Second Coming: A SuperSonics Return

[Cruzerr]

Re: Second Coming: A SuperSonics Return

So, what, he will let Lin run the point, hoping Linsanity will return and a rookie behind him?

If I was Max, I would be knocking on Conleys door...

[BlindSideNZ]

Re: Second Coming: A SuperSonics Return

Marvellous write up my man. Everything I hoped it would be. A brilliant way to start my day. Just on a side not you mentioned Jonas Valanciunas possibly being better as a PF just curious as to why?

[trekfan]

Re: Second Coming: A SuperSonics Return

Marvellous write up my man. Everything I hoped it would be. A brilliant way to start my day. Just on a side not you mentioned Jonas Valanciunas possibly being better as a PF just curious as to why?

^I went around and tested out a few position switch-ups for certain players to see if their ratings improved enough to justify a switch that season for their current team. Valanciunas only went up one point and the dude had a career year at C, so I left him there, but I can see the Raptors down the line possibly needing him to switch to PF to lock-down that spot (they have a few developmental guys at C that are coming along decently enough).

If the Raptors regress this season, I can see them mixing things up next year and trying Valanciuncas out. As it stands, the guy as a PF would be one of the taller (and versatile) ones in the league and could end being better there long-term, but it's a "maybe" thing at this point.

[trekfan]

Re: Second Coming: A SuperSonics Return

So, what, he will let Lin run the point, hoping Linsanity will return and a rookie behind him?

If I was Max, I would be knocking on Conleys door...

The strategy does seem a bit short-sighted, doesn't it? Maybe Max has a trade or two up his sleeve to help out the team. We'll have to see.

[BlindSideNZ]

Re: Second Coming: A SuperSonics Return

^I went around and tested out a few position switch-ups for certain players to see if their ratings improved enough to justify a switch that season for their current team. Valanciunas only went up one point and the dude had a career year at C, so I left him there, but I can see the Raptors down the line possibly needing him to switch to PF to lock-down that spot (they have a few developmental guys at C that are coming along decently enough).

If the Raptors regress this season, I can see them mixing things up next year and trying Valanciuncas out. As it stands, the guy as a PF would be one of the taller (and versatile) ones in the league and could end being better there long-term, but it's a "maybe" thing at this point.

As a raptors fan it's quite an interesting idea something I'd never actually considered. It would probably help us defensively to have him as a PF. Appreciate the insight

[trekfan]

Re: Second Coming: A SuperSonics Return



July 7th, 2016

"Can't do it." Coach Lionel Hollins sat with him outside on the patio deck of his house, the smoke of a grill behind him, the summer air wafting around them with the scents of grass, life, and barbecue.

As Max sipped his ice-cold glass of unsweetened tea, he replayed Lionel's response through his brain and came up with disbelief. "You really think so?" He set his glass between his legs and propped his head up on his right arm. "You really don't think Lin can do it?"

Lionel shook his head. "I like Jeremy Lin as much as you do -- hell, there was a time when he could have been a good starter in this league -- but that was at least three years ago, Max. He's fantastic off the bench, but his play against first-team units isn't enough to justify handing him the starter role."

The coach rubbed the lip of his own glass with his thumb. "And Malik is a good kid, but he's not ready to contribute to us."

"You can tell that after only a few meetings with him?"

Lionel coolly stared at him. "You learn to after a few years and Malik Newman, for all his talent, has got big doe eyes for any NBA player he's a fan of. He's not ready to face these guys on the floor. He needs seasoning."

Max frowned and looked over to the grill. "Ray, what do you think?"

Ray Allen was precisely flipping burgers and adjusting the position of the BBQ chicken on the grill. "He's right," he stated definitively, his eyes not rising from the grill. "I think we need to look somewhere else for a starter at the point. Jeremy is solid, but we need shooting and defense at both the guard spots."

"Since you retired," Max reminded him.

"Yes," Ray answered quickly. His eyes shot up and met Max's, a small smirk on his lips. "I've enjoyed it so far."

Max frowned and turned his attention back to Lionel. "Should I call Jarrett Jack?"

Lionel laughed. "I appreciated his offense but his defense drove me mad."

"I can vouch for that," Ray added.

Max leaned back in his chair, looking at the two men he was going to rely on as a sounding board for any move he might make. He thought he had this figured out but they were telling him otherwise. "Well, who should we be looking at?"

Hollins sipped at his tea.

"I like the idea of Rondo." Ray flipped a burger expertly and pressed it into the grill, the hissing sound releasing a delicious scent. "He's a professional and wants to win. He'll play defense, he'll dish the ball, and he'll give you the most unlikely triple-doubles you'll ever see."

Lionel nodded along. "Something to be said for a champion guard, but he's a few years removed and he's suffered some unfortunate injuries since then." He looked over at Ray. "No offense."

Ray shook his head. "None taken. He's a good player."

"I think we need some shooting and solid defense at the point," Max said as he stroked his chin. "But I want to sign someone who can serve as an example to Malik and not cause problems."

Ray shut the grill cover and looked at them both. "We need shooting, that's for certain, but I think we can get away with having it at the two. We don't need to prioritize shooting over passing and defense at the one."

"I tend to agree, but I'd like to find a capable shooter at both positions and have some balance there this season." Lionel stood and stretched his legs. "We got taken advantage of with Jack and Crawford on the floor and we can't afford to have that kind of weakness this year -- they'll be expecting us, there won't be an element of surprise."

Max tapped his knee with his fingers, the decision of whom to target gnawing at him. He took a breath. "Let's switch subjects: who will we replace Thomas Robinson with?" The tall PF had left the team and informed Max he wouldn't be coming back, thanking the Sonics for giving him a chance. But Robinson wanted to make a name for himself somewhere else and he wouldn't get the chance with Noel in front of him.

Lionel shook his head. "Plenty of big bodies out there, though few enjoyed dunking on people as much as Thomas did."

"And fewer let people get so deep in the post," Ray sniped. "He got bullied some games and cost us points. I think we need someone who thrives as a defensive big in the post and lives for it."

Lionel nodded. "I agree."

Max smirked, a name immediately coming to mind, one Danny Ferry himself had suggested. "I think I have an idea who that might be ..."

[BlindSideNZ]

Re: Second Coming: A SuperSonics Return

July 7th, 2016

"Can't do it." Coach Lionel Hollins sat with him outside on the patio deck of his house, the smoke of a grill behind him, the summer air wafting around them with the scents of grass, life, and barbecue.

As Max sipped his ice-cold glass of unsweetened tea, he replayed Lionel's response through his brain and came up with disbelief. "You really think so?" He set his glass between his legs and propped his head up on his right arm. "You really don't think Lin can do it?"

Lionel shook his head. "I like Jeremy Lin as much as you do -- hell, there was a time when he could have been a good starter in this league -- but that was at least three years ago, Max. He's fantastic off the bench, but his play against first-team units isn't enough to justify handing him the starter role."

The coach rubbed the lip of his own glass with his thumb. "And Malik is a good kid, but he's not ready to contribute to us."

"You can tell that after only a few meetings with him?"

Lionel coolly stared at him. "You learn to after a few years and Malik Newman, for all his talent, has got big doe eyes for any NBA player he's a fan of. He's not ready to face these guys on the floor. He needs seasoning."

Max frowned and looked over to the grill. "Ray, what do you think?"

Ray Allen was precisely flipping burgers and adjusting the position of the BBQ chicken on the grill. "He's right," he stated definitively, his eyes not rising from the grill. "I think we need to look somewhere else for a starter at the point. Jeremy is solid, but we need shooting and defense at both the guard spots."

"Since you retired," Max reminded him.

"Yes," Ray answered quickly. His eyes shot up and met Max's, a small smirk on his lips. "I've enjoyed it so far."

Max frowned and turned his attention back to Lionel. "Should I call Jarrett Jack?"

Lionel laughed. "I appreciated his offense but his defense drove me mad."

"I can vouch for that," Ray added.

Max leaned back in his chair, looking at the two men he was going to rely on as a sounding board for any move he might make. He thought he had this figured out but they were telling him otherwise. "Well, who should we be looking at?"

Hollins sipped at his tea.

"I like the idea of Rondo." Ray flipped a burger expertly and pressed it into the grill, the hissing sound releasing a delicious scent. "He's a professional and wants to win. He'll play defense, he'll dish the ball, and he'll give you the most unlikely triple-doubles you'll ever see."

Lionel nodded along. "Something to be said for a champion guard, but he's a few years removed and he's suffered some unfortunate injuries since then." He looked over at Ray. "No offense."

Ray shook his head. "None taken. He's a good player."

"I think we need some shooting and solid defense at the point," Max said as he stroked his chin. "But I want to sign someone who can serve as an example to Malik and not cause problems."

Ray shut the grill cover and looked at them both. "We need shooting, that's for certain, but I think we can get away with having it at the two. We don't need to prioritize shooting over passing and defense at the one."

"I tend to agree, but I'd like to find a capable shooter at both positions and have some balance there this season." Lionel stood and stretched his legs. "We got taken advantage of with Jack and Crawford on the floor and we can't afford to have that kind of weakness this year -- they'll be expecting us, there won't be an element of surprise."

Max tapped his knee with his fingers, the decision of whom to target gnawing at him. He took a breath. "Let's switch subjects: who will we replace Thomas Robinson with?" The tall PF had left the team and informed Max he wouldn't be coming back, thanking the Sonics for giving him a chance. But Robinson wanted to make a name for himself somewhere else and he wouldn't get the chance with Noel in front of him.

Lionel shook his head. "Plenty of big bodies out there, though few enjoyed dunking on people as much as Thomas did."

"And fewer let people get so deep in the post," Ray sniped. "He got bullied some games and cost us points. I think we need someone who thrives as a defensive big in the post and lives for it."

Lionel nodded. "I agree."

Max smirked, a name immediately coming to mind, one Danny Ferry himself had suggested. "I think I have an idea who that might be ..."

Absolutely loved this. Feel like it could be its own Tv show

[trekfan]

Re: Second Coming: A SuperSonics Return

Absolutely loved this. Feel like it could be its own Tv show

Thanks! I strive to make it like a scene from a TV show when I can. We're past the first season now, so with the groundwork laid we can start building up on the foundation. Things are gonna get interesting for Season 2.

[trekfan]

Re: Second Coming: A SuperSonics Return

All right, the offseason is now complete. We've had some fun things go down (trades and bets galore), so we'll be reviewing where everyone stands starting tomorrow or Tuesday (likely Tuesday but I might find time tomorrow). As always, thanks for keeping the faith and please, stay tuned.

[janmagn]

Re: Second Coming: A SuperSonics Return

I think we'll see Big Baby...

Lähetetty minun LG-H440n laitteesta Tapatalkilla

[trekfan]

Re: Second Coming: A SuperSonics Return

30 team preview starts tonight -- we'll work our way backwards, starting from the Champions all the way down the standings to see how things stack for the 2016-17 season. Gonna be some really interesting storylines to follow this year.

[trekfan]

Re: Second Coming: A SuperSonics Return

NBA 2016-17 Preview

October 21st, 2016

By Vonny Lee


The Sonics

Previous Record: 54-28

Key Losses: Jarrett Jack (FA), Thomas Robinson (FA), Ray Allen (Retirement)

Key Additions: Larry Sanders (1yr/$587K), Brandon Jennings (1yr/$17.45M), Lance Stephenson (2yr/$9.8M with a team option), Jeremy Lin (re-signed for 2yr/$10.2M with a team option), Jamal Crawford (re-signed for 1yr/$5.8M)


When we last saw them ...

The Seattle SuperSonics were celebrating one of the most (if not the most) unlikely championships in NBA history. After overcoming the gauntlet Western Conference, surviving challenges from the Suns, the Thunder, and the Pelicans, the Sonics faced LeBron James and the Cavaliers.

Most pundits -- myself included -- predicted the Cavs would win the series rather easily. I had them beating the Sonics in five. Little did I know the basketball I was about to witness as the Sonics devoured, destroyed, and outteamed (now a word) the Cavs in four of the five games it took for them to win.

The offseason saw many changes throughout the league, but Seattle largely returns the same cast with only three absences: firstly, Jarrett Jack. Jack, the unlikely leader of the unlikeliest champions, found himself wanting more money with the cap rise and unwilling to settle for a bench role as Seattle searched for an upgrade at PG. As such, his team option was declined and he was released to sign where he wanted.

Thomas Robinson, another unlikely player in last year's squad, also left in free agency, seeing that he wouldn't get the role he wanted in Seattle and signing elsewhere.

Ray Allen retired but came back to be the head scout of the Sonics.

Seattle went out and locked in on an upgrade at PG in Brandon Jennings, the gunner guard formerly of Detroit and Milwaukee. Jennings signing was surprisingly onto to a large, one year deal, which has multiple sources across the league speculating as to what the Sonics plan to do long-term. They drafted Malik Newman to be the point-man of the future, but it's entirely possible Seattle plans to develop him as a two, not a one, but the Sonics aren't commenting.

Jennings signing was only made possible thanks to Seattle signing Larry Sanders. Sanders has been out of the league for over a year now but Seattle went out and got him, taking a chance on the young man with the troubled past. Sanders character is a question, but he was medically (and mentally) cleared by Sonics trainers and his own doctors to attempt playing again. Sanders is also signed to a one year deal and his signing was a large part of the reason why Jennings signed: the two players were both drafted by the Bucks and have remained close over the years since.

The most intriguing -- and perhaps dangerous -- signing by Seattle was Lance Stephenson: yes, that Lance. Stephenson managed to mildly rehab his value as a bench player for the Clippers last season (scoring 5.8 PPG, with 2.6 RPG, 2.4 APG, on 44 percent shooting and 30 percent from deep) but he didn't get the minutes or the trust from Doc Rivers that he wanted. All that said, he also received the longest contract out of any of the key additions and his cap hit is minuscule.

Storyline to Follow:

What is Seattle doing with Brandon Jennings? Jennings is receiving more money in this one year contract than he made in the last two seasons. Furthermore, Seattle won't have bird-rights of any kind next season for him and with Noel coming up on a contract extension (one that will reportedly be in the range of 18-20M easily), Seattle won't have the money to spend next offseason that they do now.

Sources within the organization claim Seattle is targeting a "big name" to take the point guard reins from Jennings and that Jennings is a "fallback" in case that doesn't work out. Only two "big names" will be on the market next summer, assuming neither re-signs with their current squad: Derrick Rose and Russell Westbrook.

Neither is out of the realm of possibility. With the Bulls no longer enamored with Rose (and his knees) and the Westbrook/Durant relationship showing signs of strain, either could be had. But there are other interesting guards out on the market next summer, from Kyle Lowry to Ty Lawson, to Jeff Teague and Jrue Holiday.

And then there's the remote possibility Chris Paul opts out of his deal as well.

Best Case Scenario: A repeat, plain and simple. Seattle marches its way back into the playoffs, through the gauntlet, and to the title game which allows them to repeat and cement their legacy as the best team in the NBA for a second-straight year.

Worst Case Scenario: Lance Stephenson not only regresses back to what he was in Charlotte, he gets worse and routinely finds himself in trouble on the court. Larry Sanders quits basketball mid-season, Brandon Jennings gets injured, and the Sonics struggle to finish above .500 as their free agent signings destroy the team's chemistry.

Likely Scenario: The new additions to the Sonics lineup starts them slow out of the gate and they get in a hole early, but they find their stride and finish as a top-four seed in the West. They make it to the second round but their streak of luck ends and they get knocked out by a better team (Warriors, Rockets) that they avoided last postseason.

[BlindSideNZ]

Re: Second Coming: A SuperSonics Return

NBA 2016-17 Preview

October 21st, 2016

By Vonny Lee


The Sonics

Previous Record: 54-28

Key Losses: Jarrett Jack (FA), Thomas Robinson (FA), Ray Allen (Retirement)

Key Additions: Larry Sanders (1yr/$587K), Brandon Jennings (1yr/$17.45M), Lance Stephenson (2yr/$9.8M with a team option), Jeremy Lin (re-signed for 2yr/$10.2M with a team option), Jamal Crawford (re-signed for 1yr/$5.8M)


When we last saw them ...

The Seattle SuperSonics were celebrating one of the most (if not the most) unlikely championships in NBA history. After overcoming the gauntlet Western Conference, surviving challenges from the Suns, the Thunder, and the Pelicans, the Sonics faced LeBron James and the Cavaliers.

Most pundits -- myself included -- predicted the Cavs would win the series rather easily. I had them beating the Sonics in five. Little did I know the basketball I was about to witness as the Sonics devoured, destroyed, and outteamed (now a word) the Cavs in four of the five games it took for them to win.

The offseason saw many changes throughout the league, but Seattle largely returns the same cast with only three absences: firstly, Jarrett Jack. Jack, the unlikely leader of the unlikeliest champions, found himself wanting more money with the cap rise and unwilling to settle for a bench role as Seattle searched for an upgrade at PG. As such, his team option was declined and he was released to sign where he wanted.

Thomas Robinson, another unlikely player in last year's squad, also left in free agency, seeing that he wouldn't get the role he wanted in Seattle and signing elsewhere.

Ray Allen retired but came back to be the head scout of the Sonics.

Seattle went out and locked in on an upgrade at PG in Brandon Jennings, the gunner guard formerly of Detroit and Milwaukee. Jennings signing was surprisingly onto to a large, one year deal, which has multiple sources across the league speculating as to what the Sonics plan to do long-term. They drafted Malik Newman to be the point-man of the future, but it's entirely possible Seattle plans to develop him as a two, not a one, but the Sonics aren't commenting.

Jennings signing was only made possible thanks to Seattle signing Larry Sanders. Sanders has been out of the league for over a year now but Seattle went out and got him, taking a chance on the young man with the troubled past. Sanders character is a question, but he was medically (and mentally) cleared by Sonics trainers and his own doctors to attempt playing again. Sanders is also signed to a one year deal and his signing was a large part of the reason why Jennings signed: the two players were both drafted by the Bucks and have remained close over the years since.

The most intriguing -- and perhaps dangerous -- signing by Seattle was Lance Stephenson: yes, that Lance. Stephenson managed to mildly rehab his value as a bench player for the Clippers last season (scoring 5.8 PPG, with 2.6 RPG, 2.4 APG, on 44 percent shooting and 30 percent from deep) but he didn't get the minutes or the trust from Doc Rivers that he wanted. All that said, he also received the longest contract out of any of the key additions and his cap hit is minuscule.

Storyline to Follow:

What is Seattle doing with Brandon Jennings? Jennings is receiving more money in this one year contract than he made in the last two seasons. Furthermore, Seattle won't have bird-rights of any kind next season for him and with Noel coming up on a contract extension (one that will reportedly be in the range of 18-20M easily), Seattle won't have the money to spend next offseason that they do now.

Sources within the organization claim Seattle is targeting a "big name" to take the point guard reins from Jennings and that Jennings is a "fallback" in case that doesn't work out. Only two "big names" will be on the market next summer, assuming neither re-signs with their current squad: Derrick Rose and Russell Westbrook.

Neither is out of the realm of possibility. With the Bulls no longer enamored with Rose (and his knees) and the Westbrook/Durant relationship showing signs of strain, either could be had. But there are other interesting guards out on the market next summer, from Kyle Lowry to Ty Lawson, to Jeff Teague and Jrue Holiday.

And then there's the remote possibility Chris Paul opts out of his deal as well.

Best Case Scenario: A repeat, plain and simple. Seattle marches its way back into the playoffs, through the gauntlet, and to the title game which allows them to repeat and cement their legacy as the best team in the NBA for a second-straight year.

Worst Case Scenario: Lance Stephenson not only regresses back to what he was in Charlotte, he gets worse and routinely finds himself in trouble on the court. Larry Sanders quits basketball mid-season, Brandon Jennings gets injured, and the Sonics struggle to finish above .500 as their free agent signings destroy the team's chemistry.

Likely Scenario: The new additions to the Sonics lineup starts them slow out of the gate and they get in a hole early, but they find their stride and finish as a top-four seed in the West. They make it to the second round but their streak of luck ends and they get knocked out by a better team (Warriors, Rockets) that they avoided last postseason.

This is marvellous. The fact you can be so brutally honest about your own team. That's an achievement in itself.

[trekfan]

Re: Second Coming: A SuperSonics Return

^Thank you, sir!

I liked what I did in FA, don't get me wrong. I LOVE how Brandon Jennings shoots, Lance and I go WAYYYYYYYYY back to 2K11 (back when he was so unknown that he had a auto-generated face!) and LARRY SANDERS! is one of my favorite guys to have played in recent years.

All that said, those three signings could easily blow up in my face. I rolled the dice this offseason, hope they don't come up snake eyes.

Cavs preview coming soon. Stay tuned.

[Cruzerr]

Re: Second Coming: A SuperSonics Return

I'll be honest, if this wasn't 2K, then I would be questioning these signings together.

However, I like the preview, like BlideSide said, you being honest is really big, I must credit that. It makes it all the more interesting how Hollins will get both Stephenson and Jennings to play together. I do like the resign of Crawford though.

Great start to the previews!