Well, I guess I started this mess, so I should at least make an attempt at responding. I think putting the Warriors 5 spots ahead of the Sonics is ridiculous, I'll tell you why. #1 - the Warriors played great ball the end the season, it was nice to see, but so did the Sonics the 2nd half after we first trade GP/Mason for Ray/Flip and what ended up being Ridnour. I was excited for our prospects the following season, but did I expect us to be ranked ahead of a team that CONVINCINGLY won a 1st round playoff series and almost took the eventual champs to a game 7? - the answer would be no. #2 - I could understand if we had lost alot of key pieces, but we subtracted Daniels/JJ, and virtually replaced them with Flip Murray, Damien Wilkins, Mikki Moore, and Rick Brunson. Mostly solid vets who should be able to somewhat effectively replace the lost production. #3 - I could understand if you had added a bunch of key pieces, but you basically added Baron Davis (a solid if not great player), Zarko, and a bunch of rookies but lost Dale Davis, Clifford Robinson, Speedy Claxton. (I probably missed some guys). I guess my point is that its tough for me to see how GS should be ranked ahead of SEA when their entire hope is resting on the shoulders of a guy who has a very hard time staying healthy for a whole season and that seems to have some serious depth issues. If Baron was added to a team already on the cusp of winning a playoff series, it would probably be justified - but without him its not pretty. I actually really like the Warriors, and hope you guys do well - just felt that last season we accomplished too much and you guys too little for such a drastic difference in pre-season rankings, thats all.
Only two teams in the West have no shot at the playoffs, and this is No. 1 on that list. The return of Nick Collison will help, but it was another way-too-quiet summer in Seattle. This is Steins power ranking statement about us last year....had us at 29 if u guys remember. Heres week 2 Brent Barry makes a Week 1 return Sunday to Key Arena, but here?s guessing the reunion does more to kickstart Barry?s three ball than it does for Sonics. Poor Brent he never really could get that shot goin consistently
Outside of my beloved Pittsburgh Pirates, the Warriors are the worst franchise in sports. They currently ave the longest consecutive streak of missing the playoffs in the league, they are known for giving their marginal players ridiculous contracts while letting their solid players walk (or be traded) on to playoff contending teams (The Wizards have Mullin to thank for their success last year), they have hired and fired more coaches in the past 11 years then any other team in the league, and although they draft reasonably well talent wise, they never fill holes w/ their picks. Golden St. is a joke. I don't care if they traded for Shaq, losing is a state of mind that the Warriors can't seem to shake. The only player on that team who has won at a high stage is Derek Fisher, and Mullin paid 40 million dollars for that veteran leadership. While Seattle is far from the ideal franchise, there is no doubt in my mind that we have the character to overtake the likes of Golden St. in the standings. Seattle is a top ten team who will earn their respect on the court instead of the power rankings.
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting Sir Desmond:</div><div class="quote_post">Well we'll both finish ahead of the Knicks, that's a given. What a horrible franchise.</div>
I browsed through internet today and every single NBA expert is telling that Sonics won't get into the playoffs this season. It would be very nice to prove those experts wrong two consequtive years.
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting Semmi:</div><div class="quote_post">I browsed through internet today and every single NBA expert is telling that Sonics won't get into the playoffs this season. It would be very nice to prove those experts wrong two consequtive years.</div> Ya I really have no clue why everyone just thinks we are going to suck now. Perhaps they watched a lot of Jerome James in the playoffs? However, I have to admit im sweating a little bit after reading that Weiss is encouraging Nick Collision to start shooting 3s....im not in love with this concept at all. Reminds me way to much of the days of r bigs just shootin jumpers all day long and not rebounding.
