Couple of notes regarding the Sonics:

1.
Rumors persist that the Sonics are pursuing recently traded Mar
cus Banks from the T-Wolves in exchange for
Flip Murray and/or
Reggie Evans. Banks is a 6’2” PG/SG (mostly PG), drafted out of UNLV by the Grizzlies – oddly enough – between two guys named Collison and Ridnour in 2003. He’s been a reserve for his career (if you can call 2 ½ years a career), but he does offer some strength that Frodo lacks. Basically, with Banks you’re getting more rebounds, steals, fouls, and free throw attempts, and you’re giving up assists and a small bit of shooting. Neither Frodo nor Banks are outstanding shooters, although Banks should get some credit for improving his FT shooting this season. Banks has sat on the bench for the majority of the year in Boston, only getting serious minutes for a 3-week span in mid-December to early January. Would he help the Sonics? Well, probably not any more than resident mystery man
Rick Brunson.

2. Should be an interesting matchup tonight, as the Blazers take a 4-15 road record into Key Arena.
Juan Dixon has really come on strong in the last month, regularly scoring 20 points and putting up a 43% 3-pt mark for the month of January, as well as a 50% mark overall. Obviously, he’s not going to keep up that rate, but I’m not expecting Ray Allen to put an end to it. One other item to note:
Steve Blake and Luke Ridnour will stage a
“World’s Grittiest Man” competition at halftime. Celebrity judges include
Chris Corchiani and
John Stockton.
3. Welcome back, Nate.