Frodo during happier, hairier times.
Not one, but two local papers are reporting today that Sonics guard Luke Ridnour is unhappy in Seattle. It seems Frodo doesn't think the arrival of Earl Watson and the subsequent improvement of the team adds up to good times:
"It's tough because I went on such a good stretch and [was] feeling so good, just playing and playing pretty well and then something like that happens," Ridnour said after Monday's practice at the Furtado Center. "I still played well, but it's tough to go through. (from the Seattle Times)O.K., Luke, but tell us how you really feel:
“It sucks,” Ridnour said. “It is frustrating, and especially when I felt that I have played well for a long time now, and just like that, even when I played well, it hasn’t mattered, I still haven’t played. It has been tough. I am trying to stay focused and stay positive because it always comes back around. But it has been tough, I am not going to lie.”Well Frodo, maybe if you spent less time worrying about What Jesus Would Do, and more about What G.P. Would Do, maybe you wouldn't be sitting on the bench in the fourth.
“It is something I have to pray a lot about and see where I want to go." (from the Tacoma News Tribune)
I honestly can't blame Ridnour for expressing his opinion. In fact, you'd have to wonder about the guy if he wasn't upset. Let's look at it objectively:
ReplyDelete1. The Sonics tell Ridnour in the offseason that they are letting Antonio Daniels leave and that he (Ridnour) will be the point guard
2. Ridnour posts the best numbers of his career
3. The Sonics trade for a point guard with a long-term contract (Watson), who essentially assumes the role AD had last season.
How can Ridnour not be upset? Even more intriguing, did the Sonics honestly not see this coming? In what solar system would Ridnour be pleased about sitting in the 4th quarter a la last season?
For Sonic fans, we'll be better off with Ridnour gone and Watson starting, but I'm not going to sit here and bag on Frodo for being honest.
Also, I know I shouldn't get into this, but it doesn't bother me Luke is praying about his decision. He's at a crossroads in his life: does he stay in Seattle for the foreseeable future, or does he pack up his family and move somewhere else? He's lived in the PNW his whole life, and now he's going to be uprooted for a whole new situation. As someone who obviously has a strong relationship with God, it's only natural that he'd pray about his decision.
ReplyDeleteThus endeth the religious portion of this blog.
If personal stats are more important to him than winning, then he needs to go. Has no one in the nba learned from the Pistons? Quit whining Luke, and either learn to play defense (the reason we need Watson) or take your game elsewhere already.
ReplyDeleteCheck out who else is whining to the media...
ReplyDeletehttp://seattlepi.nwsource.com/basketball/263731_sonx21.html
its makes me so sick...
-Q
P.S. I just wish my boss could reduce my minutes at work, because I think going home at noon would really make me more productive...
Unfortunately, Lance, Damien failed his Canine Fighting 101 course at UGA, so it's unlikely the Blazers will ever pick him up.
ReplyDeleteI wasn't ragging on Luke about the praying so much as how he can rarely utter a sentence without talking about "his God" and about how he plays ball to "glorify Him".
ReplyDeleteGuess what? God doesn't care. Seriously, if there is a god, don't you think he's got more important things to worry about?
I really don't want to go into this, since this could devolve real quickly into an ugly argument (not that I'm saying you're ugly, or your arguments, just that internet+religious argument=great big pile o' crap), but here goes.
ReplyDeleteIf you believe in God as strongly as Luke seems to, you can't help but put His name in everything you do. In Luke's mind (at least, if he's anything like other similar people I know), everything he does is due to God's blessing. When he makes a 3-pointer, it's through the will of God, etc., etc. My mother-in-law and wife are the same; whenever we talk about meeting someone at some future date, they always finish by saying "in sha Allah," (i.e., if God permits it). They're not saying that they think God is preoccupied with them making their dentist appointment next week, they're saying that God is all-powerful and we are at his mercy at all times.
You've got to understand that when Luke says what he does, he isn't saying that God is sitting in Heaven watching FSN to make sure His Golden Boy got 12 assists, he's saying that he's grateful that God has given him the ability to do what he does. He's trying to live his life according to the principles he believes God wants him to. Is he sincere? Well, that's between him and God, but we should be careful not to lump Luke in with the televangelists who so callously use God to further their pocketbooks, or hate-filled people who use religion to further their agendas.
Okay, now I really promise to stop talking about this.
"At least Luke isn't bullshiting about his man-crush on Jesus."
ReplyDeleteYou've got me there, my friend!
Well, if either God, Yahweh, or Allah are listening to me, then I pray for the following:
ReplyDeleteDuring the upcoming off-season, the Seattle Supersonics trade point guard Luke Ridnour to the Dallas Mavericks for point guard Devin Harris.
DE-FENSE... DE-FENSE... DE-FENSE...
Lukes girlfreind was on Trading Spouses talking about God. Take a look.
ReplyDeletehttp://video.download.com/3800-11166_53-7673.html?tag=vdl_cntnt_col1_rslt_name
Well, no Watson and we lost. Just needed a few stops in the 4th... I think in another season Ridnour may be the third option PG, behind Earl & Wilks.
ReplyDeletei agree with luke...its going to be tuff with earl there. Personally, i dont think bringing earl to the team was a good choice.i think luke should play alot more than watson and wilks. wilks is unexperienced but watson isnt and he takes alot of stupid shots and gets alot of turnovers. Also, i think the starters all play better together when luke is in.
ReplyDeleteHow is the writer going to crack on luke about his religous beliefs. I think that sets him aside from all other nba players because he knows their is a special meaning to life. The kid can play like the pistol and is a christian makes him even cooler
ReplyDeletei know everyone thinks ridnour doesnt play defense...but i watched a game the other night and he played d as well as watson did... i think to myself would bob hill rather play a pistol pete/steve nash combination who makes his teamates better or a role player like earl watson... No offense to earl but your a backup point guard... Luke should start and as he gets older i think he will be like steve nash... Nash recieves criticism for no defense but look wat that has done for him.....uhhh 2 MVP's and maybe a third
ReplyDelete