Seattle (14-17) vs. Detroit (25-4)

Probable Starters:
Sonics:
http://espn-att.starwave.com/i/nba/profiles/players/65x90/3717.jpg http://espn-att.starwave.com/i/nba/profiles/players/65x90/3080.jpg http://espn-att.starwave.com/i/nba/profiles/players/65x90/3275.jpg http://espn-att.starwave.com/i/nba/profiles/players/65x90/3663.jpg http://espn-att.starwave.com/i/nba/profiles/players/65x90/3106.jpg


Your Eastern Conference Champions:
http://espn-att.starwave.com/i/nba/profiles/players/65x90/3174.jpg http://espn-att.starwave.com/i/nba/profiles/players/65x90/3330.jpg http://espn-att.starwave.com/i/nba/profiles/players/65x90/3621.jpg http://espn-att.starwave.com/i/nba/profiles/players/65x90/3006.jpg http://espn-att.starwave.com/i/nba/profiles/players/65x90/3149.jpg

Mo's Keys to the game:
- Don't lose

game's tomorrow, right?

We'll kick their ass, especially if we run those Jap plays that I've been talking about.

Bob Hill is starting Radmanovic now, too.

This is the type of team that we do well against, since dribble penetration is not their strong suit.

I'd like to see us keep taking it to the hole and stop settling for so many jumpshots. Although, it's nice when they go in.

In the end, I think we'll do what we do.

Pistons win 102-89.

Reggie Evans meet the REAL Ben Wallace.

game's tomorrow, right?

Fixed the title.

Sheed should have a big game against a bunch of chumps inside. Also look for ben to get a lot of rebounds against the chuckers.

This is a Blaha game.

It's also my birthday on Saturday.

I'm pumped.

It's like having Blaha is a present just for me.

Happy Birthday GlennDanza!

Happy B-Day GDizzle

Thanks guys! I just figured out that I'll be 34, shit, that's old.


Happy Birthday GlennDanza!

Good one.

http://news.softpedia.com/images/news2/Tony-Danza-Blasts-Tom-Cruise-and-Katie-Holmes-2.jpg

happy birthday, Glenn!

Thanks I_am_me

Just for that, I'm going to share the gift of Blaha with all of you.

Now, no more happy Bday posts or we'll have to bust them out of here and make them into a "happy bday Glenn" thread. lol

Are you seriously turning 34?

From all of us here at WTF

http://www.reidbenes.com/interactive/images/standard_quad_cane2.jpg

From all of us here at WTF

http://www.reidbenes.com/interactive/images/standard_quad_cane2.jpg

LMAO.

Can I get a red one, with racing stripes?

Thanks.

PS: I sense a roll call coming on.

I'll be at the game. Anyone else?

Happy B'Day Glenn

Now make sure on the 19th you return the favour

Easy win against the Sonics IMO.

Happy B'Day Glenn

Now make sure on the 19th you return the favour
Easy win against the Sonics IMO.

Didn't know we had Brit amongst us! Look kids Big Ben.

He's actually Australian, I believe. Anyway, about the game... Is it just me or do we usually play below our level against the Sonics?

He's actually Australian, I believe. Anyway, about the game... Is it just me or do we usually play below our level against the Sonics?

Lewis usually punks Tay. Length does little good against a 6-10 guy who can post strong, shoot from 25 feet, and put in on the floor.

The Sonics..hmm. Is that the team that has like 7 small forwards and a few guards? At least we don't have to worry about a PF going off.

Pharoah is Australian. In fact, he works for the only professional basketball team down under (for those that don't know). His username on Scout (Cairns) is a dead giveaway of his country of residence.

i'm making a game prediction based on me playing espn 2k5 on my x-box against the superstar team.

Ben Wallace will have 13 points 12 rebounds 3 assists 3 blocks 2 steals

Chauncey Billups will have 18 points 1 rebound 9 assists 1 steal

Rasheed Wallace will have 24 points 10 rebounds 3 assists 2 steals 1 block

Rip will have 20 points 3 assists 1 steal

Tayshaun will have 18 points 6 assists 5 rebounds 1 steal and 1 block

Yup, us Aussies know how to spell gooder than yous Yankees.

Lewis usually punks Tay. Length does little good against a 6-10 guy who can post strong, shoot from 25 feet, and put in on the floor.

The list of people Tay can't guard is growing year by year.

It's interesting to note that not only did Bob Hill insert Radmanovic into the starting lineup, but Reggie Evans got a DNPCD last game.

He'll need Evans against us for rebounding purposes, I would imagine.

I know that some here were hoping that we might take Petro in the draft, with an attitude like this, I'm sure glad we didn't go that route. Can you imagine Petro and Darko sulking together?

This team is a mess right now, they'd probably call it a "transition", but there is absolutely no reason that we should lose this game. NONE.

Anybody got a betting line? USA Today has it off the board.

http://www.thenewstribune.com/sports/story/5440971p-4912649c.html


Hill is on the clock; so are teen centers

FRANK HUGHES; The News Tribune
Last updated: January 6th, 2006 03:00 AM (PST)

ROCHESTER, Mich. – The Seattle SuperSonics have told new coach Bob Hill that he has until the end of the season to convince the team to hire him for the long term.

At the same time, one of the first things Hill decided was that rookie Johan Petro will start at center. He also decided Robert Swift, in his second season, would get significant playing time.

The decisions seem to contradict each other in that a coach trying to win immediately would not normally tie his fate to two inexperienced, unpredictable, foul-prone 19-year-olds still learning the nuances of the game.

It would appear, at least on the surface, to be an organizational decision to protect the long-term health of the franchise.

In fact, some with ties to the franchise are speculating that Hill has made the decision to repay director of player personnel David Pendergraft, who had a hand in the hiring of Hill and who made the decisions to draft the two youngsters. (The same can be said of Vladimir Radmanovic, who Pendergraft drafted and who is now starting.)

But Hill emphatically said the decision was his and his alone. That would be in keeping with his personality, those familiar with his last NBA coaching stint (San Antonio) said, indicating that Hill did things his own way regardless of the organization, one of the things that got him in trouble with his general manager, Gregg Popovich.

“Who else am I going to play there?” Hill asked of the center position. “We were losing the other way, so why not give them a chance? You might get surprised.”

Hill said he no longer wants to match up to opponents’ strengths, as former coach Bob Weiss often did. He wants to establish consistency and a personality for the Sonics.

“I don’t want to go into every game and say we won’t start this guy because he can’t guard that guy,” Hill said. “You have to establish who you are and the strengths that you have on your team. So we will see how we do.”

The most obvious beneficiaries are Petro and Swift, who have a newfound confidence born of an assurance of playing time.

Petro hated being on the inactive list so much, Hill said, that he had begun intentionally failing to bring the proper clothes to games. That way, if he was inactive, he was in violation of the league’s dress code and had to sit in the locker room during the game. It was a form of protest.

“I have a job on the team,” Petro said. “I want to keep that job. I don’t want to come back in a week and be on the bench.”

Swift, too, looks like a player with a new attitude.

“I’m more focused on being ready for the game,” Swift said. “I don’t have to wait now for an hour before the game to learn if I am playing or not. I am not really concerned about playing time, I am more worried about not disappointing (Hill) for giving me the opportunity.”

The byproduct of those two playing more is that minutes are taken away from other players.

Vitaly Potapenko, who signed a two-year, $4.2 million deal in the offseason, said he will ask for a trade, something he has requested in the past when his minutes have been diminished.

“It’s a new coach, that’s just the way it is, he made a decision,” Potapenko said. “Nothing personal. It’s fine. But it seems like there is no place for me here. It’s just a business. So maybe it is time to move on and play someplace else.”

Potapenko said he has his eye on the Denver Nuggets, who have had discussions with the Sonics about trading Ronald Murray for Earl Watson.

If they were the principal players in a trade, the Sonics would have to include other players to match Watson’s $5 million salary, and Potapenko said he would like to be included. The Nuggets recently lost center Marcus Camby indefinitely after he had surgery on his pinkie.

“Seems like they need some bigs,” Potapenko said. “I spoke to my agent and we will see how it goes. Of course, the (Sonics) are going to do what’s good for them. Hopefully, it will work out for all of us.”

Meanwhile, Reggie Evans did not play Wednesday against Chicago in Hill’s debut game as coach of the Sonics, despite recording three double-doubles in his previous six games. Evans left practice on Thursday without speaking to reporters, but a source said his camp is convening to decide how to handle the situation.

Hill said he would like to use Evans more, but he is not certain how to do that. He may have to play Evans at center if Petro and Swift get into foul trouble, he said.

Sonics general manager Rick Sund, with the team while it practiced at Oakland University, preached patience by all his players.

“I told everybody to wait,” Sund said. “Things change because of fouls, because of injuries, because of matchups. I am not going to panic. I am going to observe things for the next couple of weeks anyway.”

Allen expected to play

Ray Allen did not practice on Thursday, sitting on the sideline wearing sunglasses after getting elbowed in the eye in the game Wednesday. Hill said Allen is expected to play tonight against the Detroit Pistons. An ophthalmologist said Allen has a bruised eye.

SUPERSONICS GAMEDAY

SEATTLE (14-17) AT DETROIT (25-4)

When: 5 p.m., The Palace of Auburn Hills.

TV: FSN. Radio: 950-AM.

Series: Seattle split two games against Detroit last season. The Sonics have lost six of seven at The Palace.

Scouting report: Sonics guard Ray Allen, who bruised his eye Wednesday, is expected to play. Danny Fortson (knee) and Vitaly Potapenko (back) did not practice Thursday and likely are out. ... This is the third game of a five-game trip. The Sonics are 1-1 so far. ... Detroit is threatening to win 70 games this season. It had won nine straight before losing last week, but is back to winning again. The Pistons have not played since Tuesday. ... Point guard Chauncey Billups is being mentioned as an MVP candidate.

No Mateen, no chance. Pistons in a rout.

No Mateen, no chance. Pistons in a rout.

you're right. no debating that point.

No Mateen, no chance. Pistons in a rout.

you're right. no debating that point.LMFAO!


116-78

I say we win by 7.

We're flat as hell tonight. We're going to have to fight and claw for a win.

No first half thoughts?

You guys suck

Ben has 12 boards already.

Billups has 10 points and 6 assists already

Tay has 10 points as well

Lewis shooting 2-6 for 5 points

Ray Allen has 14 points

And we're up 1 (45-44)

We will have a big 3rd quarter and eventually win by double digits.

I think the Pistons could keep shooting 3's.

man we have been a lil too hooked on 3-pills.

one note: Delfino=looking better every game

evans=his jumpshot is looking worse and he's only been good for a rebound or dunk.

thus Dr Del "the funky homosapien" Fino is stealing more minutes away.

also, lets go inside and somebody please start a fight with fortson to celebrate laimbeer night.

pssst. My post was sarcastic in case anyone didn't get it.

You can tell when the team is tired because they chuck like a bunch of Fatoines.

they've had a few days off.

Being tired is not an excuse for taking shitty shots

they've had a few days off.

Being tired is not an excuse for taking shitty shots

Sorry, I meant "lazy".

I've never even heard of anything like that. "Coach intereference". Wow.

What happened Q?

I can only see the boxscore tick over

hmmm i remember when bill coewler almost punched the opposing teams player while they were returning a blocked kick for a game winning td...or it might've been an int. it was against the jags i think.

What happened Q?

I can only see the boxscore tick over
coach stepped onto the court right behind rip interferring with the 3 point shot. thus it counts automatically and they get a tech free throw.

Rip was shooting a 3 on the baseline and Seattle's dumb ass coach was standing right there behind Rip ON THE COURT, didn't even bother to move all the way off the court and slightly grazed Rip as he was shooting the shot. Rip missed, but they counted the basket and called a tech. What a moron.

Well too bad for them.

Billups missed the tech though so it could have been worth 4 instead of 3

Well too bad for them.

Billups missed the tech though so it could have been worth 4 instead of 3

He hit the tech.

another win. whats the odds of us hitting the 40's in wins before our next loss?

We will have a big 3rd quarter and eventually win by double digits. :thumbleft:

Rip was shooting a 3 on the baseline and Seattle's dumb ass coach was standing right there behind Rip ON THE COURT, didn't even bother to move all the way off the court and slightly grazed Rip as he was shooting the shot. Rip missed, but they counted the basket and called a tech. What a moron.

i don't think the coach interference call got the tech. I think he earned the tech the old fashioned way once they told him the three was going to count because he's retarded.

Rip was shooting a 3 on the baseline and Seattle's dumb ass coach was standing right there behind Rip ON THE COURT, didn't even bother to move all the way off the court and slightly grazed Rip as he was shooting the shot. Rip missed, but they counted the basket and called a tech. What a moron.

i don't think the coach interference call got the tech. I think he earned the tech the old fashioned way once they told him the three was going to count because he's retarded.

No, they signaled the tech before he even realized what had been called.

Was it just me, or did no1 play worth a damn tonight except for Ben?

Rip was shooting a 3 on the baseline and Seattle's dumb ass coach was standing right there behind Rip ON THE COURT, didn't even bother to move all the way off the court and slightly grazed Rip as he was shooting the shot. Rip missed, but they counted the basket and called a tech. What a moron.

i don't think the coach interference call got the tech. I think he earned the tech the old fashioned way once they told him the three was going to count because he's retarded.

No, they signaled the tech before he even realized what had been called.

you sure? he was arguing when the ref signaled for the tech. i thought he going to get ejected as intense as he was going at it.

you sure? he was arguing when the ref signaled for the tech. i thought he going to get ejected as intense as he was going at it.

yeah, Lamb and Blaha said after the game that the apparent ruling is a tech and the shot counts. news to me too.

At first I thought rip was way out of bounds because of how close he was....But how about Blaha's line "Well sometiems you just need to settle down......and take your medicen"


ROFLMAO!

Was it just me, or did no1 play worth a damn tonight except for Ben?

It was just like the Orlando game except switch Chauncey's performance for Ben's. Lack-luster game but still won it.

Ben is a fucking machine. He eats rival teams' fans.


Ben = 13 points, 21 boards, 2 blocks. He's awsome.
Tay came through too. I love the 11 boards.

Go Pistons.



Where's the OGT for the slaughter of the Jazz?
Stevie, go get your brother to do it in Flash.

BTW....how the fuck does Utah get us on the second night of a back 2 back again? What are the odds? Actually...what are the odds that the schedule makers are a bunch of whack bitches?

Reggie Evans meet the REAL Ben Wallace.

Why are you dissing Reggie Evans?