<div class="quote_poster">Quote:</div><div class="quote_post">As discussions spark about the return of guard Ronald Murray and forward Vitaly Potapenko from injury, the future of rookies Damien Wilkins and Mateen Cleaves grows uncertain. Murray (strained left quadriceps) and Potapenko (broken finger) have started practice and could be activated for the Sonics' game against the Boston Celtics on Saturday at KeyArena. Sonics coach Nate McMillan said he would prefer to keep the roster as is ? and don't think the team's 16-3 record doesn't have a little to do with it. Along with winning, there's a camaraderie in the locker room. Cleaves and Wilkins also bring a gritty work ethic to practice. "They've been good to us, and that is needed on a team," McMillan said. "It's become like a family atmosphere. I like having those guys around. And they're young. They bring that spirit. Some guys are too cool to get up out of their seats (to cheer during games)."</div> <font size="1">Full Story courtesy of Jayda Evans and the Seattle Times.</font> I bolded that last bit because, while it's something seemingly small I came across, I think it really sums up our start to the season. This is such a tight group (including the injured guys), from huddling midcourt after wins to the said camaraderie in the locker room. I just think it's fantastic that even the guys who don't get on court are valued so highly as members of the team, simply through the way they train and support the team from the sidelines. Although, Cleaves isn't a rookie
Cleaves is one of the best teammates in the league, always had that positive attitude and other players love him. I don't know about Damien Wilkins, haven't had many chances to see him play or anything like that. Flip and Pot can only help the team, I just hope their way of coming back doesn't affect the chemistry that has been developed throughout the season so far.
Nice to see Flip in the game tonite, he looked a bit rusty which is to be expected. I see they also activated the guy from Turkey and put Cleaves on the IL.
I really wanna see Ibo shoot, as the wraps on his shooting were big in Europe (although can he shoot the NBA three as effectively?). Can't see him even getting on the court unless we're way in front or way behind, though.
If my memory serves he's the guy who put up 25 against the US team in this year's Olympics. Also some of the highlights I've seen of him show he knows how to play pick and roll very well, so he should fit in pretty well offensively. I can't see him getting much time except for special situations, like we need a desperation 3 or at the end of the quarter.
I'm not sure he can even hit the NBA three. I think he was having trouble with it in the beginning of preseason. Lots of near-threes, though.
It's good to see that we are finally healthy and have our best players on the active roster list. I'm also glad to see that Cleaves and Wilkins were not released b/c I think that they have done a great job cheerleading on the bench. Sometimes it puts a damper on a team when a guy that they all like gets cut. So pay those men in suits the league minimum (combined about 3/4 of a million) to boost the moral of this ball club. I, myself, would like to see Ibo get minutes considering that we are paying him just under 2 million to sit the bench. Knee tendinitis isn't an injury that will keep someone from playing for two months. He also traveled w/ the team on all of its road trips which suggest that he didn't need too much treatment for his "injury." To say that Nate has more confidence in Wilkins and Cleaves to not activate him earlier speaks volumes of what Nate thinks about his game. I thought that he was one of the better European players not playing in the NBA when I saw him live in 2001 (European Championships in Turkey) and in this year's Olympics. Seems to me to be a wasted sign now. I imagine that he can play some three and help Rashard cut down on some of his minutes (especially considering that he may still have plantar fascitis). Lewis is playing out of this world right now but I hope that he can keep it consistent throughout the year. Remember last year in Ray's absence Shard looked dominant (at times) and as the season progressed he actually turned into our third option down the stretch of games. If Kutluay can give us 8-10 quality minutes a game maybe Lewis will still be at his best in April. We're beginning to have a log jam at the guard spot, but like I always say, you don't know what you have until you give them an opportunity.
It is good to hear how tight this team is, because a bond between teammates really helps build more chemistry on the court which there record shows it helps them under stand each other and how there games work even better. Though with these guys coming back from injury it makes me wonder how much playing time that guys like Cleaves will get. Or how the coach will explain to them how even though they where a big part of getting them to this 16-3 record now that these other guys are abck they are going to have to take back seats. I know they will probably act like professionals when the issue is addressed, but you know it may hurt them a little if there minutes that a deep cut. Though they may just appreciate the respect the team showed in keeping them around. Hopefully they do not that it to personally if/when there minutes go down, because they will probably get the call in a lot of games where the Sonics have a some what big lead 9-12 points to come in and lead the team for a little while as a show of respect.
^ Cleaves never got playing time and it seems AD will be backing up Ridnour and Flip will be coming in for Ray Allen...i dont expect chemistry to change because the starting lineup will remain the same
