May 09, 2005
Soups in trouble in game #1
Losing the game was one thing, but losing in the fashion they lost is another. Even when Radmo and Allen went down, they were down by 15 and beginning to spiral in the wrong direction. San Antanio runs a pretty good offense and I don't think Seattle was prepared for the quickness of Parker. He is lightening, bottom line, and tough to guard.
The one thing that bothers me more than anything in the NBA is the amount of acting and joke calls the home team gets. The NBA should really stand for "Nothing But Acting." Ginobli especially, count how many times that dude flops to the floor. He's a whiney European who probably got too many red cards in soccer, so switched to hoops.
Bottom line, Seattle will need to come out w/ more intensity and throw San Antonio around a bit in game 2. Enter, Fortson and James. Both players will have to step up their physical play to combat San Antonio's play. As I've mentioned in previous blogs, again, Ridnour and Lewis must step up and play well for this team to advance.
Seattle Sports Blog Guy
Posted by james at 09:44 PM | Comments (0)
May 04, 2005
Game, set, and match
Once again, Ray Allen leads the charge as the Sonics prevail. The game was a little closer than expected, but a W's a W. R.Lewis and especially N.Collison played extremely well. Collison can be a double-double kind of guy for the Sonics in the future.
A look ahead.....most likely will be San Antonio. Great outside shooting w/ Gionobli, Barry, and others. Parker is an incredibly quick point guard as well. Last but not least, Duncan will be a load for James to handle. Not being too much of a pesimist, but I don't see Seattle getting past this team. Besides, the NBA seems to love this team, which means that San Antonio will be getting most of the calls. San Antonio 4-2.
Posted by james at 05:31 PM | Comments (0)
May 03, 2005
Soups take strong 3-1 lead
Ray Allen is the real deal. He is probably the #2 or #3 guy in the league, just behind McGrady and Iverson. His display last night showed that he is a man amongst boys in the Sacramento series. As I say blog after blog, if Seattle does not re-sign this guy, they are dumbest team in the NBA.
Rashard Lewis still seems very tenative coming back from his ankle injury. He just doesn't seem to be there a 100% of the time and his shot and timing seem a bit off. So far in this series, J.James looks more like the allstar instead of Lewis.
Who really impressed me last night was Collison. Time after time, he grabbed key rebounds, and post more of a scoring threat than Evans. I would expect to see Collison a starter next year. Fortson continues to seem lost in this series. His solid free throw % sure helps in key situations.
Expect Seattle to come out firing tomorrow night, a pumped up CROWD, and a 4-1 series. Time to start looking and analyzing at the Den/San Antonio series.
Seattle Sports Blog Guy
Posted by james at 12:37 AM | Comments (0)
April 30, 2005
Sonics got whooped
No doubt about it, Sacramento came ready to play last night. Bibby and Mobley were on fire, and I'm not sure why they were left so open given that Sacramento has NO big men. They had an easy path to the lane as well most of the night. James needs to be more of a blocking presence in the middle. Moreover, Lewis is 6-11, why does it seem he never gets blocks? WHERE WAS HE LAST NIGHT? He's the kind of player that really gets under my skin watching some times. A bit like Tre Simmons of UW, a player that can light up mediocre teams, but disappears in big games. 2-10 shooting? No blocks, 2 rebs....was he even in the game last night? If he's not going to produce, pull him out for R. Murray...that guy hasn't seen minute one in the playoffs, which is a bit disappointing. J.James continues to play well, however, he needs to be more of a D presence. R.Allen is the real deal Holyfield....again, if Seattle doesn't re-sign him as the 3-5 highest paid player next year, the Soups management has some issues
Seattle Sports Blog Guy
Posted by james at 06:58 PM | Comments (0)
April 27, 2005
Soups up 2-0
A much improved game over #1, although, they certainly need to learn how to close things out. As I mentioned before, Sacramento really lacks a big man. I would expect more double teams of James in Games 3-4, which should free up shots for Allen, Ridnour, Radmonovic, and Lewis. Speaking of Lewis and Ridnour, again, where were they last night? Ridnour seems too tenative and the majority of shots he missed were long, which would lead me to believe he's too hyped up. He's got a good shot, he just needs to relax. "Disneyland Dreads" Radmonovic played well last night as I mentioned in previous blogs, he's the Sonics x factor. I anticipated him and Jackson to be the big x factors in the series. Jackson also had a good game last night and lead the fourth quarter charge. He seems as if he is back to full speed.
For the Sonics to be successful in Sactown, they will need to continue the presure D, not let the refs or crowd get in their heads, and play w/ a purpose. They should look to try and take at least one of these games down there, or game 6 gets sticky. I would expect Allen and Lewis to have big games and either Ridnour, Daniels, or Radmonovic to be strong contributors. Again, James will not be as effective on the road. Sactown is a hostile environment, but Seattle should be able to take 1 of 2 games.
Seattle Sports Blog Guy
Posted by james at 09:18 PM | Comments (0)
April 25, 2005
Sonics up 1-0
Sonics looked ok in this first game against Sacramento. J. James was more of an x-factor than I was expecting w/ 17 pts, 15 rebs, and 5 blocks. Sacramento's lack of a big man is showing and hopefully James can keep it up. I don't agree, however, that James should be taking 20 shots in the playoff games. Where was Luke R? Low point and assist totals for a starter. It appears that McMillan prefers to go w/ Daniels to close out games for now. Both players coming back from injury, Radmonovic for Seattle and B.Jackson for Sacramento, wer not a factor in game 1. I would expect more from both of these players in Game 2. BTW, what's up w/ Radmonovic being in dreadlocks? Did he go to Disneyland when he was on IR to get braids put in his hair????
Seattle Sports Blog Guy
Posted by james at 11:33 PM | Comments (0)
April 22, 2005
Sonics in the Playoffs
The Sonics are facing a similar opponent in Sacramento, which should lead to a good series. Both teams lack serious big men, have strong outside shooting, and have injuries to key players (Miller for Sac averaging 15.6 PPG and Radmanovic for Seattle w/ 11.6 PPG)
For Seattle to play well, I think the x-factor will have to be Murray w/ Radmonovic still a question mark. Murray is a very streaky player, but will need to light things up if Lewis or Allen will have off nights. Allen is 100% legit and I expect to see his game even better in the playoffs. His step back jumper is impossible to stop. The team should throw everything and the kitchen sink in the off season to sign this guy.
On Sacramento's side, Bibby, Peja, and Mobley are all excellent 3 pt shooters. Seattle's D should be extended on this team given their lack of inside play. B. Jackson is the x-factor for this team. He is a gifted ball-handler and is coming off an injury. I watched his first game back on ESPN the other night and he looks ready.
I see this as a long series, but the Sonics eventually pulling it out 4-3.
Here's a quick questions for Sonic fans. Given the new format of first round games going to 7 games vs. 5, do you think Seattle could have pulled out the series against Denver in 93? Doubt it, Denver had so much momentum and would have taken the next two in Denver easily. Let me know your thoughts.
Seattle Sports Guy
Posted by james at 06:06 AM | Comments (0)