Yay, no "FIRST!!!" I don't know why that gets to me... I am a foolish old man... The Rox are the baddest motherscratchers in the valley of the shadow of death. They fear no Sonics. Rockets continue their unbeaten streak, Stro gets 6 blocks and Skip gets 12 assists (all in the first half) -- rockHead rolls for 20 points in the second half... Yao and TMac sit after scoring 15 each in the first quarter. Sonics cite the 10 run rule after 5 innings and go home...
Hey rockhead - that is a great nickname for Luther!!! Can't wait to see the top 7/8 rotation start spending more time together so we can see who plays well together and what VanGundy is thinking about a starting 5!
Can't wait for this game! Why am I pumped up for preseason games?!?!? Do other fans of nba teams also feel this way?
damn, I gotta take out my fiancee's brother for his birthday. I wonder how it would affect the relationship if I ditched him...
Yao explodes for 40 ..... ****************************** SEATTLE POST-INTELLIGENCER http://seattlepi.nwsource.com/basketball/244786_sonx17.html Swift slowly grows under Sikma's wing Monday, October 17, 2005 By JON PAUL MOROSI SEATTLE POST-INTELLIGENCER REPORTER Jack Sikma is one inch shorter than Robert Swift, but somewhat longer in the tooth. Sikma is 49, and in his third season as a Sonics assistant coach. Swift is three decades younger, just over one year removed from high school, and yet already in his second NBA season. They have a natural coach-player relationship. Sikma's jersey hangs from the KeyArena rafters, evidence of his contributions to the franchise and status as its all-time leader in rebounds and free throws. Swift stands 7 feet tall and is regarded as the team's future at center, but has played only 72 regular-season minutes. His development has been watched closely throughout training camp. He started the first two preseason games, and may do so again tonight against the Rockets, especially with Vitaly Potapenko (hamstring), Mikki Moore (knee) and Danny Fortson (stomach virus) missing the trip to Laredo, Texas. Sikma said Swift is "better" than at this time last year, but added: "You always want more." Swift did not play in the second half Friday against Phoenix. He blocked one shot in 11 minutes, 26 seconds, but also missed two free throws, missed two field goals, committed two fouls and turned the ball over. Swift has had an "OK" training camp so far, Sikma said. He has done "a pretty good job" on defense, but he needs to be "quicker" to rebounds and more confident on offense, Sikma said. The Sonics are willing to use a center-by-committee until he is ready to start -- as long as Swift proves capable of assuming that role. "He's progressed, but this year, or next year, he's going to have to show he can get it done," Sikma said. "He needs to gain confidence and be a factor." Swift said on Friday that Sikma has reminded him, over and over, that he cannot take plays off, and especially not on defense or in transition. If you need a break, Sikma told him, sprint down the court ahead of everyone, and rest while you wait for everyone to catch up. Sonics coach Bob Weiss has said he would like Swift to play 10 or 12 minutes per game this season. He could play even more if the injury to Potapenko keeps him shelved into the regular season, although veterans Fortson, Moore and Nick Collison can also play center. "There are minutes to be had, but I think it's a misconception to say that, if this happens, (Swift) is automatically the starter," Sikma said. "He's going to have to earn it. He's going to have to play better than the other guys at the five." ROAD SHOW: The Sonics traveled to Texas for tonight's game, but the trip lacked some of the usual homecoming vibe for Houston resident Rashard Lewis. Although the game is against the Rockets, it will take place in Laredo, a seven-hour drive away. Lewis, in fact, has never visited there before: "It's a little different than going to Dallas, San Antonio or Houston." Tonight's game was initially scheduled to take place in Oklahoma City but was moved after Hurricane Katrina forced the Hornets to relocate from New Orleans to Oklahoma City.
Am I the only one who doesn't understand why that one portion of the article is in bold? We all knew they were weak at the center position (didn't we?), especially since Jerome James left. I suppose it is interesting that Robert Swift has been starting.
It should be free tonight. To be honest League pass has really pissed me off these last few years. I left Houston 6 years ago, and have had NBA League pass ever sense. They use to show all the preseason games for free, to try and help sell the package. But these last few years, you are lucky to get one game a night for the entire league. MAKES NO SENSE TO ME!
I was wondering the same thing.. i've read that highlighted line about 32 times, searching for clues but to no avail.
I guess Pipe just wanted to point out that the Sonics are even weaker than normal and will have literally no bigs, rather than practically no bigs.
I think he's pointing out that Seattle has only one center tonight and he sucks. Potapenko, Fortson, and Collison didn't even make the trip; they're not even options. If their lone center gets in foul trouble it's a huge hole in their lineup. Heck, even if he plays 48 minutes it's a huge hole in their lineup. Yao should get about 35 points in 20 minutes on 100% shooting. EDIT: Whoops. Looks like Collison did make the trip, but Moore didn't. It makes no difference really.
Is Yao even playing tonight? How many days does it take to recover from a pulled toe nail? I remember my pulled ingrown toe nail take longer than four days.
