Details: When: Tuesday, February 22nd Where: Toyota Center, Houston Time (Seattle): 5:30 p.m. TV: Fox Sports, League Pass Projected Starters: <font color="green">Seattle (35-15)</font> Luke Ridnour Ray Allen Rashard Lewis Reggie Evans Jerome James <font color="red">Houston (32-21)</font> Rod Strickland David Wesley Tracy McGrady Juwan Howard Yao Ming Injury Troubles: <font color="green">Seattle</font> Mateen Cleaves: Sprained thumb, ruled out. Damien Wilkins: Knee tendinitis, ruled out. Danny Fortson: Family emergency, questionable. <font color="red">Houston</font> Charlie Ward: ruled out Reece Gaines: ruled out Maurice Taylor: ruled out Bob Sura: questionable Brief Notes: <ul> [*]The Sonics return to the court tonight for the first time after the All-Star Break. They are coming into this game on a two game losing streak with both losses coming at home. They are facing the hottest team in the league tonight, Houston, who has won eight straight. This is the first of four matchups this season. The Sonics won this season series last year 3-1. [/list] <ul> [*]Danny Fortson is again missing in action after failing to communicate to the Sonics as to when he will be returning from his visit with his ailing grandmother. It is unknown whether or not he will be available for tonight's game. If he is available McMillian has suggested that he will not be given his normal allotment of minutes. [/list] <ul> [*]Useful/less stat of the day: The Sonics are 2-0 this season following a two game losing streak, thus never having a three game losing streak.[/list] <ul> [*]Word of the day: Prophecy n. "a prediction, miracle of knowledge, a declaration or description or representation of something future, beyond the power of human sagacity to foresee, discern, or conjecture." [/list]"Nate McMillian's still seems haunted by his negative prochecy about this year's Sonics." <div align="center">Random Hustler Quote </div> Bert Gordon: How's your hand? Fast Eddie: Good, it's just about at a 100%. Bert Gordon: That's good to know. I hate to think that I was wasting all of my money on a cripple. All predictions, analysis and discussion relating directly to the game, both before, during and after, to be posted in this thread.
I'm hoping from a big game from Rashard, going against McGrady and playing in his hometown against the team that passed on him 3 times in the draft.
Rockets are on a roll, but even as a Rockets fan, I'm pessimistic regarding Houston's chances of winning, even with their streak and home court. Last season, the Sonics, especially Radmanovic, owned the Rockets in 3 out of 4 meetings. Unless McGrady and Wesley can successfully limit Allen and Rashard, and our frontcourt outrebound Evans and James, the Sonics should win. Seattle by 11.
Seattle's perimeter game is ridiculous, in addition the interior contains beasts such as Evans. I see Houston having trouble containing Ray, and Rashard. For Houston to be successful, I think McGrady and Yao will have to become a dominant presence. I see this game simply not in their favor. Sonics by 56 J/K I'm taking Seattle by 15
I think this will be a fairly close game actually. Coming off of two losses and a semi-long break, the Sonics will once again be tested of their character. If they play like a team that could go deep into the playoffs then they should come back with a bang and show everyone those two games were a fluke. If they play lackluster then it's going to raise some questions about this being the inevitable downfall that we anticipated early in the season. I'm hoping it's the former.
For the first time all season I sense a little discension within our team, w/ the culprit being none other than Ray Allen. Ray has made recent statements to the effect that he doesn't believe that he will be able to reach a contract agreement w/ the Sonics b/c they don't seem to want to bend on their original offer sheet. He's even gone on record to talk about the teams that he'd consider this offseason when he becomes a free agent. During All-Star weekend you know that he was being courted by every team under the sun. He seem very frustrated w/ his role down the stretch in the Golden St. game. He implied that Flip wasn't looking for him and he was seen on camera blowing Flip off. The contract situations of our free agents should be a major concern for all Sonics fans b/c the only thing that has kept this team from imploding is that we've been winning. The moment our losing streak reaches more than two games is the moment you will start hearing our players publicly voice their concerns. This is an absolute huge game for the Supes, possibly the biggest of the year. A loss here could have a snow balling effect. I honestly don't think that we will win this game, especially if Fortson is unavailable. Contrary to popular opinion he has been the catalyst for our team resurgence. When he plays well and keeps his composure that is when we have been at our best. Just ask Shaquille O'Neal. I hope that I'm wrong on my prediction and I hope that Nate will start go deeper in his bench to give his All-Stars a much needed rest.
I do have to admit allen likes throwing blame after games. But not direct blame just kinda pushing it away from himself. The offensive never came back to me..we need a big man to step up and start scoring 12 and 8 (the stupidest thing said of the season).
Looked like another ploy from Ray Allen to get his contract extension done quickly. Although putting so much pressure on the Sonics management can be risky. The last thing he wants is to get traded to an average team when you consider the position the Sonics are In. If the Sonics management are really serious enough and think he is part of their future they will pay him what he wants. Considering the weak players that got paid last year, Ray deserves to at least name his price which has been said to be way under the most he can get (95 million over 5 years)
Bob Sura is out, which throws off all of the Rocket's composure and focus more likely, sad to say since im a Rockets fan but the Sonics should have no problem.
I have a ton of respect for Ray Allen's game, he has the best shot in the NBA and can turn a game around at any given time. That said, it drives me insane when players talk about their financial situation publicly during the season...it shows selfishness and distance from the team. With a team like the Sonics thriving on a cumulative effort from all of their players, this can only be a bad thing. Ray Allen needs to learn some leadership skills.
Whoo-hoo! I have no idea how we won that game. Sweet win, I think we got some fortuitous calls at the end but we'll take it.
That was the best game I've seen in awhile. Gotta love those intense, high pressure games. Amazing win for the Sonics and how clutch was Sweet Lew down the stretch on T-Mac? Terrific game from a deserving all-star...thats my boy. Sonics showed alot tonight.
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting Roland Hood:</div><div class="quote_post">Whoo-hoo! I have no idea how we won that game. Sweet win, I think we got some fortuitous calls at the end but we'll take it.</div> The one on Yao MIGHT have been iffy but even then he did commit the foul just not a foul that will always be called. Didnt see any other iffy ones at the end..although the block mutombo had on vlade was pretty bad earlier..but over the refering in the game was just bad both ways. Past that awesome game for the Supes. They showed a lot of heart win this game when there shot was soooo far off. Give some credit to Houston for a very good defensive scheme. If we play them in the 1st round it will be a tough series. now past that who has NBA league pass? Anyone that does and saw those Houston commentators im wondering if im the only one that thinks they may have an argument for dumbest people on the planet. If anyone questions this I will be forced to right out a complete list of the idiotic things that were stated throughout this game. They really make the state of Texas look bad....
Yeah Rashard really showed how he's improved this year - last year 2 early fouls and some bad misses would've taken him out of the entire game, but he stayed agressive and made a huge 3 point play at the end. I was also impressed with his D on McGrady in the 4th even though McGrady went around him a few times he made him work to get the ball and pushed him towards his help, like in the last play. I like how he said in the post game that 'you're going to see a different Rashard the 2nd half' and how the All-Star game motivated him. Radmanovic's 3 to bring us to within 1 was huge, and the work on the offensive glass kept us within striking distance.
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting Coolguy777:</div><div class="quote_post">now past that who has NBA league pass? Anyone that does and saw those Houston commentators im wondering if im the only one that thinks they may have an argument for dumbest people on the planet. If anyone questions this I will be forced to right out a complete list of the idiotic things that were stated throughout this game. They really make the state of Texas look bad....</div> Homers?
Wow, gotta love the nail biters, especially when it includes a sonic W. Allen was huge down the stretch for us. He scored the last six sonic points. Lewis did a great job on tmac as well, only allowing him to score 17 points. And as always Evans was great on the boards. Yao killed us, Fortson would have made a huge difference slowing him down and making this a much easier win. This is probably one of the only games that we have won this year without any good performances off the bench This team impresses me more and more with each win.
nice win to you Seattle fans.. snapping the Rockets win streak. The Sonics look for real, they are back to being the <u>Super</u>Sonics like the good old days. I like the Sonics in the playoffs more than the Suns, they actually have a bench and some players who can play a little defense. The West playoffs will be great, I wish we could just skip to them ha.
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting Coolguy777:</div><div class="quote_post"> now past that who has NBA league pass? Anyone that does and saw those Houston commentators im wondering if im the only one that thinks they may have an argument for dumbest people on the planet. If anyone questions this I will be forced to right out a complete list of the idiotic things that were stated throughout this game. They really make the state of Texas look bad....</div> I will always come away thinking that everytime I hear those guys. Although some of the things they stated where basically what every anounce team does. Most are homers when It comes to the team they broadcast. Having league pass is certainly a real bonus. Watching a great game like this develop in that 4th quarter. The Sonics showed alot of heart and will to win to pullthat off. One would think shooting 4-25 from three would make you lose the game. Guess this shows the difference beteen this years Sonics and past Sonics teams.
Sonics just offered me another great moment in this season. I was listening the game from KJRAM and the final 4 minutes I would have literally jumped up & down if my left ankle wouldn't be broken. I just knew somehow that they can pull away the W!!! Also I had a little money throwed on this game so it was a win-win situation for me! Thank you Sonics for another great game!!! Looking forward to next ones...
