I believe major changes will be made this offseason no matter what happens in our playoff hopes. I think I want to have a starting 5 of: Yao,Taylor,Marshall,Allen,Fisher What do you think guys?
Van Gundy will never overhaul a playoff team to the point where 3 of 5 starters weren't with the team the prior season. We'll have one new starter and a better bench in 04-05.
I am thinking more along the lines of Yao, R. Wallace, Jackson, Allen, Barry. Francis for Allen. Barry for MLE. R. Wallace with the 6.9 TE.
Just as long as we agree we play with 4 starters, not 5. Cato doesn't count. That spot is a revolving door. Let's say Francis and Cato are not back. That leaves us with Mobley, Yao and JJ as lone remaining starters. Just fill in the rest.
while we're dreamcasting.. here's my favored 2005 lineup.. C Yao PF Shaq SF Duncan SG Garnett PG Nowitzki
Here's the line-up I'd like to see: Yao Ming Mo Taylor Rashard Lewis Ray Allen Cuttino Mobley I propose doing this by trading Francis for Allen, then send Cato to Indiana for Harrington and Pollard, then send Harrington and a portion of the 6.9M exception to Seattle for Rashard Lewis. Sonics are in advanced stage of rebuilding mode, Indiana get a damn good Center, and we get the perfect pieces for Yao. We'd still have the minimum, MLE and remaining portion of the trade exception to bring in a backup PG and shore up this squad: Yao/Pollard MoT/Weatherspoon/Pollard Rashard Lewis/JJ/Boki Ray Allen/JJ/Pike Mobley/ Whoever we acquire to play here It shouldn't be difficult to get one of the following: Kevin Ollie, Tyronne Lue, Damon Jones, Charlie Ward (JVG's choice, lol), Avery Johnson, our draft pick, McKie, Snow, Arroyo (if he's an FA), etc... I would be more than happy with that team. WIth the team centred around Yao, Rashard and Allen will punish teams all day, while Rashard's rebounding covers up for Mo's, and Allen's superb passing covers up for Mobley being the PG. JJ would be the ideal sixth man.
IF the thread is going to be a trade thread here's a few thoughts : Sonics notes - Yes, they are going to trade Allen. He's said he's not interested in a rebuild with youth and wants to go to a contender. Yes, Barry is also going, and Sund (the Sonics gm) has said they hope to help him move to a new team with a sign and trade, where the Sonics end up with a power forward. They have Ronald Murray for another year. There's a lot of interest in him around the league, so a deal could still happen. That leaves Antonio Daniels and Luke Ridenour and Richie Frahm, still, at guards. They like Ridenour and hope to keep him. Sonics want to move one of their three overpaid centers. Vladimir Radmanovic will be playing on the final year of his contract (exercised team option for 04-05) and is often mentioned as trade bait, given he will demand a raise, and Sonics need strength, not shooting, to pair with Lewis. -------------------------------------- Upshot : Francis is star for star at guard and can play 1 or 2. Allows Ridenour to continue to develop as point. Allows Murray to play with another legit scoring threat in the backcourt, or to be traded while value is high. Antonio Daniels is vet defense to offset the other's poor defense. ON the other hand, they could preferably move Allen for a pf, like Randolph, Harrington, or SAR. ---------------------------------------- I think the Rockets have to make TWO deals with the Sonics where the Sonics definately come out ahead on a deal for Barry, in order to make the Allen/Francis deal sweeter.
Judging by the fans they have on their boards, they'd much rather keep Allen than Lewis. It just seems that they're not too fond of Lewis and his 10M contract. I'm of the opinion that once he plays with a C like Yao Ming, he'll easily be worth that money. If this is how he shoots on the Sonics who have never had a solid presence while he's been playing, then doesn't it make you wonder how incredible he would be playing with a post presence as demanding as Yao? the bonus is that his rebounding at SF is good enough to offset a lot of Mo's rebounding defficiencies. Another bonus is that if we lose Francis, the attention we'd lose would be gained back because Lewis is a hometown product.
Not sure if anyone noticed during espns broadcast of last nights game, but they showed some stats of our back court. Results were not great, but from i remember they were last in assist, 26th in turnovers, last in steals.
I bet my ass if you they can even bring down the ball to the midcourt with this lineup of guards Francis Parker Richardson Fisher Casell
