ClutchFans Game Thread: Rockets @ Sonics 4/12/2004

I'm so excited. Going to the game tonight!!!

 

We may as well play the bench, it's not like the starters did any good against this team.

 

Rashard Lewis has a grudge

 

Interesting scenario actually......try to win and go into the Playoffs on a nice run, even though it means playing Sacramento..........or tank it, rest players, get the 8th and play Minnesota.......interesting to say the least. But at least we are in, and can decide these type of things

 

Even if we do tank the last two games, I'm not sure we'd drop to 8. Denver and Partland have two pretty tough games remaining, and Utah has one.

Regardless, I'd like to see Yao and Steve play only 25 minutes or so. I'm not suggesting tanking, I'd just like the guys to get a little rest.

 

Rockets should win this one. I would still like to see Yao, Cat and SF playing limited minutes. Let's give Boki and Wilkes some meaningful time.

Rox...89
Sonics...81

 

http://seattlepi.nwsource.com/basketball/168714_sonx12.html

Sonics' big-man deficit
Yao's visit highlights team's trouble at center

By DANNY O'NEILL
SEATTLE POST-INTELLIGENCER REPORTER

The Sonics are eight games behind the Rockets in the standings.

But it's feet -- not wins -- that are the better measure for the distance between the two teams.

The Rockets have Yao Ming, a 7-foot-6 center. The Sonics have three centers, each making more money than Yao this season and none averaging so much as seven points.

In fact, add up the scoring of Vitaly Potapenko, Jerome James and Calvin Booth and it totals 16.7 points for a total of $15.6 million in salary. Yao: 17.5 points at $4.1 million.

Of course, measuring salaries isn't fair. Yao's contract was dictated by the collective bargaining agreement, his salary non-negotiable for the first three years of the contract he received as the top overall pick. It will be replaced by a big-money deal in two years.

But it does show the Great Divide between NBA teams that get their hands on a dominant center and everyone else. The Sonics haven't drafted high enough in the past 15 years to nab somebody like Yao, Tim Duncan and Shaquille O'Neal.

"We're like many of the NBA teams that feel if we had one of the top four or five centers -- with our current roster -- we'd be a favorite to have homecourt-advantage in the playoffs," general manager Rick Sund said.

That pressure to find a top-notch center was part of the reason the Trail Blazers picked Sam Bowie ahead of Michael Jordan 20 years ago. It's why Michael Olowokandi was a No. 1 pick in 1998.

And to a lesser extent, that pressure is why the Sonics' two most expensive free-agent acquisitions the past three years were centers: Booth in 2001 and James in 2002. The Sonics' three centers are among the team's six highest-paid players, although that's as much a reflection of the league-wide trends as Seattle's spending habits.

"The salaries for centers, by far, collectively are top of the other positions," Sund said.

Not exactly breaking news.

"Bigger players get paid more money," coach Nate McMillan said. "It's no secret in this league."

And the fact is, everyone in the league makes miscalculations in the middle. Even Jerry West -- the Mensa measure of GMs -- isn't immune. As the Lakers GM, he sent Sam Perkins to the Sonics in February 1993 for Benoit Benjamin and holdout pick Doug Christie.

Joe Dumars, the league's executive of the year in 2003, signed Elden Campbell to a two-year contract last summer, paying him $4 million this season. He's averaging 14 minutes and 5.5 points.

The Sonics have gone the opposite route. They've signed two young centers in free agency, hoping to catch one early in the career trajectory. If this was craps, the Sonics were betting on the come.

In Booth's case, the bet was high: six years, $34 million. For James, it was a more reasonable three years through next season. There are those who think if he is left unprotected in the expansion draft, the Charlotte Bobcats will snatch him up.

Potapenko was still recovering from knee surgery when he was acquired in the trade for Vin Baker in 2002. The injury was seen as a lesser economic evil since his contract had three years and $19 million left on it compared to the four years, $50-some million Baker was owed. And though Potapenko has been the Sonics' most productive center, he is, at best, a better-than-average backup at the center/power forward.

That's the explanation for the three-car pileup at center. There's also the excuse that's the going price for centers and every team in this league has a few guys whose pay outweighs their play.

"Most of the teams in the league spend anywhere from $8 million to $25, $26 million on the center position," Sund said.

That high end is the Lakers, who pay Shaquille O'Neal $26 million. The New Jersey Nets paid Dikembe Mutombo about $30 million to forget about the last two years of his contract before this season started and still have to pay the retired Alonzo Mourning the $22 million he's owed.

Those were Rod Thorn's decisions, and he was named NBA's executive of the year just two years ago.

Must be some kind of altitude sickness. Get to about 7 feet, coaches and executives alike get all dizzy at the possibilities.

The difference is that the Sonics don't have a star among their group.

And truthfully, it's not center that has been weakest spot on the floor for the Sonics this season. It's power forward. Reggie Evans is a tireless worker, but he's limited on offense, and Vladimir Radmanovic has not had the defensive presence or hustle that was sought. But at least there's hope at that position since Nick Collison should be back from injury next season.

And if the Sonics get someone who consistently gets 10 points and 10 rebounds, the harping about the centers will cease to be so loud because Seattle has assembled a trio of players with contrasting talents.

And barring an overhaul, that's how the Sonics will have to win -- center by committee. They're certainly paying for it right now.


CENTER STAGE

Centers are expensive by almost any measure, but here are the best and the busts of this year's group:

BEST BUYS


Mark Blount, Celtics, $950,000, 9.9 pts., 7.1 reb. -- Sonics' draft choice in '97 has 17 double-doubles -- one less than Seattle's roster.


Jamaal Magloire, Hornets, $1.7 million, 13.4 pts., 10.3 reb. -- Lowest salary of any All-Star this season even before his extension kicks in for $5.1 million over three years beginning next season.


Udonis Haslem, Heat, $366,931, 7.4 pts., 6.2 reb. -- Rookie has 11 double-doubles, same as Carmelo Anthony and LeBron James.


Ben Wallace, Pistons, $5.5 million, 9.5 pts., 12.5 reb. -- Only undrafted player to start an All-Star Game still has two seasons left on a six-year, $30 million contract.

BUST BUYS


Michael Olowokandi, T-Wolves, $4.9 million, 6.3 pts., 5.5 reb. -- So bad, the Wolves turned to Oliver Miller for help.


Calvin Booth, Sonics, $5.4 million, 4.8 pts., 4.0 reb. -- It's not just his salary this season, but the six-year total of $34 million.


Dikembe Mutombo, Knicks, $4 million, 8 pts., 6.8 reb. -- That's after the $30 million New Jersey paid him to forget about the final two years of his contract.


Michael Stewart, Celtics, $4.5 million, 0.5 pts., 1.2 reb. -- Paid $346,154 per point.


Greg Ostertag, Jazz, $8.7 million, 6.9 pts., 7.5 reb. -- Highest-paid player in Utah doesn't even start.

SONICS VS. ROCKETS
ROCKETS (44-36)

P PLAYER HT PPG RPG
G Steve Francis 6-3 16.6 5.5
G Cuttino Mobley 6-4 15.8 4.5
F Jim Jackson 6-6 12.8 6.1
F Kelvin Cato 6-11 6.1 6.8
C Yao Ming 7-6 17.5 9.0


SONICS (36-44)

P PLAYER HT PPG RPG
G Luke Ridnour 6-2 5.6 1.5
G Ray Allen 6-5 23.0 5.1
F Rashard Lewis 6-10 18.0 6.6
F Reggie Evans 6-8 2.8 5.4
C Vitaly Potapenko 6-10 6.9 4.4


WHAT TO KNOW: The Sonics did not practice yesterday, but Evans is expected back after attending his grandmother's funeral on Saturday. F Vladimir Radmanovic is eligible to be activated from the injured list. There has been no indication that will happen as he continues to recover from a sprained ankle. ... The Sonics are 21-19 at home, their worst home winning percentage since 1984-85 (20-21). ... Sonics have won five of their past six home games. ... The Sonics have not lost their regular-season home finale since April 2000 (Clippers 114-106). ... Rockets allow 87.8 points per game. Only Spurs (84.8) in West have lower average.


WHOM TO WATCH: Yao is getting progressively worse against the Sonics. He had 19 points and nine rebounds on Nov. 29, 15 and six on Dec. 29, and 14 and five on Feb. 29.


HEAD TO HEAD: The Sonics are 3-0 against the Rockets, and a victory would mean their only regular-season series sweep of a Western Conference team this season. The Sonics haven't swept the Rockets in the season series since 1995-96.


ROLL CALL: Rockets -- F Adrian Griffin (knee chrondomalachia) is on the injured list. Sonics -- Radmanovic (sprained ankle), C Jerome James (abdominal strain)
and F Nick Collison (shoulder surgery) are on the injured list.

 

this game isn't a must,so we rest the starter tonight

47-99 Sonic
Pike-9 pts 3-60 fg
boky-3 pts
charles jones 15 pts

 

First of all, they'll lose...Their already in and won't do anything to get anyone hurt...

Having said that, they need to go into the playoffs with some confidence...

Rox: 75

Sonics: 76

 

i'm hoping a win but not so optimistic.

 

Jerome "Yao's my b****" James isn't playing. But Vitaly "Yao's my b****" Potapenko is. Let Yao play small forward on offense and see what happens : ) .

 

JVG better sits Yao out for this game for 2 reasons. 1. Give him a rest. 2. Rox can't beat the Sonics with a slow Yao.

 

serousily; probably a loss.

 

I’m gonna have to agree, we need to rest up Yao for the playoffs, let’s takes our chances with him out.

 

Let's NOT take our chances with Yao out, because I'm going to be at the game, and I want to f***ing see him play!!!!!!!

Rockets: 99
Sonics: 96

 

Yao should sit this one out, and play the last one. Same for Francis and Cato. (Sorry ZRB)

 

Yao is GOING TO play!! I don't care if he gets tired, I paid my hard-earned money and I'm going to watch the game from my court-side seats

 

For you guys sakes, I hope Yao plays and the Rockets win..
Especially ZRB, I'd hate to see your recent optimism go unrewarded.

 

Seattle jokes...just doin my part.

What do you call someone who collects more and more Seattle Paraphenalia? The Supersonic stadium shop.

What do you call Leon Wood on the 11th day of his contract? Unemployed.

What can you do with one Buck in Seattle? Play the Lottery.

What was the forecast inside Rashard Lewis' house on draft day? 100% chance of rain.

What sign does Rashard Lewis leave on his door at home when the playoffs roll around? Out for remainder of season.

What is Rashard Lewis' favorite shot? The Tear Drop.

Why is Seattle so Depressed in the local Tavern? One Buck won't buy the whole team a shot.

What do you call someone who collects more and more Seattle Paraphenalia? So much so that dust starts collecting? The Supersonic stadium shop.

 

Who's over priced bust center Vitaly anyway? Never heard of this guy or Jerome James?