Second Coming: A SuperSonics Return

[trekfan]

Re: Second Coming: A SuperSonics Return



How easy was this game for Seattle? I'll tell you how easy: by the fourth quarter, the Sonics were up by such a large margin Hasheem Thabeet was playing, recent bench scrub signee David Stockton was playing, and the only regular rotation player out there was Jeremy Lin.

That's how out of hand this game got as the Lakers came into the PAC and were promptly slaughtered. Everything that could go wrong for this team, did, as Seattle stole the ball, blocked the ball, finished in transition, and looked like a juggernaut against the 12-9 Lakers (now 12-10). By the end of the first half Russell Westbrook had 17 points and 7 assists; he looked like he was playing against backyard competition.

The Lakers were embarrassed this game, making the second conference foe (behind the Thunder) who has faced this version of the Sonics. It is increasingly looking Russell Westbrook and Markieff Morris may have unlocked GOD MODE for the Sonics, who looked beastly tonight as they move to 15-5 on the year.

Westbrook was named player of the game (of course) and got plenty of help from everyone. An easy game for Seattle.





Around the NBA

Injuries for the Kings, 11-11, continue to pile up. Kenneth Faried went out last game (a 104-91 loss to the now 11-9 Knicks) with a knee sprain and he's out for the next two weeks. Rookie Edrice Adebayo saw big minutes that game and acquited himself well, but the Kings are now down Casspi, Parsons, and Faried; they're playing a lot of young talent in Ingram, Atic, and Briscoe, but will the young kids be able to handle the upcoming slate of games featuring the Pacers, Raptors, Cavs, and Suns?

Speaking of the Pacers, they're still dying. Slowly. Sitting at 5-14, someone has to be moved as Indiana is struggling everywhere. Paul George has disappeared -- scoring only 15.3 PPG -- and the Derrick Favors is little better, scoring just 11.9 PPG on 43 percent shooting. Favors looks to be odd man out (or, perhaps both he and Ellis). The axe is coming for someone -- the Pacers will be the first team to make a move this year.

[trekfan]

Re: Second Coming: A SuperSonics Return



December 17th, 2017

The final buzzer sounded and Max let out a huge sigh of relief. How long had he been holding his breath? Six minutes? The entire fourth quarter?

"Utah almost got us." Ray shook his head once, a look of dissatisfaction on face. "That last quarter was sloppy."

"Sloppy is an understatement." Max sipped at his cold glass of whiskey, on the rocks, and let the soothing mixture calm his nerves. It wasn't often he broke out any sort of booze, but this game was too close -- they escaped, 101-99, in Utah and it was only thanks to Lance Stephenson that they managed it. Lance had scored 22 points, dished out six dimes, and nailed two triples in the game -- his last quarter was a tremendous offensive show as Westbrook and Noel struggled.

"Well, a wins-a-win." Ray tapped his iPad, the TV screen shifting from the postgame coverage back to the long list of free agents. "I think we need to fill our 15th spot with a developmental guy, someone who can be a player for us down the line."

Max smirked. "It's what the Spurs would do." He leaned back in his chair, the glass of whiskey in his hand. "We still have such a long way to go to be them. To be anyone, really."

"We do." Ray gave him a reassuring look, his lips curling slightly. "But we've done something they haven't done -- back-to-backs."

"And they've done plenty we haven't done," Max reminded Ray, as much as he reminded himself. "I'd like to string together 10 or 12 50-win seasons straight. I'd like to have a culture, a system, that is rock solid; something that, no matter what happens, our players know they can come to us."

Ray picked up his glass of green tea, the steam wafting off it. "I nearly signed there because of that."

"Really?"

He nodded once. "After Boston. Right before I signed with Miami. They were interested in me, I was interested in them ... I loved the way they conducted themselves. They knew what they were there for, they knew they'd have to fight every year to get it, they knew that any man on their roster could be called upon to win the game for them. The Spurs were a true team." He sipped his tea.

Max finished his whiskey and set his glass down, feeling a slight buzz. "So why Miami and not there?"

The Hall of Famer smiled. "I didn't think they had a shot in hell of coming out of the West." He set his glass down. "Didn't think they'd make it past the Clippers or the Rockets. They were too old ... boy, was I wrong."

Max laughed. "God, what was it like seeing them in the Finals?"

"I couldn't believe it. I thought it was karma -- the basketball gods declaring I had picked the wrong team to back, and they were going to show me the error of my ways."

"And then you hit the shot in Game 6."

Ray gave a singular, deep nod, the type of nod he'd give after a dagger triple. "And then I hit that shot." He let out a sigh. "Had the same feeling when we saw Cleveland in the Finals. LeBron wanted me on that team -- I said no."

"You beat the basketball gods."

Ray didn't comment on that and instead tapped on his iPad, bringing up a player. "Take a look at this kid."

"Wesley Alves Da Silva?" Max leaned forward. "Who is he?"

"Brazilian kid. Just 21. Entered into the draft, was picked in the 2nd round by the Pelicans, got cut in training camp. He wasn't in good shape and NOLA didn't like his work ethic. Kid tends to keep to himself and is a streaky player."

"And we want that?"

"We want what he is now," Ray corrected. "He's been training hard back in Brazil. Being cut by an NBA squad really lit a fire under him. His work ethic has improved, his shooting has as well. He's still years away from being a rotation player, but we don't have a draft pick this summer."

Max tapped the side of his glass, eyes looking over the kid's stats. 6'7", 205lbs, a lot of potential and little else. "What's he good at?"

"He's a swing two or three, depending on where you play him. Likes the easy buckets inside, but can stretch the floor ... in Brazil. His shot in the NBA is gonna take some work."

"So he's a project." Max sighed. "We have one more roster spot and you want to use it on a project?"

Ray pointed at the screen. "I see hunger in him. He's really improved in the four months since he got cut and, with NBA coaching in the D-League, he'll improve even more. But he's not coming here for a one-year-deal."

I knew there had to be a catch. "What's he want?"

"Three years guaranteed."

"For an end of bench player? A project?" Max bit his lip. "And how much does he want?"

"He'll take less than a million a year. He's worth nothing in year one or year two, but in year three? He'll be part of our bench. I guarantee it."

Max cast his eyes up at the ceiling, finding multiple different arguments for tossing this idea. He found himself swayed by Ray's guarantee, however; Ray Allen wasn't one to make such guarantees lightly.

"Bring him in for a workout and, if I like what I see, he gets it." Max pointed at Ray. "But Lionel's going to hate using that roster spot on a project, so you can explain that to him."

Ray smirked. "Deal."

[trekfan]

Re: Second Coming: A SuperSonics Return



It was a close win for the Sonics, but a win. Seattle, after coming off a near-loss against the Jazz (the Jazz!), came back home to take on the old-rival Blazers, who haven't put up much of a challenge since Seattle came back into the league.

But that wasn't the case tonight as the Blazers came out firing from deep, Gerald Green being the main culprit. Green was an unconscious 4-6 from deep for the Blazers, as they consistently punished Seattle from behind the arc. Overall, the team went a solid 7-21 from there and that shooting kept them in the game.

It kept them around long enough to almost steal this one, closing the lead to just a few points towards the end of the fourth quarter. With less than two minutes to go Seattle only had a five point lead and Westbrook was struggling to get separation from Lillard, Noel was blanketed by Hibbert, and Vonleh was doing a good job of guarding Markieff. It came down to Lance to step up and, for the second game straight, Lance did; he took over, getting penetration and drawing fouls, to get to the line and help sink the Blazers.

This was a night where Seattle just couldn't hang onto the ball, with 13 turnovers, but their defense more than made up for it as they got blocks, steals, and transition buckets. That's where Seattle did their ultimate damage, in the transition game, as RHJ and Lance again showed why they're the most lethal fast break duo in the NBA. Seattle scored 26 points on the fast break (compared to just six for Portland) and out ran the Blazers when it mattered most.

It wasn't a pretty game, but it was a test that Seattle needed to withstand from a division foe that's likely to make the playoffs ... maybe, if they can win some more games. Seattle moves to 19-6 on the year while Portland drops to 13-14, losers of four straight (all by seven points or less).






Around the NBA

The Bulls are now 12-11, winning their last game against the Raptors (now 12-14) but are without Dwayne Wade for the next 2-4 months as Dwade is out with a broken patella. This was a danger of signing the oft-injured legend and now the Bulls are without him till the playoffs, maybe. Chicago's first season post-Rose isn't going as planned and the Bulls now must rely on Aaron Afflalo to fill in during Wade's absence.

The Knicks, now 13-12, understand the Bulls pain. Melo is out with a cracked necked vertebrae after taking a hard fall in MSG. The Knicks are beside themselves, of course, because Melo's backup is Thabo Sefolosha, who isn't much of an offensive threat. The offense now falls to Chris Paul, Porzingas, and rookie Malik Monk and the Knicks will have to hold serve until their star comes back.

Out West, the Pelicans are charging up the standings, winners of eight straight, now sitting at 17-9. They're getting an insane level of performance from Anthony Davis, who's averaging better than 29 PPG during this stretch, and NOLA finally seems to have things going their way.

In signing news, James Harden has agreed to a 3yr/$77M contract extension with the Rockets, quieting any free agent rumors. The Rockets sit at 15-11.

Andrew Wiggins of the T'Wolves similarly agreed to a contract extension, a 3yr/$67M one. The T'Wolves are only 11-14 however, and have lost two straight to the Rockets and Pelicans respectively. The Shabazz trade rumors continue to grow.

[trekfan]

Re: Second Coming: A SuperSonics Return



December 27th, 2017

By Vonny Lee


Rondae Hollis-Jefferson, who left the Warriors game with an injury, has been diagnosed with severely sprained knee and will be out of the lineup for the next 6-8 weeks minimum. The Sonics escaped Oakland with a 107-101 win, sending the Warriors to 7-22, while the Sonics rise to 22-7. But the injury to Jefferson couldn't have happened at a worst time for the Sonics, who face some of the league's toughest threes in upcoming matchups with the Timberwolves, Cavaliers, Suns, Bucks, Lakers, and Thunder, all occurring in the first three weeks of January.


What this means for Seattle

It means that Lionel Hollins and the Sonics will have to figure out what their rotations look like without RHJ. Jefferson is a key defender, an outstanding transition finisher, and a versatile weapon that can guard 1-4 on the court. Seattle has already filled its 15th roster spot with Alvas Da Silva, a prospect from Brazil, but sources confirm the Sonics will promote Jeff Taylor into the rotation.

Taylor, who has only received spot minutes in garbage time the past two seasons, last received significant playing time in the 14-15 season with the Hornets, where he averaged 14.8 MPG, scored 4.4 PPG, but shot only 40 percent from the field (and 30 percent from deep). Taylor's signed to a small contract, however, and could easily be replaced by Seattle if he doesn't seem up to the task.

What this means for the rest of the NBA

It means there's blood in the water. Seattle has now suffered a major injury to a key player at a position that it doesn't have a strong backup at. The Sonics are hobbled and their defense, one of the best in the NBA, is now missing a key cog. The Thunder, Suns, Blazers, and Nuggets all see the Sonics multiple times between now and the All-Star break, when Jefferson is projected to return (barring setbacks).

Every team Seattle faces now has a clear point where they can take advantage of the Sonics -- it's up to them to use it.

[Themayorofawsometown]

Re: Second Coming: A SuperSonics Return

That's a huge blow, hopefully Taylor can help a little

Sent from my N9130 using Tapatalk

[trekfan]

Re: Second Coming: A SuperSonics Return

That's a huge blow, hopefully Taylor can help a little

Sent from my N9130 using Tapatalk

^ I hope. The only reason Taylor is on this roster is because I fell in love with his shot in 2K13 back when he was on the Bobcats. I couldn't miss with that guy, he ruled as a bench sub, but that's quite a few years back now and Taylor may not have what it takes to keep us afloat -- the schedule is brutal for January and February, as I face OKC (Durant) twice, the T'Wolves (Wiggins) twice, the Nuggets (Batum) twice. It's a murderer's row of threes coming at me in the next 6-8 weeks and I'm down my best wing-defender.

Looking at free agency guys now to see who might fit my scheme and team ... pickings are slim, some names but do they have what it takes?

[trekfan]

Re: Second Coming: A SuperSonics Return

2017-18 NBA First Trimester Report

December 27th, 2017

By Vonny Lee


The NBA season is well underway and there are some surprising trends in this year's league. Let's take a look, division by division, to see where everyone stands.



1. The Sonics -- are no strangers to the top of the division. Seattle continues to reap the benefits of playing in the weakest division in the NBA, but they do have challengers this year in the Blazers and T'Wolves. Seattle is facing a tough schedule over the next six weeks, drawing the Thunder twice (among other contenders) and they just lost RHJ for at least that timespan. Seattle's adjustments to life without Jefferson will be key going forward and is the first real test they've faced all season -- can they survive without their defensive ace?

2. The Nuggets -- are having a season to remember despite missing Mudiay, who's down with an injury for many more months. In his stead, Norris Cole has done a downright solid job in leading the offense, but it's really become about the veterans on the team -- Rivers and Batum. Both are providing steady presences (despite not-gaudy stats) and that's kept the Nuggets afloat. Denver could sneak into the playoffs if they can keep it up, but Mudiay is still 2-4 months away from a potential return.

3. The Blazers -- were expecting to get back into the playoffs but are dealing with their own injury issues right now, as CJ McCollumn has missed the last five games and the Blazers have dropped four of those, before winning the last one. Portland is getting great production from their bench and this looks to be a blip, not a trend, but it's concerning to see a team with Damian Lillard three games under .500 at this point in the season.


4. The T'Wolves -- should be better than this and everyone on the team knows it. Both Andrew Wiggins and KAT are having career years, as well as Zach Lavine, but something is off. Is is Rubio? Is it Shabazz? No one's quite sure. Doc Rivers has a ton of talent and little to show for it right now. Still time for Minnesota to get things right, but they're treading water early.

5. The Jazz -- are only seven games under .500 and nearly stole a few games from much better teams over the last few weeks. David Blatt looks like he's enjoying coaching again, but the Jazz front office faces a tough decision; Dante Exum, the oft injured guard, is having a career year as a two -- 11.5 PPG, 5.2 APG, and 38 percent shooting from deep (but only 39 percent from the field). Exum is also up for a contract extension and the Jazz are balking at the idea of paying him over ten million a year. Exum's camp refuses to come down from their asking price and thusly we have an impasse. The Jazz are looking into trade options and Utah, once more, looks ready to part with another young piece that doesn't fit.

[trekfan]

Re: Second Coming: A SuperSonics Return

2017-18 NBA First Trimester Report

December 27th, 2017

By Vonny Lee



1. The Thunder -- aren't missing Russell Westbrook one bit (they don't even acknowledge him - cold), at least according to their record anyway. OKC is seeing everyone thriving without Russell on the squad -- Oladipo is averaging 12.8 PPG, with 6.9 APG. Cameron Payne, Westbrook's replacement, is averaging 13.0 PPG with 8.1 APG. Heck, Ibaka has even seen improvement with him scoring 14.1 PPG (his best in three years) and grabbing 7.8 RPG. Everyone seems to be thriving, Durant included, as his averages are just slightly off from last season: he's scoring 27.9 PPG with 7.9 RPG and 7.6 APG while shooting 50 percent from the field, 41 percent from deep. Another clash with the Sonics looks imminent, which can only help the NBA's newest (and arguably fiercest) rivalry.

2. The Pelicans -- are not far from the Thunder. They've ripped off a huge win streak of late, going 9-1 over the last 10 games. They're getting MVP numbers from Davis and their rookie, Jayson Tatum, is lighting up the league, scoring 19.7 PPG. The Pelicans finally look the like the contender we all believed they'd be and they're firmly about getting back to the playoffs and getting back at the Sonics; Davis still has a picture of that 15-16 team celebrating the WCF on NOLA's home court and it's not a joke to the Brow.

3. The Rockets -- are relieved to have Harden sign with them, agreeing to a three year extension and putting to rest any doubts. The team has been distracted a bit lately by that and a string of annoying injuries; it doesn't seem the Rockets can keep all of their starters out on the floor, together, for more than two or three games. Right now Gasol is out with a hyperextended elbow (back in less than two weeks) and Harden is questionable with bruised ribs. Still, the Rockets depth is something most NBA teams would kill for and they're likely to lock-down Clint Capela to a contract extension before January, further solidifying their core as they try to survive the brutal West.

4. The Spurs -- are falling apart right before our eyes. It's not often you see a dynasty rise and fall in a lifetime, but we're witnessing it now. Like the Patriots in the NFL (who, post-Brady, have barely been a .500 squad), the Spurs post-Duncan haven't lived up to expectations. Last season it was 43 wins and this year, they've arrived at the end of December six games under .500. They've dropped four straight and none of them were close. Everyone's averages are on par with their career numbers, but there's a clear leadership vacuum on the team, as Leonard isn't very vocal and Aldridge tries to be. Something else you don't see or here very often; the Spurs considering a trade, mid-season, to help right the ship. Two names that are frequently brought up are Danny Green and Aldridge. Stay tuned.

5. The Mavericks -- were expected to be down at the bottom, but haven't been as bad as many predicted. Despite being second-to-last in the conference, Dallas is still putting up a fight. Their defense is atrocious, their offense is a mess of parts, but they hope. Greg Monroe, their big trade this offseason, has declared he's gone in the summer. Joel Embiid (whom they owe an unprotected draft pick to Philly for, to be conveyed either this season or in 2020) is dissatisfied with the direction of the team and will go into restricted free agency, but Dallas will match any offer. Cuban and the Mavs have to find a way to get the direction of the franchise pointing up, but they have youth and talent in Dunn, Anderson, Maker, Embiid, and (surprisingly) Tony Wroten, who's been stellar as a sixth-man for the Mavs.

[trekfan]

Re: Second Coming: A SuperSonics Return

2017-18 NBA First Trimester Report

December 27th, 2017

By Vonny Lee



1. The Suns -- shouldn't be here, but are. The surprise team of the league, the Suns are starting rookie Ivan Raab at the four (who's numbers are eye-opening: 19.3 PPG, 7.8 RPG, with 1.5 BPG on 49 percent shooting), are seeing a Tyson Chandler revival (he's scoring 13.1 PPG, grabbing 12.0 RPG and shooting 60 percent AND hasn't missed a game all year), are getting great numbers from Tobias Harris (scoring 17.1 PPG, with 5.7 RPG, on 47 percent shooting, 40 percent from deep, his best numbers in three years), and are generally thriving everywhere. The Suns have been the beneficiaries of a soft early schedule, so we'll see if this is fool's gold, but it's possible Phoenix has turned the corner for good.

2. The Lakers -- should be at the top of this division, if season previews are to be believed, but are suffering from greater expectations. The younger players on the squad -- Russell, Randle, Brown, Clarkson -- have all improved, but Russell is out for the next 2-4 weeks with a sprained knee. Stepping in his place? Former Sonic floor general, Jarrett Jack, and the Lakers don't expect to see too much of a drop off. LA, now a team expected to make the playoffs, has to adjust to the harsher spotlight and judgements. Randle, in particular, is being looked at as the key. If he can step up his game (so far he has, scoring 13.7 PPG with 7.6 RPG), the Lakers have a chance to get back to postseason play. If not, LA could shake things up in during the summer with the addition of Boogie Cousins.

3. The Kings -- are third in this division by default at this point, as their youth and veteran mix is a weird mismash of talent that sorta works. George Hill has proved he's still got game and the young talent on the Kings is beginning to gel. Brandon Ingram and Willy Cauley-Stein are developing some great chemistry, while the bench continues to disappoint and amaze, depending on the game. The Kings looked like an early contender for a playoff spot, but have dropped off due to injuries to key veterans. They still have time to make up ground, but the feeling around the league is that they're not going to rush it, as they've done in past years.

4. The Clippers -- are the second-most disappointing team in the West but have excuses. Jeff Teague missed some early time in the season, then Jordan went out for weeks with a bad knee (he just got back last week) and the team, as a whole, hasn't had a real chance to play together yet. The Clippers still have time to right the ship and bury the narrative that the team only worked because of Chris Paul, but they'll need a strong showing over the next two months to really make believers out of people.

5. The Warriors -- are the worst team in the NBA. I repeat, the Warriors are the WORST TEAM in the NBA. If you're stunned, join the party, as the rest of the league is flabbergasted how the Warriors have reached this point. They've suffered no major (or even minor) injuries to their starters. They're still sporting Steph Curry, Klay Thompson, Harrison Barnes, and Draymond Green. They still have one of the better benches in the league. What's missing? The unlikeliest key to it all: Andrew Bogut. Bogut, who wanted desperately to return to Golden State, was left without a contract offer from them or from anyone. His injury history drove away multiple NBA teams and the ones that were interested in him weren't contenders. Bogut retreated back to Australia, where he's playing in their league. The Warriors front office reached out to him multiple times over the course of the last month, but he refuses to take their calls -- the damage, it seems, is irreparable and the Warriors vaunted locker room chemistry has grown toxic. With their cap situation and the decline in play from Harrison Barnes, the Warriors will likely punt on this season soon and trade Barnes away; along with him, their dreams of a budding dynasty.

[trekfan]

Re: Second Coming: A SuperSonics Return

2017-18 NBA First Trimester Report

December 27th, 2017

By Vonny Lee



1. The 76ers -- are benefiting as much from their trade of Tobias Harris this offseason as the Suns are. Philly is sitting pretty and at the top of the division thanks to inspired play from Brandon Knight, who's scoring 17.5 PPG, dishing out 6.8 APG, and is shooting 46 percent from the field and 46 percent from deep (both career bests). The trade of Knight to the 76ers seems to have lit a fire under the player, and that fire has carried over to the entire team. Veteran big man Zach Randolph is providing a big dose of leadership and the 76ers, despite a slow start to the season, are trending upwards.

2. The Knicks -- were dealt a serious blow when 'Melo went down and are sorely missing some of the depth they had before Chris Paul arrived. It's all on CP3 and Porzingas now, as well as rookie Malik Monk (averaging 13.9 PPG, with 3.1 APG on 44 percent shooting). Paul hasn't had a great year up to this point, scoring only a measly 15.5 PPG with 9.1 APG (below average numbers for him). His scoring has picked up significantly since Melo went out five games ago, however, and the Knicks are 3-2 in those games, no loss particularly bad or one-sided. How long Paul stays on the floor is crucial to the Knicks playoff hopes -- if he goes down, New York's season likely goes with him.

3. The Wizards -- continue to play just average, .500 ball. It doesn't seem to matter who's coaching or who's playing, the Wiz are simply an average team when they really shouldn't be. Wall and Lopez are both having sub-par years, their scoring and efficiency down, while Beal is putting on a show every night. The bench, a point of strength for this team on paper, is just so-so and there doesn't appear to be any sort of spark for this squad. Some nights they seem to have it and others they just sleepwalk through the games. It's a mystery to multiple league executives why ownership puts up with that, but the team and organization seem fine with things now. We'll see how things stand if they miss the playoffs.

4. The Celtics -- are just barely under .500 and the Cousins to LA rumors continue to heat up. Boogie has done little to quell the idea, but he's kept focused on the cause at hand; he's scoring 20.4 PPG while pulling in an insane 14.0 RPG, all while averaging 2.3 BPG and shooting 48 percent from the field. Hayward, formerly of the Jazz, is thriving under his former college coach, scoring 19.0 PPG, grabbing 5.7 RPG, and dishing out 4.6 APG all on 46 percent shooting from the field and 42 percent from deep. He and Boogie form a deadly combination, but the Celtics continue to play wildly inconsistent, getting blow out some nights and winning close games others. Boogie's fate is directly tied to the playoffs -- make it, and he's likely to stay. Miss it and he's gone.

5. The Raptors -- are surprisingly at the bottom of the division and why is as much a surprise as their record. The team, as a whole, is largely the same squad as last year's but they're not getting the same production from DeRozan, who seems to have fallen off a cliff this season. He's averaging only 17.4 PPG (down from 24.6 PPG last season) on an sad 41 percent shooting from the field (it was 45 percent last year) and his deep stroke has disappeared. The Raptors, internally, are very concerned and, if the season goes further south, might be forced to consider drastic moves. DeRozan isn't going anywhere but Kyle Lowry, who's putting up nearly the same numbers as last season, is an expiring contract and nearly 32. Toronto doesn't want to lock in a player on the decline and are eager to get Corey Joseph, playoff stud and good backup, into the starting lineup. Lowry is in the way and the Raptors poor record may just be enough a reason for management to pull the trigger.

[vicebeliever42]

Re: Second Coming: A SuperSonics Return

I just gotta say trek you really just out do yourself with these. Been quietly reading always following 😎

Sent from my HTC Desire 610 using Tapatalk

[trekfan]

Re: Second Coming: A SuperSonics Return

2017-18 NBA First Trimester Report

December 27th, 2017

By Vonny Lee



1. The Cavaliers -- are another team that started the season out slow but have found their groove, thanks in large part to Kyrie Irving. Irving's numbers are a sight to behold: 25.9 PPG, 5.2 APG, on 50 percent shooting (43 percent from deep). LeBron is doing his usual thing (23.5 PPG, 6.5 RPG, with 6.5 APG on 47 percent shooting, 37 percent from deep) and the rest of the Cavs are ... chipping in? There's no other player averaging double-digit points on Cleveland, which includes Tristan Thompson. Can Irving and LeBron keep up this pace and have anything left in the postseason? We'll soon see.

2. The Bucks -- aren't dead yet. After the Greek Freak went down, everyone thought the Bucks were finished. Not quite, not yet anyway, as Milwaukee has fought off any sort of malaise and are relying on Jabari Parker and Jamal Murray to carry the team. Rookie Harry Giles, now a sixth man off the bench, is thriving (scoring 13.4 PPG while pulling in 6.7 RPG) and the rest of the Bucks bench has been more than doing it's job. If Milwaukee can continue this, they'll be a lock for the playoffs, but there's many, many more games left in this season.

3. The Pistons -- started out very, very slow, losing their first seven games straight before a win against the Lakers sent them upwards. They've been going up since then, playing in close games and winning with defense and just enough scoring. Ty Lawson seems to have settled in as SVG's starter, shooting better percentages than he did last year by a mile, and Stanley Johnson is really making a leap -- 15.5 PPG with 7.7 RPG on 48 percent shooting, 40 percent from deep -- and the Pistons are coming. This team, when it gets hot, is nigh unstoppable and if they can keep up the momentum, they're likely to get above .500 and stay there.

4. The Bulls -- are suffering from putting so much faith (and money) in Wade, who's out and replaced by Afflalo, who isn't exactly lighting it up. Butler and Brandon Jennings are carrying the team offensively, as Bobby Portis continues to improve, while Dwight continues to decline. The Bulls are in desperate need of good news somewhere and the only thing they have going for them, at this point, is that they'll have plenty of free money in the offseason. Jimmy Butler's first year, post-Rose, isn't going well.

5. The Pacers -- and Rose's first year, post-Bulls, isn't going well either. The Pacers suffer from a familiar problem to teams with so many high-usage players on them: there's only one basketball. Rose, Ellis, Favors, and Turner are all doing fine in terms of individual production, but Paul George, the engine that drives the Pacers, is suffering across the board: 15.3 PPG, 9.3 RPG, and he's shooting a paltry 43 percent from the field, 25 percent from deep. He has an opt-out clause at the end of the year and has given no indication that he's going anywhere, but Larry Bird and co. are understandably worried. The Pacers need to make a move and they need to do it ASAP before the season gets away from them.

[trekfan]

Re: Second Coming: A SuperSonics Return

I just gotta say trek you really just out do yourself with these. Been quietly reading always following 😎

Sent from my HTC Desire 610 using Tapatalk

Much thanks. It's as much an exercise in telling the readers here as it is reminding myself what all is going on in the league. Running 30 teams gets confusing sometimes, lol.

[trekfan]

Re: Second Coming: A SuperSonics Return

2017-18 NBA First Trimester Report

December 27th, 2017

By Vonny Lee



1. The Hornets -- raced out to a blistering start this season, going a spectacular 11-1 in the first twelve games. They have since fallen far back to earth and, as Charlotte is wont to do, have started to lag behind defensively. They still possess one of the best marks in the league, but their players -- Kevin Love in particular -- are shooting poorly of late and the team's shooting funk is contagious. The only one not suffering is MKG, who's having himself his usually efficient season despite having no deep stroke to speak of. The Hornets are desperately trying to avoid a slump that'll knock them out of the playoff picture and everyone knows that Michael Jordan is intently watching.

2. The Grizzlies -- are surprising a lot of people with their play. Memphis was thought to be a fringe playoff contender at best, especially after parting with Zach Randolph, but the insertion of Jarnell Stokes into the starting lineup and the play of Jeff Green and MCW off the bench (depending on the night, one may start while the other plays sixth man) has really been eye-opening. Most eye-opening of all is how Tyreke Evans, former Memphis Tiger, is thriving in the city he spent some of his best basketball years in. Evans is averaging 15.3 PPG, grabbing 5.3 RPG, dishing 5.2 APG, and is shooting 44 percent from the field and 40 percent from deep. He's provided the shooting stroke at the two that the Grizz have been searching forever for and it's opened up the floor more than they could have imagined. Time will tell if this is a blip or a trend, but Memphis is rounding into form.

3. The Heat -- look gassed. The older players on the squad, Bosh and Jefferson in particular, are sluggish of late and certainly the Heat bench -- led by OJ Mayo -- are doing as much as they can. But the Heat aren't getting the production they hoped for out of Justice Winslow, who's only averaging 8.5 PPG and grabbing 7.2 RPG on 42 percent shooting, 42 percent from deep. Winslow looks tentative out there and, perhaps, unwilling or unsure if he should take over. Miami is trying to encourage him, as they need him as their next franchise star, but Winslow's progress has been minor this year and that's a setback for a Heat team that started off so promisingly.

4. The Hawks -- aren't where they want to be. The impending free agency of Paul Millsap and the transition to new starters Schroder and Hardaway Jr. hasn't been seamless and the Hawks are teetering on the edge of irrelevancy. Atlanta's fans aren't quite as present at games and sales are down as the buzz around the franchise, so high just two season ago, is much more subdued now. The Hawks are determined to staying the course, unwilling to concede the year, but one has to wonder if Al Horford is wasting his last good years on this squad.

5. The Magic -- are the most disappointing team (next to the Pacers) out East. Orlando's youth and talent was supposed to have gelled last season, but it seems that was a fluke or -- worse yet -- something has transpired to break the fragile psyche of the squad. Aaron Gordon and Elfrid Payton are both up for a contract extension and the Magic, in a well-known secret, are likely to only keep one while trading the other. The 'me vs. him' mentality between the two players has heavily contributed to a locker room one source referred to as "Game of Thrones-esqe". Management seems to have royally messed up this team's mojo and there's not much hope they can undo the damage.

[JackNCoke]

Re: Second Coming: A SuperSonics Return

Man this is awesome. Congrats on the two peat. Hopefully we can get a third! How much different is it for you getting to play with Westbrook talent and general athleticism to the Jack and Jennings. I guess you slowly trended in that direction. But Russ is light years ahead of Brandon