Some quick notes while wondering when Sean Penn's "Jude Law Defense League" membership card expires, and if he had to pay extra for the "Cranky Attitude Bonus Pak," or if it comes standard ...
Nice to see that The Potato has become part of the Sonics' family again. While Nate continues to mix and match depending upon his opponent, it's a great sign that he has offensive weapon at the 5 that doesn't foul out in 7 minutes (Are you listening James? What about you, Fort?) ... Color me all wrong about Nick Collison. As the months have worn on, the rookie has improved his FT shooting, added shot blocking, continues to hit a high pct. from the floor, and generally earned additional minutes. The draft that looked like something Ted Stepien orchestrated a year ago, has shaped into a key one for Seattle's future ... Seattle's next 4 - against Indy, LeBron, Houston, and Chicago - doesn't look too hot. Especially after that clunker against the Bucks. What the hell happened? ... Flip Murray's minutes in the past 6 games: 22, 8, 24, 0, 17, 4. ... Here's a sentence nobody expected to be reading right after the all-star break this year: "Attention Season Ticket Holders! Please click here to access your account and secure your seats for the upcoming Sonics Playoffs and the 2005-06 Sonics season. Ordering deadline is Wednesday, March 23. Thank you for your loyal support!"
Monday, February 28
Friday, February 25
Hunter
This is so far off the topic that I'm debating whether or not to write it, but since it is vaguely sport-related I'll dive in.
As you all know by now, Hunter S. Thompson took his own life on Sunday with a shotgun to the head. As someone who has read a couple of Thompson's books and scores of his articles in Rolling Stone and espn.com, I was saddened to hear of his departure, especially considering he was a vital, albeit difficult-to-grasp, part of the literature scene.
My opinion of the man is changing, though, as stories trickle in from Colorado as to the cause of HST's obvious pain. It appears that HST was tired of the pain of everyday life, from injuries he suffered while on vacation to the maladies he inflicted upon himself during his 67 - shall we say chaotic? - years on this planet. In desparation to relieve his mind of the pain, he committed suicide.
I suppose I can understand his rationale, and I would be a lousy person to critize his motives, being that I have no idea how painful his life was.
Yet, when a man shoots himself in the head while he is talking to his wife on the telephone - as HST did - I begin to think that perhaps he has lost touch with how difficult life can truly be. After all, are his afflictions any more severe than the thousands of kids with cancer throughout this country? Or the people who live on the street with no dignity and all sorts of mental illnesses?
Yet, I suppose the reason I wrote this is the reverence his death has brought from the scores of writers who worked with him over the years. From espn.com lackeys, to actors, to God knows who, everyone seems to be saying how wonderful a man he was for living life "on his own terms" and refusing to live with the pain he was enduring.
I'm sorry, but HST was a husband, a father, and a grandfather. As such, he had responsibilties to all of those people. Killing himself doesn't help them any more than moving to Tahiti and shacking up with an island girl would. Since I hate to say something negative amount a man who has recently left us, I'll leave my vitriol for his defenders: Save your breath, friends, for the fathers who work every day despite hating their jobs, so that their children can eat; for grandfathers who look after their grandchildren even though they could be off playing golf or cribbage.
I think they deserve it more.
As you all know by now, Hunter S. Thompson took his own life on Sunday with a shotgun to the head. As someone who has read a couple of Thompson's books and scores of his articles in Rolling Stone and espn.com, I was saddened to hear of his departure, especially considering he was a vital, albeit difficult-to-grasp, part of the literature scene.
My opinion of the man is changing, though, as stories trickle in from Colorado as to the cause of HST's obvious pain. It appears that HST was tired of the pain of everyday life, from injuries he suffered while on vacation to the maladies he inflicted upon himself during his 67 - shall we say chaotic? - years on this planet. In desparation to relieve his mind of the pain, he committed suicide.
I suppose I can understand his rationale, and I would be a lousy person to critize his motives, being that I have no idea how painful his life was.
Yet, when a man shoots himself in the head while he is talking to his wife on the telephone - as HST did - I begin to think that perhaps he has lost touch with how difficult life can truly be. After all, are his afflictions any more severe than the thousands of kids with cancer throughout this country? Or the people who live on the street with no dignity and all sorts of mental illnesses?
Yet, I suppose the reason I wrote this is the reverence his death has brought from the scores of writers who worked with him over the years. From espn.com lackeys, to actors, to God knows who, everyone seems to be saying how wonderful a man he was for living life "on his own terms" and refusing to live with the pain he was enduring.
I'm sorry, but HST was a husband, a father, and a grandfather. As such, he had responsibilties to all of those people. Killing himself doesn't help them any more than moving to Tahiti and shacking up with an island girl would. Since I hate to say something negative amount a man who has recently left us, I'll leave my vitriol for his defenders: Save your breath, friends, for the fathers who work every day despite hating their jobs, so that their children can eat; for grandfathers who look after their grandchildren even though they could be off playing golf or cribbage.
I think they deserve it more.
Thursday, February 24
Sonics unlikely to deal
Samuel Dalembert a Sonic? Not likely.
The News Tribune's Frank Hughes reports today that the Sonics are unlikely to make a trade before today's deadline.
And personally, I couldn't be happier. Sure, it'd be nice to get someone like Samuel Dalembert, but not if it means giving up the heart and soul of the team. The fact is, this Sonics squad has exceeded everyone's wildest expectations to become one of the best teams in the league, and there's no reason to fix something that's not broken.
Meanwhile, in Denver, I predict George Karl and crew will be making a big move before the end of the day. Another Karl/Payton reunion, perhaps? Stay tuned.
Wednesday, February 23
Vlad on the move?
ESPN.com's Chad Ford (aka "Nothing I Write Ever Comes True, But, Hey, When Did That Ever Stop Anyone?") is reporting the Sonics are looking to deal Radman with the deadline approaching. Among the options are Samuel Dalembert of Philly, Chris Wilcox of the Clips, or some other crap. Dalembert's a nice fit, a talented big man who would easily start for Seattle.
Still, even though Radman comes off the bench, he's worth a legitimate starter/scorer. I'm hoping that, like everything else Ford writes, this rumor is just that - a rumor.
Still, even though Radman comes off the bench, he's worth a legitimate starter/scorer. I'm hoping that, like everything else Ford writes, this rumor is just that - a rumor.
Happy Birthday Chunky!
Please join us in giving a king-sized birthday spank to our very own Chunkstyle (aka Rafael Calonzo), who turns 33 today. Since I'm too cheap to get him a real present, at least help me get him a free iPod!
Tuesday, February 22
Going Back to Houston
"Going back to Houston/Do the hotdog dance.
Going back to Houston/ Gonna get me some pants."
Close game going on in Houston right now, as the Supes are taking on the Rockets in Texas. Talk (or bitch) about it after the game. Go on. I dare ya!
Going back to Houston/ Gonna get me some pants."
- Beck, "Odelay"
Close game going on in Houston right now, as the Supes are taking on the Rockets in Texas. Talk (or bitch) about it after the game. Go on. I dare ya!
Monday, February 21
21 is the Magic Number!
And not just because you won't have to hit up random strangers to buy you booze at the 7-11 anymore.
ESPN's Marc Stein offered this juicy tidbit in his look ahead at the last 30 games of the season:
Thank goodness the Sonics don't have to play the Clippers or Celtics again.
But, there are 2 more matchups each with Minnesota and Dallas, four against the resurgent Rockets, and final tilts against Phoenix and Denver. Let's not forget that there's a possibility that the Supes will meet up with GP again, what with trade rumors mentioning him going to places like Minny and Denver.
ESPN's Marc Stein offered this juicy tidbit in his look ahead at the last 30 games of the season:
In a season filled with shockers already, this might rank as the biggest: Seattle's magic number to clinch the Northwest Division title is a mere 21. If they win only 11 and the Wolves lose only 10, the Sonics win. In other words, the Sonics win.
Thank goodness the Sonics don't have to play the Clippers or Celtics again.
But, there are 2 more matchups each with Minnesota and Dallas, four against the resurgent Rockets, and final tilts against Phoenix and Denver. Let's not forget that there's a possibility that the Supes will meet up with GP again, what with trade rumors mentioning him going to places like Minny and Denver.
East beats West, 125-115
The East beat West, 125-115, in last night's NBA All-Star game. Of course, I wouldn't know since I DON'T HAVE CABLE!! Instead, I was forced to try to recreate the 1987 All-Star game in my mind, since I didn't even have a VCR back then. Ahh, sweet memories.
I think I'd prefer digital cable and a Tivo.
Friday, February 18
All-Starry Eyed
Artis is still cooler than you.
From nba.com:Putting aside for the moment the more intriguing question of why Larry Kenon bothered changing his name when no one would ever notice, and trying not to picture what the A-Train's mutton chops look like at his age, am I the only thinking that a dunk contest featuring the judges would be a helluva lot more interesting than the ACTUAL dunk contest?
"The judges of this year’s Sprite Rising Stars Slam Dunk are the participants from the inaugural ABA dunk contest that took place in Denver in 1976. Joining the 1976 slam dunk contest winner Julius Erving are George Gervin, Artis Gilmore, David Thompson and Muhsin, formerly known as Larry Kenon."
While they're at it, what about bringing back the Old-Timers Game? I say we limit it to guys who have retired at least 5 years ago. Imagine this roster:
Michael Cage, Barkley, Hornacek, Ricky Pierce, Sedale Threatt, Buck Williams, Mark Price, Dominique, Alex English, Nate!, Joe Dumars, Brad Daugherty, Isiah Thomas, Magic!, Bird!, Kurt Rambis!
Seriously, isn't everyone more interested in seeing these guys than the ACTUAL all-stars? Plus, you've got the added bonus of Rick Barry trying to crash the game and causing a scene. That's worth a show in and of itself, don't you think?
Thursday, February 17
Season half empty, or half full?
picture stolen from Sonics.com
I can't believe it's the freakin' All-Star break already. Despite the last couple of lousy games, I think every Sonics fan can agree the first half exceeded everyone's wildest expectations. (Hell, being above .500 would've exceeded MY expectations!)
So, what does the second half of the season hold for our beloved Supes? A 60 win season? A big trade? A total collapse? Discuss amongst your funky selves...
And if you have cable (unlike me!), don't forget to check out Lil' Frodo in the Rookie Whatever Game, tomorrow night at 6pm PST on TNT.
Monday, February 14
Around the Rim
After giving us the highlight of this incredible season - back-to-back wins over Phoenix and Sacto - the Sonics fell on their face in the 4Q against the Mavs. Normally, people would be foretelling the impending doom of the Sonics, but thankfully everyone knows that this game was nothing more than a hiccup on a tremendous year (Ed. note: can a year hiccup?). I look at it this way, if Ray Allen plays his absolute worst, the Sonics are still better than the Mavs, as evidenced last night. You'll get no worries from me on this one.
In other news, Sam Smith wonders if Eddy Curry could be heading for Seattle, in exchange for Flip Murray, Collison, and a 1st-round pick. Geez, Sam, why don't we throw in the Space Needle and Q-13's Double Doppler Weather Tracker? ... Elsewhere, Frank Hughes makes a good argument - in fact, the best I've heard - for why the Sonics need to hang onto Ray Allen.
In other news, Sam Smith wonders if Eddy Curry could be heading for Seattle, in exchange for Flip Murray, Collison, and a 1st-round pick. Geez, Sam, why don't we throw in the Space Needle and Q-13's Double Doppler Weather Tracker? ... Elsewhere, Frank Hughes makes a good argument - in fact, the best I've heard - for why the Sonics need to hang onto Ray Allen.
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