So for thirty-eight days I worried. I nervously thought of the wasted picks the Sonics made the past few years capped off by the genius selection of Mohammed Sene at #10 last year. I had more confidence in Lenny Wilkins if he was drunk, blind, tied up, and decapitated than I could have in Rick Sund, but still I felt nervous.
Then the Supes hired Sam Presti from the Spurs. He changed everything. Both in my mind and in reality after today.
I wanted Sam Presti, but I also wanted Marc Iavaroni. Once Iavaroni went to the Grizzlies, I knew the run and gun Phoenix Suns style would be out the window. I should have known that the minute they hired Presti. He grew up in the San Antonio Spurs system. Presti started as an intern and grew into an assistant GM. He wouldn't stand for horrible defense anymore.
Yesterday Presti basically said no one was untouchable except the number two pick. And today he proved it by trading Ray Allen, the face of the franchise, to Boston for the number five overall pick, Delonte West, and Wally Szczerbiak. When this trade was announced to the crowd at the Sonics draft party, the nearly 2,000 people booed. They are idiots.
Allen did a lot of great offensive things for the Sonics. He shot the basketball better than nearly anyone in the league over the past four and a half years. And he definitely proved to be the go to guy when they needed a basket, usually with a pull up jumper off the dribble or coming off a double screen for a three. Points were not a problem, as they weren't really in general for the Sonics. But Ray Allen is a horrible defender, one of the worst in the league. He rebounds okay and can pass pretty well. And the Sonics went 31-51 with him and Rashard Lewis.
Presti decided to change the whole thing. Kevin Durant becomes the face of the franchise. In fact, only 12 minutes after they drafted him, a commercial aired with Durant dunking on people and the Sonics welcoming him to Seattle while posting the number for season tickets. I nearly called.
Kevin Durant will end up being better than Ray Allen. I think most people would agree with this. But could they have played together? Yes and no. They could have and along with Luke Ridnour and maybe Lewis given up 120 points per game. Now they add West who adds to the backcourt depth while Jeff Green comes in as the number two option to Durant.
They get younger and probably not great next season. But really will they be worse than 31-51? Maybe not.
The Sonics are not expected to re-sign Lewis now, so hopefully a sign and trade becomes possible. And Presti is not done. Rumors still fly about Ridnour (as he is also awful defensively) and Nick Collison. I think this team will look completely different next season and we will see if they are better.
All I know is this, I am trying to buy some season tickets right now. I wouldn't be if Allen and Lewis were here instead of Durant and Green.
4 comments:
You mentioned nothing about the fact that you now have coached two NBA players, two top 10 draft picks? You are the coolest person I know.
He didn't mention it because both of them will be out of the league in 5 years. And then he'll just be some guy who coached some NBA washouts/draft day busts.
Plus, Martell will probably be living with Brian in 5 years because he spent all his money on video games and lawn mowers.
I think Las Vegas and Durant makes so much sense.
More so than Oden and Vegas.
What do you think?
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