<div class="quote_poster">Quote:</div><div class="quote_post">"The team's struggles during Barry's absence come at a time when his future with the Sonics is a big issue. The trade deadline of Feb. 19 is just eight days away, Barry is in the final season of his contract and the Sonics are weighing whether they can re-sign him -- and for how much -- or trade him to get compensation. Barry has declined to talk about the issue, but teammate Ray Allen was asked for his opinion after practice yesterday. "We need veterans on this team," Allen said. "We need guys who know how to win. We have enough young players as it is. He's a guy that has proven himself. He knows the game. He's smart. Why do you not pay for that?" Barry is three or four weeks away from returning. The Sonics are 4-7 in games he has missed this season, 20-20 with him. Over the past four seasons, they are 13-21 in games without Barry and 140-123 when he played. "You don't pay Brent Barry, you send a bad message to this whole situation," Allen said. "Me. This city. How serious are you about winning?" </div> <font size="1">Full Story from the Seattle PI.</font> We have lost six of eight in his absence (and three straight when he missed three at the start of January), amid talk that management won't offer Barry contract length he wants (four years), while Denver (and his brother) will. Obviously, the big priority will be extending Ray Allen in the off-season. The trade deadline is Feb 20th, and despite the injury there is still interest in Barry. He is the only Sonic over 30, and the glue that holds this team together - how important is he, both to the team and holding onto Ray Allen? Is it worth giving him four years? Thoughts?
Brent Barry knows how to win? Since when in his NBA career has he done that? Good guys don't make winners.
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting King James:</div><div class="quote_post">Brent Barry knows how to win? Since when in his NBA career has he done that? Good guys don't make winners.</div> Well you can't argue that fact, but there are two sides to every story. He has played for a very bad Clippers team and one of the worst teams in history in the post-Jordan Bulls, despite a short stint with a good Miami team. From where I see it, the important statistic is Barry's record in a Seattle uniform. Considering he joined as Seattle were somewhat rebuilding, I would say the winning record in Sonic colours speak loudly, especially as the team generally loses when he is not on the floor. Eric Williams; he has not been a winner in his NBA career by any stretch of the imagination. He is a great locker room guy like Barry, but going by your theory, would that lessen his influence on Cleveland's turnaround since getting rid of Ricky Davis?
Compairing Barry to Williams, that is a joke. Williams actually has been a winner and on Celtic playoff teams that were on the doorstep of the NBA Finals. I love Brent, but he is no Eric Williams. Eric shuts up and plays ball, would not say something like "I gotta get outta here" Next?
^ I don't get that point at all Taking the Spurs to a final game 5 in the western conference playoffs is far better than making the eastern conference finals. You can't compare their success as quite frankly Barry has been just as successful as Williams. I love the effort Williams plays with but most would take Barry over it. You act like Williams is a Tim Duncan or Kevin Garnett, making statements "He is no Eric Williams" Since when did E-Will become some kind of star that you can make such a statement? Sonics lack of success is clearly down to the absence of Brent Barry.
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting King James:</div><div class="quote_post">Compairing Barry to Williams, that is a joke. Williams actually has been a winner and on Celtic playoff teams that were on the doorstep of the NBA Finals. I love Brent, but he is no Eric Williams. Eric shuts up and plays ball, would not say something like "I gotta get outta here" Next?</div> "Next?" You make it sound like you've proved a point. That Barry nonsense was just a fabrication attempt by the Spurs to the media. They want Brent (as do many teams) and made up that story. Brent Barry himself denied it, so I don't think that can be used as a black mark on his character. What is it that makes it unfair to compare Brent with Eric Williams? Williams has been to the second round with the Celtics in the East, Brent has been on a Sonics team that took the Spurs to five games in the first round, in the West. Other than that, neither player has had a lot to write home about success-wise. Brent's career numbers are also better, and he is widely recognised as one of the best locker room guys in the NBA. Ask his teammates what sort of an effect he has, they'll answer in words that drip of respect. How can you say Brent Barry is "no Eric Williams"?
I think he means that Williams is a different player than Barry. I hope that is what he means. I agree with AllNet and Des, the sonics fall has to be attributed to Barry's absence no doubt. But comparing Williams to Barry is like comparing apples to oranges. They are two different players.
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting King James:</div><div class="quote_post">Damn I'm good :bigthumbu</div> You can get a rise out of people, I'll give you that. I assume this means you accept that your comments were unsubstantiated?
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting King James:</div><div class="quote_post">Damn I'm good :bigthumbu</div> Always play like you are owning the debate eh? <div class="quote_poster">Quoting Sir Desmond:</div><div class="quote_post">You can get a rise out of people, I'll give you that. I assume this means you accept that your comments were unsubstantiated?</div> Again...I hope that is what he means
haha, my only point was Barry has never beena winner, which is a fact. Does that mean he is not a good player? A knock on him? Not in any way, shape or form. My job is to generate posts to keep the site more active and interesting. If I make someone's day by saying something then having them respond thinking they got the best of me, I win, because they will keep coming back. Let's not get this off topic to respect the forum. We have other true Sonic fans (Thanks to Dez) that are waiting to rip my comments apart, let's give them their turn.
^ Fair enough. My points still stand that Brent has been more of a winner than a loser in his time with Seattle, which to me is what counts in this situation, not what he has done earlier in his career when there are other factors involved, which means it isn't always fair to knock a guy if he hasn't won in the past. Eric Williams has not been a consistent winner over his career either, and that is also a fact. Back on topic, Brent wants four years and Seattle want to give him two. I can't blame the Sonics management, as he is the wrong side of 30 and has had injury troubles. Is it worth giving out an extra two years that will benefit in the short term, but could be a mistake in the long run. What if it's the breaking point in Ray Allen extending his contract? Can a player be bigger than a franchise in this situation?
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting King James:</div><div class="quote_post">My job is to generate posts to keep the site more active and interesting. If I make someone's day by saying something then having them respond thinking they got the best of me, I win, because they will keep coming back.</div> Are you admitting that you intentionally form arguments based on false premises to generate posts? That undermines the whole concept of this site as it is for true fans only. Besides, often times you roast rookies for not thinking before speaking. Now you are admitting that you do the same thing they do, only intentionally? <div class="quote_poster">Quote:</div><div class="quote_post"> We have other true Sonic fans (Thanks to Dez) that are waiting to rip my comments apart, let's give them their turn. </div> Yeah, the main problem I had with your other comments is that Eric Williams was not leading those Celtic teams. He doesn't know how to win, but he knows how to play his role. He had two other players who were and are very good, that's why they advanced in the playoffs (against weaker teams than the Sonics). Barry has been a leader here, even before the trade. Shard was young, Gary was mean, and they don't have a relable big man, in a conference where it is required. To say that Eric Williams is better than Brent, and base it on winning/playoff performances is absurd.
another fan can blow off their steam? haha...well TB76 and Sir Des says it soo well, that we already think that they can win this on their own...why not?
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting King James:</div><div class="quote_post">Thanks TB76 :mrgreen:</div> Excellent rebuttal .
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting Trail_Blazer76:</div><div class="quote_post">Excellent rebuttal .</div> Got your posts, I win. I only did what Dez asked me to do.
What exactly has Barry done wrong in Seattle? The guy is shooting nearly 50% on only 8 shots per game (unheard of today) and averages 10 ppg and 5.5 apg? Sure his defense may not be very good but I don't think its from dogging it. Why do you want to trade him? Antonio Daniels is the classic SG being squeezed into a PG spot.
I really like Barry, he does well for your team. I really think you ought to let him go though. It seems he doesn't want to be here and so won't play as well as he could do. Get someone with defense mayhaps, Mobley or Snow. Unless you want a big man of course, Dampier and Dikembe Mutombo are becoming available as we speak.
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting philsmith75:</div><div class="quote_post">What exactly has Barry done wrong in Seattle? The guy is shooting nearly 50% on only 8 shots per game (unheard of today) and averages 10 ppg and 5.5 apg? Sure his defense may not be very good but I don't think its from dogging it. Why do you want to trade him? Antonio Daniels is the classic SG being squeezed into a PG spot.</div> Nothing wrong with him at all, but he is coming out of contract at the end of the season and whispers are that he wants more than Seattle are prepared to offer, in terms of contract length. The NBA is a business, and Barry's trade value is high, so obviously deals need to be looked into thoroughly.
