Everyone is talking about Portland (and rightfully so), but what do you guys think about the Sonics? I think they are shaping up to be a very versatile team that is also very deep. I did a quick scan on their roster, and I am guessing that their depth chart could go like this: Assuming they re-sign Rashard Lewis... PG - Ridnour, Watson, Wilks (injured list) SG - West, Wilkins, Szczerbiak SF - Durant, Lewis, Wilkins PF - Green, Wilcox, Fortson C - Swift, Collison, Fortson Or they could start Durant at the 2 spot and Lewis at the 3 spot - imagine a 6'9" SG!! And they have so many movable assets in Ridnour and Wilcox for starters. I would love for us to get Wilcox to be our starting 4. Even if they don't resign Lewis, they still have a great starting 5 in Ridnour, West, Durant, Green, and Swift. They probably won't be in the playoffs this upcoming season because they are counting so heavily on youngsters like Durant, Swift, and Green, but I think they can be a dangerous playoff team in 3 years or less. Portland is going to be great very soon but don't be surprised to see the Sonics being just as good as well.
it's hard to believe that last year's starters lewis and wilcox will not me starting.. green is still unproven in the nba thats really how its supposed to be.. lewis starts as sf and durant as sg.. a 6'9" sg isn't really surprising.. remember tmac? there's even 6'9" pg - livingston
The Sonics won't be a factor any time soon. There is too much chaos with that franchise and the team hasn't even hired a coach yet, which will have a big impact on their future. The Blazers won't be tearing up the league either but they are far ahead of the Sonics IMO. Both will struggle this year.
They will be better than Portland next year, unless they lose Rashard for nothing of help. Durant, Lewis and Green gives them sick flexibility, Durant and Lewis can probably play some SG (Though over time Durant will become a 3/4 IMO), Lewis and Green can play some PF. You could get all 3 on the court at the same time. The only thing missing from them being a real force is a better defensive presence. They should go for J Oneal, Camby, Oakafor, Ben Wallace or Brand, someone like that, to protect the middle and help on the boards. They could offer some good pieces, some combination of Wilcox or Collison; Green or Rashard (almost by themselves), Wally, Watson, Ridnour, or West. Shard + Watson + Wilcox for J Oneal? Shard + Ridnour + Petro for J Oneal? Looks good from both parties.
Bucher reported that since they moved allen they were making a push for rashard to come back to have that versatile 6'9 interchangable lineup. they do have a pretty sick team, but without a coach not sure how the pieces will fit. they should move either ridnour or watson soon since they got west as well.
I thought that too since Lewis is pretty much a more expensive lesser Durant. It doesnt hurt that Rashard is asking for insane dollars also.
Portland is the team to be feared, not Sonics... Shard's leaving, Durant will take a few years to start dominating, and they have no quality bigs.
Nice team but I don't see Lewis signing back with them. And I'd be even more surprised if Fortson signed back. I believe he requested, but was not granted, a request to be traded last spring and is now a RFA. They can match but I doubt they would. Fortson might be a good backup for us.
If Fortson were a Rocket he'd battle with Rocket great Charles Jones for most fouls called against in under a minute. Fortson is a punk.
It looks real good on paper but I wonder about the on court chemistry whether they sign Rashard or not. Assuming he does come back, which is a big assumption, they now have at least 3 players who think they should be 'the man.' Its gonna be fun watching how this all plays out, though.
Maybe in a couple years but not right now. They will be one of the worst defensive teams in the league with such a young roster w/ little athleticism. BTW, you're projecting lineup is all out of wack.
I think the front line of Durant, Green and Wilcox is rather interesting. Very athletic! Green could be really interesting at PF.
