I don't love the Sonics that much

Did you date DaFort in College? I'm sorry.

The hilarious har-har factory called McSweeney's has a great story called "Understanding the Seattle Supersonics by comparing them to girls you met in college":

On Ray Allen :

"You knew it wouldn't last—she was smarter and funnier and way better-looking than you—but you treasured your time together all the more since you knew how finite it was"

Reggie Evans:

"Wow. There was this party right before spring break. And you were both going to be on campus for spring break and just wow. You almost hated to see the bruises fade."

Read it and weep.

(Thanks to the 400 people who sent me this link last week while I was sick in bed with the stomach flu - the Danny Fortson one alone prolonged my illness by four days.)

Nate to Sign?

According to the Seattle Times, Nate and the Sonics are talking again. Well, Nate's agent and the Sonics are talking, but you know what I meant.

No figures were revealed, but here's a list of what some other coaches in the league with Nate's credibility are making:

Doc Rivers: $5 mil per season (4 years)
Rick Carlisle: $4 mil (4)
Jim O'Brien: $4 mil (3)
Byron Scott: $3.3 mil (3)

Nate's coming off a 4 year, $10.8 mil contract, so, obviously, he's going to look to make more than that, and he'll get it, especially considering the number of suitors that will come calling on July 1st if Wally Walker hasn't gotten Nate's signature by then.

Given that most of the coaches are signing 4-year deals, that's probably what Nate will get. I'd put his value at above the Fratellos, Scotts, and Bickerstaffs, and below that of the Browns, Popovichs, and (Jeff) Van Gundys. What does that add up to?

Here's one guess: 4 years, $17 million.

Feeling a Draft: Part III

ANDRAY BLATCHE - PF
Ht: 6’11 Wt: 248 Age: 18
College: South Kent Prep HS (Conn.)

Believe it or not, Blatche can drain an NBA 3. And, believe it or not, that’s about his best offensive skill.

With good speed, above-average leaping, and aforesaid shooting skills, Blatche is a unique talent. After not showing any proclivity for playing in the low post throughout his HS career, Blatche showed an ability to do so in post-season tournaments. Draftcity.com tabs his upside as a future Chris Bosh ... or a present-day Cliff Robinson.

Obviously, with no low-post background, Blatche will need to be a work-in-progress for whoever picks him. Luckily, the Sonics have big guys that can play right now (Collison, Radman, Fortson, Evans), meaning Blatche can play a few minutes, take a couple of 3s, and learn how to score in the block from his teammates and coaching staff. His frame apparently is ready to take on more weight (a la Shawn Kemp, who took that advice a little too far), so it’s possible he could develop into a player who can hit the 3, score down low, and guard the big fellas.

To me, that seems like a lot of “could be’s.” If Seattle wants Blatche to be a faster version of Vladimir Radmanovic, then we’re okay. If they’re looking for more than that, well they’re expecting too much, in my opinion.

Blatche isn’t a bad pick for the Sonics at this part of the draft, he’s just not someone you can realistically expect to be major contributor right away. Still, with his ability to knock down jump shots, Blatche could help off the bench, and would most likely fill at least some of Radman’s minutes should the Sonics make a trade/let Vlade walk away.