Second Coming: A SuperSonics Return

[unkram]

Re: Second Coming: A SuperSonics Return

Mad Max is gonna make a run at KD, isn't he?

[trekfan]

Re: Second Coming: A SuperSonics Return



The Sonics now move to 21-3 after knocking off the Lakers (13-11) in a surprisingly close contest. It looked like it would be easy pickings once again for the Sonics, who suffered their third loss of the season two nights before against the Bulls in a 119-91 beatdown.

Seattle came out in this game looking to prove that their most recent loss was a fluke, not a trend, and the first quarter sure made it seem that way. The Sonics got out on the break, tallied multiple steals, and watched as RHJ slammed down dunk after dunk over Lakers rookie Jaylen Brown.

But the Lakers would not go quietly into the night. You could almost feel the ghost of Kobe Bryant (who's still alive on the Lakers sidelines, much like Jack Nicholson is somehow still going) willing the team to climb back. And climb back the young Lakers' squad did.

Seattle lost the second and third quarters of the game, Brandon Jennings going ice-cold from the field and the Sonics offense sputtering around as it looked to someone, anyone, to give it a steady dose of scoring. They found some early success in the second with Gortat but Whiteside quickly shut that down.

Then Jamal Crawford stepped into the role and helped the Sonics stay ahead until he went cold midway through the third, when the Sonics lead evaporated and the Lakers went ahead. That's when Seattle turned to their hero, their bench leader, the man that is ... Bogdanovic?

Yes, out of left field, Bogdog had one of his best games of the year from the third quarter onward. He was dunking, he was knocking down the mid-range shot, he was brazenly driving into the lane as Whiteside waited for him, and he missed all of two shots the entire game. Bogdog played a HUGE role in keeping the Sonics afloat through the latter half of the third and the early parts of the fourth.

But the Lakers are no jokes; this year has proved that in spades as LA is competing for a playoff spot and they look like a team that will be very dangerous as the season progresses (thankfully, this is the last regular season matchup between the Sonics and Lakers). Russell and Clarkson started jacking up triples and getting them to fall, and the Lakers grabbed a commanding eight-point lead with 7:22 to go in the fourth.

Maybe it was the stage. Maybe it was the Gatorade. Whatever the case, something got into Brandon Jennings after that and he decided the game wasn't over. Jennings, who had just six points in the first half, LIT. IT. UP. He started shooting and hitting threes, he started going inside for layups, he got to the line, and he brought the Sonics back.

After trading the lead a few more times, the Sonics, with less than 1:18 to go, were tied 114-114 with the Lakers. Jennings brought the ball up court, passed to a cutting Noel, who passed to an open Gortat, who hit the running layup, giving the Sonics a 116-114 lead.

The Lakers got blocked on their next possession, forced a bad shot after, then Jordan Clarkson missed a wide-open mid-range jumper that would have tied the game. Seattle took it in transition and RHJ finished it off with a sweet layup (and the foul, which he made).

The rest of the game would be fouling, back and forth, and the Sonics came out on top by just the slimmest of margins. It wasn't a pretty game, it wasn't a great game, but it was certainly exciting. Ultimately the Lakers couldn't close it out after Seattle let them take the lead (and nearly the game). It's hard to to tell which of these squads learned more here, but you'd hope Seattle avoids LA in the playoffs. It feels like, out of all the teams, the Lakers might just be ready to upset someone.

[Cruzerr]

Re: Second Coming: A SuperSonics Return

So, explain to me, how do you post games? Like, you don't post every game, yet you have some kind of a idea when you post? I first thought you post all the bigger games, but now you posted the LA game aswell.

[trekfan]

Re: Second Coming: A SuperSonics Return

So, explain to me, how do you post games? Like, you don't post every game, yet you have some kind of a idea when you post? I first thought you post all the bigger games, but now you posted the LA game aswell.

I post all the games I play. I pick one game a week to play (since the season is about six months long, I get one game a week, which roughly works out to somewhere between 28-30 games a year). So, a third of the season gets posted as a recap, while the other two-thirds of the season don't.

The week of the Lakers game I had three other games to choose from -- the Bucks, the Bulls, or the 76ers. I was interested in seeing how the Lakers played because I simmed both previous matches against them earlier in the season (plus, they're conference opponents and a potential lower-playoff seed teams, which means I could end up facing them in the 1st round).

I don't necessarily play all "big games". The Bulls, by record, are way better than either the Bucks, 76ers, or Lakers, but they were out of conference and LA presented me with an opportunity to do some scouting, so I played them (and barely survived).

[trekfan]

Re: Second Coming: A SuperSonics Return



The Sonics lost the game versus the Timberwolves and it was due, in no small part, to poor execution and poorer shot selection. Seattle now falls to 23-4 after the loss, but they have no one to blame but themselves (and Brandon Jennings, who went an insane 5-of-22 from the field, doing his best Old Man Kobe impression while single-handedly losing the game).

The first quarter was a back and froth affair, as it seems to always be for the Sonics. After winning easily two nights before against the Grizzlies (who now sit at 12-14), the Sonics walked into the Target Center and were faced with the flamethrower that was Andrew Wiggins.

Wiggins wigged out, he balled, and he wasn't going to be stopped. He scored 22 points in the first half alone (finishing with 42), giving the T'Wolves a one-point lead, which they then lost as Seattle went bonkers with their bench (particularly, Bogdanovic and Lin), who helped secure a six-point lead heading into the fourth.

And then it all fell apart. Seattle survived in large part because of their bench unit, but when the starters were reinserted into the lineup, the Sonics fell apart defensively, offensively, and molecularly -- you could see them melting on the court, I kid you not (okay, I do kid you).

Wide-open shots were missed by Jennings and Stephenson. RHJ and Lance both blew easy transition dunks. Gortat went cold from the line, got double-vision, and went wide-left on so many of his shots that kickers from FSU and Miami were both calling him to offer condolences.

And, despite all that, Seattle only got destroyed by 11-points, six of them scored in the final minute of the game as the T'Wolves piled on and the Sonics just looked lethargic.

"Disappointed," Coach Hollins said after the game. "Worst effort we've given since we got back to Seattle."

RHJ was even harder with his criticism. "We played like we were the Nets. We played like trash."

Despite the Sonics bench doing their thing, despite the horrid shot selection, Seattle was good enough to only lose by 11-points, so I guess that's a moral victory, but, really, should we be so pleased? This team has quickly exceeded every expectation set for it and is a favorite to get back to the Finals, despite letting its starting PG go.

The Sonics are winners of 23 out of 27 games, yet I can't shake the feeling that this is a mirage. Too much has gone Seattle's way too soon and I'd rather have that luck in March and April (and May and June) then November and December.

Go Sonics.

[trekfan]

Re: Second Coming: A SuperSonics Return



December 15th, 2016

"Does anyone know about me?" Abby's blue eyes flashed curiosity as she studied Max's face. "I mean, we've been dating for over a month now."

He stopped poking around his pie, the dessert not particularly great, and set his fork down. He wished the dessert was better so he wouldn't have to answer the question, but the way she was looking at him told him he didn't have a choice. "Some people know. My brother, my sister-in-law, my nephew ... my mom."

Abby didn't break her gaze. "You haven't told anyone, have you?"

He nodded once, then let out a deep sigh. "It's not easy, in my defense."

"You don't need one, really. No one in my family or my circle of friends knows either." She smirked. "Breaking the news that I'm dating a billionaire owner of the most popular sports team in town is kinda hard."

He smiled broadly. "Well, you could always tell them I'm just some programming bum who got lucky."

She raised an eyebrow. "Did you?"

He offered a shrug. "Feels that way most days. Three years ago I was just a programmer making a decent living and now I'm not. It's weird."

She leaned forward, her eyes gazing deeply into his. "Well, I think you're good at being a billionaire. You haven't said offensively horrible things, you're not ugly, and you're good for the city."

He smirked. "I'm not ugly, huh?"

She smiled. "I could make the case you're cute, in certain lights."

Feeling his face warm, he took a sip of his water and leaned forward himself, the two of them separated by mere inches. "So," he said quietly, "I'm not a horrible person, is what you're saying."

"I'm saying that, yes." She flashed a smile. "And I'm saying that's a good thing, too."

Discreetly the waiter brought their check and they paid for it, leaving the restaurant, hand-in-hand.

It was cold out, but the night was still and beautiful, the city lights playing out across the black velvet of the sky, the streets quiet. She put her head on his shoulder as they walked. "Come meet my family for Christmas. They'd like you."

He felt a warmth in the pit of his stomach and he gripped her hand harder, rubbing her knuckles through their gloves. "It'll be my pleasure." He took a breath. "Want to meet mine on New Year's?"

She kissed him on the cheek, her answer clear and they spent the next hour walking around the city, hand-in-hand.

[Cruzerr]

Re: Second Coming: A SuperSonics Return

I post all the games I play. I pick one game a week to play (since the season is about six months long, I get one game a week, which roughly works out to somewhere between 28-30 games a year). So, a third of the season gets posted as a recap, while the other two-thirds of the season don't.

The week of the Lakers game I had three other games to choose from -- the Bucks, the Bulls, or the 76ers. I was interested in seeing how the Lakers played because I simmed both previous matches against them earlier in the season (plus, they're conference opponents and a potential lower-playoff seed teams, which means I could end up facing them in the 1st round).

I don't necessarily play all "big games". The Bulls, by record, are way better than either the Bucks, 76ers, or Lakers, but they were out of conference and LA presented me with an opportunity to do some scouting, so I played them (and barely survived).

Cheers lad, I like the idea of that. I figured out that I will make a quick post in one week, and make a written post next week.

[trekfan]

Re: Second Coming: A SuperSonics Return


The NBA First Trimester Report: The West

December 19th, 2016

By Vonny Lee


It's been another crazy NBA season, this time with unexpected teams inhabiting the bottom of the standings and defending champs looking like world-beaters. Here's how things look from top to bottom in both conferences.




1. The Sonics

Are killing the NBA's narrative that stars win titles. The Sonics have no one who's currently in the top-seven of All-Star voting (Jennings is at eight), they have only one player averaging above 20 PPG (again, Jennings), and their team is made up of players people gave up on.

Jennings was shipped off by the Bucks, let go by the Pistons, and is averaging 22 PPG and 8.3 APG, looking like a brilliant signing by Mad Max as the Sonics dominate the league. Better yet, Seattle managed to secure contract extensions for Noel (3yr/$45M) and veteran leader Carl Landry (3yr/$3.45M), both at discounted prices. Seattle looks unstoppable so far.

2. The Clippers

Weren't supposed to be this good. LA lost Doc Rivers, lost key free agents, aren't getting world-beater seasons from any of their core three of Griffin, Paul, or Jordan (all three are averaging under 20 PPG), and yet they still are showing people up.

Why? Paul Pierce. After a forgettable season last year, Pierce is thriving off the bench for the Clippers as a sixth man, averaging 13.5 PPG on 45 percent shooting from the field, 38 percent from three. If he keeps this up, the Clippers will have a legitimate shot at getting back to the conference finals.

3. The Thunder

It's nothing different than what's been said before. The Westbrook/Durant combo is as lethal as ever, both players having career years yet again in an offensive system designed to allow both to excel. The Thunder recently got back Enes Kanter, which has helped, but they're a bit banged up on their bench.

The thing to watch for here is what happens with Westbrook and OKC's front office. The negotiations between the two aren't going well, as the FO continues to urge Westbrook to accept a lower salary. Westbrook is refusing to budge and the standoff could result in the unthinkable: a trade.

4. The Rockets

Are seeing a renewed effort from Dwight and Harden to play defense, which is giving team's fits. The Rockets are one of the NBA's best defensive squads and Houston is riding that early success to wins. They've improved from the early goings in the season.

Trevor Ariza is having a much better season than last year, but the Rockets are still seeing Ty Lawson struggle at PG and it looks like he's going to be on his way out. Houston is adamant they want to retain Howard despite rumors of a rift developing between him and Harden, but Howard has maintained he will test FA in the summer. The Rockets need a Finals appearance, minimum, to really sell Dwight on staying long-term.

5. The Warriors

Are getting a great campaign from Thompson, Curry, and Green. Bogut looks slower, however, and the Warriors might want to consider moving him to the bench in the future. The bench unit isn't as electric as it once was, but it's making people think twice about underestimating them.

Multiple Warriors cogs are in contract years and, unless they all take a discount to come back, some of them will be sporting other uniforms next season. Two at-risk players are Speights and Livingston, neither of whom are having great years and both could find themselves replaced by younger counterparts next season.

6. The Pelicans

Anthony Davis finally has help. Noah and Joe Johnson are both providing exactly what they need to in order to elevate the Pelicans above the failures of the past and NOLA is prepping for a run. They're not quite all on the same page yet, but the career year from Holiday is helping a lot.

Tyreke Evans, however, could be on his way out after the season. His numbers are down since the arrival of Johnson and Noah, both veterans giving Davis the support he needs at a cheaper price than Evans, who' shooting under 40 percent from the field and under 30 percent from deep. If Evans doesn't turn it around before the deadline, he could he shipped out or NOLA could let him walk in the summer.

7. The Lakers

LA is in love with their new-look Lakers as Randy Wittman has molded the backcourt pairing of Russell and Clarkson into something teams fear. Much like how he handled the development of Wall and Beal, he's letting that backcourt grow up before our eyes and it's paying dividends.

The signing of Whiteside in the offseason, the drafting of local product Jaylen Brown, and the continued improvement of Randle has the Lakers looking like threats for the playoffs this year and in the next few years. Happier times out in LakerLand are good for the NBA as a whole.

8. The T'Wolves

Can't seem to catch a break. A promising season, where they looked like locks for the playoffs, is now in jeopardy after the injury to Anthony-Towns. Wiggins has stepped up in his absence and is scoring like it's his job and Minnesota is seeing some great effort by its veterans in Martin and Pekovic, both who have to step up big-time in KAT's absence.

9. The Spurs

Have had the wheels fall off, early, as the injury to Danny Green -- initially a broken nose, but then upgraded to a facial fracture -- has derailed their season so far. Green is due back within the next few days and the Spurs hope it isn't too late to salvage their season. The first year without Manu or Tim Duncan hasn't been an easy one, but Aldridge is averaging 24 PPG and 10 RPG, numbers consistent with an All-Star of his caliber. If he continues to perform, expect the Spurs to right the ship before the deadline.

10. The Suns

Have to be regretting signing Rajon Rondo. Rondo's presence hasn't helped the team at all -- Bledsoe and Knight are both averaging less PPG than last year and percentages across the board are down for everyone. The only two players who seem to be benefiting are Tyson Chandler and David West, both whom seem to be in the midst of a renaissance.

Rondo's name is out on the block and team's around the league are looking at their roster, wondering if they can handle the mercurial guard. Phoenix is looking to deal him ASAP.

11. The Blazers

Have not had the year many thought they would. The signings of Hibbert and Green were supposed to elevate last year's scrappy, near-playoff squad to playoff contenders, but instead it seems to have dampened the Blazers offensive production. Portland isn't scoring enough and Terry Stotts is on the hot seat -- management might let him go sometime in January if Portland can't turn it around and a firesale might commence if things worsen.

12. The Mavs

Are sucking, plain and simple. Joel Embiid has managed to stay injury free but is only contributing 8 PPG and 10 RPG. Tyler Zeller is giving 8 PPG and 8 RPG off the bench. Veterans Dirk and Deron Williams look old and slow. Wesley Matthews is shooting over 40 percent from deep and just barely 42 percent from the field. Chandler Parsons is testing FA and doesn't look particularly enthused to give a damn.

It's a miserable year for Dallas, who have to pray they continue sucking so they can get their draft pick back.

13. The Kings

Aren't progressing, they seem to be regressing. George Karl, winner of the power struggle last season, is finding life without Cousins as miserable as it was with him -- maybe more so. The Kings are in desperate need of some hope and Brandon Ingram is providing that, though certainly he could use more minutes.

Unfortunately for him and Kings fans, he's got Rudy Gay in front of him and Gay is having a down-year across the board, but Karl refuses to sit the gunner SF. If the Kings don't improve before the deadline, George Karl will likely be fired and Sacramento will have to endure another painful season where their hopes will be dashed.

14. The Nuggets

Aren't pretty to watch or look at. Mudiay has seemingly hit a wall, putting up almost the same numbers as last season. Rookie Dragan Bender is doing well enough, putting up 12 PPG and 7.9 RPG, but his shooting percentages are rough to look at it.

The only Nugget who's having a good year is Gallinari, who's shooting 48 percent from the field, 37 percent from deep, and is scoring nearly 17 PPG. He's also on an expiring deal (with a player option) and Denver looks like it's going to ship him off for picks before the deadline.

15. The Jazz

Are horrible. Quinn Snyder appears to have lost the locker room. Gordon Hayward hasn't made it official, but all signs point to the fact that he's checking out of Utah come summer time. Labissiere has been as advertised, scoring 17.5 PPG, grabbing 10.1 RPG, and shooting 33 percent from deep -- a solid percentage for a big man.

But Dante Exum, the oft-thought of savior from Australia, has looked like a mess. He's shooting 36 percent from the field, 31 percent from deep, putting out 8 PPG and 3 APG. He's doing only slightly worse than Trey Burke, who's got 10.4 PPG and 4.7 APG in similar minutes.

The Jazz look to have whiffed on both point guards and are in the midst of another bad season. Utah appears to be ready to move on from Burke for sure, and Exum (as well as Alec Burks) could also be on the block as well.

The only member of the Jazz (other than Hayward) having a good year is the stifle tower, Rudy Gobert, who's putting out 8.3 PPG and 13.1 RPG, and Utah might even ship him out to slot Labissiere at the five, allow Lyles to play the four, and see what the two big men from Kentucky can do on the same floor together. Lyles' per-36 minute averages indicates he could be a valuable offensive weapon for a Jazz team that can't find scoring much of anywhere.

[trekfan]

Re: Second Coming: A SuperSonics Return


The NBA First Trimester Report: The East

December 19th, 2016

By Vonny Lee





1. The Raptors

Are having the best year in franchise history at the moment, no biggie. Career years from DeRozan and Valanciunsas have offset a drop off in production from Lowry, but he's just as important as he ever was. The Raptors, however, are going to have to hope he's not critical to their success as Lowry is out for the next 2-4 weeks with a severe ankle sprain.

In his place will slide Corey Joseph, whom the Raptors will hope is ready for an extended run as the starter. They've dropped the last two games since Lowry's injury and their grip on the top-seed could loosen dramatically if Joseph can't handle the additional responsibility.

2. The Heat

Are just behind the Raptors and are licking their chops at their misfortune. Miami has been lying in wait, and are seeing good seasons from Dragic, Bosh, and Al Jefferson -- it looks like Pat Riley has, again, defied expectations and the Heat are making a run for the 1st seed.

Dwayne Wade has seen a significant drop-off in production, scoring only 14.3 PPG, but he's shooting 49 percent from the field, his best average in three seasons, and he looks fresh when he comes in. Wade seems to be satisfied with the way things are going and looks like he'll play nice with the front office during the summer, when he's due to be re-signed again.

3. The Bulls

Are taking advantage of the surprising disintegration of the Cavs and are establishing themselves as one of the best teams in the league. The Bulls have surpassed expectations with Gasol as their starting center, but there are still lingering questions -- namely, if Rose, Gasol, Butler, and Varejo can make it through the season intact.

Rose is having another good year, scoring 17.7 PPG, dishing out 7.3 APG, nailing 52 percent of his shots from the floor and knocking down 36 percent from beyond on only 30 minutes a night. His percentages are worlds better than his MVP year and he looks to have finally gotten comfortable with who he is now, as opposed to who he was.

But the Bulls front office is still wary of extending his contract and negotiations are on hold until after the season. Chicago might lose Rose and Gasol to free agency at that point, which would be a tough loss, but not an unacceptable one.

4. The Wizards

The Wiz sit as the 4th seed, but only barely. Their last ten games have been trainwrecks to watch and it looks like their playoff hopes are on the bubble after a very promising start to the season. Washington is responding well to the coaching change, but the Wizards appear to have too many players on their bench.

Washington could be a player at the deadline if they start free falling, but behind career years from Wall and Beal, they still have a chance at making the playoffs out East.

5. The Pacers

Are bitten by the injury bug. After watching Montae Ellis go in out of the lineup the last few weeks, they finally got him back only to lose Derrick Favors to back issues -- Favors is being held out now, along with CJ Miles, but the Pacers keep on going on.

Myles Turner has had a good year as a starter for Indiana, averaging 11.1 PPG on 48 percent shooting with 8 RPG along with it. Paul George is scoring a cool 20.3 PPG and is one of the league's most underrated stars, but Indiana's grip on its spot is similarly tenuous.

6. The Hornets

The Kevin Love trade was exactly what Charlotte needed. Despite not playing great the last ten games, the Hornets are above .500 and their transformation into a triple-loving team is working well. Love is averaging 16.1 PPG with 9.8 RPG and is shooting 36 percent from deep, new center Frank Kaminsky is scoring 11.2 PPG on 45 percent from the field and 38 percent from deep, and Eric Gordon is knocking down 40 percent of his triples while averaging 13.2 PPG.

The Hornets could be a threat down the line, but their defense has been atrocious the last ten games and the trend is concerning. If Charlotte can get their defense to average, they'll have a good chance of getting to the postseason.

7. The Pistons

Are currently a playoff team because they are in the Eastern Conference. They're not a good team -- Reggie Jackson has regressed tremendously since assuming the starting PG role, averaging only 9.6 PPG and shooting under 40 percent from the field and under 30 percent from three. JR Smith has been his usual gunner self, with similar percentages to Jackson.

Stanley Johnson looks like the same player as he was last year, Ryan Anderson is averaging less points (11.1) as a starter than he was as a bench player with NOLA last season, and Andre Drummond looks like he's just content to score 11+ points and grab 12+ rebounds a night, and do little else.

Detroit won't be here for long unless they do something drastic to alter the path they're on.

8. The 76ers

Yes, Philly is actually a playoff team at this point. Take a breath. Look around. It's not a dream. Hinkie's mad scheme looks to finally be paying dividends, but the team isn't lighting it up. The 76ers are struggling to score and aren't getting much from Victor Oladipo, who is averaging a paltry 10.5 PPG on 42 percent shooting. Oladipo will test out free agency, though who takes a flyer on the 25-year-old at this point is a good question.

Ben Simmons has been very good for the 76ers, scoring 15.5 PPG and nabbing 7.3 PRG on solid percentages (for a rookie), and Jahill Okafor is doing work in the post, as usual, but the Oladipo/Harris trade seems to have backfired for Philly.

9. The Cavs

That's right, you're not seeing things: Cleveland is currently behind the 76ers for the final playoff spot out East and the Cavs have LeBron James and Kyrie Irving. LeBron looks to have lost a step, he's still doing well statistically (24.2 PPG on 44 percent shooting, 32 percent from the floor) but his percentages are down and he just doesn't look quite the same.

Kyrie is doing more than enough to offset that: 26.3 PPG on 53 percent shooting, but he's not getting much from the rest of the starting lineup. Shumpert, Mostgov, and Thompson are all averaging under 9 PPG, and the Cavs look to be in trouble. David Blatt might not make it through the season at this rate and one has to wonder if LeBron minds that at all.

10. The Hawks

Fellow disappointments out East, the Hawks are similarly suffering from some malady. Jeff Teague and Kyle Korver are both having down years, Wilson Chandler has looked off, and Al Horford is playing through a bothersome hip. Paul Millsap might bolt in the summer and Atlanta is unsure what it's going to do about Dennis Schroder, who looks worse than Teague right now.

If Atlanta doesn't right the ship and soon, the Hawks might find themselves making some very hard choices.

11. The Grizzlies

Are struggling without Marc Gasol but are making a go of it, somehow. Zach Randolph is having a good year, but it seems like he's going to test FA. MCW has improved on his poor play earlier in the season and is shooting 44 percent from the floor, but only 29 percent from deep. Jeff Green continues to provide good scoring from the SF spot, and the Grizzlies bench continues to impress.

But Gasol's injury has shown just how relied upon he is for the team and this could be the end of the Grizzlies as we know them. Gasol is due back within the next few days, but there's a lot of concern within the organization about him and Conley (who's having a poor year).

12. The Bucks

Milwaukee is a confusing team. The Greek Freak is having a banner year (13.2 PPG, 7.4 RPG, 4.3 APG) but Monroe is struggling mightily (only 11.2 PPG), Jabari Parker -- the stretch four who's supposed to make a difference -- is only giving 10.4 PPG on average percentages, and Kris Middleton looks like one of the worse overpays in recent history (right behind Reggie Jackson).

Milwaukee needs help, it needs a change, but what to change is the question. Jamal Murray has played well (12.4 PPG, 5.6 APG) as the rookie point man, but something is clearly missing.

13. The Magic

Are really wishing Joe Johnson had stayed. Nic Batum has fallen back to Earth after last season and now looks like the washed up player Portland shipped off in the first place. Elfrid Payton and Aaron Gordon both continue to struggle to find their place on the team (though Gordon looks to be close, averaging 9.7 PPG and 7.8 RPG).

The two best players on this team are Vucevic and Super Mario Hezonja (who is shooting 47 percent from the field, 4 percent from deep, and is scoring 16 PPG). The Magic are a year away from having to decide what to do about Payton and Gordon; they already moved on from Oladipo (and look wiser for it) and might have to do the same with Payton if he can't improve.

14. The Knicks

Carmelo is not the problem. Averaging 24 PPG, 6.2 RPG, 6.2 APG, and nearly two steals, he's been the only reason the Knicks haven't looked worse. Porzingis has fallen into a sophomore slump, Afflao has fallen off a cliff, Robin Lopez is good at what he does and limited in everything else, and Langston Galloway is not the answer at point guard. Jerian Grant has been banished to the end of the bench by Coach Fisher and the Knicks are a mess.

But they're not a complete disaster. Melo continues to say all the right things, continues to insist he's a Knick for life, but one has to wonder how long Phil Jackson will wait until he trades Melo to go all-in on the rebuild.

15. The Celtics

Are losers, plain and simple. Despite Boogie Cousins trying to carry the team, he's getting little help. Marcus Smart as a starter has been a disaster and he's likely to be moved at the deadline. Bradley and Thomas are doing enough to justify they're laughably small contracts, but neither is the guard Boogie needs to work.

Coach Brad Stevens is getting frustrated with it all and the Celtics' play for Boogie looks to be a very bad move. The season isn't over yet, they're still in it, but next year appears to be the year that makes or breaks all this. Boogie will be a free agent in 2018 and all indications are that he wants to choose where he goes and whom he plays for. Boston doesn't look to be it.

[JazzMan]

Re: Second Coming: A SuperSonics Return

Holy crap my Jazz are bad. What happened?

[BlindSideNZ]

Re: Second Coming: A SuperSonics Return

Another brilliant year for your sonics, but The cavaliers? What is going on lol.

Another brilliant write up trek. The attention to detail is spectacular. I can't get enough of this.

[trekfan]

Re: Second Coming: A SuperSonics Return

Holy crap my Jazz are bad. What happened?

I really think the Jazz need to find a legit point guard. Exum, at least in game, isn't looking like the answer -- he's got talent but he's not being used right or something. He's just a mess and Trey Burke is a backup, a solid backup, but a backup guard.

Burks is overpaid -- he's talented enough to earn the money, but he's not taking the next step. He's regressing, his percentages are poor, and the Jazz have made him the starter in name only -- he plays only 24 minutes a night.

Hayward is likely gone in the offseason and there's one man in the NBA that he would love to play for: his old coach from Butler, Brad Stevens. Stevens and the Celtics need to have a good year to convince Boogie to stay and, even if they can't, grabbing Hayward would help prepare them for the eventuality of Cousins defection.

I don't know what the offseason will look like, but if Hayward leaves, the Celtics should be the first people who call him. As for the Jazz, the team, like the Celtics, has a lot of talent but it just doesn't quite fit together. Labissiere (who's name I can now spell without looking up -- clearly I have too much time on my hands, lol), is a great for them. Gobert fits in well, but I think Labissiere would excel more as a stretch-5 than as a stretch-4; Lyles is a talent and someone whom I think can really be a good stretch 4. Either Lyles or Gobert has to go this offseason (Gobert has a contract extension coming up in the summer and he's taking 10M, easy -- likely 12M) and if the Jazz are still in the running for the first pick by the deadline, I think they go all-in on the rebuild, trade off Burke/Gobert and try to be better next season. Quinn Snyder will be fired, of course, but that's life in the NBA -- he'll get another job for sure.

Another brilliant year for your sonics, but The cavaliers? What is going on lol.

Another brilliant write up trek. The attention to detail is spectacular. I can't get enough of this.

Much thanks!

Yes, the Cavs -- wow. LeBron has taken an understandable step back, but the lack of K-Love has really hurt them. Tristan Thompson isn't what they need and if Cleveland doesn't get their act together, tougher times might be ahead for them. Definitely a story line to watch.

[Cruzerr]

Re: Second Coming: A SuperSonics Return

I'm sorry Trek, full credit to your Sonics, you are smashing it, but the Wizards and Lakers really intrest me at this moment. The chase is on for the both of them, but I am quite surprised how well they are doing, position wise.

QUICK EDIT: Mind if I do my recap like this?

[trekfan]

Re: Second Coming: A SuperSonics Return

I'm sorry Trek, full credit to your Sonics, you are smashing it, but the Wizards and Lakers really intrest me at this moment. The chase is on for the both of them, but I am quite surprised how well they are doing, position wise.

QUICK EDIT: Mind if I do my recap like this?

Yeah, the Wizards and Lakers are quite the stories. Randy Wittman heads West to the Lakers and sees success with a young backcourt, while his former backcourt in the East sees success without him.

LA is definitely a contender for a playoff spot, and the Wiz might just choke theirs away if they don't focus. Lots of great story lines this season.

Feel free to use any of my formatting, I have no rights to it, I just cobbled it together

[trekfan]

Re: Second Coming: A SuperSonics Return



Last night marked Seattle's 26th win in 30 tries as they beat the Heat in Miami, 100-96. The win now makes it very apparent that, no matter what, Seattle will finish the month of December with single-digit losses. Let that sink in for a moment -- not since the legendary 72-10 Bulls team has a team flirted with single-digit losses for the season.

That team had Scottie Pippen and, more importantly, Michael Jordan; this team has Brandon Jennings and Lance Stephenson. No offense to Jennings or Stephenson, but the likelihood is that neither sniffs the Hall of Fame.

Seattle's luck has extended well beyond the basketball court. Nerlens Noel, the big man Seattle deftly traded for last season, has agreed to a 3yr/$45M contract extension, placing him firmly in Seattle's future for the next few years. Carl Landry came back on a dirt-cheap veteran deal and his presence on the bench, and in the locker-room, will be key in guiding Seattle's younger players.

The Sonics are thriving: there's no other way to put it. Furthermore, the team looks damn near unstoppable on the court, even on their off nights.

I guess I'm suffering from an existential crisis of sorts, a mixture of disbelief and paranoia with a dash of joy. I'm having a hard time looking at all this and believing it's happening ... this time, two years ago, Seattle was without a team, desperate to get one, and the local politics had mucked everything up. The Sonics were dead -- the name, the brand, the memory -- and the NBA seemed perfectly content using Seattle as a hostage city in arena negotiations.

This time last year, Seattle was a middling team that was struggling to get it together. The early season had shown flashes of potential, but the team wasn't exactly lighting it up. There were questions about its owner, questions about its trades, and just plain worries that Seattle wouldn't be very good. That team went on to win the title.

And now we have this year, where the team sits at 26-4 and I'm not sure we shouldn't be preparing ourselves for the rug to be pulled out from under us. I'm shocked at how well this has gone and I'm sure I can't be the only one. But I've narrowed down the ten things that surprise me the most about this team and that's given me some clarity.

1. Brandon Jennings is actually good.

He's a former gunner-guard who was shipped off by the lowly Bucks, then was let go by the Pistons, and now has landed in Seattle where he's doing what he does: gunning it. Jennings' year has been nothing short of amazing: 21.7 PPG, 8.2 APG, 1.8 SPG and on 44 percent shooting, 37 percent from deep.

He's currently 7th in the All-Star voting, but he's making that contract he signed look small. Seattle's offense is tailor-made for any point guard, it seems, as Jarrett Jack had a career best year last season as Seattle's starter, which definitely makes you wonder what would happen if a true star got plugged in ...

2. Larry Sanders isn't bad.

You'd think he would be, being out of the league for over a year, but Sanders is putting up good numbers on only 19.1 MPG. He's putting out 5.7 PPG, 6.7 RPG and shooting over 57 percent. He's a pretty nifty sub.

He's also really likely to land a bigger contract than Seattle is willing to offer him next summer, but he's playing well. It looks like he has his career and life back, and that's always good to see -- he's a human being, too, not just a player.

3. Lance Stephenson is good again.

Lance Stephenson is like the Rex Grossman of basketball -- you sometimes get Good Lance, and sometimes get Bad Lance. Lance has mostly been Bad Lance since he left the Pacers two years ago, but this year Lance is Good Lance again.

15.2 PPG, 5.5 RPG, and 7.2 APG on 49 percent shooting and 36 percent from deep. Those numbers are good, not quite All-Star level but definitely worthy of serious attention. Lance is only 26 and is signed for two more seasons after this one, with a team option in the summer of 2018. He is signed to a dirt-cheap contract. He looks like the steal of free agency.

4. Lionel Hollins can adjust.

You'd think Lionel Hollins would have had his fill of gunner guards who want to do it all during his stint with Deron Williams, but that's simply not the case. Hollins himself was a point guard, a solid one, and was part of the Blazers only championship team ever.

He was never a shooter, but he's really done well in letting Brandon Jennings play the way Jennings is best at playing: shooting, often. Most coaches would explode at the very thought of a player not doing as they directed (Rick Carisle, anyone?) but Hollins is cool with it. And that's pretty cool.

5. The Sonics have depth.

After a championship season, most title winners have to watch their bench players leave for greener pastures. A ring not only gives you prestige, it also gives you leverage in contract negotiations. For Seattle, they watched two of their players leave -- Jarrett Jack and Thomas Robinson.

Everyone else stayed and that continuity among the second unit, led by Lin and Crawford, is huge. The Sonics second-team plays as well as the first most nights, sometimes better, and there are few teams in the NBA that can say that about their bench. It's not a weakness for Seattle, it's a strength, and that's a credit to everyone in the organization.

6. Gortat isn't done yet.

Finals MVP Marcin Gortat isn't quite the beast he was last season, but he's also not as young. Gortat is scoring 14.6 PPG, bringing in 9.6 RPG, and averaging 2.1 BPG so far. He's shooting 51 percent from the floor and has been taking more mid-range shots than he did last year. The coaches are playing him less in the regular season and that's understandable: with Seattle almost a lock for the playoffs at this point (it would take the greatest collapse in the history of sports to miss the postseason), Gortat needs to be saved for the important games.

But he's still the Polish Hammer and still finds someway to get things done in the clutch.

7. The deep bench is full of potential.

Malik Newman hasn't played a single minute of regular season NBA action all year. Neither has second-year pro Chris McCullough. You'd think both players would be perturbed by this, but they're not alone on the end of that bench -- Carl Landy and Nate Robinson are there, too, and both veterans are the assigned mentors of these players.

It's a unique system in the NBA -- you wouldn't find many veterans willing to sit on the end of the bench and school young pups when they could be playing on the court, but Landry has finally found a home in Seattle after bouncing around many teams in the NBA. Nate Robinson is a Seattle legend and he's the team's official ambassador. They're unique players with their own unique gifts, and they're doing their best to pass it on to the next generation of Sonics. It's warming to see, especially considering how many great teams, historically speaking, don't bother to prepare for the days when their stars move on. Seattle looks like it's following the Spurs model and that's a smart move.

8. Fan interest has never been higher.

One of the largest and most damning criticisms lobbied at Sonics fans after the team moved was how we "abandoned" our team in its final season. Key Arena was empty for a lot of those last home games and it was to be expected -- Clay Bennett, the owner at the time, had made his plans clear to anyone with brains that he was taking the team away.

No one will take the Sonics again and fan interest has remained 100 percent since the return. Home games are sold out every night, the waiting list for tickets is insanely long, and local area businesses with TVs (bars, restaurants) are raking in tons of money on game nights. The return of the Sonics has revitalized the city of Seattle.

9. The Sonics still have cap room to play with.

Seattle's extension of Noel and Landry was expected to eat more into the cap than it did -- as it stands right now, Seattle has nearly 46M in cap room next summer. You know what that money equates to?

At least one max free agent and maybe even two, depending on who you want. Sonics fans are licking their chops at the idea. Maybe Seattle goes big, maybe they build around the pieces they have already, but teams with cap room are always more entertaining.

10. The Sonics owner is actually good.

Rarely do you find an owner of any sports franchise as committed to the team, the fans, and the city as Max Newman. Mad Max has surely made his enemies in some NBA towns with the way he so brazenly took over the then Nets, then moved them to Seattle. He has his detractors, but Max's moves have largely paid off.

And they look to keep paying off. He's not like some owners who just write a check, he genuinely cares about the team, and that's not something one should undervalue.

Newman recently announced a fan initiative to design the next iteration of Sonics uniforms, to be debuted next season in honor of the 50th anniversary of the SuperSonics arrival to the NBA. He's promised that the author of the winning design will receive lifetime tickets to Sonics games for themselves and three others, along with special invites to certain Sonics booster events.

What owner promises lifetime tickets to anything?

Go Sonics.