In a season of disappointments, Friday night's loss must have been especially difficult for Bob Hill to swallow.
It wasn't enough that his team got outrebounded 26-5 on the offensive glass. Or that Ray Allen had as many turnovers as the Hornets.
No, the most disappointing part of the whole affair was how the rest of the Western Conference did it's part.
What do I mean? Well take a look at how the teams ahead of the Sonics in the standings fared Friday evening:
Portland - Loss (at home, against Memphis!?)
Sacramento - Loss
Minnesota - Loss
Denver - Loss
New OKC - Win
Golden St., Clips - Idle
That's right, everything that could've broken the Sonics way on Friday did - with the exception of their game, natch. Considering the Sonics are in San Antone tonight, you can't blame Bob Hill if he hit the mini bar pretty hard last night.
4 comments:
I noticed that, too. Last night was the kind of night where everything was there for the taking, and we let it slip away.
I noticed that, too. Last night was the kind of night where everything was there for the taking, and we let it slip away.
Most games the team that shoots better from the field will win, unless one of the other key factors is very slanted. In this game the Sonics shot better but the offensive rebounding and freethrow attempt differences were too great.
Looking at Sonic wins and losses they average 4% better FG% than opponentin wins and 4% lower FG% in losses. That seems pretty normal. Even might fit with a .500 team competing for the playoffs.
In wins, Sonics commit 2 fewer turnovers, in losses just 1 more. That factor favors the Sonics a bit.
In wins they are even on offensive rebounds, in losses they lose by 1, Not a huge issue.
The biggest imbalance is with free throw attempts. In wins they are just even while in losses they allow 6 more. That is the biggest issue in my opinion.
Fix for it seems likely to need to be drive more and learn when not to foul better and do it less like Phoenix for example.
TK
B R U T A L loss tonight to the Spurs.
I don't understand Hill on one point. Last night, Gelabale sits on the bench the whole game. Tonight, he comes off before Wilkins, and then he plays 22 minutes. How is this helping his development?
I guess Hill's just in a lousy situation. If he goes with rookies the rest of the way, he helps the team in the long run but screws up his chances at retaining his job. If he starts the vets and the rooks ride the pine, he gives himself whatever miniscule hope there is at getting to the playoffs, salvaging his job, and thereby his career.
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