Second Coming: A SuperSonics Return

[trekfan]

Re: Second Coming: A SuperSonics Return

Great writing man.

I think the 2016 NBA Draft will be key. Seattle fans will be excited about the Sonics finally having player that's "theirs" from the roots since the return.

Intrigued to see who is drafted, and if that young player will succumb to the pressure.

*bows head* Thank you!

The 2016 draft is going to be key for Seattle. Right now the team does have youth in two key spots in the SF and PF positions (Hollis-Jefferson and Noel respectively) but we lack elsewhere. Both our guard spots are old and we need youth there. I don't think we're in bad shape at the center position -- with McCullough on the roster, I plan to train him up and move him to PF, then send Noel to C once Gortat ages out of being a starter (two seasons, I'd guess).

But this draft is really about finding a guard of the future and our pick is dependent on what the Wizards do and right now they're doing okay. Luckily the guard fields are pretty deep in this draft (and there are a number of young guards floating around the league should I need to trade for one).

Stay tuned as the first trimester report is on it's way, recapping the first third of the season for all NBA teams and where things are looking from here.

[trekfan]

Re: Second Coming: A SuperSonics Return


The NBA First Trimester Report

December 24th, 2015

By Vonny Lee


The NBA has just concluded the first third of its season and, already, this year is shaping up to be better than the last. Teams, high and low, have surprised and disappointed. Let's check it out.


The Atlantic



1. The Knicks -- the New York Knicks -- are sitting atop the division for what feels like the first time in ages. The addition of Aaron Afflao and rookie Kristaps Porzingis (henceforth called KP because no one wants to spell that name) has been a boon to the team -- KP was averaging 14 points and 7 boards before going out with a broken wrist, a return likely in a few weeks. Melo himself is doing some of his best work in years and it looks like Fisher -- and Phil Jackson -- weren't so crazy after all. We all should have learned better not to underestimate those two.

2. The Raptors -- disappointing to say the least, especially based on what people thought this team could do in a weakened Atlantic. But with New York's rise comes the fall of other potential contenders and Toronto is just in the playoffs at this point at the 7th seed, but they can't feel secure; they have three other teams close to them in record looking to make their way up, one of them within their division.

3. The Wizards -- Washington is not having the year they wanted. Coming out of the gates strong, the Wizards have hit a rough patch of late, losing the last 9-of-11 games, four of those by less than four points. The team, having locked up Bradley Beal for the future, thought it could look forward to a season where all the pieces come together, but increasingly it looks like the talent can't get past the coaching -- Randy Wittman is on the chop block if this season goes awry and it looks very likely he'll be gone at the end of the year unless the Wizards pull off some playoff victories.

4. The Celtics -- it's been a tough year for Boston fans; after the surprise run to the playoffs last season, the Celtics had to have been pleased with their core, but the additions of David Lee hasn't helped the C's; in fact, Lee's defensive short-comings are even more apparent here than they were in the West. Lee is shooting only 42 percent from the field, his worst percentage in years, and the Celtics look to miss the playoffs as it currently stands. Ainge might work the deadline to get some more picks, but it's likely he stands pat and waits for the offseason, where the C's will have to make a big move to show the fans that they're not content with inconsistent mediocrity.

5. The 76ers -- everyone expected them to be among the worst teams in the league and Philly doesn't disappoint there. As has become the yearly tradition with this team, their 1st round big -- in this case Okafor -- was injured and just recently came back after missing the last 13 games. Okafor is everything advertised and more, scoring 23.6 points and nabbing 13.2 boards. He's kicking butt and taking names, but the rest of his team is ... lacking. The other big left, Joel Embiid, is averaging a double-double at 11 points and 10 boards; Philly can keep them both, but the two rarely share the floor and someone has to go -- my bet's on Embiid, but he's a risk with his injury history. That said, he has played in more games than Okafor this year and he's only getting 25 minutes, which means that -- should he be made a starter -- he'll be getting more points and boards.

[trekfan]

Re: Second Coming: A SuperSonics Return



The NBA First Trimester Report

December 24th, 2015

By Vonny Lee


The Central



1. The Cavs -- are sitting pretty, with the best record in the NBA. This is the team that all of Cleveland thought they had when they traded for Kevin Love and the Knicks that weren't horrible. Love is scoring 15 points and pulling in a little over 10 boards a game, shooting 47 percent from the floor and 42 percent from deep; exactly the spacing the Cavs need. LeBron is having a MVP year with almost the exact numbers from last season, but he might be beat out by Irving, who's scoring 25 a game while shooting 50 percent from the floor, 44 from deep, and has stayed free of injury. They are the best team in the East and possibly the league.

2. The Bulls -- the first year without Thibs on the sideline in what feels like ages, the Bulls aren't quite the same team they were but they may not be that much better. Their record speaks to their inconsistency but Bulls' fans are happy to see Rose playing well again; he's averaging 18 points, 6 dimes, 45 percent from the floor and 34 percent from deep, numbers that are big improvements over last year. The Bulls only MVP other than Jordan, Rose is the soul of the team -- he'll only ever leave if the Bulls tell him to (PR suicide). Hoiberg's offense has helped Rose, but the Bulls have yet to adjust all the way to Coach Not Thibs. They're currently in 5th seed, hoping to climb their way higher.

3. The Pacers -- are struggling without Hibbert and West, but PG-13 is back in full force, scoring 23 points, bringing in 9 boards, and shooting a ridiculous 51 percent from the floor and 46 percent from deep. He's the star of this show, which is what Larry Bird wanted, but there's a decline from George Hill, who's barely shooting 42 percent, and the bigs aren't that intimidating. Ellis is playing well, shooting 48 percent from the floor and scoring 17 points, making that signing look good so far. This is the first year of the "faster" Pacers, but the only thing they seem fast at is losing games.

4. The Bucks -- new uniforms, new court, new contracts ... familiar results. After a surprise playoff berth last season, the Bucks looked to be a team on the rise, but instead seem to be a team that's not ready to take that next step. The Bucks have a logjam at the three and four, one too many players overlapping with skillsets. The depth, a boon last year, is a bust this time and the key difference is Michael Carter-Williams, whose size is helpful defensively but whose shooting is killing the team yet again -- MCW is shooting only 38 percent from the field and a paltry 14 percent from deep, his averages actually down from a year ago (and the year before that) and the rumblings are that the Bucks may end this experiment sooner rather than later.

5. The Pistons -- they are the worst team in the league, a feat only Philly would want to achieve. SVG's revamp of the team hasn't had the desired effect and its looking like his dual role as coach and GM is making things worse rather than better for this team. Detroit's struggles aren't doing much to endear them to the fans, whose attendance is at a six-year low, and Reggie Jackson's contract looks like a massive overpay. Brandon Jennings is a free agent at the end of the year and it doesn't look like he wants to be back at this point.

[trekfan]

Re: Second Coming: A SuperSonics Return


The NBA First Trimester Report

December 24th, 2015

By Vonny Lee


The Southeast






1. The Heat -- are scorching the league, period, end of story. Miami's record isn't quite as pretty as the Cavs, but they're clearly the second-best team in the conference and look to be the only team able to take on the Cavs. Wade is putting out about 17 points, but he's playing the most efficient ball of his career, shooting 48 percent from the floor and 36 percent from deep. Bosh is going for a cool 24 points and 9 boards a game, knocking down 44 percent from deep, and the Heat's bench is killing it -- specifically Gerald Green, who's scoring 15 points as the dedicated sixth man.

2. The Hawks -- have dropped off a bit from the blistering pace set last year and this team is preparing for a future without franchise center Al Horford. Horford, reportedly, is looking to be on a title-contender before his career ends as he approaches 30 and looks to cash in on the big money available this year in FA. The Hawks are confident he'll choose them in FA, but sources around the league have it that Al is setting his sights on a winning team out West (away from LeBron, who can blame him?). The Hawks team is distracted and this iteration of them may be the last time all these players are together -- if Al leaves, the team as currently constructed probably undergoes critical changes.

3. The Grizzlies -- haven't transitioned as smoothly as some thought, but they're finding their footing after a rough start. Mike Conley reupped with the team and the Grizz's post heavy, grind it out style is appropriate for a conference that invented that play so many years ago. The future for this team is still up in the air after Zach Randolph's contract runs out -- after next season -- but, for now, the Grizzlies are in the thick of the playoff race, looking to make gains.

4. The Hornets -- are disappointing, again, and Jordan is getting itchy. Jefferson has been out with an ankle injury the last 20 games and just entered back into the starting lineup, but his contract runs out at the end of the season, along with the contract of Batum (having an ugly year, shooting 39 percent from the floor and 31 percent from deep, scoring just 13 point a game). The Hornets will have money to burn in a FA market that begs for overpaying for the sake of overpaying; will Jordan be able to avoid saddling his team with overpriced players? History says no.

5. The Magic -- might just be regretting hiring Scott Skiles, who has had a big effect on the team; he's brought down everyone's scoring averages and turned an entertaining young team into one that is struggling on defense and having minutes taken away as a result. Skiles has never been known as a coach who nurtures young talent and the Magic are the definition of that term. Orlando may need to move on this offseason if the team doesn't begin to respond better.

The Top Ten in the East

[trekfan]

Re: Second Coming: A SuperSonics Return



The NBA First Trimester Report

December 24th, 2015

By Vonny Lee


The Southwest



1. The Spurs -- are doing exactly what we expected them to do with the signing of Aldridge and West; they're dominating. The Spurs have a depth that is only matched by the Cavs, Heat, Warriors, Clippers, and Thunder, but they've been together for years -- even the new additions seem to have been there for years. Aldridge's individual numbers are a bit down, scoring only 18 points and nabbing 9 boards a game, but his efficiency is up and he's only clocking in 30 minutes a night -- classic minutes management from Pop. Aldridge is pleased with the Spurs and the Spurs are pleased with him; this looks like a match made in heaven.

2. The Thunder -- avoided the worst thing that could happen to them; they resigned KD, extending him for another 3yrs/$64M. The price-tag was more friendly than needed be, but Durant wants to win and he wants to win in OKC. The team is the second-best in the West, but the Rockets and Clippers are lurking near; the Thunder will have to fight off those two teams to maintain their grasp on the 2nd seed but at least they no longer have to worry about this summer.

3. The Rockets -- are making it look easy. Houston is getting another MVP campaign from James Harden and they've seen a revival of D12. Dwight is having a great year, averaging nearly 20 points and 13 boards, while shooting 55 percent from the field and being perfect from deep (he's 1-of-1). Dwight is also in a contract year and, you guessed it, he's considering seeing what's out there. The fate of the Rockets in the playoffs will largely determine Dwight's future with the team, but would he really leave a Houston squad that so perfectly caters to his need? Depending on how badly he wants to be the star, he just might.

4. The Pelicans -- have not made the leap people believed they would under Alvin Gentry, a result of personnel that doesn't match the coach's style. Davis is, of course, being brilliant, averaging 26 points and 13 boards. Evans is having one of his best years, but Holiday has declined across the board and Eric Gordon is injured yet again (out for 6-8 weeks with a torn hamstring). The Pelicans are likely to let Gordon walk in FA and look to unload Holiday somewhere as they retool the team to be something more Gentry's style.

5. The Mavericks -- had early season aspirations for the playoffs but have gone on a prolonged losing streak, dropping their last 10 (I said 10!) games in a row. They're not hurt, they're just getting blown out left and right, the team's leaky defense finally dooming them after years of them just getting by. Mark Cuban is reportedly very dissatisfied with the way things are going, as is the normally composed Dirk, and Dallas could be a buyer as we approach the deadline.

[trekfan]

Re: Second Coming: A SuperSonics Return



The NBA First Trimester Report

December 24th, 2015

By Vonny Lee


The Northwest





1. The Sonics -- the return of Seattle has been more successful than anyone in the organization would like to admit, but their division is absolutely horrible. Still, the team is five games above .500 and is sitting as the 7th seed, seemingly safe there as the team below them is the Pelicans. Gortat is having a career year, averaging 20 points and 11 boards, making opponent bigs look bad on a nightly basis. The Sonics don't have a true star at this point, but young players like Hollis-Jefferson and Noel are making their mark on the team with their defensive toughness. The Sonics will need more of that as the season goes on and will need a bit of luck, too.

2. The Timberwolves -- are still struggling to find their way, but they're closer than last year. Andrew Wiggins has hit a sophomore slump, averaging 15 points a game and shooting only 38 percent from the floor, while rookie Anthony-Towns is doing well with 13 points and 9 boards a game. Still, the Twolves are rising, but they may need to trade away some of their younger assets for difference makers if they want to be a playoff squad in the West.

3. The Jazz -- have not been able to carry the momentum from last season into this one. 7 games below .500, the season only gets tougher from here and Utah's front office is considering making some moves, either during the season or during the summer. The team has mismatched parts and the first one to go could be Derrick Favors; Favors' is averaging only 12 points and 8 boards a game, shooting an abysmal 41 percent from the floor. While Gordon Hayward has thrived as the new money man, Favors has seemed to hit a wall. With bigs Trey Lyles and Rudy Gobert around, they can afford to see what Favors might fetch on the market.

4. The Blazers -- are suffering, greatly, without LaMarcus Aldridge. His absence has turned this team from a playoff participant into a cellar dweller. The fall has been fast and furious; though Lillard is killing it this year, averaging 29 points and 10 dimes, shooting 47 percent from the floor and 38 percent from deep, he has no help. The Blazers have stockpiled plenty of 1st round disappointments around him -- Ed Davis, Gerald Henderson, Aminu, McCollum, Myers Leonard, Vonleh -- but all those young, former 1st round picks aren't doing a damned thing. Lillard's window starts now and he needs help -- look for the Blazers to stand pat and make big changes in the offseason, when they'll have tons of cap space and a bonifide star ready to go to bat for them.

5. The Nuggets -- are a mess. If they were actually the mountains depicted on their jerseys, that mountain would be in the midst of being demolished by dynamite. Everyone not named Mudiay and Nurkic is on the block for the Nuggets and teams know it. The Nuggets want picks, they want to have good players, but teams are hesitant to pull the trigger on any trades at this point for two reasons: one, a number of players on that Nuggets team quit on Brian Shaw last season (not a good look) and, two, a few of those players have some ugly contracts attached to them. Luckily for the Nuggets, with the rising salary cap, those contracts will look better in the offseason, but for now they aren't a pretty sight -- much like this team.

[Gronk4M13]

Re: Second Coming: A SuperSonics Return

Loving this, great job.

[trekfan]

Re: Second Coming: A SuperSonics Return




The NBA First Trimester Report

December 24th, 2015

By Vonny Lee


The Pacific



1. The Clippers -- the Clippers are again the leaders of this division, benefiting from the Warriors lack of Andrew Bogut (out for 2-4 more months with a broken kneecap). The early-season trade for Nene and Andrea Bargnani have greatly helped the team (as will their expiring contracts at the end of the season), allowing Doc Rivers to mix and match at will. With Chris Paul having his best season in seven years (averaging 21 points, 10 assists, shooting 50 percent from the field and 43 percent from deep), the Clippers finally look to be in position to conquer the West. As has become tradition with this team, nothing can be certain till they get into the playoffs, but things are looking good.

2. The Warriors -- are staying afloat without Bogut thanks to their insane depth. The Warriors might have the best team out of the entire league, just from a chemistry standpoint, as everyone is on the same page and rocking along. The Splash Brothers are having career years and Curry might be in line for another MVP; though their record isn't as good as it was this time last year, don't sleep on Golden State; they'll make noise as the season goes on.

3. The Suns -- find themselves firmly in the playoff picture; getting there hasn't been a problem with this team, but staying there has. The addition of Tyson Chandler has been good for this team -- Chandler is averaging 12 points and 11 boards -- and he's provided the veteran, championship calm that this young squad needs. If Chandler can survive the season and the Suns can hang on, the playoffs should be very entertaining for all of us.

4. The Kings -- are imploding. There's no other way to say it, as the team is just self-destructing and Boogie Cousins is tired of it. Cousins and his camp have made it known that he wants to be moved before the deadline or during the summer, and teams around the league are eyeing the Kings hungrily. George Karl is publicly clashing with the front office and the whole organization just seems pulled into multiple directions. The Kings will be players in the trade market sooner rather than later (guess who owns their pick if it falls out of the top-10? The Bulls! I know, not Philly!) and teams armed with draft picks (the Celtics, in particular) are dangling those in front of the them, hoping they'll get a bite.

5. The Lakers -- wish they had their draft pick back right about now. Sitting at 10-19, they're definitely in the top-7 worst teams in the league, but, in order to get that pick back, they need to be top-3 bad. Philly is laughing at them as they continue to struggle to win. Russell is having a great rookie year, scoring 20 points a game, and the Lakers are seeing Julius Randle make progress (10 points, 7 boards a game) but the lack of Kobe has doomed the franchise another season. If they miss out on that top-3 pick, the last three years will go down as one of the worst series of management decisions in recent history.


The Top Ten in the West

[trekfan]

Re: Second Coming: A SuperSonics Return

Loving this, great job.

Whew, thank you! It's a lot to write for 30 teams (good lord!) but the storylines are fascinating. Will the Lakers get their pick back? When will the Kings trade Boogie (and to who and for what?)? What is Philly's master plan? Can the Magic right the ship? Can the Bulls progress under Hoiberg?

So much to look at, so little time. But fun. Oh so fun.

[trekfan]

Re: Second Coming: A SuperSonics Return




Sonics Gift Fans Loss on Christmas Day

December 25th, 2015

By Vonny Lee

The Seattle SuperSonics fall to 17-13 after their most recent loss to the Bulls, reminding fans that some years you don't get what you want for Christmas. The game was a shootout from the beginning, defense an optional part -- and a fleeting one at that -- of both teams' strategy. The Sonics were led by Carl Landry, who continues to serve well as the starter despite his time in the starting lineup ending soon with the return of Noel.

The loss of this game can be pinned on the Sonics alone as the Bulls gave them plenty of opportunities, but the Sonics didn't take them. Chief offender in this was rookie Rondae Hollis-Jefferson, who blew four easy layups on fast breaks in the second-half. The rookie knew it, too and had this to say after the game:

"It's on me, this one. I know it's a team game, but this is my fault; I whiffed too many times on too many bunnies; instead of passing it out, trying to find a better shot, I forced up my own *hit and lost this for us, for the fans, for the city; you all deserve better."


Coach Lionel Hollins appreciated the rookie's bluntness, but didn't pile on:

"Were there things I wish he did better? Sure. But did he lose the game for us? No. We lost this game at the end, when we had a chance to pull away, by getting too fast and getting ourselves out of rhythm. We lost our pace, they made us play theirs, and that's why we got an 'L' today."

The Sonics still have the 7th seed, but have dropped three of their last five games, their only two wins coming against the woeful Lakers. If this team is going to be a threat in the playoffs, it'll have to win games against teams that are better than that. The Sonics next play the Nuggets on the 27th, then the Bucks on the 29th, and the Suns on the 31st -- all games coming at home, thankfully.

[trekfan]

Re: Second Coming: A SuperSonics Return



Boogie Lands in Boston

December 31st, 2015

By Vonny Lee


The Boston Celtics have agreed to a trade with the Sacramento Kings, sending DeMarcus Cousins, Seth Curry, and Caron Butler to Boston for their 2016 1st rounder, the Mavericks 2016 1st rounder, the SuperSonics 2018 1st rounder, David Lee, James Young, and RJ Hunter.

The bounty the Kings got back will set them up for the now just as much as in the future; Hunter and Young are both young players (22 and 20 respectively) and David Lee's contract will allow the Kings to breathe during this offseason. The picks Boston sent are all likely to be conveyed as Boston has put no protection on their own pick, the Mavs pick is only protected in the top-7, and the SuperSonics pick in 2018 is also unprotected; the Kings could nab two lottery picks. With Boogie out of Sacramento, the franchise center now is filled by Cauley-Stein. With this trade, one has to infer that George Karl has one the front office power struggle -- Karl likes a fast paced, starless offense and he has the beginnings of one here, as Cauley-Stein will run the floor better than Boogie.

The Celtics had to give up multiple assets -- reports indicate they wanted to send Marcus Smart as opposed to RJ Hunter, but the Kings didn't want him. All those picks and players finally turned into a tangible result and Danny Ainge has struck again, grabbing a star center who's in his prime for multiple picks and players, while still retaining flexibility. Cousins is reunited with Isiah Thomas, a player whom he likes, and gets a head coach who was in college more recently than him; the Celtics environment should allow Boogie to do what he does best -- dance over fools who try to defend him in the post.

[infamyice]

Re: Second Coming: A SuperSonics Return

Following.

Boogie in Boston, that's a good look for my C's

Nice that the Sonics are above .500, looking good.

[MegaBran]

Re: Second Coming: A SuperSonics Return

Wow, I can't wait to see how the Kings will be 3-4 years down the road. If they can make some good picks and develop Cauley-Stein effectively, Sactown should be pretty prominent throughout the NBA! I also think this deal definitely benefits the Celtics as well, this hopefully can give them the playoff push they need in the next year or so.

[trekfan]

Re: Second Coming: A SuperSonics Return

Wow, I can't wait to see how the Kings will be 3-4 years down the road. If they can make some good picks and develop Cauley-Stein effectively, Sactown should be pretty prominent throughout the NBA! I also think this deal definitely benefits the Celtics as well, this hopefully can give them the playoff push they need in the next year or so.

Yeah, the Celtics struck big and, as an organization, are better suited to handling Boogie's mood swings that Sacramento. Everyone wins here, especially since the Kings weren't contending yet again despite spending a ton. It's time to do a rebuild while developing young talent.

[trekfan]

Re: Second Coming: A SuperSonics Return



Sonics Finally beat Thunder

January 6th, 2016

By Vonny Lee


It took longer than anyone would have liked, but the Thunder have finally taken a loss from the Sonics in a game that saw Ray Allen take a ride in the way back machine -- say, 2005 -- and deliver a performance for the ages. Allen, who was mostly missing in first quarter, was the catalyst behind a Sonics win that saw big leads evaporate once for both teams. For the Sonics, it was the second quarter where their red-hot offense (which took off towards the end of the first) went ice-cold, allowing the Thunder to go on a run and tie the game up, then take the lead.

But Ray Allen, more capable than most would believe at 40-years old, mixed up young Andre Robertson and then took his time lining up -- and hitting -- the deep three, setting off the fuse that would eventually turn into another run at the end of the second quarter.

The third was a messy slugfest for both teams, particularly rookie Hollis-Jefferson, who fouled out in the third due to picking up multiple fouls as he tried to send a message to OKC, as Thunder fans begged for flagrant foul calls that never came. RHJ fouled out with 9:21 to go in the third, but left the game to a standing ovation from the home crowd.

Every frustration, every bit of anger, was expelled in that third quarter as both teams talked trash, traded fouls, and sent players to line where both squads -- either due to nerves or the raucousness of the crowd -- missed multiple foul shots, resulting in a low scoring quarter.

The fourth, however, saw the both offenses begin to fire again and Ray Allen lead the way for Seattle, knocking down triples from all over the court. The Thunder had no answer for Ray's deep ball, Crawford's crossovers, and Jack's passing.

This was a much needed win for the Sonics, who have been looking to excise the devil that is the Thunder since the season began. With the win, the Sonics move to 23-13 while the Thunder drop to 25-12, both teams firmly in the playoff picture as April approaches.

Whether by coincidence or fate, the Sonics now occupy the 4th seed while the Thunder sit above them in the 5th seed -- the two teams would face one another in the new, five game 1st round series if the playoffs started today. The Sonics have momentum on their side as they've won the last six straight and meet the Lakers next on Jan. 8th.