With the season over (Ray's shot still isn't hanging in the air, is it?), the Rumor Season starts now. I'll try to cull whatever rumors float out there and share them with you, our valuable readers. Here's a couple:
* According to the Times, Danny Fortson is rumored to be headed for DC in exchange for troubled center Kwame Brown, the former #1 pick in the draft. The enticing 7-footer has displayed ability, as well as getting his butt suspended for the playoffs by a frustrated Wizards' management.
Likelihood: 60%
* The Knicks are interested in McMillan, but it probably won't happen. Likewise, the Rockets want him too. Wally Walker, according to the PI, ain't gonna let it happen anytime soon, though. He has put an embargo on talks to Nate and GM Rick Sund until June 30th.
Likelihood of either leaving: 60%
Likelihood of both leaving: 20%
Tuesday, May 24
Friday, May 20
Post Mortem
I’m not going to go into a big, long, protracted piece on where all the Sonics are headed in the off-season, or who we should keep, what free agents to get, etc.
No, it’s way too early for that. I’d prefer to digest what happened last night and over the past couple of weeks. Too often in North American society, we gloss over what just happened, moving on to what’s coming next while ignoring the opportunity to savor recent events.
With that in mind, here is one man’s list of his favorite – and not-so-favorite – memories from this post-season. Feel free to add yours in the comments section.
· Jerome James wearing a cape made from a garbage bag at the end of the Sacramento series.
· Ray Allen’s off-balance 3 to win game 4 against the Kings.
· The agony in Antonio Daniels’ face as he missed the first of two FTs in the final game with the Spurs.
· The sound from the Key Arena crowd after the Sonics knocked off Sac. for their first series victory in what seemed like 20 years.
· Reggie Evans’ post-dunk, muscle-man, what-in-the-world-is-he-doing? thing.
· Braids. Do I need to say any more?
· The incredible, Maravich-esque move Ridnour made on the Spurs in game 3.
· Being more surprised when Allen missed than when he hit, I feeling I haven’t had for a Sonic since Dale Ellis circa 1987.
· Losing Vlade, then Allen in the span of what seemed 3 seconds.
· Rashard Lewis in street clothes.
· Watching Womanu Ginobili get knocked to the ground. Repeatedly.
· Danny Fortson guarding players 6 inches taller than him.
· The emergence of Nick Collison as the best PF on the team.
· JJ cruising down the lane looking like a Cadillac flying down an alleyway.
· The 1/10th of a second from when Ray’s shot left his hand last night to when it clanked off the rim. For that 1/10th, anything was still possible, the season was still alive, and now ...
No, it’s way too early for that. I’d prefer to digest what happened last night and over the past couple of weeks. Too often in North American society, we gloss over what just happened, moving on to what’s coming next while ignoring the opportunity to savor recent events.
With that in mind, here is one man’s list of his favorite – and not-so-favorite – memories from this post-season. Feel free to add yours in the comments section.
· Jerome James wearing a cape made from a garbage bag at the end of the Sacramento series.
· Ray Allen’s off-balance 3 to win game 4 against the Kings.
· The agony in Antonio Daniels’ face as he missed the first of two FTs in the final game with the Spurs.
· The sound from the Key Arena crowd after the Sonics knocked off Sac. for their first series victory in what seemed like 20 years.
· Reggie Evans’ post-dunk, muscle-man, what-in-the-world-is-he-doing? thing.
· Braids. Do I need to say any more?
· The incredible, Maravich-esque move Ridnour made on the Spurs in game 3.
· Being more surprised when Allen missed than when he hit, I feeling I haven’t had for a Sonic since Dale Ellis circa 1987.
· Losing Vlade, then Allen in the span of what seemed 3 seconds.
· Rashard Lewis in street clothes.
· Watching Womanu Ginobili get knocked to the ground. Repeatedly.
· Danny Fortson guarding players 6 inches taller than him.
· The emergence of Nick Collison as the best PF on the team.
· JJ cruising down the lane looking like a Cadillac flying down an alleyway.
· The 1/10th of a second from when Ray’s shot left his hand last night to when it clanked off the rim. For that 1/10th, anything was still possible, the season was still alive, and now ...
Thursday, May 19
High Noon
If there's one line you take away from Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid, it's Paul Newman's ubiquitous "Who are those guys?" Newman repeats it over and over again, in reference to his pursuers, and usually in exasperation.
I have a feeling the Spurs feel that way about the Sonics this series. Far from a cakewalk, Seattle has posed a formidable challenge to San Antonio, both talent-wise and physically. From Danny Fortson's hard fouls to Antonio Daniels offensive skills, the Sonics have demonstrated they are - while not the equal of the Spurs - at least in the same neighborhood. In doing so, they've given Sonic fans reason to love their team. Damien Wilkins' brilliant game 4, Luke Ridnour's same, AD's consistent play, the courage of Ray Allen, the improvement of Nick Collison, Jerome James' 7-for-7 game 3, great memories every single one.
Sadly, the euphoria we've been feeling may end tonight. As Ray Allen mentioned in the Times today, this could be the last home game any of these Sonics play in Seattle. After all, a win only guarantees a return trip to Texas, where as Fortson said, "I'm sick of that Riverwalk."
What can we look for tonight? The Sonics will inevitably jump out to an early lead, buoyed by an enthusiastic crowd and more than a tablespoon of desperation. The key as in all of the games this series, will be Seattle's ability to free Ray Allen from Bruce Bowen. If the Sonics can find a way to get Allen some open looks early, I have a feeling he could go for 40 points tonight.
After a crushing defeat on Tuesday, I predict Seattle will respond tonight. Vegas says Spurs by 5 1/2. I say Sonics 108 - Spurs 103.
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