LOCKE''S MONDAY MUSINGS

If you think the first few weeks of the season are the same as any other time you are nuts. Check out the 2001 Mariners compared to last years Mariners. What about this year’s Sonics? They won early and then began to believe they were great. They have won a ton of game because they thought they were supposed to.
For this reason the two losses by the Mariners on Saturday and Sunday were real crushers for a team that needs to get some confidence in their ability to win. This team is going to score runs, but it is going to be a night in night out battle to outscore the opponent.
Mike Hargrove doesn’t have a feel for his personnel yet. He made poor moves on Saturday and then on Sunday it was beyond me why he left Matt Thornton in the game. When a bench player or a fringe player gives you a good outing don’t push it. They will eventually revert back to who they truly are. In hoops the biggest mistake the coach makes is when he leaves his bench players on the floor to wrong because they are hot. The extra minute will turn a 18 to 4 run into a 20 to 16 run in no time. The same way Matt Thornton’s three innings of brilliance became ok by the 4th inning.
Ryan Franklin’s outing today was tremendous. He pitched with a point to prove and you have to admire that. His control was impeccable; fifty-one of his first sixty-two pitches were for strikes through seven innings. With the injury to Madritsch and the questionable health of Meche Franklin very well may spend the rest of the year in the pen.
I have been a huge Meche supported, but I am concerned. I wonder if there isn’t something wrong with his arm the way he complains about not getting into a rhythm and the inability to link one inning to the next.
Does anyone remember when the Scout was on Locked on Sports and said that he would move Madritich to the pen because his motion will lead to arm problems if he is a starter? Do the Mariners notice these things?
Final thought on the Mariners. Adrian Beltre is simply awesome to watch at the plate. His strength is unequalled. His plate coverage is terrific and his approach is very consistent. What a signing.
Random thoughts on other items in the sports world …… I have talked to a few scouts who think Nate Robinson could be a late first round pick. Don’t hold your breath I would anticipate a second round selection. Nate needs a better handle and a better shoot …. Brandon Roy will really need to dazzle at Chicago if he is going to be a draftable prospect ….. Tiger Woods looked like he thought he could win the tournament by playing par golf and then DiMarco forced him out of that plan and Woods could never get back into the rhythm …. Woods win was lucky. How else do you explain his chip going in on 16 and DiMarco’s squirming out on 18.
Onto the NBA …… Flip Murray is killing his value every time he plays right now ….. Don’t count on Danny Fortson in the off-season ….. The Rockets have not been the same since the Juwan Howard injury. Since when did he become so vital ….. Denver is going to be a real bear in the playoffs ….. Rick Carlisle in Indiana has to get strong consideration for Coach of the Year ….. Reggie Miller’s swan song is terrific to watch.
Will the Sonics win the division?