Hill+Magic=Lewis

Bob Hill is wasting no time. Apparently, Hill recovered from his hernia operation by visiting workopolis.com, polishing his resume, and learning euphamisms for "led team to 31-51 record."

That's right. The man responsible for this past season's craptacular performance has contacted the Orlando Magic about their opening, less than 24 hours after Brian Hill got the axe.

Apparently, Hill is "close" to Rashard Lewis, and is intimating to the Magic that he can help deliver the potential free agent to their doorstep. If by "close," Hill means "I coached him last year," then I'd agree 100%. But if I'm the Magic, I'm thinking to myself: At the Off-Season Sushi Buffet, is the Bob Hill-Rashard Lewis Platter what I want to be ordering?

Highlights of Durant on ESPN

As you might have heard, the Sonics picked up the #2 pick in the draft. Supposed to yield some guy named Durant.

Anyhoo, the folks at espn are interested in all this draft stuff, too. So much so that they brought Durant in for a Q&A with fans. Here's an abbreviated transcript:

Andrew (Charlotte, NC): To Kevin Durant: What current NBA player would you compare your game to?

Kevin Durant: That's a tough one. I'd say probably Dirk Nowitzki, with the way he can shoot and post up.

--

Lehi utah : hey kevin , What do you think Of playing with Ray allen and rahard lewis if you get drafted by the sonic.

Kevin Durant: If I go to the Sonics, that would be tremendous, playing alongside two all-stars. I know they would teach me a lot of things.

--

Jon ((Dallas)): Out of all the players you went against last year in the NCAA, who was the best player, other than you?

Kevin Durant: Oooh. Julian Wright. He would just hit shots over the top of me. I said, I couldn't do anything to stop that.

--

John Balcita (Carson, CA): Before a game, do you listen to any music to pump you up? What's your pre-game ritual?

Kevin Durant: Before the game, I just sit and be focused. I listen to Usher before the game. It calms me down a little bit.

--

Okay, I'll admit, that was useless. I now know that Durant likes to listen to Usher before games. Whoop-de-doo.

Anyways, the point is that I can't remember the last time a Sonic-related person had such a high profile at espn.com. We're livin' in different times, folks.

Do You Gotta Have Ra?

The Durant Delirium still hasn't subsided, but I'm wondering if a certain small forward is wondering how this affects his future in Seattle.

Rashard Lewis is not a lot of things. He's not a defensive stopper, he's not a low-post menance, he's not a tenacious rebounder, he's not an intimidating bruiser, and he's not famous for making last-second clutch plays.

He is, however, a young former all-star (who would likely have made the team this year were it not for injuries), a good 3-point shooter, a tremendous scorer, and someone who can score 20 points a night without breaking a sweat. Say what you will about Rashard, the man puts the ball in the hole, and that counts for something in this league.

But Kevin Durant has gone and turned that all upside down. And now, the Sonics - and Rashard - are facing a dilemna. Do the Sonics re-ink Lewis, who plays the very same position as Durant? Does Rashard walk away from the only team he's ever known, simply because he'll be #3 on the depth chart within 2 years?

Don't forget, Ray Allen isn't getting any younger. Allen, while a wonderful player, is coming off surgery as well, and I don't think he'll be able to maintain this 40-minute-a-night pace that Bob Hill put him through the past year or so.

So, what do you want, Sonic fans? Do we deal Rashard in a sign-and-trade? Do we keep him and pay him the big bucks he wants? Let's hear your thoughts.