Wednesday, March 15

Trades Redux

It’s early, but I thought it would be interesting to see how the 3 trades the Sonics pulled off recently have played out. I know we’re all thrilled with the way Watson and Wilcox have done in green and gold, but how are Flip, Vladi, and Reggie Evans (oh, yeah, the Potato, too) doing in new jerseys?

FLIP MURRAY
Ah, the Flipster. Young Ronald has started 8 of 10 games in Cleveland thus far, averaging 13 points, 2 boards, and 3 assists. However, his increased production is only from increased minutes, as his FG% is the same as in Seattle, and his 3-pt mark has gone from bad (22%) to worse (12%!). Also worth noting: Cleveland is 4-6 since acquiring Murray; they were 32-22 before he showed up.

REGGIE EVANS
Mr. Glass has gone at the boards with alacrity since arriving in Denver, putting up nearly 9 boards a game in only 22 minutes, a remarkable number. It’s clear what he’s up to, though, when you see his 37% FG mark and 43% FT mark: Evans is going Rodman – grabbing boards at the expense of the rest of his game. His 20-rebound game against Toronto notwithstanding, Evans’ negative +/- rating in a Nugget uniform belies his contribution to Denver. The Nuggets are 6-3 since he showed up, though, so he’s obviously not an obstacle to their success.

VLADIMIR RADMANOVIC
Here’s where it gets interesting. Vlade has clearly enjoyed his visit to LA. 49% from 3-point range (!), 7 boards a game, nearly 13 points a night, and, most important to Vlade, 33 minutes a game are all positives. So long as he keeps draining from outside, it’s all good for Radman. But with 89% of his shots coming from jumpers, is this likely to continue? After all, he’s only hit 40% or better from long-distance once in his career, so it doesn’t seem likely he’ll be able to hit 50% for the rest of the year – or the playoffs. His arrival in LA coincided with a 4-game Clip losing streak, but LA has rebounded to post a 6-6 mark with Vlade in tow. The surface analysis says that Vlade’s a great fit for LA, as his outside game complements Elton Brand’s inside prowess. All that said, I think the Clips are plenty glad to have him around. (Although, can I ask a question here? Why is Mike Dunleavy starting something called Quintin Ross at small forward, when he’s got Corey Maggette and Radmanovic sitting on the bench? Okay, the Clips have gone on a 3-game win streak since he did it, but it’s still weird.)

VITALY POTAPENKO
You can look at two ways. 1) The Potato has played 5 minutes for Sac-to since they acquired him from the Sonics. 2) The Kings 7-2 since the Potato showed up. You say tomato, I say Potapenko.

I’ll look at the Sonics’ side of this equation later on.

28 comments:

Anonymous said...

Good stuff, enjoyed it more than Percy's writeup the other day where he says the Sonics got the short end of the stick.. Any idea how many dunks Flip has thrown off the back of the rim in Cleveland so far?

Even with Evan's rebounding it's nice to have the black hole out of our paint and in Denver's (seriously, did the guy EVER throw it back out after an entry pass this year?).

doubledribble! said...

Nice work, I am REALLY happy to see that flip's been flipin' up. I Forget who we were playing but when flip went into the game it took him 6 mins, game min. not elapsed time, for him to make his first muthaflipin' pass. Good god am I glad he's gone!!!

Alacrity... Well, I would like to thank you for giving me my mildly amusing drinking topic! I think thats the first time anyone has used that word to describe Even's rebounding eagerness. You should have an award named after you. First writer to use the word alacrity in a sports blog*... extra ten points if used with a mediocre, relatively unknown player. (i.e. Reggie Evens.)
*Note: Word cannot be used in the form of a quote*

Anonymous said...

Uh ... because a "black hole" is a gravitational field from which nothing escape. Which is an highly appropriate metaphor. Calling him a "white hole" would imply that he's a white-boy street whore. Which is a stupid-ass metaphor.

I realize you're making a joke (as well as some obscure point about racism), but seriously man, that's unbelievably lame. Not to mention that it completely destroys your credibility. So cut it out, eh? You're embarrassing yourself.

Otherwise this is a great site. Keep up the good work!

b_con said...

Way to not reveal yourself after talking about "credibility" anonymous! I'd pat you on the back, but I don't know who you are. BTW, the sonics still need defense. Wilcox needs to play it more.

Anonymous said...

Chris Wilcox is abysmal on defense.

Wilcox's defense, as Biggie would likely put it, "is worse than Whitey Cracka's D during a pick-up game @ the racist YMCA."

Biggie said...

AK1984,

Wow, poetry my brotha, poetry.

Anon, you have shown me the light, it was a really serious situation that you adeptly rectified. Thank you, no really, thank you 'sniff'.

Paul said...

I love it how overly-sensitive some white people are about race jokes. It's like they feel guilty or something, and the mere notion that there might still be a problem with racism tears a whole in their universe.

It's like when born-again whackos like Pat Robertson start talking about how much they hate gays, and they start frothing at the mouth so much it makes you wonder if they might secretly be lusting after the cabana boy.

The point is, you all need to settle down. If Biggie's jokes get your panties in a twist, too bad. He may go off the deep end on occasion, but at least what he writes is entertaining, which is the whole point of this blog. If you don't have a sense of humor, I suggest you go whack off to the +/- stat leaders at 82games.

So there!

Biggie said...

Word. :)

Anonymous said...

In more important news, sonicscentral pointed our at their site that nba.com is running a "Dance Team O' the Year" competition. I suggest you all vote early and often to propel the Sonic Dance Team to the ridiculous heights they so deserve. You can vote at:

http://www.nba.com/features/dance_bracket_2006.html

(As if you needed additional incentive, they're currently matched up with the hated Mavericks Dancers. Don't mess with Texas? I say, Don't mess with Everett, you hickville rednecks!)

Biggie said...

So, we've got AI comin; in tonight huh? I think Ridnour should take notes this evening (even if he was blue), AI is a little guy too. But he is absolutly fearless, you never see him avoid contact. Now I realize it is asking alot of anyone to emmulate AI but just take some hints, take away a few little things like, go to the hole with extreme prejudice (whitey!!, JK lol), if you get knocked down get back up again and laugh in their face (even if you're hurt)and last but definatly not least PLAY SOME DEFENSE. We all know that AI is gonig to have the Sonics for breakfast, he has ever since he came into the league. I remember his first game here, he only had 11pts but he had a putback dunk on a 76er missed freethrow that was just awesome, I'll never forget it (obviously). He also put a move on GP that was so cold I didn't really like him for his first couple seasons, but you just can't hate that dude.

I don't expect the Supes to win this one, we could, but I'm not gonna hold my breath (sorry anon, and ak1984). I'm just going to enjoy the game, actually scratch that, I don't think I'm going to watch much NBA ball until the tourney is over. Btw, just to put it out there, I picked the Huskies to win the whole thing on my bracket in my office pool. Go Dawgs WOOF!!!!

Anonymous said...

FYI, Iverson may not play tonight due to a bruised and sprained foot.

Biggie said...

Oh yeah, you're right I forgot about that, props.

Lance Uppercut said...

AI's not exactly a dynamo on defense either.

Biggie said...

Nuss, Foreskin face, and Chunk:

You cats probably already know about this but there's some cool blogging paraphanelia @ www.modern-guy.com. Check it out, it doesn't seem like you guys are too into stats but this could be useful.

-1

Biggie said...

I beg to differ, AI is a huge steals man, if that's not defense then what is??

Lance Uppercut said...

I wouldn't consider brevin knight or jason kidd good defenders either, and they're both right up there with AI in steals. Two steals a game does not a defense make, especially when you play almost 45 minutes a game.

Lance Uppercut said...

Oh yeah, and Rid averages just 0.41 fewer steals per game than Iverson, and Rid averages 10 fewer minutes per game. In fact, Rid averages 0.01 steals more per 48 minutes than AI does. Neither are very good defenders.

Biggie said...

Ok, well I like AI's defense I guess there are no stats to support it but I still think he plays better D than Ray or Luke.

acenab1277 said...

I think AI is a better defender than Rid, right now. He seems to anticipate better. But offensively is where AI is light years ahead of Luke.

By the way, did you see the Rainier Beach duo carry the Knicks last night?

Anonymous said...

I don't really care how much of a defender AI is... he's just frickin' amazing! He is such a wizard with the ball and his shot, that it makes me forget how good or bad his defense is.

He is my favorite player...

BTW: I would like to see someone make 0.01 of a steal...

Lance Uppercut said...

You've never stolen a penny before?

Biggie said...

Some women in the past have accused me of theft. Because I came on the scene, got they pussy and left.


LOL I can't take credit for that though it is by Devin the Dude.

doubledribble! said...

I AM PISSED!!!!

I waited all year for these courtside tickets for AI's ONCE a year trip out to the northwest and now word is he's not going to play!!!???

WHAT THE F&*^K!!!!

Well, anyone want to buy some courtside tickets to the game?

Biggie said...

How much do you want for 'em?

doubledribble! said...

I dunno, I got em through an auction so I don't know their value.
No price on the tickets.

I think I want to go to the game just to hold a sign that says:
YO! AI!
I'VE WAITED A YEAR TO SEE YOU PLAY!!!
WHAT THE F*&^K!!!!

Biggie said...

Well sorry that he didn't check with you before he hurt himself that was very inconsiderate. At least you get to see the other AI.

doubledribble! said...

I KNOW! What a prick. Its not like Im not injured either! But you see me showing up for the game!

Anyways, yeah, I am excited to see Vince JR too. Love Nate, but he should've won the dunk contest.

Biggie said...

of course not, he busted his whole load at the beginning, he needs staying power like Nate. lol