http://sports.espn.go.com/nba/dailydime?pa...ttlePreview0506 this is worth a laugh. Out of 12 espn experts 6 have us finishing out of the playoffs and one even has us as the 13th ranked team in the western conference. Just amazes me.
I'm one of the biggest fans of the Supes and even I'm not all that enamored with this team. I think that we will be a playoff team but I doubt that we will win the division. Again I think that we will win in the mid 40's (45-37) this season. I just don't think that we have the depth on the frontline to beat out the Nuggets and I don't think that we will improve defensively enough to stop the more potent offenses in this league. Last year's 52 win season was not a fluke, but until Petro can man the center position productively for 20 minutes a night, I think that we have taken a step backwards from the Big Game James era. Overall I wouldn't concern myself too much with these rankings considering these are the same people who had us finishing in the bottom fourth of the league last season.
I've said it before, and I'll say it now: the Sonics do not look good on paper. I doubt any of these "experts" followed the Sonics outside of national games against big teams, so it's not that surprising that they don't see why we would be good.
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting Casual:</div><div class="quote_post">I've said it before, and I'll say it now: the Sonics do not look good on paper. I doubt any of these "experts" followed the Sonics outside of national games against big teams, so it's not that surprising that they don't see why we would be good.</div> Obviously not Ric Bucher (although he put us at 5th in the west) said we will miss Jeromes rebounding. Shiek I admit I have my question marks on this team as well but you really think that Jerome James is where that question mark is? I mean honestly I dont know if he changed the outcome of one game last season. Do you? Now losing Antonio Daniels and Nate Mcmillian are valid questions.
Coolguy, you have hit the nail on the head stating our loss is McMillan and Daniels. The only loss in Jerome James is now we don't have anyone to catch flying chairs thrown into the seats by Danny Fortson.
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting Coolguy777:</div><div class="quote_post"> Shiek I admit I have my question marks on this team as well but you really think that Jerome James is where that question mark is? I mean honestly I dont know if he changed the outcome of one game last season.</div> He definately changed the outcome of several games last year, just not in our favor . Seriously though, the guy could/can block shots at a solid clip, and made it harder for opposing teams to score when they inevitably penetrated. We will miss Jerome, all season long for the shotblocking, and also for the 10 games a season that he becomes a scoring threat. Overall though I don't think its a huge loss as long as Vitaly healthy throughout the year. Between Pot, Mikki, Fortson, Nick improving, and Petro, we'll fill his minutes with serviceable bodies - just not any of JJ's size. It was nice to have a really big guy to matchup against a guy like Yao and Shaq, if only for the 6 fouls.
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting M_Cage89:</div><div class="quote_post"> It was nice to have a really big guy to matchup against a guy like Yao and Shaq, if only for the 6 fouls.</div> Perhaps you forget how James played against those guys. Especially Shaq. Fortson was muuch more useful. James was completely useless in his games against shaq.
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting SonicComic:</div><div class="quote_post">Coolguy, you have hit the nail on the head stating our loss is McMillan and Daniels. The only loss in Jerome James is now we don't have anyone to catch flying chairs thrown into the seats by Danny Fortson.</div> I think Johan Petro is our new chair blocker on the sideline given recent praise he has gotten from the coaches on his defense, though Swifty will be more available in that role. Swift should be an adequate backup though he may only be able to disrupt the path of the chair rather than actually catch it.
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting Coolguy777:</div><div class="quote_post">Perhaps you forget how James played against those guys. Especially Shaq. Fortson was muuch more useful. James was completely useless in his games against shaq.</div> Perhaps you forget the "if only for 6 fouls" portion. Besides, who isn't useless against Shaq? I'm just of the mindset that its nice to have a halfway serviceable big body to throw into the mix against big dominant centers. The guy was foul prone, wasn't a strong rebounder, wasn't consistent on either the offensive or defensive ends - but he was able to score with his back to the basket on the block, and was a decent last line of defense to alter/block shots. The reasons I mentioned why we would somewhat miss him you conveniently skipped over.
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting M_Cage89:</div><div class="quote_post">Perhaps you forget the "if only for 6 fouls" portion. Besides, who isn't useless against Shaq? I'm just of the mindset that its nice to have a halfway serviceable big body to throw into the mix against big dominant centers. The guy was foul prone, wasn't a strong rebounder, wasn't consistent on either the offensive or defensive ends - but he was able to score with his back to the basket on the block, and was a decent last line of defense to alter/block shots. The reasons I mentioned why we would somewhat miss him you conveniently skipped over.</div> No i completely agree he could score with his back to the basket and sometimes could consistently do it. All i was saying was that he COULDNT do it against Shaq. James needs to be the bigger player. He doesnt do well against players his own size. You are right though he was halfway servicable. I really think we agree on this issue I just feel that while he was semi useful most of the time against big centers like Shaq he was entirely useless.
<div class="quote_poster">Quote:</div><div class="quote_post">Last year's team was a reflection of McMillan. He put every player in a position in which their weaknesses were never exposed and their strengths showcased. </div> Sounds a lot like John Wooden.
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting Coolguy777:</div><div class="quote_post">No i completely agree he could score with his back to the basket and sometimes could consistently do it. All i was saying was that he COULDNT do it against Shaq. James needs to be the bigger player. He doesnt do well against players his own size. You are right though he was halfway servicable. I really think we agree on this issue I just feel that while he was semi useful most of the time against big centers like Shaq he was entirely useless.</div> Fair enough, its a good point. Continuing on the center situation, Vitaly/Moore being injured during camp thusfar has been a sort of double-edged sword. Its obviously not good to have them miss time and be out of shape when the regular season starts, but with them in the mix I wonder if Petro would have ever gotten a chance to run with the starting unit. He obviously has seized the opportunity and shown us all things we didn't think we'd see until hopefully next season. BW has a tough call, Vitaly probably won't be ready for the start of the season - does Petro get the start along side Vladi? Seems like that may end up being the lineup opening night if almost by default. Off topic - the Bucks just traded Desmond Mason, 2006 #1, and cash to the Hornets for Jamaal Magloire!!! ESPN source Wow, that just seems like absolutely nothing to get in return for an allstar-ish level center. On the other end, doesn't show much faith in Bogut unless they want to play Jamaal at PF, which I guess could work for stints - if he's in really good shape. Seems strange that it was reported that NO turned down the Raptors two 1st round picks for Magloire around draft time, but then pull the trigger on this deal???
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting M_Cage89:</div><div class="quote_post">Fair enough, its a good point. Continuing on the center situation, Vitaly/Moore being injured during camp thusfar has been a sort of double-edged sword. Its obviously not good to have them miss time and be out of shape when the regular season starts, but with them in the mix I wonder if Petro would have ever gotten a chance to run with the starting unit. He obviously has seized the opportunity and shown us all things we didn't think we'd see until hopefully next season. BW has a tough call, Vitaly probably won't be ready for the start of the season - does Petro get the start along side Vladi? Seems like that may end up being the lineup opening night if almost by default. Off topic - the Bucks just traded Desmond Mason, 2006 #1, and cash to the Hornets for Jamaal Magloire!!! ESPN source Wow, that just seems like absolutely nothing to get in return for an allstar-ish level center. On the other end, doesn't show much faith in Bogut unless they want to play Jamaal at PF, which I guess could work for stints - if he's in really good shape. Seems strange that it was reported that NO turned down the Raptors two 1st round picks for Magloire around draft time, but then pull the trigger on this deal???</div> Weiss really does have a tough call. He wants to play Petro with Vlade and Vitaly with Evans which means that sense Petro may have to start by default it pushes Vlade ahead of Evans even though Evans really has earned the starting role. I personally think that if Potapenko is near 100% opening night he gets the starting nod if for no other reason then to keep Evans in it.
