Our sensational season has been recognised with two All-Stars. Ray Allen - well we all knew he'd make it, having probably the best season of his career. Rashard Lewis - I've been waiting for this day a long time. From Paul Westphal calling him a "can't miss, big time star in this league" to his agent telling Ruben Patterson he should look to get traded, to posting his first double double with 30/12 on Rodman's Dallas debut, to starring in the playoffs against Utah, to scoring 50 against the Clippers. It's about time, baby.
We have two All-Stars, a Rookie Sophomore game participant (Ridnour) a most improved player candidate (Ridnour, Evans, Fortson), a six man of the year candidate (Vlad) and a coach of the year candidate (McMillian). W/ all that we sit a top the Northwest Division. No one could have predicted that all this would happen. You couldn't ask for more this season and that is a credit to the professionalism of the Sonics. At some point people on the team realize that there individual stock would improve by buying into the system and concentrating solely on winning. I haven't seen an ounce of selfishness on this roster yet, and that is amazing considering how many potential free agents we will have at season's end. All Sonics fans need to really savor this season b/c next season's team will be totally different than this one. Ray most likely will be gone, Vlad will either be gone or on another one year deal (qualifying offer), Pot and/or James will be gone, and Flip will definitely be gone unless Howard really compensates him for the loss of Allen. I can't imagine Evans in another uniform and Daniels has been on too many teams in his career to want to pick up and change uniforms again. Rick Sund and the Seattle organization bring new meaning to patience is a virtue. I'm glad that these players and coaches have been able to do an outstanding job in less than ideal circumstances. Coming into this season I was expecting a lot of turmoil in the Sonics locker room b/c of the uncertainty of the direction of the franchise. I don't know if it was the huddle at half court after the Sonics home opener, but this team seems as close knit as any team in the league. I'm going to suggest when I become a college head coach that my team does the exact thing after all games as well. The huddle has been a season saver for the Supes. It is a wonderful time to be a Sonics fan.
It truly is Shiek. But dont be so sure about your predictions. Infact I think your predictions are heading in the wrong direction. I think Allen will return and Vlade on a 1 year deal? I dont think so. One way or the other hes going to get a long-term deal this summer and id be surprised if it wasnt from us. Daniels is the guy that im watching to be gone. Hes going to get a nice contract offered to him this summer and with Seattle (hopefully) paying out for Evans and Vlade I dont expect them to match another teams offer to Daniels
Has anyone else heard the rumors that Rashard Lewis received a 1 Million Dollar bonus from Seattle for making The ALLSTAR Team? Interesting...
They're not rumours, they're true. When he signed a six year deal three seasons ago, parts of the contract were incentive based - for example a million for every All-Star appearance, I'm guessing extra for everytime the team made the playoffs, etc. I don't know the exact details, but I do know All-Star appearances were part of it.
Imagine going home to your family and saying "Hey I just earnt 1 million more $ today" Rashard must be on cloud 9 as they say.
<div class="quote_poster">Quote:</div><div class="quote_post"> How exactly could Nate McMillan have broken the news to his forward Rashard Lewis that he had failed to make the All-Star team? ?I thought about it all last night, but what I came back to is there was no way in my mind he couldn?t make the team,? said McMillan. ?It would have been really difficult telling the team Ray Allen made it, and then saying nothing about Rashard. ?I would have had to become a doctor real fast.? Fortunately, that wasn?t the scenario. Instead, McMillan got to deliver the joyous news that Lewis had indeed made the team for the first time. Afterwards, McMillan recalled, Lewis was excited to call his mother and tell her the news. McMillan had maintained all along that Lewis deserved to make the All-Star team if coaches examined his performance fairly, and his tone did not change today. ?He?s been poised, he?s been efficient, consistent with his effort,? McMillan said, explaining how Lewis has improved. ?He?s been more poised with the ball.? McMillan had a couple of requests of Lewis. One was that he not be satisfied with one All-Star appearance, but work to make the team again. The other is that he be comfortable and confident during the game. McMillan recalled that his old teammate Xavier McDaniel, who appeared in one All-Star Game, had seemed out of place in that appearance. He doesn?t expect the same from Lewis. Reserve guard Antonio Daniels had the line of the night about the All-Star selections. ?Everybody was so happy for him,? Daniels said, referring to Lewis. ?Nobody cares about Ray.? That?s because Allen?s selection - his fifth in the last six seasons and second in as many full seasons with the Sonics - is something of a formality. Lewis? is special, and that?s what?s made it so exciting for everyone. </div> From Live From The Press Box on Supersonics.com
This year's All-Star Weekend will be awesome for me as a Seattle fan - I'm very happy for Lewis and Allen but also for Ridnour. All in all awesome season for Sonics - total 180 degree turnaround - I still remember those preseason talks and power rankings that placed Sonics to 29th place. Instead of that we are going for division crown and a homecourt advantage in play-offs. Nice to be Sonics fan these days!
It's about time the Sonics get some love. They're having such a great season and people are just saying 'They only knock down 3's' or 'They've just gotten lucky.' Whatever they're doing - it's working so you can't hate on them. If the Suns can get possibly their entire starting lineup in the All Star festivities, the Sonics can surely get Ray and Shard. Good stuff.
congrats to rashard and ray, my friend has to give me 10$ cuz i predicted he would become an all star this year!
