http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/spor...560_soni04.html <div class="quote_poster">Quote:</div><div class="quote_post"> Luke Ridnour left a message pleading for him to stay shortly after Allen spoke with the Clippers</div> <div class="quote_poster">Quote:</div><div class="quote_post">Forward Vladimir Radmanovic presents the next free-agent situation for the Sonics to settle, and Allen has strongly urged the organization to bring back the 24-year-old.</div> <div class="quote_poster">Quote:</div><div class="quote_post">Allen, a five-time All-Star, doesn't expect prognosticators to give the team much respect after losing Jerome James (Knicks) and Antonio Daniels (Wizards) to free agency and hiring a new head coach, longtime Sonics assistant Bob Weiss, but said, "I wouldn't want them to anyway. "As I've told the guys, Bob as a head coach is not going to be Bob as an assistant coach. But I want Bob to know I'm his man. I'm going to fight for you. I want everybody to want to love to play for Bob." </div>
I guess Ray is working on regaining his title as media spokesman of the year. I hope that Bob Weiss doesn't end up being Ray's puppet throughout the season. I don't want for us to be paying Ray to be our franchise player, assistant coach, and assistant GM. It was interesting how he took some shots at Nate, Dwane, and Dean by saying that Bob was the brains behind the operation and was the coach that he respected the most. It'll be interesting to see how much Ray will be on Bob side the moment he draws up plays for someone other than him.
Well that's my main concern, if Weiss is tough enough to be a head coach and draw a line in the sand, especially for the star players. He certainly doesn't look tough. Although to be honest I thought Nate let Ray get away with A LOT last year that he wouldn't tolerate from, oh, say, Flip Murray But seriously I wonder if that was his doing or if upper management was pulling some strings from upstairs (and hence one of the reasons Nate left). <div class="quote_poster">Quoting Iron Shiek:</div><div class="quote_post">It was interesting how he took some shots at Nate, Dwane, and Dean by saying that Bob was the brains behind the operation and was the coach that he respected the most. It'll be interesting to see how much Ray will be on Bob side the moment he draws up plays for someone other than him.</div> When did he do that?
<div class="quote_poster">Quote:</div><div class="quote_post">Allen said he was "a little sad" to see James depart and "surprised and sad" that McMillan left. Still, he is thrilled with the hiring of former assistant Bob Weiss as head coach. "With all due respect to Nate and (assistants Dwane) Casey and Dean (Demopolous), in our interactions with coaches, Bob seemed like the guy that knew it all. Xs and Os, other teams, the scouting -- he knew how to bring the information to us in the most efficient way," he said.</div> Link
Ah, it's recent. Well, if true that's a good sign that Weiss can hold it together. Or it could just be Ray being Ray.
Just out of curiosity Sheik, will Ray ever be able to say or do anything without you automatically assuming the worst? And -- it was his press conference; who else would be talking? http://seattlepi.nwsource.com/basketball/235200_sonx04.html <div class="quote_poster">Quote:</div><div class="quote_post">Allen entertained offers from Cleveland, Milwaukee, Atlanta and the Los Angeles Clippers, but longed for the comfort of his new home and for the potential of a solid core of young Sonics. "I didn't think they could shake a stick at what this organization had to offer me as a player, this city as a person," Allen said. "Being back here in Seattle was my goal the whole time."</div> Ugghhh. What a jerk!
Oh, BTW -- the sarcastic "what a jerk" remark was directed at Ray's praising of the team and city; not at Shiek. Not sure the message read that way.
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting hooper:</div><div class="quote_post">Just out of curiosity Sheik, will Ray ever be able to say or do anything without you automatically assuming the worst? And -- it was his press conference; who else would be talking?</div> I'll always acknowledge that Ray is one of the top talents that this league has at the guard position. I just think that he always has his own agenda at heart whenever a camera is in his face. And I do recognize that he was speaking at his "own" press conference. My only question to you is does giving anyone at platform to speak mean that what they speak is meaningful? I think it would be pretty hypocritical for you to answer that question with a yes.
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting Iron Shiek:</div><div class="quote_post"> My only question to you is does giving anyone at platform to speak mean that what they say is meaningful? I think it would be pretty hypocritical for you to answer that question with a yes.</div> No, of course not. But I'm not sure what you mean by "meaningful." Truthful? Surprising?
