Supersonics '06 Season Preview

The Supersonics will win 50+ games this year. Book that shit. Gone are the cancerous one year contracts of Radmanovich and Evans. Gone is the entertaining but ultimately counterproductive to winning play of Flip Murray. Gone is the wishy-washy, feckless, and unfocused coaching of Bob Weiss. Gone are any minutes available for Danny Fortson.

The 2005-2006 Sonics turned out to be an overgrown hedge that needed trimming. The pieces necessary for success were there, but for two-thirds of the season the team's inherent promise was obscured by talented players - emboldened by the previous year's success - abandoning the team style of play that fostered said success. To his credit GM Rick Sund has been active in separating the wheat from the chaff in assembling a lean, cap-friendly roster of team oriented players that have what it takes to return the Supes to the success of the '04-'05 season.

Rick Sund stole Chris Wilcox from the Clip show. He probably has a warrant out in LA after getting three years of Weezy for a rented half season of Vlad. Radmanovich was a nice complimentary player who unfortunately came to view himself as a second or even first scoring option. I think he actually might be able to flourish with the Lakers this next season if only because they're bereft of scoring punch save for KB8. I'm sure Floyd has talked himself into it anyways.

Not only did he steal Chris Wilcox, but Sund scored another coup in trading the completely useless duo of Vitaly Potapenko and Reggie nard puncher Evans for Earl Watson. Earl Watson provided the Sonics with the second point guard option they desparately needed after Antonio Daniels departure for Hogwarts (signing with the Wizards). If you have to explain jokes in parentheses the joke was bad. I know this and I'm leaving it in anyway.

I'm encouraged by Bob Hill's tough talk regarding the play of Rashard Lewis. To paraphrase Bob Hill he thinks that Rashard has nowhere near developed the cutthroat nature a player of his skill set should have. As stated here last year, Rashard Lewis ought to be the number one crunch time scoring option on this team. I love Ray, but Rashard can kill you from anywhere on the floor. Go big and he will drive by you or slap your filthy face with a three as you sag off. Go small and he will back your little faggot ass down on the block, wink at the cheerleaders sitting courtside, and drop a baby hook over you that will have you questioning whether or not you are actually present on the court or simply suffering through a humiliating lucid dream. Viva Rashard. He beats the odds in a crowded West front court and returns to the (Las Vegas!!) all star game this year on the back of the Sonics return to prominence. Book that too.

Back to Bob Hill. I love him. He's been through the ringer, and is the type of grizzled retread that can thrive in Seattle. Think George Karl with a far superior fashion sense and hair stylist (albeit minus the revolutionary defensive schemes). Bob Hill's coiffe is a revelation, succeeding in puttting the ancient Pat Riley to shame at his own game. Don't forget that Bob Hill would be considered one of the best coaches in the NBA had Greg "hideously acne scarred" Popovich not fired him for tanking a David Robinson-less season in San Antonio to win the right to draft Tim Duncan. Poopovich saw a situation that literally couldn't lose and kicked Bob Hill right to the Atlantic 10 and frustrating seasons coaching Smush Parker's headband.

Ray is a knows quantity and I don't need to extol his virtues. You know and I know that he is cold blooded.

Another big reason for optimism is the continued seasoning of young center sensations Johan Petro and Bob Swift. Both will be instrumental in leading the Sonics to the title of Tip Jam City in the upcoming season. Homey, it's not even worth trying to play 21 against these dudes if you plan on missing shots. You will be continually dunked back to zero, not to mention have the ball swatted across the playground with humiliating frequency. Remember last year when Bill Simmons talked about how people would give Swifty love if he got a bunch of tattoos and changed his name to Bobby? We're halfway there. Check out today's This Is Who I Am. Frankly I don't agree with the Sports Guy on the Bobby thing. Bob is more gutter.

So go ahead and deal with these Sonics. Deal with them. I'll even wait a second.












I love this team and I think Rick Sund put this together expertly. If the Sonics can get out to the fast start that has benefitted them in the past, continue to coalesce and capitalize on the chemistry provided by Watson and Wilcox, and get back to the inspired "Euroball: now featuring NBA caliber athletes" that served them so well two years ago - it could be a memorable season amongst the franchise uncertainty in the LQA. Mark these words: it's about to go down.

Note: I love the Supes so much I knocked this entry out cold in twenty minutes. One draft. Hate me.