Allen's Status Still Up in the Air

Looks as though Friday's CT scan of Ray Allen's ankle didn't give all the answers the doctors had been expecting, so we'll all have to wait until Monday to see if he'll suit up again this season.

According to supersonics.com and Frank Hughes at the TNT, Allen will visit a foot specialist on Monday to determine what if anything should be done to alleviate the pain he's feeling from a bone spur. Also, he'll be a game-time decision for the Sunday game with Charlotte.

Obviously, the prudent thing to do is let Ray have surgery as soon as possible, freeing him up for recovery in time for next season. Still, you have to admire Allen's tenacity in the face of the pain. According to Ray, he's been in pain for most of the season, yet in spite of that he's managed to make the All-Star team, lead the team in points, and basically be the best shooting guard in team history (not to mention his unreal January when he put up 30 points on a regular basis).

Basically, what I'm trying to say is that I was totally wrong when I said the Sonics shouldn't sign Allen to a long-term deal. The guy is tougher than he would seem at first blush, and his defensive shortcomings aside, if the Sonics are going to pay somebody $15 mil a year to play shooting guard, I can't think of too many other players I'd rather give it to.

Winnin' Ugly

No other way to describe last night's win other than ugly. With Allen out with bone spurs, the Sonics rode Rashard Lewis to a 2-point home win.

Once again, the bench failed to come through, although it was nice to see Gelabale finally get some minutes (his 13 minutes were more last night than just about any game in the past couple of weeks, and his +7 was the best on the team despite the limited minutes). In fact, you could argue that teaming Gelabale with Watson at the beginning of the 4th quarter was what won the game.

Bizarrely - in this ever-bizarre season - the next five games are all winnable, and I'm including the four-game eastern road swing. Charlotte, New York, Philly, Boston, and Toronto - none of those clubs is scaring anyone this year, with the possible exception of the Raptors, and if you look at it from the perspective that the Sonics' record against the East is better than the Raps' record against the West, well, you might let yourself get a little optimistic.

Deja Vu

You know those Sports Illustrated videos that come out after a team wins a championship? Well, if SI decides to make one for the Sonics' season - and I'm not saying anyone would buy it, mind you, but bear with me here - they could save a whole pile of money if they just ran last night's loss to the Clippers instead. After all, the pieces were all there on display:

Fourth quarter disappearing act? Check
Coasting through the first half? Check
Overreliance on Allen and Lewis? Check
No low post presence? Check
Bewildered quotes after the game? Check
Frustrated coach? Check

As Rashard Lewis put it after the game was done, "It was just one of those nights."

One of those nights, one of those seasons, man.