The Sonics evidently seem to be really gelling right now. They were an unbeaten team, going into the Compaq Center and is probably going to play a lot better this year than they did last year. This year they are not a playoff fringe team. They have a year under their belt in the offense under McMillan . Also they have a great leader in Gary Payton who is able to make those around him better than they really are. Francis is an awesome player and has yet to prove himself as a leader. He will get there eventually, but it is up to him when it happens. Also, we have some valuable pieces that just came off the IR and will be rusty for awhile. It will take a while for Ming to get acclimated to the NBA game. Anyone who expected Ming to come in and dominate like Kareem Abdul Jabar right away is insane. Hes coming from a completely different basketball world and he can not even completely speak English yet. Be patient, he will be great, trust me! As far as the playoffs, lets look at it this way... There is no way the Clippers are going to slip through in front of us because they are going through the growing pains even more than us. At the end of the year, it will be a fight between us and the Jazz. If our players can get used to the system, then we will be a team to reckon with. Heres to a good year. Just remember, as bad as things may be this season. They could always be worse. *ah hem* last year *cough*
i agree completely. i cant tell you how many people have come up to me and told me "i saw sportscenter last night. ming sucks." or "how about yao ming?" i have to keep my cool, and remember that in 4 years he will dominate. the sonics are a very good team this year. i wouldnt be surprised to see them finnish 4th or 5th in the west. playoffs are in our future this year. i think that the following teams are a lock to make it: kings lakers mavs sonics spurs this leaves 3 spots left. the t'wolves will have to pull together to make it, and the blazers will have to rebound after a realy bad start. i think we can fit in as #6 in the west. followed by either the wolves, blazers, clipps, or jazz. depending on who can get their act together in time.
That seems about right. Portland has really sucked it up thus far. They got routed by a Webberless, Bibbyless Sacto team and they got spanked by the Nuggets. I dont really think the Clippers are going to make it just yet because they are too young. They need the chemistry to completely meld before they can venture into the playoffs. Id have to say that the Wolves make it over the Jazz because they just dont seem to have the weapons this year. Though it is too early to say, they are definitely a much weaker team because they lost some of their key players in Russell and Marshall, also Malone isnt play like his usual self, neither is Stockton.
NO EXCUSES! This team will struggle this year. We will be a little above .500 and may make the playoffs. It may take some time before the team starts playing well together. We are doing alot of things wrong right now, but the season is still young. Its time to learn from our mistakes.
Before the season started, my prediction of the Sonics were an 8th spot playoff team. I could be wrong
I think it had more to do with our not being able to stop them in the third. They were just a hot team. 77% and alot from 3 point land...
I think they are running a sophisticated offense that involves passing the basketball. A pass is a newfangled basketball maneuver in which one player throws the basketball to another player. I don't know if the Rockets will be able to implement this type of offense or not.
We'll make the playoffs because half of the teams are tanking for a chance to get Lebron James (did i spell his name right?).
Hell, I generally don't consider myself a strongly optimistic or pessimistic person. I realize that it could be a lot worse and it will take time, particularly for Yao Ming. I'm excited to see Steve become such a dominant player - and let's be honest here, if he moved over to SG he'd be right up there with Kobe, A.I. and McGrady as the best in the league. And, I'm excited to see Griffin develope the way he has. On the other hand, I'm tired of being patient. Everyone says wait, wait, wait. The simple fact of the matter is this is an offense that has not been "pretty to watch" in a number of years and hasn't been efficient for a while. It is a defense that still struggles at times just to get their hands up and prevent players from taking wide open shots (although you must admit it has gotten much better on the interior). If there's anything I don't want to hear anymore it's "give it time." If it takes so much freaking time, practice year round. Is that too much to ask of players who have million dollar contracts and coaches who get paid out the wazoo. It is their job to be ready when the season starts, every season, without fail. If one month of preseason isn't enough to get your offense and defense working, regardless of who is or isn't inured/suspended, etc., then they need to start practicing a couple of months early. Here's to hoping they seriously improve as tehyear progresses.
JayZ, It is illegal for a team to practice as a team prior to camp. So, you'll just have to be patient. btw: it isn't necessarily hard to learn a new offense; it is hard to get the timing down at NBA regular season speed to the point that you are better than the next team. You simply cannot simulate NBA speed at Westside or anywhere, and you don't want too...because summer would have too many injuries, then. It takes regular season reps, especially for guys like Francis and Yao. And note: don't expect a hugely significant offensive change when Cato is your center. His presence makes the life of NBA defenses easier. Stop frustrating yourself by expecting a brand new offense every game. Watch the improved defense and the improved transition game. While we wait for a full turnover of the franchise, there are things to watch. Why the frustration? I want more...bu, I love basketball no matter what is served up. I learned that by being a Rice season-ticket holder. NBA Action: Fantastic BBS Action: Fanspastic
I completely agree, but what is there that makes you trust the organization (coaches, players, etc) to believe they will get better, other than just adding players (i.e. Taylor, Morris)? It's not like they shown any discernable improvement from one game to the next. I'm willing ot be patient understanding that said patience will result in good things at the end, but I just don't see the wait it out approach resulting in an enormity of greatness at the end of the road. What some see as correctable problems that will work out over time others see as fundamental flaws that require fundamental changes.
Maybe moving into a new arena/unis will help us gell. Hey, it worked for the Denver Broncos! Oh, wait...it didn't work for the Astros. Never mind...
<blockQUOTE><hr>Originally posted by JayZ750 What some see as correctable problems that will work out over time others see as fundamental flaws that require fundamental changes.<hr></blockQUOTE> Can't argue with that. But in the last 25 yrs, name the last coaching change that resulted in a title UNLESS the superstar pretty much forced it. Well, maybe Phil moving to the Lakers was the first, but that's more about Shaq finally waking up....the loser. Anyhow, generally, coaching changes are not a major factor. The major factor remains the attitude of the superstars and stars, and their chemistry. When they say "get this coach outta here" then the coaching change makes sense. Until then, it really is the problem with the players. Then you look at how many major trades backfire. I really like watching one set of players grow. I don't really have this notion of trading superstars or firing coaches by fan demand rather than superstar demand. I don't understand the notion of firing NBA coaches by popular demand, when the players love him. I have a lot more tolerance for painful growth, I guess. I love basketball. I can even love the beauty of a superior team pick us apart. I guess I don't really know how to explain it. The best way for me to explain it is that when things are going great and all fans are happy and at worst nervous, then you feel like I do right now. When things are going bad, but the team and coach are still family, you also feel like me right now. Only when the team is griping do I want to make changes.
it is a basketball thing, though. It is a basketball phenomenon. That's the point. It is a bball phenonmenon alone, because it is the only team sport where 1 player can truly control the destiny of the entire team.
