Details: When: Tuesday, February 8th Where: Key Arena, Seattle Time (Seattle): 7:00 TV: Fox Sports, League Pass Projected Starters: <font color="green">Seattle (32-13)</font> Luke Ridnour Ray Allen Rashard Lewis Reggie Evans Jerome James <font color="teal">New Orleans (8-39)</font> Dan Dickau JR Smith George Lynch Rodney Rogers PJ Brown Injury Troubles: <font color="green">Seattle</font> Casanova Swift: Strained hip, ruled out. Damien Wilkins: Knee tendinitis, ruled out. *Ray Allen: Flu, probable. <font color="teal">New Orleans</font> Baron Davis: Bruised ankle, ruled out. Alex Garcia: Torn ACL, ruled out. David West: Knee contusion, ruled out Lee Nailon: Strained groin, questionable Brief Notes: <ul> [*]Nate McMillan returns to play the team with the league's worst record, in Seattle? Surely the Sonics can't drop this one, but this is a team with a history of playing down to the level of their opponents. As Nate says, you have to play to a team, not a record. Seattle have won two straight since losing to the Spurs, and will look to extend their division lead over Minnesota, who also play tomorrow. The Sonics' lead at the top is nine games, and the Wolves have lost five straight. [/list] <ul> [*]Gonzaga product Dan Dickau returns to Washington with a point to prove. After barely getting a junktime minute in his first few seasons in the league, Dickau has gotten his chance with Baron Davis out and the Hornets trying to tank, and he has taken it with both hands. He has posted numerous high scoring games, and set a career high of 16 assists, so he will provide a challenge to Luke Ridnour. Both are small, white and fast and from local Alma Maters, but both have toned down the curly locks they had in college. [/list] <ul> [*]All-Star Watch: All-Star reserves are announced on this day, and while it is a lock that Ray Allen will be selected, Rashard Lewis will be hoping to cap off a tremendous season so far with a spot on the bench. Allen and Vlad Radmanovic will try to strip Voshon Lenard of his shootout crown, while Robert Swift was a surprise snub from the Rookie/Sophomore Challenge. [/list] <ul> [*]Word of the day: Outmoded; adj. Out of style or no longer used. [/list]<div align="center">"After seeing little time in the blowout win over Charlotte, it would appear Flip's status on the team is outmoded."</div> <div align="center">Random Family Guy Quote </div> Lois: Oh, my God! You can only play the piano when you're drunk! Peter: Now that's not true! I can also vomit, fall down and make dirty calls to your sister when I'm drunk. All predictions, analysis and discussion relating directly to the game, both before, during and after, to be posted in this thread.
Have just gotten confirmation that Lee Nailon won't be suiting up for this one. Nick has gastroenteritis and is doubtful, while Jerome James didn't complete practice with a sprained ankle, but should play.
<div class="quote_poster">Quote:</div><div class="quote_post">The Sonics put their 19-year-old first-round draft choice, 7-footer Robert Smith, in with 2:48 left in the game. Smith had a free throw with 23.9 seconds to go.</div> <font size="1">Full Story courtesy of Yahoo.</font> Disgraceful. Anyway, Rashard followed up his All-Star selection with a stinker, while Webber posted his second consecutive triple double, so I'm sure there will be people who come out over that. The lead is now 10.5 games over Minny, who lost again to Memphis. We are on track to be the only team from the Northwest to make the playoffs, which is ludicrous when you consider the teams in the division.
Robert Smith...what an abomination. You'd think a man of Casanova's ability would merit some respect. But that's yahoo for ya.
