As expected, the Sonics lost to the Suns last night in Phoenix. As expected, Steve Nash played well, Shawn Marion played well, and Ray Allen played well.Unexpectedly, Nick Collison did an impersonation of Wes Unseld.
Collison shocked the world by scoring 29 points and grabbing 21 (!) boards against the Suns, including 10 points in the 4th quarter alone. The Sonics led for most of the first half, but failed in the second half, as they only put 42 on the board in the second after hitting 60 in the first. Most notably, Chris Wilcox (can we start calling him a bust yet?) went scoreless in the second half.
The Ridnour benching continues, with Watson getting 36 minutes to Frodo's 15. Also of note, Mickael Gelabale played a career-high 43 mintues, and scored in double figures for the third consecutive game, helped by his 65% shooting over that span. In his last five games, Gelabale has hit 20 of 30 shots from the field, an astounding number for a perimeter player. The Omen can't be too happy about that.
What happens next? The Sonics host Gary Payton and the Heat tonight at the Key (sadly, the Heat dancers have remained in Florida). Miami has lost 5 of 6, including a 28 point loss to the same Suns the Sonics played pretty well last night. Don't expect to see too much of Gary; he only played 5 minutes against the Blazers after D Wade returned to the lineup.
Shockingly, I think the Sonics might win tonight. If they weren't on the second of a back-to-back and if Miami hadn't been resting for a couple of days, I'd have even more confidence. Still, all things considered, I'll pick the Sonics to win by 7.
9 comments:
Why does Bob Hill still have a job?
Because nobody else wants it.
Heat by 12. They beat us the last 3 meetings.
No Shaq tonight though, right? That makes a difference.
Plus Collison's good for 29 and 21 again, right?
Right?
$25 it's gonna be a blowout loss.
Nick Who? So what he scored 21 in the game against Phx? Anyone who's played basketball knows that once in a blue moon you have one of those games that everything goes your way. All your shots go in, all the rebounds come your way, etc. Anyone who's excited about Collison playing well should average his output over the previous games.
Here's I'll do it for the points. Stepping into last night's game, Collison had scored a total of 49 points in 8 games. That's 6.1 points per game. If anyone is expecting him to have another 29-point game, I hate to burst your bubble, but you're gonna be waiting for a long time. Possible the rest of your life.
Dude, I was joking about Nick. I'd be surprised if he got 21 rebounds in the next week. If there's one word we can use for his play this year it's this: INCONSISENT.
Or this: CRAPPY.
Still, I don't think it'll be a blowout loss. The Sonics almost beat the Heat in Miami earlier this year (came down to the last shot), and with no Shaq, the Heat aren't exactly burning up the league right now.
Anyone interested in picking up Chris Webber now that the Sixers have bought out his contract? As crappy as he's playing right now, he's still better than watching Fortson/Collison/Petro impersonate NBA centers.
Amen. As much as we bag on Rick Sund, he's definitely smart enough to not want any part of Webber.
I think C-Webb has New York Knick written all over him. Or maybe the Pistons, just so Wolverine fans can pay money to go and boo him.
Just read that James Posey was deactivated by the Heat for failing a weight clause, and his agent says he's a little ticked off.
Posey's exactly the guy winning teams always have - good FT shooter, good defender, capable of playing the 3 or 2 and locking down. He can also hit a 3 with a decent percentage. I know the Sonics aren't a playoff team, but maybe we send Watson and Wilkins to get Posey, GP and Doleac. The Heat get the true point they really need, the Sonics get Posey, fan favorite Gary, and a big man to boot. Doleac's not a superstar, but he weighs 260 pounds, can rebound, and has a touch around the paint. He's one helluva lot better than the crap we usually see at center.
Is anybody else aware that Seattle is turning into the Arctic North out there? Holy crap!
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