Well after a dull finish to the 2003/04 season, a 37-45 record and an almost guaranteed 12th pick for the third time in four years, it's time to break down the season and pick your winners for each of the following categories: Most Valuable Player: Most Improved Player: Best Sixth Man: Best Defensive Player: Rookie of the Year: Play of the Year: Game of the Year: Post your nominations for those categories, elaborate if you like and feel free to post any other comments as we break down season 03/04 and look forward to 04/05!
My votes: MVP: Ray Allen I said Brent Barry earlier, and the win/loss record while he was in the team and out of the team was telling, but in the end I can't go past Ray's stats. He has been the face of Seattle, was our only All-Star, averaged around 23, 5 and 5 and won more than a couple of games off his own hand. Brent is our glue, but Ray is the MVP of this ball club. Most Improved: Ronald Murray Well who knows if Ronald Murray improved, or just got the playing time he needed? Either way, after playing less than an hour in his rookie season in Milwaukee, Flip burst onto the scene in ray Allen's absence, and then provided a punch off the bench once Allen was back in the team. His 13 ppg were good for third o n the team, his highlights dazzled more than a few. Best 6th Man: Antonio Daniels Unclear of his role with the team at the start of the season, Daniels forced his way into the rotation with smart, mistake free basketball, shooting a high percentage and leading the league in assist/TO ratio. Stepped in admirably in Barry's absence. Best Defensive Player: Vitaly Potapenko Called upon midway through the season by Nate McMillan, Potapenko stepped in and provided some interior toughness that hadn't been seen to that point. Not afraid to go in where it hurts, Potapenko scoops this just through his willingness to get his hands dirty. Rookie of the Year: With Collison injured, it's between Luke Ridnour and Richie Frahm. Frahm's 31 points were the first 30 point rookie game in Seattle since Dale Ellis, but Luke had more consistent minutes and showed glimpses of his talent, including a career best 13 assists against Dallas and Steve Nash. Play of the Year: A few candidates for this, but I can't go past Flip Murray's crossing up of Tony Parker, and dunking on Rasho Nesterovic. Game of the Year: Gary Payton's return to Seattle with the Lakers. He threatened to take over early, but in the end it was the Ray Allen and Kobe Bryant show. Going basket for basket and combining for 30+ final quarter points, fittingly Ray hit the winning lay-up in Gary's return, the man he was so famously traded for.
Most Valuable Player: Ray Allen, I feel as if seattle had him the whole season, they would have made the Playoffs. Put up big numbers in his return Most Improved Player: Flip Murry. No questions asked Best Sixth Man: Murrary or Daniels, they both stepped up in games to provide sparks off the bench. Best Defensive Player: Radman Rookie of the Year: Rindour Play of the Year: Rays game winner over Kobe Game of the Year: The game where Ray got the game winner over Kobe
Most Valuable Player: Ray Allen no doubt, he proved that his presence was much needed on the Seattle team, making the All-Star team and having a good year overall. Most Improved Player: Flip Murray. He was a no-namer last year but injuries helped him get his shine and he is now one of the hottest free-agents this summer. Best Sixth Man: Flip Murray, not sure if he's considered one, but his play off the bench provided instant offense for the Sonics all season long. Best Defensive Player: Vitaly Potapenko. The Sonics don't really have many defensive specialists, and Potapenko is not really heads and shoulders above everyone else, but his shot-blocking ability gives him a big plus. Rookie of the Year: Luke Ridnour. Consistency gave him edge over Richie Frahm. Play of the Year: Haven't really seen many highlights of Sonics' games, so not really a choice. Game of the Year: The season-opener in Tokyo, when Lewis scored 50 points I believe, and Ronald Murray put himself on the map with 24 points.
Most Valuable Player: Ray Allen Most Improved Player: Ronald Murray Best Sixth Man: Luke Ridnour/Ronald Murray Best Defensive Player:Vitaly Potapenko Rookie of the Year: Luke Ridnour
Most Valuable Player: Brent Barry. Ray has the stats,but it's clear who the true leader of the team is. Without Barry the Sonics went south like they were on a water slide. Most Improved Player: Ronald Murray. This cat has the tools and skills and he was allowed to show it this year. Anyone remember that sick crossover/dunk on Lebron in the All-Star Game? :mrgreen: Best Sixth Man: Flip. Hella scoring punch of the pine. Best Defensive Player: They played defense? Man I musta napped thru it. :mrgreen: Rookie of the Year: Luke Ridnour. This kid showed alot of promise. Dude is cat quick with some good hoops IQ,once he gets acclimated I think he'll make a big splash. Play of the Year: That sick dunk Flip did on three of the Spurs (at least I think it was the Spurs..maybe it was the Kings.) Game of the Year: Let's see. Lakers vs Sonics. Kobe vs Ray. Kobe takes Ray lightly. Kobe gets his ass handed to him. Happens alot. :mrgreen: So any of those games are my game of the year.
Most Valuable Player: Brent Barry If you look at the Sonics roster and stats throughout the season, you immediately pinpoint Ray Allen as the Most Valuable Player. I don't think this is the case this year however. the most important statistic is wins and when Brent Barry was on the court for the Sonics he produced and the team had a better chance to win. This point was magnified when Brent was sent to the injured list after breaking a finger. Anyone used to watching the Sonics could tell that they were missing something during those games he missed, they were missing a key element. They were missing Brent Barry. As soon as Bones re-entered the lineup the Sonics won seven straight. Most Improved Player: Ronald Murray Coming off a year where he averaged under a free throw a game, Flip Murray made a splash in Seattle. The former afterthought of the Gary Payton/Ray Allen deal immediately showed off his skills in preseason and continued his emergence into the regular season. Flip averaged over 20 points at the beginning of the season and managed to average 12 off the bench and fill in for MVP Brent Barry (along with Ridnour and Daniels) as best as he could. Going from an unknown to crossing guys over at the Rookie/Soph game and gaining the respect of many notches his Most Improved status for me. Best Sixth Man: Ronald Murray Gotta give it to Flip again, he brought an explosive spark off the bench when Ray or a PG needed some rest. He filled in the best for the the hardest players to replace on the Sonics. Granted there was a group of players that stepped up but I think Murray was the most consistently supporting of the team. Best Defensive Player: Vitaly Potapenko Pot was the Sonics main defensive force in the paint. He provided a toughness and willingness to do the dirty deed of shutting down Western Conference post players. Rookie of the Year: Luke Ridnour I think if Collison was healthy that he would be receiving this award, but between Ridnour and Frahm its Luke. Luke seemed fine with his position as backup and showed glimpses of a quality first round pick in his time on the court. Play of the Year: Gotta go with Flip crossing up Tony Parker, just a sick sick move. Game of the Year: Once again, the Lakers game because of all the emotional side plots and a great battle between two superstars.
Most Valuable Player: Ray Allen Most Improved Player: Flip Murray Best Sixth Man: Flip Murray when Allen came back. Best Defensive Player: Vitaly Potapenko Rookie of the Year: Luke Ridnour Play of the Year: No clue Game of the Year: Victory over Lakers
MVP: Ray Allen MIP: Flip 6th man: Ridnour Best Defensive Player: Reggie Evans Rookie: Ridnour Play of the year: That one game against the Blazers, towards the end of the season when Flip dunked on randolph. Game of the year: Any game against the lakers.
I dunno. I don't watch the Sonics that much at all but Supersonic told me to do this lol. Don't hate on my choices. Most Valuable Player: Ray Allen Most Improved Player: Flip Murray Best Sixth Man: Flip Murray Best Defensive Player: Vitaly Potapenko Rookie of the Year: Luke Ridnor Play of the Year: N/A Game of the Year: N/A
Most Valuable Player: i liked Ray's stats and game this year, however, i have to hand it over to Brent Barry...his prescence was very much needed this year, and without him we flunked and stunked. Most Improved Player: Mr. Ron 'Flip' Murray...maybe it's just the minutes, but i think he deserves it... Best Sixth Man: Antonio Daniels did pretty well off the bench...so was Vladimir...but i don't think Vladimir came off the bench as much, i think he does just as well off the bench as on the lineup. Best Defensive Player: Vitaly Potapenko!...ugh, i used to hate his game, now i'm like...yay, he can play SOME defense!...more than what the Sonics used to have anyways... Rookie of the Year: i don't really have a favorite for rookies, but since everyone is saying Luke, what the hey, i'll go with the bandwagon! Play of the Year: n/a Game of the Year: Games against Lakers!
Most Valuable Player: Ray Most Improved Player: Flip[ Best Sixth Man: Flip Best Defensive Player: Radmanovic Rookie of the Year: Ridnour Play of the Year: Flip Murray had a bunch of nuce ones Game of the Year: Ehh, Dont watch many Sonic games...sorry
Most Valuable Player: Ray Allen Most Improved Player: Flip Murray Best Sixth Man: Flip Murray Best Defensive Player: Luke Ridnour Rookie of the Year: Luke Ridnour Play of the Year: n/a Game of the Year: Rashards 50 pt game vs. LA Clippers
Most Valuable Player: My man Ray Allen Most Improved Player: Another former Buck Ronald Murray Best Sixth Man: Flip Murray Best Defensive Player: Vitaly Potapenko Rookie of the Year: Luke Ridnour Play of the Year: N/A Game of the Year: Ray's Game Winner over Kobe
Most Valuable Player: Ray Allen Most Improved Player: Flip Murray Best Sixth Man: Radman Best Defensive Player: Shard Rookie of the Year: Luke Ridnour Play of the Year: Ray Allen Game of the Year: I didn't watch much Sonics basketball, but the game I enjoyed was their 91-99 loss to the Lakers. I became a Flip Murray fan after watching him play and score 28 points in the game. He had two killer crossovers in the game, including an ankle breaker on Brian Cook. I enjoyed the way he attacked the basket without any fear, regardless of who the defender was.
People that say Radmanovic is the best defensive player make me laugh. If it's cause you don't watch much Sonics games, than it's cool. But, the reason why he didn't play much at times this year was because of his lack of D. He never appears to hustle and really try to defend his opponent.
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting Yugoslavia:</div><div class="quote_post">People that say Radmanovic is the best defensive player make me laugh. If it's cause you don't watch much Sonics games, than it's cool. But, the reason why he didn't play much at times this year was because of his lack of D. He never appears to hustle and really try to defend his opponent.</div> Well he'd fit in well with the rest of his team then, haha Vlad's problem is he's forced to play at PF because of Rashard Lewis, and in the West that means a monster every other night. I think in all honesty, he has shown more potential to play reasonable defense than the majority of the squad, but he still doesn't do it consistently - exactly the same problem as guys like Lewis and Flip Murray. Obviously you would think either he or Lewis won't be in Seattle next season, and if it's he who stays then may see a different player o n the defensive end, where he doesn't have to defend bigger and stronger players.
Most Valuable Player: Ray Allen Most Improved Player: Ronald Murray Best Sixth Man: Ronald Murray Best Defensive Player: Regie Evans and Potapenko Rookie of the Year: Luke Ridnour Play of the Year: Flip throwing it down on the Spurs, and Ray Allen winner on Kobe. Game of the Year: Seattle vs Lakers
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting Supersonic:</div><div class="quote_post">Well he'd fit in well with the rest of his team then, haha Vlad's problem is he's forced to play at PF because of Rashard Lewis, and in the West that means a monster every other night. I think in all honesty, he has shown more potential to play reasonable defense than the majority of the squad, but he still doesn't do it consistently - exactly the same problem as guys like Lewis and Flip Murray. Obviously you would think either he or Lewis won't be in Seattle next season, and if it's he who stays then may see a different player o n the defensive end, where he doesn't have to defend bigger and stronger players.</div> that's shocking too..since Flip was somewhat known in college for his D.
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting Supersonic:</div><div class="quote_post">Well he'd fit in well with the rest of his team then, haha Vlad's problem is he's forced to play at PF because of Rashard Lewis, and in the West that means a monster every other night. I think in all honesty, he has shown more potential to play reasonable defense than the majority of the squad, but he still doesn't do it consistently - exactly the same problem as guys like Lewis and Flip Murray. Obviously you would think either he or Lewis won't be in Seattle next season, and if it's he who stays then may see a different player o n the defensive end, where he doesn't have to defend bigger and stronger players.</div> Understandable. Maybe it's just me, but I don't see Radmanovic hustling on D much.
