Locked on Sports: Heroes or goats? Players will decide: "Sunday, we will be watching history unfold. What happens on Qwest Field will forever be remembered.
How will it be remembered?
Will it be the 'The Block,' after Walter Jones levels a Carolina defender, freeing Alexander?
Or the 'The Rookie,' after Lofa Tatupu dominates from his middle linebacker position?
Could it be 'The Carry,' after Alexander pounds the left side of the line for another short-yardage conversion featuring Seattle's Pro Bowl linemen. Maybe 'The Team,' when the Hawks piece together another performance spotlighting every roster spot."
Wednesday, January 18, 2006
Tuesday, January 17, 2006
ALEXANDER THAT IS ENOUGH OF THE COUGH SYRUP
All signs point to that Alexander is going to play. And he better play and he better play well. The only good thing about his concussion is that no one is talking about his game last week. His 6 carries were awful. I mean terrible. Each time he tried to do too much, the spotlight went on and the Alexander reverted back to the old Alexander. I was convinced that when the national spotlight came on his ego would drive him to run like no man has ever run. Instead, he freaked.
Holmgren was polite about it in the press conference, “if he stayed with the play he would have walked in – he is going to kick himself when he sees it.”
This is how he was on every one of his runs. He tried to do too much. He tried to be the hero rather then follow the play.
Here is the scary thing. In 3 playoff games Alexander has not been good, in fact he has been poor. 3 games – 44 carries and just 94 yards. That is awful.
Last time Alexander faced Carolina he crushed them 32 carried for 195 yards.
All year Alexander has proven ever skeptic wrong and he has improved in every area if he is going to get himself to the biggest stage he better play within himself on Sunday.
Holmgren was polite about it in the press conference, “if he stayed with the play he would have walked in – he is going to kick himself when he sees it.”
This is how he was on every one of his runs. He tried to do too much. He tried to be the hero rather then follow the play.
Here is the scary thing. In 3 playoff games Alexander has not been good, in fact he has been poor. 3 games – 44 carries and just 94 yards. That is awful.
Last time Alexander faced Carolina he crushed them 32 carried for 195 yards.
All year Alexander has proven ever skeptic wrong and he has improved in every area if he is going to get himself to the biggest stage he better play within himself on Sunday.
WILL I EVER SEE JIMMY WILLIAMS AGAIN
Yesterday Holmgren said, “We going to make some changes on that” in regards to punt returning. Good because I don’t want to see Jimmy Williams returning another punt all season. In fact I haven’t wanted him there for the last 7 weeks. It is a big hit to give away the 7 or 8 yards on every drive by deciding all you want to is ball possession and to fair catch each time, but if that is what it takes I am all for it. The risk of Williams is high and the reward is close to minimal. That makes it an easy decision.
If the Hawks don’t go to the Super Bowl because Jimmy Williams muffs a punt I am going to lose it.
If the Hawks don’t go to the Super Bowl because Jimmy Williams muffs a punt I am going to lose it.
CAN CAROLINA GO DALLAS ON THE HAWKS
All the talk is that Carolina is going to go Dallas on the Seahawks. They are going to play bump and run with their corners, who are both great and they are going to bring the safety into the box.
It all sounds good but here is why it won’t work. One is the two deep balls to D-Jack change everything. Now if the Panthers want to bring the safeties in the box to stop the run they have to know that the Hawks have the option of going deep on the sidelines and that is an option they haven’t had all year.
Secondly, the Panthers don’t have a Roy Williams or a Sean Taylor at safety. The defensive position you must have if you are going to stymie the Hawks is a dominating safety that can cover all sorts of ground. He has to be able to support on the run and get sideline to sideline in the pass defense.
That is the one area where Carolina is not special.
It all sounds good but here is why it won’t work. One is the two deep balls to D-Jack change everything. Now if the Panthers want to bring the safeties in the box to stop the run they have to know that the Hawks have the option of going deep on the sidelines and that is an option they haven’t had all year.
Secondly, the Panthers don’t have a Roy Williams or a Sean Taylor at safety. The defensive position you must have if you are going to stymie the Hawks is a dominating safety that can cover all sorts of ground. He has to be able to support on the run and get sideline to sideline in the pass defense.
That is the one area where Carolina is not special.
QB PLAY WINS IN THE PLYOFFS
Before the playoffs started Mike Holmgren was asked what are the key things to a playoff win. First he said health and the Hawks dodged that bullet. Second he said the play of our your quarterback.
Matt Hasselbeck is in a zone. He is clicking the way Young did when he carried the 49ers the way Farve did when he carried the Packers heck the way Montana did when he carried the 49ers. Hasselebeck is playing at a different level. He is calm, he is collected, he is handling pressure. He never seems flustered.
Heck, on Saturday the offensive game plan was in shambles early – 3 and out after 3 and out and he keep everything together and made special play after special play.
Matt Hasselbeck is in a zone. He is clicking the way Young did when he carried the 49ers the way Farve did when he carried the Packers heck the way Montana did when he carried the 49ers. Hasselebeck is playing at a different level. He is calm, he is collected, he is handling pressure. He never seems flustered.
Heck, on Saturday the offensive game plan was in shambles early – 3 and out after 3 and out and he keep everything together and made special play after special play.
Saturday, January 14, 2006
HAWKS WIN !!!!! THE GOOD, THE BAD AND THE GREAT
One win to the Super Bowl. This is going to be a crazy week in Seattle.
I am currently in Whistler taking a day or two to engulf the awesome powder snow. I left the mountain early to watch the ball game and here is good, the bad and the great. Just to let you know the Seahawks love has spread to Whistler. People are running around screaming, the bars were packed with Hawks fans and there is some serious partying going on here as well.
The Good
THE BAD
THE GREAT
Wednesday, January 11, 2006
SIMULBLOG FOR SONICS V. MAGIC
SONICS 113 MAGIC 104 – FINAL SCORE
Impressive performance by Seattle.
They played a disinterested team and they kept them at bay for the entire 48 minutes.
Great job staying focused after the fight.
Rashard Lewis was a go to guy tonight in a big way. 50 points. The Sonics ran everything through him tonight.
When Luke hits his shots the Sonics are really impressive.
Another good night from the young centers.
If you want to know what bad leadership will do a team,
Sonics 96 Magic 85 with 5:24 left in the 4th Quarter
Nick Collison just made a game saving play. Ridnour had his shot blocked and Collison had the smarts to catch the ball out of the air and throw it up toward the hoop and it went in as the shot clock sounded. The Sonics were desperate for a bucket.
Sonics finally gave Lewis a break and ran a play for Flip
Sonics 94 Magic 85 with 6:45 left in the 4th Quarter
Swift fouls out after 18 minutes. His pick setting is a huge asset.
The Sonics are running everything through Rashard without ray. Who long can Rashard handle this?
The Sonics need some easy baskets or this is going to get a little tough.
For the first time tonight the Sonics obviously miss Ray.
10-3 Magic run – Magic in the bonus.
Sonics 84 Magic 66 at the end of the 3rd Quarter
Seattle is toying with a disinterested Magic
Lewis is killing the Magic .
Sonics 78 Magic 61 with 3:32 left in the 3rd Quarter
The Sonics are really clicking.
Bob Hill is working this game. He is pushing the guys and then when he feels the need to slow down and get the exact possessions he wants he puts a halt to it and calls the play.
Sonics are working everything through the post to Rashard.
This has been impressive.
Sonics 69 Magic 54 with 7:13 left in the 3rd quarter
Great start to the second half.
The offense is really crisp. It looks better when you make shots and Luke is burying everything.
The ball movement is terrific and the I point again to the knowledge of where each guy is on the floor.
The flip side is the Magic are not doing anything to prevent any Sonics movement.
Steve Francis has been brutal tonight.
Sonics 56 Orlando 47 at the half.
Nice job by the Sonics to re-gain focus.
Lewis has 18 and Ridnour has 12.
Seattle played very well in the first half. They moved the ball terrifically and they made Orlando work on the offensive end
Sonics 42 Magic 36 with 5:12 left in the 2nd Quarter
It is really hard to focus on the game after the fight.
Keyon Dooling went after Allen in the tunnel after they were ejected and was held back by security,. Everyone is tough when they have 3 people holding them back.
I am not sure what the suspensions will be since it went into the crowd. Last year’s fight between Nene and Marcus Camby were 4 game suspensions for each player.
Sonics 37 Magic 26 with 10:14 left in the 2nd Quarter
HUGE FIGHT AT KEY ARENA
Ray Allen just went off on Keyon Dooling.
Ray Allen was running his route and when he stopped Dooling just decked Allen the way a linebacker would get a running back. When Allen came to his feet, Dooling stood over the top of him. When Allen wanted his spaced and he and Dooling embraced and fell into the crowd where Allen was on top of Dooling and busted him with an impressive right hook. When the players were being seperated Dooling threw a punch at Allen while he was being held by a Magic player. Dooling clearly instigated the altercation.
Both Allen and Dooling got ejected. This will not be the last we see of this. Their will be lengthy suspensions and longer then usual because it went into the crowd.
I have never ever seen Ray Allen snap the way he snapped. He lost it. You think of him as the ultimate gentleman, but it is clear that he has a braking point and we just saw it. WOW.
Sonics 31 Magic 21 at the end of 1st Quarter
Sonics forced 6 turnovers in the Quarter
Rashard, who has been struggling has a great match-up tonight and is killing the Magic in the post. He has 12 points
Ridnour has 9.
Now the real question is whether or not the Sonics maintain this energy all night without a let down to let the Magic back in the game.
This was an all around effort rather then just outscoring a team.
Sonics 29 Magic 18 with 1:06 left in the 1st Quarter
Wow Seattle looks great.
Luke Ridnour has 9 points and has been awesome.
Defensively the Sonics are getting their hands on balls and are playing aggressively defensively.
The double teaming of Howard is working terrifically
Sonics 16 Magic 8 with 5:57 left in the 1st Quarter
Bob Hill has instituted a 2 dribble contain rule. If you can contain your man for 2 dribbles all of the help defense should be able to align itself
The Sonics defensive rotations look a great deal better so far tonight. They have worked as a unit very well.
Offensively the floor is well spaced and the guys seem to have a really good idea where each guy is on the floor. That is so much of offense, knowing where the other guys are going to be.
Hill really wants to offense to be relentless in their pressure on the defense. So far that has been evident.
The Magic look really disinterested.
Storylines
1) Sonics without Reggie Evans and Danny Fortson against a good rebounding team
2) First home game for Head Coach Bob Hill
3) Steve Francis matched up with Ray Allen
4) Can Rashard get going?
Impressive performance by Seattle.
They played a disinterested team and they kept them at bay for the entire 48 minutes.
Great job staying focused after the fight.
Rashard Lewis was a go to guy tonight in a big way. 50 points. The Sonics ran everything through him tonight.
When Luke hits his shots the Sonics are really impressive.
Another good night from the young centers.
If you want to know what bad leadership will do a team,
Sonics 96 Magic 85 with 5:24 left in the 4th Quarter
Nick Collison just made a game saving play. Ridnour had his shot blocked and Collison had the smarts to catch the ball out of the air and throw it up toward the hoop and it went in as the shot clock sounded. The Sonics were desperate for a bucket.
Sonics finally gave Lewis a break and ran a play for Flip
Sonics 94 Magic 85 with 6:45 left in the 4th Quarter
Swift fouls out after 18 minutes. His pick setting is a huge asset.
The Sonics are running everything through Rashard without ray. Who long can Rashard handle this?
The Sonics need some easy baskets or this is going to get a little tough.
For the first time tonight the Sonics obviously miss Ray.
10-3 Magic run – Magic in the bonus.
Sonics 84 Magic 66 at the end of the 3rd Quarter
Seattle is toying with a disinterested Magic
Lewis is killing the Magic .
Sonics 78 Magic 61 with 3:32 left in the 3rd Quarter
The Sonics are really clicking.
Bob Hill is working this game. He is pushing the guys and then when he feels the need to slow down and get the exact possessions he wants he puts a halt to it and calls the play.
Sonics are working everything through the post to Rashard.
This has been impressive.
Sonics 69 Magic 54 with 7:13 left in the 3rd quarter
Great start to the second half.
The offense is really crisp. It looks better when you make shots and Luke is burying everything.
The ball movement is terrific and the I point again to the knowledge of where each guy is on the floor.
The flip side is the Magic are not doing anything to prevent any Sonics movement.
Steve Francis has been brutal tonight.
Sonics 56 Orlando 47 at the half.
Nice job by the Sonics to re-gain focus.
Lewis has 18 and Ridnour has 12.
Seattle played very well in the first half. They moved the ball terrifically and they made Orlando work on the offensive end
Sonics 42 Magic 36 with 5:12 left in the 2nd Quarter
It is really hard to focus on the game after the fight.
Keyon Dooling went after Allen in the tunnel after they were ejected and was held back by security,. Everyone is tough when they have 3 people holding them back.
I am not sure what the suspensions will be since it went into the crowd. Last year’s fight between Nene and Marcus Camby were 4 game suspensions for each player.
Sonics 37 Magic 26 with 10:14 left in the 2nd Quarter
HUGE FIGHT AT KEY ARENA
Ray Allen just went off on Keyon Dooling.
Ray Allen was running his route and when he stopped Dooling just decked Allen the way a linebacker would get a running back. When Allen came to his feet, Dooling stood over the top of him. When Allen wanted his spaced and he and Dooling embraced and fell into the crowd where Allen was on top of Dooling and busted him with an impressive right hook. When the players were being seperated Dooling threw a punch at Allen while he was being held by a Magic player. Dooling clearly instigated the altercation.
Both Allen and Dooling got ejected. This will not be the last we see of this. Their will be lengthy suspensions and longer then usual because it went into the crowd.
I have never ever seen Ray Allen snap the way he snapped. He lost it. You think of him as the ultimate gentleman, but it is clear that he has a braking point and we just saw it. WOW.
Sonics 31 Magic 21 at the end of 1st Quarter
Sonics forced 6 turnovers in the Quarter
Rashard, who has been struggling has a great match-up tonight and is killing the Magic in the post. He has 12 points
Ridnour has 9.
Now the real question is whether or not the Sonics maintain this energy all night without a let down to let the Magic back in the game.
This was an all around effort rather then just outscoring a team.
Sonics 29 Magic 18 with 1:06 left in the 1st Quarter
Wow Seattle looks great.
Luke Ridnour has 9 points and has been awesome.
Defensively the Sonics are getting their hands on balls and are playing aggressively defensively.
The double teaming of Howard is working terrifically
Sonics 16 Magic 8 with 5:57 left in the 1st Quarter
Bob Hill has instituted a 2 dribble contain rule. If you can contain your man for 2 dribbles all of the help defense should be able to align itself
The Sonics defensive rotations look a great deal better so far tonight. They have worked as a unit very well.
Offensively the floor is well spaced and the guys seem to have a really good idea where each guy is on the floor. That is so much of offense, knowing where the other guys are going to be.
Hill really wants to offense to be relentless in their pressure on the defense. So far that has been evident.
The Magic look really disinterested.
Storylines
1) Sonics without Reggie Evans and Danny Fortson against a good rebounding team
2) First home game for Head Coach Bob Hill
3) Steve Francis matched up with Ray Allen
4) Can Rashard get going?
Tuesday, January 10, 2006
4 GAMES IN -- DIFFERENT STYLE SAME RESULTS?
Obviously, 4 games into an era is way to early to make any conclusions. However, I thought it was amazing how after just 4 games the numbers of the Sonics under Bob Hill and under Bob Weiss are absurdly similar. Despite, different line-ups, different rotations and a different approach, things seems terribly similar. Check out the numbers below.
Code
Pace – Amount of trips up the floor in a game
Off and Def – Efficiency Rating. Pts scored or allowed per 100 possessions
EFG – Effective Field Goal Percentage, which weighs 3 pt shots for their extra value
DEFG – Defensive Effective Field Goal Pecentage
OffR – Offensive Rebounding Percentage
DefR – Defensive Rebounding Percentage
TO% -- Percentage of possessions in which you commit a turnover
DT)% - Percentage of possessions in which you force a turnover
FTA -- Free throws per game
DFTA – Free throw allowed per game
Code
Pace – Amount of trips up the floor in a game
Off and Def – Efficiency Rating. Pts scored or allowed per 100 possessions
EFG – Effective Field Goal Percentage, which weighs 3 pt shots for their extra value
DEFG – Defensive Effective Field Goal Pecentage
OffR – Offensive Rebounding Percentage
DefR – Defensive Rebounding Percentage
TO% -- Percentage of possessions in which you commit a turnover
DT)% - Percentage of possessions in which you force a turnover
FTA -- Free throws per game
DFTA – Free throw allowed per game
Coach Pace Off Def EFG DEFG OfR DefR TO% DTO% FTA DFT
Weiss 93.5 108.2 114.9 49.2 54.2 32.7 70.8 13.8 15.4 26.7 29.4
Hill 92.7 107.9 115.7 47.1 50.6 35.0 64.8 11.2 12.4 26.5 31.8
STUD AND DUD % IN THE NBA
I like to play around with stats to find a player’s value. Building off a stat created by John Hollinger I have built a stud% and a dud% stat. The Stud% is built to reward those players who shoot above the league average and are able to get their shots off a lot. The Dud% is to penalize the player who takes a ton of shots to get his points.
Dud% Leaders (300 minute min – crappy players don’t get as much time)
The theory behind this is the value of a possession. If Chris Webber takes 23 shots to get his 20 points that is not valuing a possession. On the other hand, if a player only needs 15 shots to get 25 points that gives his team amazing value.
Also, I believe strongly in the free throw and the 3 pointer. Yes, this seems contradictory. You constantly here commentators talking about how teams rely too much on the three, they seem to be forgetting that the 3 counts 50% more then a two.
In addition, the free throw is an amazingly high percentage possession.
To understand the numbers a 0 is league average. Anything over 50 or under 50 is worth noting. Above 100 is unreal and below –100 is considerably bad
Stud % Leaders (600 minute min)
Paul Pierce and Chauncey Billiups are having amazing seasons. It is really surprising that two Timberwolves make the top 10 and that team is having a hard time scoring. Having a rookie in this list is remarkable. How Larry Brown isn’t playing Frye more is a mystery. Ike Diogu will lead the league when he becomes eligible.
- Paul Pierce 185
- LeBron James 167
- Chauncey Billiups 166
- Richard Jefferson 155
- Wally Szczerbiak 133
- Manu Ginobili 129
- Kevin Garnett 127
- Channing Frye 122
- Shar Abdur-Rahim 118
- Elton Brand 114
- Steve Nash 114
Dud% Leaders (300 minute min – crappy players don’t get as much time)
Next on the list are Carlos Arroyo, Desmond Mason and Johan Petro.
- Jim Jackson -206
- Raymond Felton -202
- Rashad McCants -182
- Antonio Burks -160
- Travis Outlaw -159
- Ryan Bowen -158
- Eddie Griffin -144
- Kris Humprhries -142
- Malik Rose -129
- Quentin Richardson-127
Monday, January 09, 2006
SIMULBLOG FOR SONICS V. SIXERS
SIXERS 106 SONICS 97 -- FINAL SCORE
Iverson was too good.
Allen had another great game
Rashard had no legs
Vlady's line looks good but his game was very poor.
Sixers 101 Sonics 94 with 2:41 left in the 4th
Sonics are getting the ball out of Iverson’s hand everytime
They are staying with the small line-up.
Ridnour has actually done a decent job on Iverson
Iverson has been unreal.
Sixers 93 Sonics 90 with 7:36 left
Sonics are battling but they can’t get enough stops
Iverson is on fire. He is unstoppable.
The line-up is small – Luke, Flip, Ray, Rashard and Vlady
Sixers 79 Sonics 60 with 3:30 left in the 3rd Quarter
Out of gas -- 30 -13 in the Q
Iverson just went coast to coast by all 5 Sonics defenders and none of the impeded him at any point as he hit a finger role lay-up
Hill has been working this team hard and they have just completely lost any focus.
Defensively they are not stopping anything.
The problem with this team is there are not enough players who consistently play at the same level everynight.
Sixers 66 Sonics 55 with 7:14 left in the 3rd Quarter
Sonics are collapsing right now
Get a free dunk, free dunks we are giving free dunks.
Be concerned the Sixers are in the bonus at the 7:14 mark.
Sixers 49 Sonics 47 at the half
Iverson has 19. He is impossible to guard. The Sonics have to contain him. This might be hard to believe but Ridnou did a nice job early. He got going on Murray
The Sonics are slugging their way through this on the boards.
Offensive rebounding has been the key for the Sups.
They have 50% of the offensive rebounds
Sonics 38 Sixers 35 with 4:43 left in the 2nd Quarter
Robert Swift is playing well again.
The Sixers offense misses Chris Webber badly
Sonics are crushing the Sixers on the offensive glass
I have never been a fan of Mo Cheeks. His teams never seem to have offensive plays and seem to have very little defensive plan. Today applies to my belief
Sonics 26 Sixers 22 at the end of 1 Quarter
Very good defensive quarter from the Sonics
Hill said in the pre-game that he thought Lewis had heavy legs and that was certainly true. He pulled him early and went to Wilkins
Luke played a strong first quarter bouncing back from the missed free throws.
Good defense on Iverson.
Sonics 15 Sixers 14 with 6:54 left in the 1st Quarter
Sixers are one of the best in the NBA at forcing turns and the Sonics have turned it over already 4 times.
Korver has missed his first three 3 ball attempts – that only means 3 others will go in.
So far so good at keeping Iverson in front of the Sonics defenders.
Iverson was too good.
Allen had another great game
Rashard had no legs
Vlady's line looks good but his game was very poor.
Sixers 101 Sonics 94 with 2:41 left in the 4th
Sonics are getting the ball out of Iverson’s hand everytime
They are staying with the small line-up.
Ridnour has actually done a decent job on Iverson
Iverson has been unreal.
Sixers 93 Sonics 90 with 7:36 left
Sonics are battling but they can’t get enough stops
Iverson is on fire. He is unstoppable.
The line-up is small – Luke, Flip, Ray, Rashard and Vlady
Sixers 79 Sonics 60 with 3:30 left in the 3rd Quarter
Out of gas -- 30 -13 in the Q
Iverson just went coast to coast by all 5 Sonics defenders and none of the impeded him at any point as he hit a finger role lay-up
Hill has been working this team hard and they have just completely lost any focus.
Defensively they are not stopping anything.
The problem with this team is there are not enough players who consistently play at the same level everynight.
Sixers 66 Sonics 55 with 7:14 left in the 3rd Quarter
Sonics are collapsing right now
Get a free dunk, free dunks we are giving free dunks.
Be concerned the Sixers are in the bonus at the 7:14 mark.
Sixers 49 Sonics 47 at the half
Iverson has 19. He is impossible to guard. The Sonics have to contain him. This might be hard to believe but Ridnou did a nice job early. He got going on Murray
The Sonics are slugging their way through this on the boards.
Offensive rebounding has been the key for the Sups.
They have 50% of the offensive rebounds
Sonics 38 Sixers 35 with 4:43 left in the 2nd Quarter
Robert Swift is playing well again.
The Sixers offense misses Chris Webber badly
Sonics are crushing the Sixers on the offensive glass
I have never been a fan of Mo Cheeks. His teams never seem to have offensive plays and seem to have very little defensive plan. Today applies to my belief
Sonics 26 Sixers 22 at the end of 1 Quarter
Very good defensive quarter from the Sonics
Hill said in the pre-game that he thought Lewis had heavy legs and that was certainly true. He pulled him early and went to Wilkins
Luke played a strong first quarter bouncing back from the missed free throws.
Good defense on Iverson.
Sonics 15 Sixers 14 with 6:54 left in the 1st Quarter
Sixers are one of the best in the NBA at forcing turns and the Sonics have turned it over already 4 times.
Korver has missed his first three 3 ball attempts – that only means 3 others will go in.
So far so good at keeping Iverson in front of the Sonics defenders.
Sunday, January 08, 2006
SIMULBLOG SONICS V. KNICKS
Knicks 120 Sonics 116 – FINAL SCORE
Great final minutes of the game
Ray Allen goes baseline away from the Collison pick but doesn’t hit the shot
Marbury runs a pick and roll with Curry. The Sonics defend it well and the ball goes to the rookie Lee in the corner and he hits the 19 footer. Knicks by 2 :21.6 seconds
Ridnour drives the basket and gets fouled but the 90+% free throw shooter MISSES BOTH FREE THROWS.
Down 4 Vlady hits a three to make it a 1 point game with :08 left.
Nate Robinson MAKES BOTH FREE THROWS
Sonics with :6 left get a good look for Ray but he misses the three.
Sonics 113 Knicks 111 with 1:15 left in the 4th Quarter
Ohhh Vlade !!!!!! back to back three ties it at 111-111. He has 7 three’s
Ohhh Vlade !!!!!! Valde then hits a pull up
Petro fouls out in 17 minutes - 4 points and 8 rebounds.but 2 of 10.
Knicks 105 Sonics 101 with 4:30 left in the 4th
Sonics are 4 of 16 in the 4th Q and ended the 3rd Quarter 2 of 11
Petro is very active down low but has no idea how to finish in traffic, yet.
Luke has replaced Flip
Knicks 101 Sonis 98 with 6:29 left in the 4th Quarter
Knicks are pounding to Curry
Vlady hit his first 5 three attempts today.
Knikcs on a 6-0 run
Sonics have Flip, Allen, Lewis, Vlady and Petro on the floor.
A little surprised considering how much better Swift has played today then Petro that Petro is getting the late minutes.
Seattle must defensive rebound to win
Sonics are 5 of their last 20 from the field
Knicks 91 Sonics 90 at the end of quarters
The game has gone small. The Sonics are playing three guards and Reggie as the center
The Sonics can’t stop the basketball at all. Marbury is killing them going through the lane
The tempo is amazingly fast.
The game is going to come down to if the Sonics can continue to bury the three and if the Knicks are able to live at the free throw line.
Sonics allow 30 in the 3rd Quarter
Knicks 73 Sonics 67 with 8:45 left in the 3rd Quarter
Sonics can’t stop anything.
They are getting pounded deep and dribble penetration is an issue
Nate Robinson with another big play – a 4 point play
Sonics 62 Knicks 61 at end 1st half
Sonics are not doing a very good job on the defensive glass.
Nate Robinson propelled the Knicks in the 2nd Q back in to the game
The Sonics are living by the 3.
The Sonics allow 36 points in the 2nd Quarter
Sonics 55 Knicks 53 with 2:50 left in the 2nd Quarter
Sonics are 7 of 11 from 3
Nate the great is on fire – 8 straight points for the Knicks
Vlady commits back to back terrible turnovers and then doesn’t grab a rebound and gives the Knicks another two points. He has the jumper going today, but he is making it tough on Coach Hill to keep him on the floor.
Once again the Sonics struggled with Ray off the floor.
Sonics 44 Knikcs 39 with 6:54 left in the 2nd Quarter
Petro gets his 3rd foul – he really is having a tough time today.
On the other hand, Swift is playing very well
Sonics lead by as many as 10
Reminder – Allen and Marbury were traded for each other on draft day
The Knicks have brought in Trevor Ariza to guard Ray Allen who is on fire
Sonics 35 Knicks 25 at the end of 1 Quarter
Great offensive quarter from the Sonics
Swift and Collison are setting very good picks.
Jerome James has quickly reminded me of why he drove us batty. Does I. Thomas actually watch the NBA or have anyone who watches the NBA before he signs players?
Sonics 26 Knicks 21 with 2:33 left in the 1st Quarter
Robert Swift is holding his own in the post.
He hit a really nice 9 foot turnaround jumper. He shot the same shot the other night and in the simulblog I mentioned how nice it looked. It really could be a dynamite move.
Jerome James is in the game to guard Swift.
Sonics are hitting the three’s – 4 in the Q
Sonics 19 Knicks 14 with 5:46 left in the 1st Quarter
Not a lot of stops in the early going. Knicks have scored on 7 of the first 8 possessions and the Sonics have scored on 7 of their first 8.
Eddy Curry is crushing Johan Petro. Curry has beat him deep in the block and they have crushed the Sonics on the high pick n roll
Swift replaces Petro at the 7:00 who committed two fouls.
Sonics are without Danny Fortson and Vitaly Potapenko
Weiss v. Hill
• Effective Field Goal % defense, which weights 3 pts shots, has gone from 30th in the league at 54.2 to 2nd in the league at 45.9 almost a 10% difference.
• Offensive rebounding has disappeared from 32.7 % 3rd in the NBA to 26.4% of offensive rebounds
• Sonics aren’t shooting under Hill, their effective field goal % is 44.3 which would be last in the NBA
• Under Hill Sonics defense has been entirely making the other team miss, they are not rebounding and not forcing turns
Great final minutes of the game
Ray Allen goes baseline away from the Collison pick but doesn’t hit the shot
Marbury runs a pick and roll with Curry. The Sonics defend it well and the ball goes to the rookie Lee in the corner and he hits the 19 footer. Knicks by 2 :21.6 seconds
Ridnour drives the basket and gets fouled but the 90+% free throw shooter MISSES BOTH FREE THROWS.
Down 4 Vlady hits a three to make it a 1 point game with :08 left.
Nate Robinson MAKES BOTH FREE THROWS
Sonics with :6 left get a good look for Ray but he misses the three.
Sonics 113 Knicks 111 with 1:15 left in the 4th Quarter
Ohhh Vlade !!!!!! back to back three ties it at 111-111. He has 7 three’s
Ohhh Vlade !!!!!! Valde then hits a pull up
Petro fouls out in 17 minutes - 4 points and 8 rebounds.but 2 of 10.
Knicks 105 Sonics 101 with 4:30 left in the 4th
Sonics are 4 of 16 in the 4th Q and ended the 3rd Quarter 2 of 11
Petro is very active down low but has no idea how to finish in traffic, yet.
Luke has replaced Flip
Knicks 101 Sonis 98 with 6:29 left in the 4th Quarter
Knicks are pounding to Curry
Vlady hit his first 5 three attempts today.
Knikcs on a 6-0 run
Sonics have Flip, Allen, Lewis, Vlady and Petro on the floor.
A little surprised considering how much better Swift has played today then Petro that Petro is getting the late minutes.
Seattle must defensive rebound to win
Sonics are 5 of their last 20 from the field
Knicks 91 Sonics 90 at the end of quarters
The game has gone small. The Sonics are playing three guards and Reggie as the center
The Sonics can’t stop the basketball at all. Marbury is killing them going through the lane
The tempo is amazingly fast.
The game is going to come down to if the Sonics can continue to bury the three and if the Knicks are able to live at the free throw line.
Sonics allow 30 in the 3rd Quarter
Knicks 73 Sonics 67 with 8:45 left in the 3rd Quarter
Sonics can’t stop anything.
They are getting pounded deep and dribble penetration is an issue
Nate Robinson with another big play – a 4 point play
Sonics 62 Knicks 61 at end 1st half
Sonics are not doing a very good job on the defensive glass.
Nate Robinson propelled the Knicks in the 2nd Q back in to the game
The Sonics are living by the 3.
The Sonics allow 36 points in the 2nd Quarter
Sonics 55 Knicks 53 with 2:50 left in the 2nd Quarter
Sonics are 7 of 11 from 3
Nate the great is on fire – 8 straight points for the Knicks
Vlady commits back to back terrible turnovers and then doesn’t grab a rebound and gives the Knicks another two points. He has the jumper going today, but he is making it tough on Coach Hill to keep him on the floor.
Once again the Sonics struggled with Ray off the floor.
Sonics 44 Knikcs 39 with 6:54 left in the 2nd Quarter
Petro gets his 3rd foul – he really is having a tough time today.
On the other hand, Swift is playing very well
Sonics lead by as many as 10
Reminder – Allen and Marbury were traded for each other on draft day
The Knicks have brought in Trevor Ariza to guard Ray Allen who is on fire
Sonics 35 Knicks 25 at the end of 1 Quarter
Great offensive quarter from the Sonics
Swift and Collison are setting very good picks.
Jerome James has quickly reminded me of why he drove us batty. Does I. Thomas actually watch the NBA or have anyone who watches the NBA before he signs players?
Sonics 26 Knicks 21 with 2:33 left in the 1st Quarter
Robert Swift is holding his own in the post.
He hit a really nice 9 foot turnaround jumper. He shot the same shot the other night and in the simulblog I mentioned how nice it looked. It really could be a dynamite move.
Jerome James is in the game to guard Swift.
Sonics are hitting the three’s – 4 in the Q
Sonics 19 Knicks 14 with 5:46 left in the 1st Quarter
Not a lot of stops in the early going. Knicks have scored on 7 of the first 8 possessions and the Sonics have scored on 7 of their first 8.
Eddy Curry is crushing Johan Petro. Curry has beat him deep in the block and they have crushed the Sonics on the high pick n roll
Swift replaces Petro at the 7:00 who committed two fouls.
Sonics are without Danny Fortson and Vitaly Potapenko
Weiss v. Hill
• Effective Field Goal % defense, which weights 3 pts shots, has gone from 30th in the league at 54.2 to 2nd in the league at 45.9 almost a 10% difference.
• Offensive rebounding has disappeared from 32.7 % 3rd in the NBA to 26.4% of offensive rebounds
• Sonics aren’t shooting under Hill, their effective field goal % is 44.3 which would be last in the NBA
• Under Hill Sonics defense has been entirely making the other team miss, they are not rebounding and not forcing turns
Friday, January 06, 2006
SIMULBLOG FOR SONICS V. PISTONS
Pistons 97 Sonics 85 Final Score
Strong effort
The offense is not there right now.
Defensive effort was good, however the end result was not a very good rating
Rashard Lewis was terrific and has become unguardable.
The Pistons took Allen out of the game.
Detroit 89 Sonics 77 with 3:16 left in the 4th Quarter
Huge play – Billiups took a three in front of the Sonics bench, When he got set he stepped on the foot of Bob Hill who was on the court. Billiups took the three and and the ref called bench interference on Hill which means the shot counted and a tech which the Pistons hit. A 4 point mistake by coach Hill. This is either back luck or a really bad move by Coach Hill.
The Sonics went from down 7 with the ball to down 11.
Pistons 80 Sonics 70 with 6:16 left in the 4th Quarter
Allen enters for Luke, Funny how within one night we have the same line-up on the floor as we did under Weiss
Same result with the same line-up.
Second night and our new coach doesn’t want to go to Vlady, doesn’t want to go to any of the young bigs. It seems like we have already gone full circle.
Pistons are making the plays and Seattle is not.
Pistons 74 Sonics 68 with 8:50 left in the 4th Quarter
A very selfish possession to open the Quarter. Flip jacked a terribly tough shot he is now 3 for 14, then Evans decided he needed to go one on one at Ben Wallace in the post and he turned it over, That is a quick way back to the bench for Reggie
Ridnour, Flip, Lewis, Nick and Reggie on the floor to open the Q.
Pistons 68 Sonics 65 at the end of 3 Quarters
Looks like this match-up was too much for Robert Swift in Hill’s mind
Reggie Evans has re-appeared
Lewis has been brilliant in the 3rd Quarter.
The Sonics continue to really apply pressure on the Pistons with their offense.
Pistons 59 Sonics 54 with 5:01 left in the 3rd Quarter
Their was a loose ball and Vlady just reached down to go get rather then getting on the floor and it cost the team a possession. I have seen that way too many times from Vlady
Luke has 3 fouls and Billiups is posting him up. Hill will go to Flip.
The Sonics shot distribution is all jacked up right now.
Ben Wallace is killing the Sonics on the defensive glass. Petro has gotten a little excited and is leaving Wallace and going for blocks.
Rashard Lewis is taking it right at Tyshawn Prince. I am not sure anyone can guard him one on one anymore
Pistons 45 Sonics 44 at the half
Solid defensive 2nd Quarter,.
No Reggie Evans again.
Seattle is playing with the Pistons.
Other then a few open floor breakdowns the amount of free and easy opportunities have been greatly reduced.
Limited offensive glass work again and it has slowed down the Pistons.
Sonics 39 Pistons 36 with 2:42 left in the 2nd Quarter
The offensive floor is dramatically different then it was. The Sonics have found a way to get 4 of the five defenders out of the paint and this is allowing the dribble drive again.
Petro has not learned how to finish on the pick n roll yet
The Pistons play again tomorrow and it seems as though Flip Saunders is trying to use his bench and it is not very good. The Spurs have a huge edge there.
Sonics have only allowed 10 points in the Quarter
Pistons 32 Sonics 31 with 5:43 left in the 2nd Quarter
Sonics burst on a 10-0 run. Allen hit two threes.
The Sonics are pushing the tempo at an amazingly fast pace.
Flip Murray is leading one man breaks,. He flushed one of them.
Flip could have value in the open floor, if he passes as well.
Petro had a brutal +/- in Chicago and he is not very good again tonight.
Pistons 26 Sonics 21 at the end of 1 Quarter
This is the match-up of the best offense against the worst defense in the game. At times you could tell but Seattle was at least battling.
Ray Allen’s eye is still giving him problems
Danny Fortson checks in for Petro at the 2 minute mark of the Q
Petro was active in his 10 minutes
Pistons 15 Sonics 13 with 4:45 left in the 1st Quarter
Nice start by the Sonics
The Sups are really pounding the pick and roll and Petro is doing the rolling. When team double Ray Petro is being left wide open. He is missing the shots tonight, but he will get it.
The Pistons offensively look like they are toying with Seattle.
The Sonics have really laid off the offensive glass
The new running system will be successful.
Storylines
1) How good are the Pistons?
2) Can Ridnour and Allen guard Billups and Hamilton?
3) Petro and Swift night two in the line-up
Strong effort
The offense is not there right now.
Defensive effort was good, however the end result was not a very good rating
Rashard Lewis was terrific and has become unguardable.
The Pistons took Allen out of the game.
Detroit 89 Sonics 77 with 3:16 left in the 4th Quarter
Huge play – Billiups took a three in front of the Sonics bench, When he got set he stepped on the foot of Bob Hill who was on the court. Billiups took the three and and the ref called bench interference on Hill which means the shot counted and a tech which the Pistons hit. A 4 point mistake by coach Hill. This is either back luck or a really bad move by Coach Hill.
The Sonics went from down 7 with the ball to down 11.
Pistons 80 Sonics 70 with 6:16 left in the 4th Quarter
Allen enters for Luke, Funny how within one night we have the same line-up on the floor as we did under Weiss
Same result with the same line-up.
Second night and our new coach doesn’t want to go to Vlady, doesn’t want to go to any of the young bigs. It seems like we have already gone full circle.
Pistons are making the plays and Seattle is not.
Pistons 74 Sonics 68 with 8:50 left in the 4th Quarter
A very selfish possession to open the Quarter. Flip jacked a terribly tough shot he is now 3 for 14, then Evans decided he needed to go one on one at Ben Wallace in the post and he turned it over, That is a quick way back to the bench for Reggie
Ridnour, Flip, Lewis, Nick and Reggie on the floor to open the Q.
Pistons 68 Sonics 65 at the end of 3 Quarters
Looks like this match-up was too much for Robert Swift in Hill’s mind
Reggie Evans has re-appeared
Lewis has been brilliant in the 3rd Quarter.
The Sonics continue to really apply pressure on the Pistons with their offense.
Pistons 59 Sonics 54 with 5:01 left in the 3rd Quarter
Their was a loose ball and Vlady just reached down to go get rather then getting on the floor and it cost the team a possession. I have seen that way too many times from Vlady
Luke has 3 fouls and Billiups is posting him up. Hill will go to Flip.
The Sonics shot distribution is all jacked up right now.
Ben Wallace is killing the Sonics on the defensive glass. Petro has gotten a little excited and is leaving Wallace and going for blocks.
Rashard Lewis is taking it right at Tyshawn Prince. I am not sure anyone can guard him one on one anymore
Pistons 45 Sonics 44 at the half
Solid defensive 2nd Quarter,.
No Reggie Evans again.
Seattle is playing with the Pistons.
Other then a few open floor breakdowns the amount of free and easy opportunities have been greatly reduced.
Limited offensive glass work again and it has slowed down the Pistons.
Sonics 39 Pistons 36 with 2:42 left in the 2nd Quarter
The offensive floor is dramatically different then it was. The Sonics have found a way to get 4 of the five defenders out of the paint and this is allowing the dribble drive again.
Petro has not learned how to finish on the pick n roll yet
The Pistons play again tomorrow and it seems as though Flip Saunders is trying to use his bench and it is not very good. The Spurs have a huge edge there.
Sonics have only allowed 10 points in the Quarter
Pistons 32 Sonics 31 with 5:43 left in the 2nd Quarter
Sonics burst on a 10-0 run. Allen hit two threes.
The Sonics are pushing the tempo at an amazingly fast pace.
Flip Murray is leading one man breaks,. He flushed one of them.
Flip could have value in the open floor, if he passes as well.
Petro had a brutal +/- in Chicago and he is not very good again tonight.
Pistons 26 Sonics 21 at the end of 1 Quarter
This is the match-up of the best offense against the worst defense in the game. At times you could tell but Seattle was at least battling.
Ray Allen’s eye is still giving him problems
Danny Fortson checks in for Petro at the 2 minute mark of the Q
Petro was active in his 10 minutes
Pistons 15 Sonics 13 with 4:45 left in the 1st Quarter
Nice start by the Sonics
The Sups are really pounding the pick and roll and Petro is doing the rolling. When team double Ray Petro is being left wide open. He is missing the shots tonight, but he will get it.
The Pistons offensively look like they are toying with Seattle.
The Sonics have really laid off the offensive glass
The new running system will be successful.
Storylines
1) How good are the Pistons?
2) Can Ridnour and Allen guard Billups and Hamilton?
3) Petro and Swift night two in the line-up
Thursday, January 05, 2006
ONE NIGHT UNDER BOB HILL
What did we learn in one night under Bob Hill. What I could tell was things are going to be different. What I couldn’t tell is how much better they will be. Let me address the later first. The defense last night in the first half was terrific, but in the second half they regressed back to allowing the other team to score virtually every possession.
It was the third best defensive night of the year, but this is what gets tricky it was the less good then the last time the Sonics played the Bulls under Bob Weiss. What I really learned is the Sonics match-up well against the Bulls.
Here is what is different. Offensively, where really Seattle had a bad night, the floor will be spread and the floor will seem bigger. This is really good news for Ridnour and Flip Murray as both of them need a big floor to succeed.
The youngsters, Petro and Swift, are going to get a shot. Some nights they will commit their fouls quickly and then Fortson and Collison will have to cover other nights like last night they will get to play.
In addition, Bob Hill has a style he played in Indiana and in San Antonio and in one night is was obvious in Seattle, he doesn’t value the offensive rebound, instead he values getting back defensively. He does not want his team over committing and forcing turnovers he wants them in the paint and sealing the paint.
Lastly, this team is going to run most of the offense through Rashard Lewis.
WHAT TO DO WITH OUR MVP?
Today, Shaun Alexander was named the MVP of the NFL. Once again the clamor for the Hawks to sign Alexander to a long term deal is at a fevor pitch. It is time to put emotion aside and look at this realistically.
First, let me establish one thing. Alexander was unreal this year. Since his off year two years ago he has been brillant. He is the best player in the world right now.
Their is not anything more you can ask from him.
With that said, re-signing him to a long deal seems to defy logic.
Any deal you sign him to will be for his 29 year old season, his 30 year old season, 31 year old season, 32 year old season and most likely his 33 year old season.
We all can agree that for the 29 year old season he is likely to be terrific once again. However, what happens after that.
Here is a breakdown of all the backs in the NFL who ran the ball in the 2004 season that were either 30 or over this season. Plus, I added two interesting cases of guys who had too many carries before 30.
This year – 30 + running backs - in order of age
Corey Dillon (31)– came off a career year at 30 but at 31 fell off considerably
Warrick Dunn –(31) career best year at age 31. Martin a likely parallel.
Curtis Martin (32) – shattered every age precedent in the game until this year at 32
Marshall Faulk (32) – won the mvp at 27, good at 29, slipped at 29 and disappeared at 31.
Priest Holmes (32) – brilliant from ages 28-30. Over 380 touches each year. Done at 31.
Eddie George (32) – peak at 27 broke the carries #, slipped at 28-29 and done at 30
Charlie Garner (33) – 27-30 strong, slipped at 31 out of the league at 33
Jerome Bettis (33)– at 30 he slipped and had some bounce back at 32 but at 33 is finished and has gone from a 300 carry back to a 200 carry back if that.
Garrison Hearst (34)- died at 31
Emmitt Smith (36) – 30 he was still at his peak, slipped at 31-32 and done at 33.
Two other interesting cases
Ahman Green (28)– 2003 he carried 355 times and has not been the same production or health wise
Fred Taylor (29) – 26,27 terrific, banged up but good at 28 and major slip at 29.
These trends seem to show the Hawks can anticipate production at age 29 and 30. Then some slippage at 31 and by 32 that their will be very little left in the tank.