Weiss

Asked why he could be successful in Seattle as a head coach compared to his other jobs, he said, "We don't have any players on a respirator. The first couple jobs I had were complete rebuilding jobs....This is first opportunity I've had to work with talents like Ray, Rashard, the nucleus, Luke (Ridnour), Nick Collision ...”

Seattle Times, July 18th, 2005

That would be a wonderful reason to hire Bob Weiss, if it were, in fact, the truth.

Unfortunately, it is not.

Sadly, while Mr. Weiss is correct in that his stints with the Spurs and Clippers were with teams that were going nowhere, he seems to have conveniently forgotten what happened in Atlanta.

Let us take a quick look at the talent on the “rebuilding job” Edelweiss was stuck with down south lo, those many years ago (all stats for 1990-91, Weiss’ first year):

Dominique Wilkins (age 29, 27 ppg, 7 rpg)
Moses Malone (age 34, 19 ppg, 10 rpg)
Doc Rivers (age 28, 13 ppg, 5 apg)
Kevin Willis (age 27, 12 ppg, 8 rpg)

And let’s not forget the other players on the Hawk bench, men such as Antoine Carr, Kenny Smith, and Spud Webb, or players that arrived later in his tenure, such as Mookie Blaylock and Stacey Augmon. Seriously, would you trade that Atlanta roster for Seattle’s right now? Doc vs Luke? Nique vs Rashard? Willis vs Collison? Moses vs Johan Freakin' Petro?

Or how about that during Weiss’ three years in Atlanta, the Hawks never won a playoff series, then promptly advanced to the 2nd round the year after he got canned (under Lenny Wilkens)?

No, Bob, you’ll have to peddle that crap somewhere else. Look, it is evident the Sonics’ roster seems to like you, and you have a familiarity with the team that no outsider would. But, quite frankly, who cares? After all, did Larry Brown know anything about Detroit’s roster before he took them to the Championship? Did Phil Jackson in LA or Chicago?

Weiss is right, though, his failure in Atlanta was due to a lack of talent. It’s just that the lack of talent was his.

Weiss is the man

"That's right, suckas - The ORIGINAL Mr.Sonic is back, ya'll! Holla!"

Proving that our man Danny Fortson is truly calling the shots, the Sonics picked Bob "I gotta come up with a nickname for this guy" Weiss as their new head coach today:

The Seattle SuperSonics are on the verge of naming Bob Weiss their new head coach.

An announcement could come as early as today, according to sources.

Weiss has been offered a contract, though no details were available. The team was waiting for Weiss to sign.

Weiss would replace Nate McMillan, who left unexpectedly July 6 to accept an offer to coach the Portland Trail Blazers. Sources said the delay in naming a replacement was because principal owner Howard Schultz was out of the country.

An assistant with the Sonics since 1994, Weiss has been endorsed by key players, including Ray Allen.

Weiss was a player on the original Sonics, coming to the team in the expansion draft of 1967.

From The Tribune.

So, Supersonicsouliacs, what are you gonna do when Weiss-a-mania is running wild on YOU?!

Trader Bob to become Owner Bob?

"Hmm... I wonder which Northwest team I should F-up next?"

Our pal Henry Abbott over at True Hoop is the bringer of bad news once again. This time, it's a nasty rumor about Bob "I traded Scottie Pippen for Olden Polynice" Whittsitt returning to the Sonics:

Peter Vecsey reports that former Seattle and Portland General Manager Bob Whitsitt is part of a group hoping to buy the SuperSonics. I know Trader Bob has pulled off some major trades (Scottie Pippen for two old pairs of shoes and a hand towel wasn't bad). But in Portland, his departure is widely seen as a high point in recent Portland history. Ditto at his next job, with the Seattle Seahawks. I wouldn't want him owning my team.

Read more here.

Somewhere, in the vast Canadian wilderness, Nussbaum is screaming.

(Thanks to Henry and "Lance Uppercut" for the tip.)

Summer School

Could this be Swift's big year? BWAH-HA-HA! Sorry.

With the all the gloom and doom over the departures of Nate, Jerome, and A.D. (oh my!), it's a tough time to be a Supersonics fan.

Luckily, Summer League starts today, where hope springs eternal, and Seattle Hoopheads eagerly search for a Gerald Green-like breakout performance by one of the youngsters. Who will it be this year? Mateen Cleaves? Robert Swift (snicker)? Maybe one of the undrafted rookies: Louisville's Larry O'Bannon or former Kansas star Aaron Miles?

I really don't know that much about the rest of the roster, but perhaps one of our more knowledgeable pundits will enlighten us. Like who the hell is Kaniel Dickens?

Bye-Bye "Big Game" James

The mass exodus of the 04-05 Miracle Sonics continued today, with Jerome "Big Garbage Bag Game" James signing with the New York Knicks. Well, at least he (unlike Nate) had the common decency to sign with a team on the opposite coast! I just wish he could have waited until I ran the story about his pimped out rides.

James, who played the last four seasons in Seattle, agreed yesterday to a five-year deal with the Knicks, according to his agent. Precise terms will not be set until the league completes its new labor deal. But it was expected that James will earn about $5 million in the first year of the contract, and $29 million over five years.

Before the contract is signed, James will be installed as the starting center, a job he will win by default. The Knicks traded their only true center, Nazr Mohammed, in February, and traded his replacement, Kurt Thomas, in June. The team drafted a center, Channing Frye, but he may not be ready for full-time work as a rookie.

From the New York Times (registration required)

Even though James has been a career under-achiever and often played like a poor-man's Benoit Benjamin, it was fun to see him come alive in the playoffs. J.J. was the heart and soul of last year's team, having "invented" the post-game huddle, and has developed into one of the unique characters in the league, resembling another under-achieving but lovable center, Darryl "Chocolate Thunder" Dawkins.

Does he deserve $29 million over five years? No. Will he be out of the league, bankrupt, and selling sports drinks out of the back of a van in five years? Probably. But I will always love J.J. for giving us one of the great playoff runs in Sonics history. And for wearing a garbage bag.

The Rooks

Newly signed rookie Johan Petro: He so crazy!

With all the hemming and hawing (mostly by me) about the departure of Nate McMillan, it's easy to forget that just a few weeks ago, the Sonics drafted a couple of nimble young Frenchmen!

Wait, wait... put the gun down... it's not as horrible as it sounds! Thanks to the Supersonicsoul International Scouting Team™ (Mateo, DannyF, and desmond.mason24), we have some very promising video of the French-Fried Forwards:

Johan Petro Video

Mickael Gelabale Video #1

Mickael Gelabale Video #2

Mickael Gelabale Video #3

Mickael Gelabale Video #4

Mickael Gelabale Video #5

(Thanks again to Mateo, DannyF, and desmond.mason24 for tracking these down!)

BONUS! Speaking of draft stuff I should've posted two weeks ago, check out Henry Abbott's "Draft Pronounciation Guide".

Notes

Just some random notes gleaned from the internet ...

The Nuggets are apparently interested in Flip Murray.

The Jazz’ draft-day selection of Illini guard Deron Williams has cooled Antonio Daniels interest in signing up with the Mormons.

Even if the Sonics were interested in Flip Saunders, it appears he ain’t interested in them. Of course, for what it’s worth, that same article mentioned there was zero chance Bret Boone would be joining the Twins.

As in Utah, both AD and Grizzlies’ PG Earl Watson have expressed interested in playing in Miami, replacing free agent Damon Jones.

Daniels and Vlade Radmanovic are both rated as among the top 10 available free agents by one website.

Coach Question Mark

Well, it seems like everyone's got a favorite candidate to coach the Sonics. I'm still holding out for Lenny (c'mon, he's only 90!), but here's what sane people are thinking:

The Seattle SuperSonics have told prospective candidates for their coaching vacancy that they have trimmed their list of potential replacements for Nate McMillan to Marc Iavaroni, current assistant Bob Weiss and at least one other person, sources said.

A third candidate is thought to be Michigan State coach Tom Izzo, whom Sonics general manager Rick Sund contacted in the past few days to inquire about Izzo’s interest.

Also, the Sonics have let it be known that they are going to be cost-conscious, which would seemingly rule out coaches such as Flip Saunders and Doug Collins, who would command larger salaries because of their NBA experience.

That said, it seems as if Iavaroni, an assistant to Phoenix Suns coach Mike D’Antoni and a close friend of Sonics CEO Wally Walker, is the front-runner for the job. Iavaroni was likely to get the Portland Trail Blazers job if McMillan didn’t take it.

from the Tribune

Meanwhile, the real brains behind the Sonics, Danny "Da Fort" Fortson, says his pick is Bob "The Original Wheedle" Weiss:

"He'd be my No. 1 vote," forward Danny Fortson said yesterday during a telephone interview. "He's well-deserving. He's paid his dues. I think a lot of us can relate to him. ... Now, it might not happen for him, but I'd be very comfortable with Bob Weiss as my coach."

Weiss, a member of the first Sonics team in the 1967-68 season, has strong ties to the franchise, has detailed knowledge of the players and favors the up-tempo offense the Sonics have adopted.

from The Times

So, what do you think? Weiss? Izzo? Iavaronionioni? How about Nussbaums's darkhorse, Eric Musselman? Did I mention Lenny?

Musselman

Eric Musselman: Future Sonics coach?

G-State W-L in the five years pre-Mussels:
19-63
21-29
19-63
17-65
21-61
Warriors in Mussels’ two years:
38-44
37-45
Warriors post-Mussels:
34-48

Plus:
Does not rely heavily upon the 3-point shot
Gets the most out of his talent
Capable of coaching up-tempo or slow-down game
Workaholic
Develops young players. Arenas, J-Rich, Boykins, Brian Cardinal, Troy Murphy, and Dampier are all players who had some of their best seasons under Mussels, or else began to show improvement in play during his reign.
Knows the importance of rebounding. GS went from outrebounding or matching their opponents in his two years to being outboarded by a 320-rebound margin last year.

Minus:
Not a fan of Da Fort. Fortson went from double-double pre-Mussels to trouble-trouble and see ya later.
Did not develop Adonal Foyle or Mike Dunleavy. But, then again, neither has anyone else.
Didn’t take the Warriors over the hump and into the playoffs.
Had a less-than-fantastic relationship with his team.

To me, the minuses do not outweigh the pluses. The Sonics are a veteran-type team that needs a guider more than a punisher. Unlike the Warriors, who needed guidance but didn’t want it, the Sonics have an established leader who knows that winning is the only thing separating him from true greatness. Collison, Ridnour, Lewis, Radman, Allen – these are all solid citizens who just need someone with a bit of intelligence to help them along. It’s unknown if Mussels can handle Sugar Ray’s (thanks, Hank) large number of FGA, or if he and Fort can coexist, or if he can enable Lewis to develop into a legitimate all-star.

Still, he’s relatively inexpensive, has a good hoop pedigree, and has a modicum of NBA experience. Unlike Saunders (too expensive), Carlisimo (too much of a headache), Silas (not enough energy), and Iavaroni (no experience at all), Musselman is ready to help the Sonics right away at a fair price. Most important, putting Mussels in place doesn’t mean the Sonics will take a back step next season. If I’m Wally Walker, I make the call today.

Portland steals Nate, kicks Sonics in groin

Portland's that way... jerk.

In the worst blow to civic pride since Griffey Junior headed to Cincy, Nate McMillan succumbed to the dark side today, taking the money and running all the way to Portland:

PORTLAND, Ore. - The Portland Trail Blazers will hold a press conference Thursday, July 7, to introduce Nate McMillan as the club's 11th head coach in team history.

McMillan will be introduced at an afternoon gathering open to the public at the Washington Park Amphitheater at 4:30 p.m.

McMillan joins the Trail Blazers after serving as head coach of the Seattle Supersonics since November 27, 2000, compiling a record of 212-183 (.537).

Read the rest (if you haven't already killed yourself) here:

I don't know if words can describe how much I hate Paul Allen right now. No, wait, they can: I HATE PAUL ALLEN!!!

Ray-Ray Returns!

Thanks Ray, the lunchbox is in the mail!

Break out the "fine champagna": it looks like Ray-Ray is re-signing with the Sonics.

All-Star shooting guard Ray Allen has agreed to a new contract that will keep him with the Seattle SuperSonics, SI.com has learned.

Terms of the deal were unknown. Last February negotiations broke down on a five-year extension in which the Sonics were offering $75 million while Allen was holding out for an $80 million deal.

Allen's return to the Sonics is expected to help them in their contract negotiations with coach Nate McMillan, who expressed reservations about returning to Seattle unless Allen and other free agents were re-signed.

from SI.com

All right, Nate, now it's your turn!

UPDATE: It's official: Ray Allen re-signs with the Sonics for five years, $80 million.

Nate Watch

Don't leave us, Nate!

The Nate McMillan watch continues this week with several conflicting and probably untrue stories and/or rumors. First, the Seattle Times reports that the Sonics have given Nate until tomorrow to decide if he wants to stay with team.

Speaking of the Seattle Times, the Northwest's worst sports columnist Steve Kelley (who famously gave up on the '87 Sonics) tells Nate to "chase the money" to Portland. Nice. I'd tell you to do the same, Stevie, but no one except the Times is stupid enough to pay you.

Meanwhile, the New York Daily News reports that Nate is "moving closer to finalizing a deal with the Portland Trail Blazers". GUH?!

So, what do all these crazy stories and/or rumors mean? It means that, until tomorrow, no one really knows what Nate McMillan is going to do except Nate McMillan.