Thursday, February 2

Opie


Opie all up in Miles' grill. "I'm open . . . seriously!"

In a season full of misery, one bright spot has emerged. Young Robert Swift has taken the reins as Seattle's center of the future, and his play of late has even put him in the role of center of the present.

Swift has averaged - hold onto your seats, folks - close to a double-double the past month, 9.8 ppg and 8.5 rebounds per game. In fact, he's the 16th-best center in the league at rebounds per game during that time.

Now, for most teams, having the 16th-best rebounding center wouldn't be cause for celebration. But the Sonics are not most teams. Since Jack Sikma headed for Milwaukee in exchange for Alton Lister lo, those many years ago, the Sonics have been devoid of a quality man at the 5 spot. Is Swift the answer to our prayers? Well, plenty of other guys have posted great numbers for a month's time (see Fortson, Danny for further reference), so the jury is still out on Swift. But at least he gives us something to get excited about, and isn't that what being a fan is all about?

18 comments:

Lance Uppercut said...

And yet he remains a free agent in that fantasy league. There truely is no justice in the world.

Anonymous said...

Wonder how he'll like playing for the Oklahoma City Sonics?
;~}

Anonymous said...

It won't matter how well wonder boy swift plays if Schultz sells the FLIPPIN team. I am sickened, how can I really care about any games coming up, or for that matter how well Swift is playing?

Paul said...

Here's another reader's take on Robert Swift.

b_con said...

I'd love for him to sell the team, just not move it any further than Bellevue. It'd suck, but I could deal with Bellevue. The Detroit Pistons play in Auburn Hills, so it ain't so bad. Please Schultz, sell it to the next Mark Cuban, or better yet, Paul Allen!

b_con said...

Oh, and Swift and Petro rule. Where is the authentic Swift jersey?

doubledribble! said...

I do not understand one bit what is going on with the Sonics head office right now. KJR is no longer going to broadcast the games??? And now Howard triple shot Shultz is threatening to sell the team... to Bellevue??? The Bellevue... what? The Bellevue Rich Boys? The Bellevue Seersuckers???

Lance Uppercut said...

I think the Bellevue Mr. Belvedere's would be a pretty good name.

doubledribble! said...

At least Seattle has a semblance of blue collar work ethic that garners respect, bellevue is ... well... Bellevue! Its Bill Gates, ballet and Hummers...c'mon! The Bellevue Eastsiders?!

doubledribble! said...

and not the cool Hummers the army gives out either

Anonymous said...

They give them out? Hey Army, can I have one?

Make mine the one with the gernade launcher.

-Q

Anonymous said...

I wouldn't get too worked up about the Sonics moving to Bellevue, or anywhere for that matter. During negotiations, professional sports teams always play the "moving" card, even though they rarely intend to move the team.

I was in Vancouver when the Grizzlies left, and Vancouver's support level was WAY below how the Sonics are supported in Seattle, and the Grizzlies still hung on for a few seasons before leaving, and even then they probably would have stayed if the Canadian dollar was as strong then as it is now.

Unless the Sonics start drawing crowds below 10,000, I can't see David Stern letting them leave, and Schultz & Co. know it. They're just trying to get the fans afraid enough to bother their city/state representatives. Eventually, the city will cave in, give Schultz what he wants (or an approximation thereof), and everyone will be more or less happy.

Except for this guy: http://www.firewallywalker.com/blog/

Tim said...

I looked up Nick "the Dick" Licatas email in case anyone wanted to express their opinion of his quote in SI. For those of you who don't know, he is the Seattle City council president, and the decision maker on the Key Arena renovation proposal.

When asked if the city would suffer lasting damage if the Sonics moved, Licata said: "On an economic basis, near zero. On a cultural basis, close to zero. We would still have two sports, and plenty of cities our size don't have three."

I for one am am going to let him know that I would rather let the Mariners leave. Maybe the Sonics could play in Safeco?
I think we should all email Nick and let him know that his opinion sucks as much as he does.

nick.licata@seattle.gov

Anonymous said...

I'm shocked that few of y'all aren't placing the blame on the right people: Howard Schultz & Wally "F'n'" Walker!

Anonymous said...

So I hear on the news tonight ol Howard flapping his gums about if they don't get 200 million from us tax payers then he is not responsible if the team leaves Seattle.

Well since you got dear ol Wally making his world famous player choices all I can say is don't leave the lights on when you leave. Ooooor if you want us to feel compassion for you, fire that idiot Wally and get a real basketball person to make good choices that will bring in quality talent so we can compete.

Anonymous said...

Boycott Starbucks for Opie & Co..

Anonymous said...

Boycott Starbuck for so many other reasons.

Paul said...

would totally boycott Starbucks if it weren't for their delicious, over-priced Chocolate Brownie Frappuccino. Mmmmmm...empty calories...