Details: When: Tuesday, January 25th Where: Staples Center, Los Angeles Time (Seattle): 7:30 TV: Fox Sports, League Pass Projected Starters: <font color="green">Seattle (28-11)</font> Luke Ridnour Ray Allen Rashard Lewis Reggie Evans Jerome James <font color="Purple">LA Lakers (22-16)</font> Chucky Atkins Caron Butler Jumaine Jones Lamar Odom Chris Mihm 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="Blue"> </font> <font color="Purple">Utah</font> Kobe Bryant: Sprained ankle, ruled out. Vlade Divac: Back surgery, ruled out. Devean George: Ankle surgery, ruled out. Brief Notes: <ul> [*]After a big win over the Utah Jazz, which stopped a two game rot, the Sonics roll into the City of Angels to start a three game road trip against a team without it's star, and the chance to go 2-0 in the season series. Ray Allen won't get a chance to renew his duel with Kobe Bryant, but Rashard Lewis comes in hot, and will hope for a repeat performance of the first meeting between these two teams, in which he scored 37. [/list] <ul> [*]While Kobe is still the face of the franchise, the Lakers have an underrated supporting cast. Chucky Atkins runs the team professionally and has gotten under the guard of a few teams this season, while Caron Butler and Lamar Odom are both capable of big games, as is Chris Mihm in the middle. This won't be an easy game, with big Jack watching in earnest or disgust, depending on the score. [/list] <ul> [*]All-Star Watch: Sweet Lew got his campaign back on track against the Jazz, tying a career high with seven makes from the land of milk and honey, on his way to 36 points, whilst adding to his reputation as a clutch shooter with two big threes sparking a game ending 13-4 run, after Jerry Sloan's men had cut the magin to single digits. [/list] <ul> [*]Word of the day: Bionic; adj. To replace body parts with electronic equipment, so as to create superhuman strength. [/list]<div align="center">"Seattle SuperSonics, are basketball bionic."</div> <div align="center">Random Family Guy Quote </div> Lois: Ugh, look at you, you're drunk Peter: No I'm not, I'm just exhausted 'cos I've been up all night drinking. All predictions, analysis and discussion relating directly to the game, both before, during and after, to be posted in this thread.
Ray Ray has always had big games against L.A, Let's see what's going on That's my first post here, I am new to the board. I live in France and I've been a Ray Allen fan for 5years. Go Sonics !! R?mi
The Sonics have a big advantage in this one with Kobe Bryant out. After an uplifting victory we should have some of our confidence back, and we need to put some defensive effort in containing Lamar Odom and Caron Butler. Danny Fortson must play more and bring the physical presence to the game. BTW.. Welcome to JBB Remi, glad to have you here. Just a quick note though, linking to other sites isn't permitted in signatures.
I imagine the Sonics will be fine. About the only thing that will stop the Sonics from winning would be a bomb threat.
The Lakers are 0-8 in their quest to win three games in a row. I don't give the Lakers much of a chance in this match-up. They have had plenty of time to prepare for the Sonics, but the Sonics are the superior perimeter team and the Lakers are lousy at defending against it.
All these signs pointing towards the Sonics...that usually spells trouble doesnt it? lol. Really though if we play our offense like we did last time and step up are D a little we shouldnt have much to worry about. I like that Allen seems to be realizing he doesnt need to take a lot of shots to get a lot of points. Thats when are offense goes real smooth..when the open guy shoots.
Hopefully they can carry some of the defensive intensity over from the Utah game. Odom having the ball in his hands a lot now could be a problem if his head's in the game. Otherwise if the Sonics run their stuff and rebound they should win.
"The guys really wanted me to get 9 to get the record...but I guess i just screwed that up."- Vladimir Radmanovic. Damn! I really wanted Vlade to get that record. But hey, 8 three pointers is good in my book. Great win by the Sonics, Shard and Ray played great as well.
The best thing to see in the game was the return of the defense, especially the 3rd quarter they really locked 'em up. I was impressed how Evans played Odom off the dribble and when he made him spin baseline there was a guy there waiting.
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting Supersonic:</div><div class="quote_post">Sixth man of the year. It's not even close.</div> I'm sure AD would have something to say about that, both are deserving and I don't think I've seen two bench players from one team who are both just as deserving. It's been a while.
^ I think Danny would have something to say, too. Three guys who all make huge contributions from the pine, and I don't think there is much doubt that this is the best bench in the league at the moment.
Stan Van Gundy said it best. When you have three token starters in your starting lineup your bench production is a bit exaggerated. In my estimation AD, Vlad, and Fortson are all starters b/c they are the ones finishing the games.
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting Iron Shiek:</div><div class="quote_post">Stan Van Gundy said it best. When you have three token starters in your starting lineup your bench production is a bit exaggerated. In my estimation AD, Vlad, and Fortson are all starters b/c they are the ones finishing the games.</div> James is really are only "token starter" Ridnour averages more minutes then Daniels so you cant call him a token player at all. And Fortson only plays 18 mpp (an absolutely huge 18 mpg) but realisticially those are back up minutes.
