanted to be the one to seal the victory instead of passing to an open teammate which would have caused more time to come off of the clock. I didn't have a big problem with it b/c Sweet Lew had made 60 of 61 free throws. But as soon as he missed the second free throw my gut told me that the Grizzlies were going to make a three. My question is why would you even put anyone on the line for Sweet Lew's second shot? If he makes it the game is over if he misses it you wouldn't want to run the risk of getting an over the back foul trying to get the rebound. It gives your defense a chance to match up with the Grizzlies and really contest any three point attempts -- instead of that half ass contest from Gelabale and Ridnour. Bob Hill then substituted Weezy for Collison in the 2nd overtime -- meaning that our best frontline of Sweet Lew, Weezy, and Nick never played with each other in the 4th quarter or any of the overtimes. Petro wasn't playing so well that he couldn't get benched, and even when he has that hasn't stop Hill from benching him before. Remember the Milwaukee game? I wanted to throw my beer at my TV last night. We went from being 10-11 to 10-16 with one road trip. Granted we competed well in 3 of the 5 games but in this league you get judged by results, no matter who is on the IR. Bob Hill needs to go. No young players on our team are really being developed. If it wasn't for Rashard Lewis we would have the worst record in the league. ...and that is why I feel as if he will be gone. At this point in time he is by far our best bargaining chip when it comes to discussing trades with other teams. These games w/o Ray Allen he has finally been able to establish himself as a potential number one option. I can't tell you how proud I was of his performance yesterday. He played like a perennial All-Star. If we have a player like that in his contract year (presumably) and we stink it make sense for us to look to try to upgrade in overall talent while also looking to cut costs. I don't think that in a buyer's market anyone is truly interested in taking on Ray Allen at that contract at his age. That is why I think that Clay and company, when talking about blowing up the team, would use Sweet Lew as the centerpiece of any trade discussions. I had some high hopes for this season but ultimately I think that this team is spent. And w/ a new ownership regime that is looking to make a statement to whatever fan base this franchise will garner, I have a feeling that huge changes will be on the horizon. The two month grace period ended yesterday in my opinion. We are not a playoff team.
I was impressed by Rashard, too, mostly because he was encouraging his teammates and fighting hard for rebounds in addition to the scoring. The Sonics just didn't execute in the final overtime period, that's all. A combination of youth, coaching, and overall talent level. Right now, Luke and Rashard are the only ones who look like they might be able to play major minutes for a contender and everybody else is running around like decapitated chickens. I think Bob Hill has been in over his head since this season started.
