Well, I used to be a big fan of the Sup's. Back in the day of Sam-I-Am, Payton, Mcmillan, and the gang under Carl, it was a ton of fun to watch those games. I remeber days when I would go to the Goose Tavern in Bellevue and there would be 100 loud people packing the house watching every game.

Since then, the NBA has been kind of a bust, and I have lost interest, until this year. Have any of you guys caught the last several games? WOW!

While I dont think they are currently capable of taking on any of the big NBA Powerhouse teams in a playoff scenario, I think they have potential this year to grow into that type of team. Maybe we can get one Seattle team past the first round of the playoffs this year.

cya-

They have been fun to watch especially since Allen's return, it would be interesting to see where they might stack up against the powerhouse (Lakers, Spurs, Kings) teams if they had a real center, someone they could count on for 10-12 boards a game and 12 to 15 pts a game, James and Booth are average back-ups at best.

"...if they had a real center..."

Haven't we been saying that since Jack Sikma?

Or am I just too old school (big guy in the middle blocking shots, playing D, AND putting the ball in the basket)?

True, but if you combine JJ, Calvin and Vitaly's split minutes with Evan's scrappy D, you kinda get one good center out of the bunch.

We seem to be flush with good guards. What can you say, Ray Allen is the MAN! Antonio Daniels has really taken advantage of his recent minutes, and with a little more maturity and experience, Flip Murray could be another Allen type player. He's got the natural ability.

Barry provides leadership and has his shining moments, but his inconsistent scoring could be problematic down the stretch.

On the plus side, it looks like Radmanovic has rediscovered his shooting stroke. Once Rashard learns to deal with the type of physical defense teams have been throwing at him, he too could return to putting up the kind of numbers he did in the first few games of the season.

Overall I think Nate is doing a good job with what he has to work with.

GO SONICS!

I didn't know you were such a savy sports enthusiast, 4-Salt.... Yes, the youth developement that has occured since George Karl left is finally paying off. These boys can run and shoot!!! I have to say that Rick Sund has done a heck of job. The Payton trade looks better and better.

Jeff,

I've been a die-hard Sonics fan since about '91 or so. The year GP joined the team.

We need that consistent center to augment our perimeter game. Seattle is a perimeter shooting team and without a low post presence, teams cheat too much on defense. I'd say just a solid 10pts/8 rebounds per game would do it. I think Booth is capable of doing this, but he just doesn't seem to get into the offensive flow. He's never a go-to guy on offense; always the 3rd or 4th option. James seems to get more offensive touches, but boy some of those bricks! A legit 7-footer may bring the Sonics back to the good ol days.

Our future Center/1round draft pick is on the DL the rest of the season, and I can't think of anyone else in the League who we could realistically pick up.

Last night showed what the Sonics can do when they get transition points and attack the basket. A lot of fun to watch!

How about those fast break Dunks from Allen, Barry and Flip!

Coach McMillen is going to be in the league a long time - Hope the Sonics keep him happy!

To be honest, it's been a good while since exitement has overcome apathy on my part. Trading GP really got the boot off thier neck. And with the aquisition of Ray Ray and Flip they now have a much brighter future. This team is easy to like. I'm not ready to trade anyone just yet. All in all, the problems they have (center, PF) are almost offset by the plethera of shooters. I hope we dont trade potentially great shooters for another wanabe bruser. Letting the shooting talent develop will let them appriciate, and be even more valuable as trade-bait in the future. JJ and Evans are young, and they play like it. I'm hoping we give the roster some more time before we make trades that might work.

And i'm especially looking foreward to discussing it with all the Sonic fans at my local watering hole. (exept the "gangsta rappers")

The LA, Potrland, and Kings games were breakthrough games. My interest is peaked!

Although there seems to be a RAY of hope Lets not forget that the lakers were without Shaq much of the game, portland has only won one game on the road this year and they are not the same caliber team as in years past,the Kings are without Webber plus flew in to town three hours before the game and the week before blew the sonics outby thirty one points! Now I dont want to rain on the parade but the sonics have a long way to go before i jump on that band wagon!! But I cant wait for it to happen, they have the right start and it is exciting to see them win these games anyways!!Make sure to buy starbuck so they have the $$ to get some more talent!!!! GO SONICS!!!!!

Well, it's been a while. Anybody want to change thier opinions of the team? Any thing to add?

When this team plays defense, they're in every game. I say play'em. There's too much talent on this team to keep losing. It's young and needs to grow into success by working for it. No shortcuts, just keep playing them. They get NO CALLS and will not win consistantly untill they do. A lack of developing youth contributed as much as anything else to the years of disfunction. Patience, patience, patience.

The Sonics have been "my team" since the Bob Rule days. Over the years there have been many good guards and some great power forwards, center Jack Sikma was a joy to watch, with that "ball over the head" step back move, impossible to block his shot.

They need, have needed, a center---I still can't believe that they didn't work harder to get Jeramine O'Neil, who played(?) for Portland. O'Neil sat on the bench while Rasheed Wallace got all the playing time and all those technicals....wow!!!!

Hated to see G. Payton traded, but have to admit Allen and Murray have been a real plus.
Rashard Lewis, at 6'10+, plays so soft.....needs to spend more time in the paint, we need that height for rebounding.

Turn overs are a part of the game but the Sonics "shoot themselves in the foot" game after game.

Booth and James, Kings game......25 minutes---0 points......wow!!!!!

Maybe they can "pull it together" and at least make the playoffs......

"Worse day sport fishing, still better than the best day working"