<div class="quote_poster">Quote:</div><div class="quote_post">The Sonics have contacted 14-year veteran Dale Davis, who played last season with Indiana and Golden State. The 35-year-old forward is also drawing interest from Cleveland, Philadelphia, San Antonio, New Jersey and Indiana.</div> http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/spor...443_soni14.html
Well, Davis is still a servicable big man who is capable of pulling down a decent amount of rebounds and hold his own against other centers defensively - even if the stats don't particularly show it. It all depends if the Sonics overpay him or not...
I agree, Double D has always been a solid player. He can body up on guys and rebound, block a shot here and there and sometimes stick a 10 footer. He is getting a bit up there in age but I figure we're looking at 10-15 minutes per game, maybe more when we go against Yao and Shaquille. He had a miserable time in Portland but with those knuckleheads who can blame him.
Davis would be an excellent pick to replace James. He would give up some of the size, but his consistency and effort will more than make up for it. The man knows how to set solid screens for his active shooters (see Miller, Reggie) and he is solid on the boards with great put-backs and a serviceable short range jumper. He is a great defender and will provide veteran leadership and set a solid example for our two baby bigs, Swift and Petro. A MUCH better role model for them than James. I hope they can make this happen. Their is better talent out there, but Davis is the right option for this team's needs. If they got Davis and a solid veteran, defense oriented guard....all would be well in the world...that is if they can hire a coach.
Dale Davis is done. If this is the best option that we have to fill our starting center needs then I would seriously look at starting Bobby Swift and deal with the fall out. At this point in their careers I think Bobby could be a better option at the five than Dale. He looked awful the past two seasons in Portland, Golden St., and Indiana. Personally I'd love to make a run at Jamaal Magloire but he may be a bit too pricey for us. Realistically I think that we'd have a better chance of getting Zaza Pachulia or Curtis Borchardt.
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting Casual:</div><div class="quote_post">No love for Vitaly Potapenko...</div> That what happens when teams burn their bridges with players. I'd like to call it "Lover Scorned." Unless they pay substantially more than the free agent market, Pot is gone. He is an unrestricted free agent so we couldn't match any offers anyway.
Kinda interesting that the burning bridges idea comes in because I do believe Potapenko said something along the lines of hes learned NOT to burn bridges. I dont think Potapenko was ever that unhappy in Seattle and given an opportunity to start im sure he would more then welcome coming back. I dont think us contacting Davis rules out Potapenko. The fact of the matter is we still need atleast 2 more big men...maybe 3.
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting Iron Shiek:</div><div class="quote_post">Dale Davis is done. If this is the best option that we have to fill our starting center needs then I would seriously look at starting Bobby Swift and deal with the fall out. At this point in their careers I think Bobby could be a better option at the five than Dale. He looked awful the past two seasons in Portland, Golden St., and Indiana. Personally I'd love to make a run at Jamaal Magloire but he may be a bit too pricey for us. Realistically I think that we'd have a better chance of getting Zaza Pachulia or Curtis Borchardt.</div> Davis is not the player he was, but he would be the RIGHT type of veteran big we need. He is a blue collar guy who does the dirty work and knows the game. He is certainly not an offensive threat, but his screens, rebounding and defense are what the Sonics have wanted at that position. He looked fine in Indiana last year...<edit> with a few exceptions (4 seasons out of 13)<edit> he has averaged better than 8 rpg when given 20mpg. He is not a premiere player, merely a nice role player. Potapenko is OK, if we get him for MUCH less than he was making previously. I don't think ANY serious big's are on our radar...too expensive and we need backup at the 1, 2 and 3.
We have also made contact with Mark Madsen and Peja Drobnjak I believe, plus we have been credited with a recent interest in Sarunas. I would be all for the return of Peja, just so his website could be reinstated.
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting Sir Desmond:</div><div class="quote_post">We have also made contact with Mark Madsen and Peja Drobnjak I believe, plus we have been credited with a recent interest in Sarunas. I would be all for the return of Peja, just so his website could be reinstated.</div> I would love Peja returning, about D Davis, well, I'm not so sure. For 10-15 minutes a game he'd work out fine, and in regards to his being finished he certainly won't be returning to his near all star play, but he'd give the Supes solid play in limited minutes.
If we're signing Dale for the vet's minimum, then I'd be all for it. He would be a superb mentor for our young bigs, particularly Nick, and if he could be used as an energy guy for 15 minutes a night, just to do the dirty work, then I don't see the harm. You say he's done Shiek, I say he's done playing anything more than 15-20 minutes a night, but could still be very valuable on a minimum salary, both on and off the court. I expect him to remain in Indiana on the same salary though.
