Details: When: Wednesday, December 22nd Where: Key Arena, Seattle Time (Seattle): 7:00 TV: Fox Sports Projected Starters: <font color="green">Seattle (18-5)</font> Luke Ridnour Ray Allen Rashard Lewis Reggie Evans Jerome James <font color="royalblue">Denver (13-12)</font> Andre Miller Greg Buckner DerMarr Johnson Kenyon Martin Nene Hilario Injury Troubles: <font color="green">Seattle</font> Mateen Cleaves: Strained shoulder, ruled out. Casanova Swift: Strained hip, ruled out. Damien Wilkins: Knee tendinitis, ruled out. <font color="royalblue">Denver</font> Marcus Camby: Bronchitis, questionable. Carmelo Anthony: Sprained ankle, highly doubtful Mark Pope: Knee tendinitis, ruled out. Arthur Johnson: Knee tendinitis, ruled out. Voshon Lenard: Torn achilles tendon, ruled out. Brief Notes: <ul> [*]The Sonics and the Nuggets are both coming off of two-point losses to the holders of the NBA's best record, the Phoenix Suns. Seattle has had a few days to recouperate while the Nuggets' loss was two days ago. The Supes' big two Ray Allen and Rashard Lewis (both all-star worthy) combined for 58 points and 12 rebounds in their bout with the Suns. Phoenix's starting five were all in double figures, partially thanks to a weak bench. Dre Miller and Kenyon Martin starred in Denver's bout with the mighty Suns with 20+ point games. Nene Hilario also stepped up big in the absence of a couple big-time players with a 19/10/6 game. [/list] <ul> [*]The Nuggets will most likely be without Carmelo Anthony and Marcus Camby tonight, which could give the Sonics a better chance to bounce back from the disheartening loss against Phoenix. Nate McMillan's coaching will once again be tested as this will be another statement that attributes to this team's character. Two home losses in a row and three losses in four games could signify the eventual slide that we have all been fearing. [/list] <ul> [*]Ridnour Watch: Luke had a respectable game against one of the league's best in Steve Nash... at least on the offensive side. Ridnour only made 6 points but also dished out 9 assists. Nash had a dynamite game on offense however, racking up 21 points and 12 assists. Luke will have another tough assignment tonight against the Nuggets ball controller Andre Miller. Dre is averaging 15 points and is capable of lighting up the scoreboard. In their last meeting, Luke contained Dre fairly well and put up some decent numbers of his own. [/list]<div align="center"><u>Random Family Guy Quote</u></div> Lois: A woman is not an object. Peter: Your mother is right, son. Listen to what it says. Lois: Peter! All predictions, analysis and discussion relating directly to the game, both before, during and after, to be posted in this thread.
Good to see that the NBA scheduling committee remembered that there is an NBA franchise in Seattle. It seems like the Sonics haven't played in months. This is a must win for the Supes b/c they have another long layoff after this game too. We can't afford to lose three out of last four, especially considering the impending layoff. Doubt can start creeping in when people have too much time on their hands. Why is there still a Ridnour watch on all of our previews? He isn't going to do anything that is going to blow anyone out of the water. 8 points and 6 assists a game isn't jaw dropping. I'd rather have a Fortson watch since he seems to be the one most likely to have peaks and valleys in his play.
Andre Miller will take Ridnour down low, ala Gary. He's one of the best post up guards in the league and without Carmelo I can see him being more of a factor tonite. Even without Melo and Camby I think the Nuggets frontline can still give the Sonics some problems with Nene and K-Mart. They are both big and active although Nene's been hampered this year. At one time I was hoping Seattle would make a move for him due to the log jam upfront in Denver. The 1st quarter should be interesting as the Sonics try to knock the rust off. I read in the paper they had 2 full scrimmages yesterday to try to get back in the groove.
Probably our most important game of the season, it is imperative that we win this one and go into Christmas on a high note. Particularly without two of Denver's major guys, and in front of the Key crowd. C'mon Supes.
Just looking through some news archives and found this: <div class="quote_poster">Quote:</div><div class="quote_post">The Sonics general manager Rick Sund, meanwhile, is enjoying Seattle's brisk start, though he is also cautious. "I said from last June until today that we could be a very respectable basketball team and that we had a legitimate shot to make the playoffs," Sund said. "And I also say that in two or three years we could be a really good basketball team when some of our young players like Rashard (Lewis) and Luke and Nick and Vlade (Radmanovic) get into their prime."</div> http://www.heraldnet.com/stories/04/12/14/...icsnotes001.cfm Not mentioning Flip speaks volumes of what the intentions of upper management is. This team this year will definitely not be the same team next year and I'm wondering how long before this group starts wondering whether or not they are going to ultimately benefit from doing what's best for the team. This Seattle team is holding on by the thread of winning. I don't envision any problems if our winning continues, but I definitely think that these players know that their futures are very much in the air following this season. It won't take much for players to start putting themselves first. Cross your fingers.
How about that bench? Vlade, Flip, and Collison each held their own tonight. The Sonics are something special when they click like they did tonight. Rashard continues to shine and keeping him off the all-star team would be a crime to humanity. Also, just found out Ray was playing with an upper respiratory infection and it showed in his postgame interview. Glad he'll get some rest before the next game.
I guess Antonio will be back next game. I didn't even know he was out. Seattle Times. It was an interesting game. Flip reminded me why it's so nice to have somebody on the court who can create his own shot besides Ray. Right now I'm wondering if we can win without the bench playing well. Especially Radman. Speaking of Radman, he has developed an annoying habit of not contesting shots. That's fundamental stuff.
Take your time recovering Antonio. Cream always rises to the top. I hope that McMillian realizes that increased minutes for Murray will result in better play for the Sonics. With every win the myth that Flip would mess up the team's chemistry will seem laughable.
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting Iron Shiek:</div><div class="quote_post">With every win the myth that Flip would mess up the team's chemistry will seem laughable.</div> I don't recall anyone repeatedly saying this, except you.
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting RiverspoonJones:</div><div class="quote_post">I don't recall anyone repeatedly saying this, except you.</div> Listen/read to any media outlet that covers the Supes and I guarantee that you'll hear a lot of things said that I've been saying repeatedly by people who earn a living following the Sonics. Maybe for the Sonics/Utah preview we can put a section together called the "Flip Watch." By the way you need to update your sig. Those numbers will be improving w/ each passing game.
The Nuggets played badly and they deserved to lose it but I'll give the credit to the Sonics... they seemed to execute way ahead whenever Denver made a run.
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting Iron Shiek:</div><div class="quote_post">Maybe for the Sonics/Utah preview we can put a section together called the "Flip Watch." </div> We have that already. It's called "Iron Shiek post".
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting RiverspoonJones:</div><div class="quote_post">We have that already. It's called "Iron Shiek post".</div> Read 'em and weep, fam. I'm not one to waver. Someone should start keeping score.
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting Iron Shiek:</div><div class="quote_post">Take your time recovering Antonio. Cream always rises to the top. I hope that McMillian realizes that increased minutes for Murray will result in better play for the Sonics. With every win the myth that Flip would mess up the team's chemistry will seem laughable.</div> Your posts about Flip are becoming ridiculous. He had one solid game and you are already boasting. We all like him but just right now our other guards are playing solid ball and if Flip's minutes will be low then he (and you too) has to deal with it like professional.
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting Semmi:</div><div class="quote_post">Your posts about Flip are becoming ridiculous. He had one solid game and you are already boasting. We all like him but just right now our other guards are playing solid ball and if Flip's minutes will be low then he (and you too) has to deal with it like professional.</div> Semmi, as much as I'd love to know what you view is of being professional, it would probably be more appropriate on this web site for you to keep your posts exclusively to pertaining to basketball. I would advise you not to try to go the other route.
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting Iron Shiek:</div><div class="quote_post">Semmi, as much as I'd love to know what you view is of being professional, it would probably be more appropriate on this web site for you to keep your posts exclusively to pertaining to basketball. I would advise you not to try to go the other route.</div> I think you've gone off the deep end, dude. Ker-splash.
