tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7758702.post7491341772768261175..comments2023-11-05T01:50:45.024-08:00Comments on Supersonicsoul - The Sonics Blog!: Halfway HomePaulhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07413382016761430333noreply@blogger.comBlogger12125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7758702.post-12126384532647008362008-01-24T09:41:00.000-08:002008-01-24T09:41:00.000-08:00Brando makes a good point.We knew the team was gon...Brando makes a good point.<BR/><BR/>We knew the team was gonna be really bad, so if 9-22 is that much of a surprise, then, well, you were maybe expecting too much. (I was hoping for 15 wins at the halfway point, but I realized that 9 wins was within the realm of possibility.)<BR/><BR/>We knew going in that Earl/Luke were highly unreliable. (Although, I have to admit, I was hoping for Luke to show some improvement...)<BR/><BR/>We knew going in that Weezy is inconsistent and complacent.<BR/><BR/>Given all that we knew, I count three genuine surprises (Collison's improved play, Szscerbiak's steady scoring, and Kurt Thomas' body holding up to provide some steady defense), and one genuine disappointment (the minimal impact of Delonte).<BR/><BR/>Of course, this is all trumped by the worst revelation of all--the fact that David Stern seems to be in favor of a Sonics move to OKC.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7758702.post-52428275947064653302008-01-23T14:46:00.000-08:002008-01-23T14:46:00.000-08:00Brando:"The only real disappointment this season i...Brando:<BR/><BR/>"The only real disappointment this season is that Delonte West hasn't come through like we might have hoped."<BR/><BR/>---<BR/><BR/>That's funny, although I'd consider the fact the Sonics are on pace for the worst record in team history to be kind of disappointing. You know, the fact they're 9-32? Hello?Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7758702.post-54602459375748835442008-01-23T14:40:00.000-08:002008-01-23T14:40:00.000-08:00Collison is a bright spot and his career best stat...Collison is a bright spot and his career best stats show that. He is here longterm at 30+ minutes I think and I am fine with that (whether it be as a starter or sub doesnt matter much) <BR/><BR/>But he is at career low on FG% so maybe he is at his limit on shots. And career low on free throws per minute. Not by a big amount but if he needed something to work on it would be passing up on some of the jumpers and drawing fouls a little more.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7758702.post-52445428886842421032008-01-23T14:32:00.000-08:002008-01-23T14:32:00.000-08:00Ridnour can be a 12pts/8assists guy but can he do ...Ridnour can be a 12pts/8assists guy but can he do it on a winner? He's got at least a few more months to show it here. I don't expect him to be traded until summer at earliest.<BR/><BR/>He was 10/6 on 04-05 winner. 12/7 and 12/5 the next two losing years without Daniels sharing the job and giving support when needed.<BR/><BR/>Project this season's stats to 32 minutes Ridnour would be 10/6 again. 12/8 is obviously reachable when healthy and in a consistent role but the questuon again is can he lead and help the team win enough to go that way?<BR/><BR/>41 games to show us.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7758702.post-36437225245434668822008-01-23T14:28:00.000-08:002008-01-23T14:28:00.000-08:00talk about doom and gloom. I know it's winter up t...talk about doom and gloom. I know it's winter up there in Seattle but come on! <BR/>The only real disappointment this season is that Delonte West hasn't come through like we might have hoped. Durant's low percentages were completely predictable, he's a rookie thrust into the role of being the sole scorer on an NBA team. Green is doing okay. Collison is playing well. Those guys are the team's core and they are coming along well. Damien Wilkins has shown some real potential too.<BR/>Trade the rest or let their contracts expire! If we get a high-ish pick and use it well, plus free up some serious cap space before we have to re-sign KD and JG it will all work out very nicely. The mantra is: short term pain, long term gain!Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7758702.post-65089166464860168562008-01-23T14:27:00.001-08:002008-01-23T14:27:00.001-08:00This comment has been removed by a blog administrator.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7758702.post-14978650332517695742008-01-23T14:27:00.000-08:002008-01-23T14:27:00.000-08:00Mark, I'm a UO grad, so I've rooted for Ridnour fo...Mark, I'm a UO grad, so I've rooted for Ridnour for a long time now, and I defended him for the past couple of years when everyone was clamoring for Watson to get the full-time role. I can understand your point of view, but keep that in mind when you read what I wrote.<BR/><BR/>My reason for the D grade is this: his game has seemingly regressed as his career has gone along. I think you're right that Ridnour needs a new scenario, because as long as Earl Watson is here, it's just not going to work. I don't know if it's his confidence, his frustration at management for not having faith in his abilities or what, but you've got to admit that his stats are not improving.<BR/><BR/>FG%, 3 pt %, assists, turnovers, steals, whatever number you want to use, you can't honestly say that he's better now than he was three years ago. Whether that's due to injuries or minutes or whatever, it's the sad truth. Maybe you're right and I shouldn't use history when giving a grade, and just base his rating on what he's done this season, but you can't help but be frustrated at the seeming lack of development.<BR/><BR/>The bottom line is I WANT Luke Ridnour to succeed, just like I want Luke Jackson to succeed and Fred Jones to succeed and Terrell Brandon to succeed - but especially with Ridnour because 1) when his game is on, he makes the team more fun to watch, and 2) he plays for the Sonics. Maybe that success is waiting in another city, but I think everyone would agree that his future in Seattle isn't that bright.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7758702.post-5657764882631430962008-01-23T14:23:00.000-08:002008-01-23T14:23:00.000-08:00But on Mark's point, maybe an incomplete would hav...But on Mark's point, maybe an incomplete would have been better.<BR/><BR/>Maybe Ridnour gets a D on what he did indivdually on offense but a strong / top half +/- on/off and his individual defensive stats at 82games look pretty good and might warrant an upgrade into C range or that incomplete.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7758702.post-18929508619481032902008-01-23T14:16:00.000-08:002008-01-23T14:16:00.000-08:00Strong stuff.Good work.Strong stuff.<BR/>Good work.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7758702.post-82544141453411729392008-01-23T13:49:00.000-08:002008-01-23T13:49:00.000-08:00I'll be upfront, I am a personal friend of Luke's,...I'll be upfront, I am a personal friend of Luke's, so I do have a bias. At the same time, giving Luke a D or D- grade on this season shows that you have a bias as well. I don't know what it is because I don't know you but you should at least be honest enough to admit it. If anything, Ridnour should get an incomplete for this season where two significant injuries (his nose and quad) have dramatically impacted his play when he has been able to be on the court. <BR/>It's too soon to slap the "vagabond" label on Luke since he is still playing on the team that drafted him. I have confidence that he will be a 12/8 starting guard for his next team and, yes, I am assuming he will be traded. For some reason the people who get paid to judge NBA talent and his fellow players respect his game so teams are trying to land him. You will probably say good riddance and I will say it will be good for Ridnour.Mark Rhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11682173838823913393noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7758702.post-3576914320548331612008-01-23T13:32:00.000-08:002008-01-23T13:32:00.000-08:00I don't see Watson nor Delonte as ever being any m...I don't see Watson nor Delonte as ever being any more than very bit pieces on contender level clubs. Luke I still like given the right club around him. No, he isn't shooting well right now, but unlike Earl he has the offensive ability to do so. I think he is the type of player that would have excelled in a solid role with a contender like the 90's Bulls or Rockets where there is a strong defensive mindset and talented players he can work with. But I do admit the evidence is starting to point otherwise... <BR/><BR/>What a shitty group of PG's. Seriously. One sucks at offensive and taking care of the ball. Another at defense and can't stay healthy. A 3rd is a shooting guard trapped in a PG's body, but without the electric athletic ability of an Iverson or Starbury type.<BR/><BR/>I can't help but to wonder... when do we get the post that talks about the hypothetical of our point guard situation being upgraded tremendously... when we lose Durant to OK City and get Chris Paul's Hornets. (A simultaneous switch with the names changing in the process of course.)<BR/><BR/>It's happening. The writing is on the wall, and Stern will somehow come out looking like a good guy on all fronts.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7758702.post-4859770912084237272008-01-23T12:46:00.000-08:002008-01-23T12:46:00.000-08:00i would like to see more of west to see what he ca...i would like to see more of west to see what he can do but it looks like he is at the end of the bench for now. how are they suppose to evaluate him when he doesnt play consistant min. i have a feeling he will not be in seattle next year & this just might be by his choice.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com