Sonics Beat brings you the best of SUPERSONICS.COM each day. Get a quick glance at Kevin Pelton's daily coverage, David Locke's Locked On Sonics blog, audio and NBA coverage and all the access and insight that you can’t get anywhere else from the guys you know and trust to bring you Sonics and NBA news. Check back throughout the day for regular updates.
HILL PUTS TRUST IN POINT GUARDS
While fans and the media buzz about the open competition for the Seattle SuperSonics starting point guard role, Coach Bob Hill is more concerned about how to use and take advantage of both of his talented point guards. What that means at the moment is allowing Luke Ridnour and Earl Watson more freedom to direct the offense during scrimmages in training camp. "I'm trying to this year, starting from right now, give (Earl) and Luke the team more," said Hill. "Instead of me calling everything in practice, letting them start to call stuff. He's (Luke) made some good calls and I think that's a good exercise for him at this point."
Read more
NOTEBOOK
During the first three days of Seattle SuperSonics training camp, the presence of former NBA referee Mike Mathis has been impossible to miss. This is the second straight year Mathis has worked with the Sonics during camp, but whereas his role was mostly behind the scenes last October, Mathis has worked hands on this time around, refereeing the Sonics scrimmages and leading drills. Read more
LOCKED ON SONICS
New Sonics radio play-by-play broadcaster David Locke is blogging all things Sonics and NBA:
Live From Training Camp - Day 3 - Practice is already underway. Bob Hill doesn’t kid around. His practices start immediately at 10:00 if not a little early. Gordie Cheisa is taking the team through the pick and roll defense. Once again, practice is intense and on point. This is a stark contrast to last season.
FAN E-MAIL
I was wondering if you could tell me how Noel has looked so far. I know the Sonics brought him back at the end of last year and that he's a good athlete and defender. I wonder if you knew how interested they are in keeping him this year. He seems like a good hardworking player that could possible play both forward spots.
--Mathis
Noel Felix really stood out to me today during the portion of scrimmages that I was able to watch. I saw him hit a couple of face-up jumpers from about 15 feet out, which is the shot he needs to hit to be able to be an offensive threat in the NBA. He's also done a good job of rebounding the basketball and has shown some vocal leadership during the early practices.
The Sonics really love Noel's work ethic and his attitude. He's typically the first player at The Furtado Center. What's going to make it difficult for Noel to make the team is the fact that the Sonics don't really have a need at the forward position. Bob Hill has said that a third point guard is his first priority for the 13th spot on the roster, with adding a shooter as another priority. Noel doesn't fit either of those roles. However, Coach Hill has also said that if a player stands out, he'll stick regardless of position, so Noel certainly has an opportunity.
Two things to watch: Is Noel an offensive threat during the preseason games? That will be important. Second, if the new ownership group signs off on a roster of more than 13 players, that helps all the players without guaranteed contracts.
- Kevin Pelton
David Locke and the rest of the SUPERSONICS.COM experts are going around the league to preview 30 teams in 30 days. Today, the Philadelphia 76ers: "Can the 76ers emerge out of the pack of mediocrity that is the Atlantic Division to challenge the Nets for the division title?
Honestly, it seems unlikely, but if anyone is going to do it the Sixers are the team. " Read more
40TH ANNIVERSARY TEAM
Through Sunday, vote for the 90s portion of the Sonics 40th Anniversary Team. Shawn Kemp, Gary Payton and Detlef Schrempf highlight the candidates for the next three spots on the 40th Anniversary Team after Dale Ellis, Xavier McDaniel and Nate McMillan were voted in from the 80s era. Make your voice heard by voting now. Read more
Francis Williams of the Sonics broadcast team brings you the latest in local hoops:
Tacoma Community College is the site for exciting South Sound fall league high school hoops. University of Washington recruit Isaiah Thomas headlines the participants in this year's league. Read more
Bob Hill's session with the local media
