The Hornets come to town, and the living is easy. After getting slapped by Jim Jackson, the Hornets are so banged up that Dan Dickau is probably their best offensive weapon. Among the missing: Baron Davis, Jamal Magloire, Jamal Mashburn, and Lee Nailon. Something called a Bostjan Nachbar led them in scoring off the bench against Utah the other night, and while I love what he's done for NBA-Scrabble, I'm guessing he's not the answer N.O.'s been looking for.
The Sonics are a week or so away from the trade deadline. Aside from Ray Allen's departure, the lid has been sealed on this cookie jar. No talk about Radman (FA to be), Daniels (FA to be), Jerome (FA to be), etc., etc. While it's possible the trade rumors may be a distraction, I don't buy it. As professional athletes, the Sonics are accustomed to all sorts of nonsense in the press, and they can deal with it without any trouble.
Good Sign: Ray-Ray is healthy and Mac-10 is back in town.
Bad Sign: The Hornets may show up, causing the Sonics to have to break a sweat.
On this date: 1980 - Behind the 22 points of Gus Williams and Jack Sikma's 12 rebounds, the Sonics improved to 41-16 on the season with a 109-94 win over the Sixers in Philly.
Vegas line: Sonics by 13 1/2
Prediction: Sonics 105 - Hornets 95
Record Against the Spread: 14-8
Friday, January 28
Thursday, January 27
Hey, I know that dude!
George Karl is back. And this time IT'S PERSONAL!
From the Denver Post:
George Karl was expected to be named head coach of the Denver Nuggets at this hour at a news conference in Milwaukee.
ESPN.com reported that the longtime NBA coach, with 708 wins in 16 seasons, confirmed to ESPN that he would be the Nuggets' new coach.
Karl and the Nuggets worked out most of the details of a contract Wednesday night, a source close to the team said on condition of anonymity.
Karl could be back on the bench tonight for the Nuggets’ game against the Bucks.
Wednesday, January 26
Game Night: Welcome to Mormonville
Looks like the prediction-o-meter is back on track after last night's win in LA (Ed. Note: one win does not exactly make you Jimmy the Greek).
As noted on this fine blog, the Jazz have proven to be rather inept at drawing calls, something Danny Fortson knows a little something about. In the previous meeting a few days ago between these clubs, the Sonics were whistled for 32 fouls, while the Jazz were tabbed for 38, the highest cumulative total for a Sonic game this season. The Sonics wound up with 10 more foul shots than the Jazz, and ran away with the victory.
The Jazz are a turnover-prone offense, especially when it comes to bad passes. Thus far, Utah has thrown it away 287 times to their opponents 183, while the Sonics are at 187-245. That's a bad sign for Jazz fans, and a great sign for those of us who still aren't sure about that Joseph Smith guy.
I've wavered in both directions with this game, which is probably why the oddsmakers have put it as a pick 'em. On the pro side, the Sonics are statistically better than Utah, are coming off a nice win in LA, and they haven't lost in 3 tries against Utah this season. However, the Jazz have won a couple of nice ones lately, the Sonics are on the second of a back-to-back, and the law of averages is on Utah's side. On the other hand ...
Good Sign: AK-47 is not at 100%.
Bad Sign: AK-47 will still be playing, and at 85% he's better than most players in the league, anyway. Plus, the Jazz have knocked off the Suns and Spurs in SLC in the past two weeks.
Vegas line: Pick 'em
Prediction: Jazz 102 - Sonics 98
Record Against the Spread: 13-7
As noted on this fine blog, the Jazz have proven to be rather inept at drawing calls, something Danny Fortson knows a little something about. In the previous meeting a few days ago between these clubs, the Sonics were whistled for 32 fouls, while the Jazz were tabbed for 38, the highest cumulative total for a Sonic game this season. The Sonics wound up with 10 more foul shots than the Jazz, and ran away with the victory.
The Jazz are a turnover-prone offense, especially when it comes to bad passes. Thus far, Utah has thrown it away 287 times to their opponents 183, while the Sonics are at 187-245. That's a bad sign for Jazz fans, and a great sign for those of us who still aren't sure about that Joseph Smith guy.
I've wavered in both directions with this game, which is probably why the oddsmakers have put it as a pick 'em. On the pro side, the Sonics are statistically better than Utah, are coming off a nice win in LA, and they haven't lost in 3 tries against Utah this season. However, the Jazz have won a couple of nice ones lately, the Sonics are on the second of a back-to-back, and the law of averages is on Utah's side. On the other hand ...
Good Sign: AK-47 is not at 100%.
Bad Sign: AK-47 will still be playing, and at 85% he's better than most players in the league, anyway. Plus, the Jazz have knocked off the Suns and Spurs in SLC in the past two weeks.
Vegas line: Pick 'em
Prediction: Jazz 102 - Sonics 98
Record Against the Spread: 13-7
Sonics lick Luke, Lakers, 104-93
As we were watching the Sonics beat the crap out of the Lakers last night, my wife pointed out the uncanny resemblance between Luke Walton and Napoleon Dynamite. You be the judge.
Tuesday, January 25
Game Night: Lake Show
I was a little off in my last prediction ("we're in for a butt-whuppin' tonight") of the Sea-Den matchup. (Ed. note: yeah, and Geraldo was a little off when he was looking for Capone's vault). But I guarantee nothing but riches tonight in today's issue of "How Much Money Can Pete Win for You?"
Like all good Sonics fans, I hate the Lakers. I detest Stu Nance and his terrible commentary (could someone find Chick Hearn's fridge so we can put Stu in it?), Magic's big mouth, the Staples Center's plasticity, Laker fans' plasticity, and everything else associated with this team.
That said, the Lakers have some cool players. You gotta like Odom, who rolls to the hoop almost as well as he rolls a joint, and Brian Grant's tenacity is always appreciated. Fortunately for us, Ray Allen's pen pal is still recovering, which means the most dangerous offensive player on the Lakers is Chucky Atkins.
'Nuff said.
Good Sign: Kobe's spent more time at the doctor's office than on the court this month.
Bad Sign: Sonics have lost 3 straight on the road.
Vegas line: Sonics by 3
Prediction: Sonics 103 - Lakers 94
Record Against the Spread: 12-7
Fouling Around
I couldn't remember if I had put this up before, but in case I hadn't, it's worth a read. According to 82games.com (could I reference this site any more?), Danny Fortson is the best in the NBA at drawing fouls.
The article also singles out my favorite former Sonic (Michael Cage excluded), Corey Maggette, as an exceptional foul-drawer for a perimeter player. Hey, Wally, can you get off your ass and trade for this guy already? Ray Allen's value isn't getting any higher!
I know I can't be the first to say this, but I'm of the opinion that fouls are the NBA's equivalent to walks in baseball. Everyone acknowledges them, but nobody gives them their due respect (at least until Billy Beane showed up).
For instance, fouls:
1. Are a consistent way to score points that never take the night off (as opposed to jump shots)
2. Hurt the other team in two ways, by putting your team at the line and by putting opposing players closer to DQ
3. Allow your team to catch its' breath, especially for teams like the Sonics and Suns (although it could be argued that it allows the other team to rest as well)
4. Are recommended for preventing tooth decay
I'm not sure about the last one, but the other 3 are legit.
The article also singles out my favorite former Sonic (Michael Cage excluded), Corey Maggette, as an exceptional foul-drawer for a perimeter player. Hey, Wally, can you get off your ass and trade for this guy already? Ray Allen's value isn't getting any higher!
I know I can't be the first to say this, but I'm of the opinion that fouls are the NBA's equivalent to walks in baseball. Everyone acknowledges them, but nobody gives them their due respect (at least until Billy Beane showed up).
For instance, fouls:
1. Are a consistent way to score points that never take the night off (as opposed to jump shots)
2. Hurt the other team in two ways, by putting your team at the line and by putting opposing players closer to DQ
3. Allow your team to catch its' breath, especially for teams like the Sonics and Suns (although it could be argued that it allows the other team to rest as well)
4. Are recommended for preventing tooth decay
I'm not sure about the last one, but the other 3 are legit.
Monday, January 24
Jazzblows: Sonics beat Utah 122-105
The Seattle Supersonics beat the Utah "Why are they still called" Jazz 122-105 last night at the Key.
The Supes overcame a physical Utah team that sent Seattle to the line a season-high 45 times. Seattle improved to 13-1 when they attempt at least 30 free throws
Rashard "Too Smoove" Lewis lead the way with 36 points, shooting 12-17 from the field, and 7-8 (!) from three-point land. The Sonics as a team shot an astounding 59 percent from the floor (38-64).
Almost lost in the shuffle was another great game from Nussbaum's boy, Antonio Daniels, who had 24 points and eight assists.
Utah, which was lead in scoring (20) and rebounding (12) by Carlos "I was a loser and a" Boozer, lost for the fifth time in the past six games.
Seattle's next game is on Tuesday, in Los Angeles against the Lakers.
Friday, January 21
Sunny Jim?
It looks like the Suns are about to acquire Jim Jackson and Samuel Dalembert:
From ESPN:
The Phoenix Suns are closing in on the acquisition of disgruntled New Orleans swingman Jim Jackson, league sources told ESPN.com.
The trade for Jackson, expected to be finalized later Friday, would likely send three Suns reserves -- Casey Jacobsen, Maciej Lampe and Jackson Vroman -- to the Hornets. Jackson has refused to report to New Orleans since he was traded by Houston for David Wesley just after Christmas.
The move has multiple benefits for Phoenix, which started the season 31-4 in spite of its serious depth shortage. Jackson, 34, would immediately give the Suns a veteran scoring option off the bench and also give coach Mike D'Antoni a ready-made replacement for Joe Johnson if the Suns can convince Philadelphia to part with center Samuel Dalembert in a swap for Johnson.
(Thanks to Ryan J for the tip!)
UPDATE: It's official: Jim Jackson is a Phoenix Sun.
Why I'm Ticked Off This Week: Jump Around
All season long, we’ve heard the Sonics live and die by the 3. How that if the Sonics aren't draining from 25 feet, they can’t win games.
The PI’s Danny O’Neil even devoted a few trees to the issue the other day, explaining how the Sonics are only 1-7 when they hit less than 30% from beyond the arc.
Guess what. It’s all a bunch of crap.
Writers love to formulate logic based on their opinions, and there few opinions tougher to shake than the one which says the Sonics are a jump-shooting club. To back up their claims, writers point to Seattle’s poor showing in games which they shoot badly from beyond the arc.
What O’Neil neglects to mention, however, is that NEARLY EVERY TEAM IN THE LEAGUE shoots badly from beyond the arc when they lose.
Phoenix? 30% in losses, 39% in wins.
Cleveland? 28%, 37%.
San Antonio? 29%, 39%.
Sacramento? 31%, 37%.
Seattle? 27%, 42%.
This just in ... when you don’t shoot well, you’re gonna lose. Rather than just accept the simple truth in that sentence, writers like O’Neil grasp at tenuous claims like “long rebounds from missed 3’s” and other such nonsense.
Lost in all this supposition is the truth. The truth is that 68% of Seattle’s shots are jumpers beyond 15 feet. What does that mean, though? Well, here’s how some other teams compare:
Phoenix (67%), San Antonio (63%), Sacramento (67%), Detroit (65%), Indiana (67%), Miami (61%).
With the exception of the Heat, ALL of the top teams this year are within a few percentage points of Seattle, meaning all this talk about the Sonics being a bunch of jump shooters isn’t just dumb, it’s flat-out wrong.
Look, the Sonics, when they’re hitting their outside shots, are one of the best teams in the NBA, excepting no one. When they’re not hitting them? Well, they’re just like every other NBA team that isn’t hitting its’ threes. Lousy.
OTHER GRUMBLINGS
One point people fail to take into consideration with the injury to Steve Nash is that he gets hurt almost every year. Face it, he’s in his ninth season and he’s played 80+ games twice. Yeah, when he’s healthy he’s a very good player, but the Suns have to pay when he’s hurt, too, and if they think it sucks now, wait until he’s 34. ... Am I the only one sick and tired of retro/alternative jerseys? 20 years ago when I grew up loving the Sonics, they had two uniforms: home and away. For some reason, it was enough for everybody. How about a moratorium: teams can wear retro jerseys no more than twice a season. Except for the Celtics, who wear them every night. ... Is the NBA so desperate for help that Urkel merits his own spot on their website?
The PI’s Danny O’Neil even devoted a few trees to the issue the other day, explaining how the Sonics are only 1-7 when they hit less than 30% from beyond the arc.
Guess what. It’s all a bunch of crap.
Writers love to formulate logic based on their opinions, and there few opinions tougher to shake than the one which says the Sonics are a jump-shooting club. To back up their claims, writers point to Seattle’s poor showing in games which they shoot badly from beyond the arc.
What O’Neil neglects to mention, however, is that NEARLY EVERY TEAM IN THE LEAGUE shoots badly from beyond the arc when they lose.
Phoenix? 30% in losses, 39% in wins.
Cleveland? 28%, 37%.
San Antonio? 29%, 39%.
Sacramento? 31%, 37%.
Seattle? 27%, 42%.
This just in ... when you don’t shoot well, you’re gonna lose. Rather than just accept the simple truth in that sentence, writers like O’Neil grasp at tenuous claims like “long rebounds from missed 3’s” and other such nonsense.
Lost in all this supposition is the truth. The truth is that 68% of Seattle’s shots are jumpers beyond 15 feet. What does that mean, though? Well, here’s how some other teams compare:
Phoenix (67%), San Antonio (63%), Sacramento (67%), Detroit (65%), Indiana (67%), Miami (61%).
With the exception of the Heat, ALL of the top teams this year are within a few percentage points of Seattle, meaning all this talk about the Sonics being a bunch of jump shooters isn’t just dumb, it’s flat-out wrong.
Look, the Sonics, when they’re hitting their outside shots, are one of the best teams in the NBA, excepting no one. When they’re not hitting them? Well, they’re just like every other NBA team that isn’t hitting its’ threes. Lousy.
OTHER GRUMBLINGS
One point people fail to take into consideration with the injury to Steve Nash is that he gets hurt almost every year. Face it, he’s in his ninth season and he’s played 80+ games twice. Yeah, when he’s healthy he’s a very good player, but the Suns have to pay when he’s hurt, too, and if they think it sucks now, wait until he’s 34. ... Am I the only one sick and tired of retro/alternative jerseys? 20 years ago when I grew up loving the Sonics, they had two uniforms: home and away. For some reason, it was enough for everybody. How about a moratorium: teams can wear retro jerseys no more than twice a season. Except for the Celtics, who wear them every night. ... Is the NBA so desperate for help that Urkel merits his own spot on their website?
Wednesday, January 19
Outrage!
According to the latest from our colleague at Sonics versus the World, we at Supersonicsoul have slipped to - gasp! - sixth in the overall BER ratings of blogsites.
Friends, this will not stand. My grandparents did not ride across the Atlantic Ocean in a rickety boat manufactured by malicious Protestants so that their grandson could have a website he contributes to on occasion, but never while taking time away from work, maligned by some punk.
So, in step one of correcting our low ranking, let me introduce some sexy new photos, exclusive to supersonicsoul.com, in an effort to improve our "hot chick photos" score, thereby elevating our overall standing.
Consider the gauntlet thrown.
Friends, this will not stand. My grandparents did not ride across the Atlantic Ocean in a rickety boat manufactured by malicious Protestants so that their grandson could have a website he contributes to on occasion, but never while taking time away from work, maligned by some punk.
So, in step one of correcting our low ranking, let me introduce some sexy new photos, exclusive to supersonicsoul.com, in an effort to improve our "hot chick photos" score, thereby elevating our overall standing.
Consider the gauntlet thrown.
Tuesday, January 18
Game Night: Denver Nuggets
We could be in for a good ol'-fashioned butt-whuppin' tonight, fellas. The Nuggets are starting something called a "Greg Buckner" at off-guard, Nene's serving a 4-game suspension, and the Sonics apparently need Rashard Lewis about as much as I need a curling iron.
In fact, the Nuggets have won all of 2 games since December 15th, a 2-13 skid that has ended their chance at decent season. What's been the cause of Denver's misfortune? Here are a few culprits:
- 3-point shooting (26% over their past 10)
- Shot-blocking (20 fewer than their opponents over past 10)
- Carmelo Anthony (34% from the field in the past couple of weeks)
Good Sign: The Nuggets are a team in disarray, and even Michael Cooper can't help it.
Bad Sign: Sooner or later, the Sonics are going to miss Rashard's scoring ability.
Vegas line: Sonics by 7 1/2
Prediction: Sonics 99 - Nuggets 88
Record Against the Spread: 12-6
Monday, January 17
Viewer Mail
Some recent comments from readers:
"How about commenting on games we won! Big win over the Cavs tonight. Only one and a half back of the Spurs for the 2nd seed in the west."O.K., I'll admit I've been slacking lately. Maybe if you guys would help me get a new computer instead of the Tandy TRS-80 I'm currently using , I'd be able to write more.
- Alan
"Yeah, where my homies at?"
- chunkstyle23
Also, I've been busy on a project for the man, but now that it's almost over, I promise I'll get to work on more Spine-tingling Tales of Supersonica© . In fact, here are some new stories that will be lighting up your computer screen in the near future:
- "Furball: The rise and fall of the Wheedle."
- "Gerald Paddio: The lost years."
- "Did we mention Radman was in The Nutcracker? No, really!"
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