Last night was the first time all season I was proud to be a Sonics fan. This season is a wash. Changes are surely going to be made in the offseason. But after the performance by Rashard Lewis last night I am convinced that those changes should include Ray Allen and not Sweet Lew. Sweet Lew was absolutely unbelievable last night. I am thoroughly enjoying watching the Sonics play without Allen. There is more ball movement, the players are giving a better effort on the defensive end and on the offensive glass, and Sweet Lew is getting an opportunity to showcase skills that I didn't know that he had. 22 of his 35 points came in the fourth quarter and he also did a terrific job of guarding Kevin Garnett. Never would I believe that the Sonics would come back from a 25 point deficit -- especially w/o Ray Allen. Sweet Lew showcased himself as a potential #1 option in this league and did so at the top of the key in a 1 4 low set and breaking his man off of the dribble consistently. Who would have thought 3 years ago that he would have that type of game off of the bounce? The Memphis game this year when the Sonics lost in 2 OT showed me that Rashard was capable of consistent #1 option/star numbers in Ray Allen absence. This game showed me that he should be the #1 option of this team -- and we can surround him with a more high scoring supporting cast by trading away Ray Allen. Proposed deal Sonics trade Ray Allen, Mickael Gelebale, and a 2007 2nd round draft choice Sonics receive Kevin Martin, Kenny Thomas, and Ronnie Price or Sonics trade Ray Allen, Johan Petro, and Mickael Gelebale Sonics receive Caron Butler, Jarvis Hayes, and a future 2nd round draft choice Thoughts?
The Kings and Wizards wouldn't do those trades. I think a lot of people have missed what a great season Rashard Lewis is having. Not because he's scoring more, but because he's trying hard, probably harder than anybody else on the Supersonics. He's working on offense and hustling on defense, even though he still sucks at it. He finally learned how to put the ball on the floor as Sheik said and hasn't stopped doing it like he did last season. And that was while he misused, being forced to watch Ray Allen dribble around for 15 seconds before jacking up a jump shot. If he lands on a team that lets him get set in the high post all the time, he'll be even better. Yes, I fully expect him to leave. To be honest, he deserves to leave.
Another big game today as we win in denver, but missed another FT down the stretch that gave them a chance to tie with the last possession (like against the Warriors last week). I think Kevin Martin is untouchable in sactown, especially for someone over 30 as the Kings badly need to rebuild, while Butler fits Washington's system perfectly. Your best bet is to shop Ray to a team needing some veteran help to make that next step (Toronto or Orlando?)
Another great victory today. Lewis followed his heroic performance last night with an impressive 33 and 10 performance tonight. Yes he missed a free throw that eerily reminded me of our game versus Memphis at Memphis but he continued to make some big plays down the stretch that enabled us to hold on to this victory. Plus he played good defense on Melo. Denver showed other teams the blue print for shutting Lewis down though. Once Denver went into their extended 2-3 zone we didn't get off anything better than a contested 3 -- except for when Collison hesitated and got his shot blocked by Nene. Our team is playing as hard as they have all year. They have nothing to play for which shows the character of our players not named Ridnour, Gelebale, and Fortson. Sweet Lew is pricing himself out of our range right now but I would hope that who ever is in charge on pulling the stings for a deal this offseason would recognize that this team is in much better shape if they chose Rashard over Ray Allen. <div class="quote_poster">Sir Desmond Wrote</div><div class="quote_post"> I think Kevin Martin is untouchable in sactown, especially for someone over 30 as the Kings badly need to rebuild, while Butler fits Washington's system perfectly. Your best bet is to shop Ray to a team needing some veteran help to make that next step (Toronto or Orlando?)</div> What the hell does any team needing some veteran help have to offer a team that is in need of an emerging star? Ray Allen still has a ton of value in this league. And w/ only 3 years remaining on a contract that wouldn't cripple any title contender, I'd hope that if we threw in another rotation guy we could get quality value for him. Hell we got Ray in the first place by trading an aging star.
<div class="quote_poster">Iron Shiek Wrote</div><div class="quote_post"> What the hell does any team needing some veteran help have to offer a team that is in need of an emerging star? Ray Allen still has a ton of value in this league. And w/ only 3 years remaining on a contract that wouldn't cripple any title contender, I'd hope that if we threw in another rotation guy we could get quality value for him. Hell we got Ray in the first place by trading an aging star.</div> I don't think Toronto or Orlando would have anything to offer, I'm just saying those are the sorts of teams who would be interested. You're not going to get Sactown to bite on Ray because they aren't in any shape to contend the next 2-3 seasons, and Martin is already putting up Ray-type numbers and has an extra 7-8 years on him. How about Indiana? They could pair Ray with JO and make a real run in the East. Indiana trades: Tinsley, Granger, Dunleavy/Murphy, Armstrong Seattle trades: Ray, Ridnour We take a long deal back in Murphy or Dunleavy, but also get a real emerging prospect in Granger, and upgrade at point guard. Probably still far-fetched, but it works under the cap.
Would absolutely love to have Jamaal Tinsley and Danny Granger in the Emerald City but I do not believe that Indiana would part with so many assets to bring in an aging/brittle Ray Allen and a point guard whose confidence is as high as this post. I remember I made a similar trade proposal before the draft that included Tinsley and Granger. Cas' cried himself to sleep after than one too. Link I miss the days when this forum actually had people passionately arguing about anything Sonics related. It has been a bad year for Supes fans in more ways than one. By the way if the final two minutes of the game tonight is any indication how other teams are going to play us defensively (2-3, 3-2 zones) than we will not score 100 points for the rest of the season.
That crossover that Rashard made in the Minnesota game was insane. I couldn't believe that it was Sweet Lew who made that move. I agree that this forum needs more life. I haven't been here long, but when I found it, the forum was pretty active. I've been out of the country for the past month or so. It's good to be back.
