So people are a little fired up about the Ray Allen placement. I had Ray at 18. Francis had him at 20 and Pelton had him at 22. Yet, I find myself agreeing with the criticism of Ray not being high enough on the ranking. Specifically to the Paul Pierce argument, I like the way Pierce goes to the free-throw line more than Ray. I believe he is a better defender, but he has slipped in that area. However, I can’t disagree that in a late-game moment I would rather have Ray on the floor and maybe that is the real issue. As good a scorer as Pierce is, he is not capable of going off like Ray has in so many quarters this year. I guess what I am saying is, Cody, you may have been right.

Most of the other guys on my list ahead of Ray are bigs. I believe in the value of the big man and what they do on the both ends of the floor with their length. Jermaine O’Neal should be the defensive player of the year this year and Chris Bosh is a pretty terrific talent.

Ray is one of my favorites to watch in the game. He is equally as good off the floor as he is on the floor. Maybe this is the classic example of you are toughest on those closest to you. I can tell you I love that Ray is wearing Green and Gold and I get to watch him every night.

Issue #2 – Rashard’s placement

This was very interesting because we all had Rashard ranked around the same area. I had Rashard at 30, Pelton had him at 33 and Franics at 34.

There is a group of players, including Rashard, that I found very similar and hard to place. The group was Rashard, Lamar Odom, Josh Howard, Richard Hamilton, Luol Deng, Tayshaun Prince and Caron Butler.

What would your order of that group be? Odom is the best talent of that group, but would I want him on my team before the others? I went with Hamilton, Howard, Lewis, Odom, Deng and Butler.

I believe that Hamilton and Howard have that extra little winning element that the others haven’t proven yet.

Rashard has improved defensively a good deal this year and I may not have given him enough credit for that. Offensively, Rashard could be the best of that group, his range giving him the edge over Hamilton. Rebounding is the one area where Rashard slips behind some of the others.

Issue #3 – Who is #1
I went Nash. My cohorts went Wade. After watching Wade dominate the fourth quarter over the past month I can’t really disagree. However, when I saw the Suns without Nash I felt totally comfortable with my choice.

What jumped out at me was the move down by LeBron. When we did the list last year he was No. 1 or 2 on all the lists and as of the All-Star break he is fifth at best and I had him at seventh.

Issue #4 -- We are crazy (General Criticsm/Debate)

He wasn’t on my list, so talk to the other two bozos. I had Howard 10 slots lower than Francis and Kevin, which might be one of the largest margins in the top 30.

Howard will be great. I am not sure he is yet. The Magic play better when he is off the floor, which is shocking. He has a big turnover problem and has no low-post game at this time.

Bottom line: Howard can’t carry a team as a No. 1 guy yet and everyone in the top 20 can do that, for the most part.

Yes, he may be a moron for having Dampier 60th on his list, but since I had him 66th, where does that leave me? Never underestimate the value of a 7-footer.

In each of the last two years the Nuggets have been a better team with Carmelo on the bench than on the floor. Until that changes he is not going to be rated any better on my list than 30th. Right now he is a scorer who doesn’t help his team win. I think Caron Butler is bringing more to his team than Melo, so that is the reason.

Okafor is still a poor offensive player. You can’t run the game through him the way you can with Zach. Okafor is a great defensive player and that is why he is rated as high as he is, but for all of his defaults Zach was averaging 25-10 for most of the season. You can give Zach the ball and you can’t give it to Emeka. Bottom line difference.

The list is about where they stand today, not where they will be history. Allen’s teams have won all year. Philly is no worse without out him and Denver is no better.

Francis has him at 100, I had Nick at 95. Again, this is about where they are today. If Nick can do this for the rest of the year, he will be at a higher number when the season ends. Thirty days does not make a player. Also, be careful about numbers for a player on a team that isn’t winning. That is why I left Al Jefferson off my list, because his 10-10 comes on a losing team. Nick made my list for the way he plays, not his numbers. He helps you win.

This brings up a great question: If Yao hadn’t gotten hurt, where would he have been on the list? He was close to the best player in the league until the injury. As I said earlier, I think the James slide is the most interesting. Truly, if push came to shove, I think we might all agree Kobe is No. 1.

After watching the Suns without Nash the other night, I might just agree with you. Except I hold to Nash at No. 1. Don’t discount all the things Marion does to a game.

Keep the comments coming.

Flipping the Tables on the Injured
Posted on February 14 | permalink

This game changed from the tip-off when the Suns were without Steve Nash. It is a good reminder to all of us that even the best in the league struggle when they are missing one of their top players. Detroit played poorly without Chauncey Billups and the Suns have now lost three in a row without Steve Nash.

The teams in the next tier down have collapsed this season when they lost their #1 guy. Boston just broke the fourth-longest losing streak in NBA history because they were without Paul Pierce. Memphis had their season collapse in the opening month without Pau Gasol.

It is a reminder that what we have gone through this season is universal around the NBA. When you lose one of your top players the rest of the team is placed under too large a burden.

Specifically to this game, the highlight was the play of Nick Collison. Nick’s explosion started against Phoenix a little over a month ago when he notched 29 points and 21 rebounds. Tonight, he outplayed Amaré Stoudemire again.

“I don’t know what to say about Nick," said Coach Hill after the game. "I am flabbergasted."

Nick’s rise is quite a story. As Francis, Pelton and I fill out our Top 100 players in the NBA, which will be released on Friday, all of us have had to revise our lists and include Nick.

After the game, Steve Nash was meeting with the Canadian fans that came to the game, about 600, and he was talking about playing in the NBA and the talent he sees every night. He highlighted tonight’s performance by Ray Allen, calling it “beautiful.”

Ray’s third quarter, when he scored 17 points against Raja Bell was awesome. Bell is as tough as any guard in the NBA defensively. Allen just went at him and won. He hit a shot in that run when he put a one-on-one move on Bell that dropped the house. Listen to what Ray said after the game about the move. It leaves no doubt it was a good one. Ray finished with another 30-point-plus night - 31, to be exact.

Before the game I talked with Clay Bennett. We talked about three areas of the arena situation, the arena itself, the funding and what we can do as fans.

He told us to e-mail and write letters to our legislators to show support. Time to start typing.

Have a good All-Star break. Be sure to check the Top 100 when it is released on Friday. I will be in Utah for the break and off the blog. Think snow and have a good time and I'll see you on Tuesday.

I Think This is a No-Brainer
Posted on February 14 | permalink

Let me make one thing clear: I am biased on this issue. I love hoops. I want the Sonics and Storm to be a part of my children’s lives. I believe professional sports are an integral part of a community and that they often define a community. Finally, I love the Puget Sound and I want to live and work in the Puget Sound.

With that disclaimer aside, I am mystified that this is not a no-brainer for the legislators.

Here are some unbiased facts:

With all of that said, I am mystified at why this is contentious. However, it is and WE NEED TO ACT. Legislators have told people that they react to the e-mails and letters they receive. Some of have told Clay Bennett that they don’t think there is any support for the arena. Let’s get going. An e-mail or letter a day - let’s get going and tell these people that it matters and it makes sense.

Strong in Numerous Ways
Posted on February 12 | permalink

From a big-picture standpoint, the response to the Kings run in the fourth quarter when Kevin Martin’s three brought Sacramento to within two tops the list. ARCO Arena was going nuts. The Kings thought they had the game and the Sonics came out of the timeout and regained control.

The Kings never took the lead during their run. While Ray’s left-corner three was the biggest shot of all, there were numerous other plays in that run made by other players that made the surge very impressive.

The obvious difference is the presence of Rashard Lewis. Lewis got back in the flow in his second game with a 20-point, 10-rebound performance. Almost everyone on the team had a strong night. Is that because Rashard’s return makes everyone else life easier? Or was this one of those nights when everything clicked? That is the great unknown.

That said, it can never underestimated how much it matters to have everyone back in the rightful spot in the basketball universe. When Rashard is not on the floor then you are asking someone else on the roster to be the #2 man and none of the Sonics are currently ready for that burden. It continues down the line, that someone is being to asked to be the #3 and a #4 and each player is being asked for a little more then they are comfortable delivering.

This is why winning road games when you are missing one of your studs is almost impossible. Look around the league and see what happens to a team when they are missing their number one or number two guy. Miami was below .500, Phoenix is struggling, Boston hit rock bottom; the list is endless.

Last night, the Sonics got strong performances from both Luke and Earl at the point. Earl made two huge bounce-back plays. Inside a game there are plays that quell the other team's momentum. I call those “bounce-back plays.” Earl had a huge one in the second quarter and came through again in the fourth.

Luke set the tone in the first quarter with an aggressive, take-charge approach.

This league is about going from the outhouse to the penthouse. This is what makes it so mentally trying for young players. Andre Brown following up his tough outing in Washington with a game-winning performance in Indiana is a classic example. Johan Petro did the same from Saturday to Sunday.

At times on Saturday, I wondered if Bob Hill could afford to play Johan and then he was fantastic last night. He was very good offensively and he moved well defensively. Most importantly, he rebounded. Kevin Pelton looked at this issue in more depth.

Finally, for much of the night Chris Wilcox was the best player on the floor. When he is hitting the free throw line jumper he is terrific offensively. He may be the one who will flourish the most with Rashard back in the line-up. It was too much to ask Chris to be the #2 every night. Now he can play off the two studs and be more comfortable.

Individually and mentally as a group, the win in ARCO was very impressive.

No Glove for Rashard?
Posted on February 11 | permalink

Looking to Change the Cards - No More Kings
Posted on February 11 | permalink

The Sonics have lost five straight to the Kings. It is fair to say this is a bad matchup for the Sonics. The Kings weakness is post size and the Sonics are unable to take advantage of that with a post game from either Collison or Wilcox. The Kings perimeter players were very physical last night, powering by our guards into the lane. This is where Seattle really struggles with the Kings.

If things are going to turn tonight, the Sonics post defenders need to work in concert much better than they did last night. Sacramento is going to get penetration off the dribble which is going to force one of the bigs to come help on the ball. The other has to do a solid job of helping that big. The Sonics didn’t do that last night.

I also think Rashard is going to have to play some power forward. Johan is really struggling and when the Sonics go to the bench after Collison and Wilcox, they aren’t getting much production. Therefore, Rashard is going to have to play some of those post minutes.

Effort will be the other issue playing in a tough building. As always, focus for 48 minutes on the road will be vital.

This is a belief game for the Kings. They have won five in a row. I have mentioned belief wins all year and this is the Kings chance to get on a role and believe they are a better team then they might be.

The Answers to Your Big Questions
Posted on February 7 | permalink

Issue #1 – How did we get to this point?
The Sonics currently have the fourth-worst record in the NBA and all of us are shocked by this. So how did it happen?

Lots of different issues have converged for this to happen. Injuries do top the list as the Sonics have now played 30-plus games in a row without one of their two big guns and that is a huge burden.

The numerous close game losses ripped the confidence away from this team and they have never been able to get a string going that allows them to regain that confidence. Fifteen games this year are in the “could have” category for the Supes.

More importantly, what has been learned is that none of the players on the roster were ready to take another step in their game to fill the void that was left by Allen or Lewis. The Sonics complementary players are still working on their games and some of them may have already reached the peak of their NBA status.

In retrospect, we should have anticipated Chris Wilcox having an inconsistent year in his first year as a starter. Never before in his career has he had to play with the burden of performance. In addition, as excited as we are about the development of Swift (before the injury) and Petro, they are still mid- to late-first-round picks who are yet to turn 20. History says that it takes those players time to develop, understand and mature.

The roster was not built to withstand these injuries. The teams that are able to cope with injuries are the teams that have a veteran presence coming off the bench. That means more than just experience, but players who have established NBA performance history coming off the bench. The Sonics roster has Watson, a bona fide backup guard, coupled with Wilkins, Gelabale and Petro. The later three are still discovering their game and their roles in the NBA.

Cohesiveness has also been an issue. Losing may create this, but when guys have been moved in and out of the lineup they have been petulant rather than adaptive. That comes with maturity.

Issue #2 – What will happen at the trade deadline?
I will be really surprised if we see a big move from the Sonics. What took place last year is the exception to the rule.

Moreover, some larger picture issues need to be resolved about where the team is heading and what the vision will be for the future. Clay Bennett’s ownership group took over this team on opening day. It means the timing of everything is way out of whack.

This is no one’s fault, but it is the reality. The new ownership group hasn’t had any opportunity to determine what the direction or culture of this basketball team is going to be.

To me it seems that needs to be determined before making moves at the deadline. It almost seems unfair to have to take over a team on opening day and then have to endure a season before putting your stamp on the franchise. Think about how different it would be if they had taken over in April or May.

Issue #3 – How much will Rashard’s return help the team?
In one sense immeasurably; to have another player on the floor whose production can be written down in ink will change this team. It will add consistency.

Of all the players I think will be helped the most I really believe it could be Mickaël Gelabale. Now Gelabale will always be on the floor with either Ray or Rashard. Look for Coach Hill to use Gelabale as both the backup to Ray and Rashard. In practice yesterday it was obvious that Gelabale will have more room to cut and move, which is his strength. Ray and Rashard will both be able to find him. Everyone's life gets easier when the defense has to focus elsewhere.

Earlier this year Doc Rivers made a great point about his club. He said when the Celtics are injured, teams are able to prepare by looking at their weaknesses and how they are going to exploit those. When Boston has a full complement, they have to prepare to stop their top guys.

I would also anticipate a change in the substitution patters. Right now Ray is forced to play the entire first quarter and he would rather take a rest in the first quarter. This will likely return when Rashard comes back on Saturday.

The only issue that may override some of this is the mental makeup of the Sonics. The losing is wearing on these guys and they are a very fragile group. When things start to slip this group is having a hard time bouncing back and Rashard won’t be able to do that himself.

Issue #4 – How real is Nick Collison’s performance?
Nick has most definitely turned a big corner in his career. Nick is grabbing tough rebounds. He is hitting shots. He has adapted to what other teams are doing and he is altering his approach around the basket. Watch how Nick makes plays in traffic and how he is using one arm instead of two to add length.

Nick is a winner. It sounds funny, but it is hard to find winners. Everyone talks it, but how many guys truly are willing to give up themselves and how many guys are truly willing to do the things that are tough?

The only area I would put some caution in Nick’s play is that every game in the NBA has 90 points and 40 rebounds. It is just about a guarantee that every game, no matter how a team plays, has 90/40. Therefore, someone has to get those points and rebounds. It is what makes evaluating players on losing teams so difficult. The key is to watch what types of plays Nick is making. Is he rebounding in traffic, hitting shots tough shots, etc.?

The question that has been answered about Nick is that he is a core post player for any team in the NBA. What is not answered is if he is regular starter or a go-to player.

Issue #5 – Who should play the point, Luke or Earl?
This is going to change again as Luke will get the start in Indiana.

I personally think Luke is the answer for the starting point guard. I also believe Earl is the perfect backup point guard for the Sonics. Some nights he will play 30 minutes and sometimes he will play 18 minutes. Some nights he will finish the game and some nights he won’t.

In addition, Earl is pretty well established in regards to who he is as a NBA player. Luke, on the other hand, is still developing. I don’t know what is in Luke’s future and how good a player he will become. His improvement with the shot is encouraging. But what is clear is that Luke has a chance to be the Sonics long term starter and thus should start now.

The last two weeks also taught us that the team performs terribly with Luke coming off the bench with Johan and Damien. It leads me to believe that Luke needs to be on the floor with the better players. Earl's style allows him to create himself a bit more.

I hope that answers your questions. Please send me questions at Sonics Access via SUPERSONICS.COM.

The New Guy
Posted on February 6 | permalink

Rashard Lewis is practicing today. But with yin comes yang and Ray Allen is sitting out of practice because of a bone spur on his foot. He was limping very noticeably last night going to the plane and coming into the hotel.

Rashard is wearing a protective glove on his right hand. He is concerned about how it is going to affect his jump shot. From what I have seen he is having no problem.

Rashard ran the offense with Luke, Gelabale, Nick and Wilcox today. The team was running through the skeleton plays and Hill called “Fist out three,” which is a side pick-and-roll for Rashard. He followed that with, “We haven’t called that in 25 games.”

Everyone is having fun with the “new” guy who is out on the floor.

Ra had a nice post move in the left block. It was a nice reminder of how he brings an element that has been lacking. Ra is taking most of the shots in the scrimmage. He also had a nice defensive play where he blocked the shot of a driving player. I haven't seen anything where he is scared to use the hand. I am not sure his dribble control is as good with the brace.

Last night’s game was about the final 1:12 of the third quarter. The Wizards had started their run much earlier to come back from down 12, but if the Sonics could have closed the third quarter well then they would have been in a battle for the fourth quarter.

Instead, a 9-0 meltdown put them down nine by the time the fourth quarter started and that is more than this team was able to overcome.

The score was tied at 79 when former Sonics center Calvin Booth got a open dunk and the Wiz took the lead. A turnover by Ray led to an open-floor opportunity for Butler to make it a four-point game. Then Andre Brown got the ball in the post and traveled.

This left the Wiz with the final possession of the quarter - or what should have been the final possession. Instead, after Blatche got a second-chance bucket to put the Wiz up six, Brown threw a poor outlet inbound pass that Caron Butler alertly stepped in front of with enough time to pull up from three and nail the shot.

Just like that, the Sonics were down nine. Ballgame.

To win on the road there has to be a 48 minute focus. Bob Hill called it “winning basketball.” The lack of depth jumps out as well as that the key decision-maker in two of these plays was Andre Brown, a D-League call-up still finding his way in the NBA.

Brrrr in D.C.
Posted on February 5 | permalink

I am excited to see Gilbert Arenas tonight. Luckily, we aren’t on his revenge tour. Arenas is everything this league needs. He is a character. He is willing to go out on the edge. He has a little WWE to him. It is good to have that personality in the NBA.

On the plane out to D.C., Bob Hill and I chatted for a portion of the flight. The conversation never touched basketball. Instead, we talked about religion and faith. The conversation moved to favorite movies, best movie lines, raising kids, and circled back to heaven and reincarnation. Sometimes that is the best part of this job - talking about real life issues.

Mike Wilks had an extra copy of Barack Obama’s book, Audacity of Hope, and I am currently reading that. I was a Political Science/Sociology major and he does a nice job of giving insight into what is to be a politician. I also really found the chapter titled "Faith" terrific. I would suggest it for anyone to read. He does a good job of not shoving his policy beliefs down your throat.

I also wanted to share a conversation I had with Gordie and Jack. If you have watched the Jazz this year, Carlos Boozer is terrific at ripping the ball away in the post. If you recall, Karl Malone was as well. So I asked Gordie if this was a coincidence or if Utah taught it.

He told me it is taught. They teach that with your off hand (your other is marking the ballhandler) rather then having it out and wide they teach to have it down and ready to hit up on the ball. Too often players hit down and that will always get you called for a foul. The Jazz teach to hit up on the ball.

On another note, Jack was talking about Collison and one of the reasons for his improved play. He has learned to go for rebounds with one arm and bring the ball back in rather than lunging for it with two arms outstretched. The one-arm grab gives you another two or three inches of reach and, if you bring it the rebound in quickly, then you have it at a stronger position. If you recall earlier this season Nick was having a lot of balls ripped out of his hands.

Keep an eye on that if you are watching KC and Lenny. I will try to make mention of it on a rebound on the radio broadcast.

Hope you enjoyed the Super Bowl and let’s see if we can break the streak tonight.

Another Close Game Slips Away
Posted on February 2 | permalink

The Sonics drop to 7-14 without Rashard with tonight's loss to Chicago and six of those games were decided in the fourth quarter. Tonight, the need for Rashard was again evident. When the Sonics went away from Ray in the fourth quarter, they got nothing, missing six shots in a row after the game was tied at 97.

The Sonics attempted to go to Nick Collison twice in the post and got no dividends. Collison was guarded by P.J. Brown, who is still one of the best post defenders in the NBA.

Kirk Hinrich's defensive work tonight was amazing. I would put him on the top of my list of people who extend the most amount energy in a game. His offensive numbers are good, but they are hurt by the effort he puts out on the defensive end of the floor. Hinrich is undervalued in the NBA.

Ray scored 29 points, but it took him 28 shots to get those points. That is a tribute to the Bulls defense, which forced him to put the ball on the floor more than most teams have this season.

The Sonics now head on the road to try to break the road losing streak in Washington and Indiana.

Going to the Mailbag
Posted on February 1 | permalink

Question #1 from JR King: If we continue the way we are playing and end up with one of the four worst records and get a top-three pick, who would you draft -- Oden, Noah or Durant? What would you do with the current situation at 4/5?

Honestly, I haven’t seen enough of those guys to give a definte answer. According to the scouts I have talked to, Oden would make the most immediate impact because he is a defensive enforcer. Obviously, I missed Durant last night since we played, but after his performance how could you consider passing on him? Noah has the title, and one of the toughest skills to find in the NBA is winning. I will try to keep a closer eye on the Top 10 guys.

Question #2 from James B.: Is a blockbuster trade on the horizon such as last year? Oh, by the way, my starting five is Allen, Gelabale, Collison, Wilcox and Lewis.

Blockbuster trades are hard to come by and last year, when all the deals got done at the deadline, was rare. With that said some interesting names are on the trading block. I know for a fact that last summer the Sonics went after three guys -- Marion, Gasol and Kirilenko. Gasol and AK-47 are on the block again. What would you be willing to move to get one of those guys? Would you be willing to move either of the big two or the draft choice? That is where the other teams are going to start the conversations.

The Sonics still hope to extend Rashard’s deal and Rashard has said he wants to stay in Seattle. Seems like it would take a major breakdown in those discussions before someone pulls the trigger on moving Rashard.

In regards to the lineup it is too early to make Gelabale play the point. Eventually, I love the idea or at least running that lineup out for stretches. I would agree those five seem to be our best five players. Make sure you catch Gelabale on the Locker-Room show this week.

Question #3 from Gary in Bellingham: David, I know Ray Allen is a great shooter, BUT, this isn't working. I want him on the team, but unless he starts looking for other players, they won't step up. He wants them to step up and make some shots, how can they when he takes 70 percent of the shots? Does he expect everyone else to shoot 100 percent? He is only shooting 45 percent from the field and 34 percent from 3-point range. All the guys on the team can shoot that percentage. I recall a win the Sonics had shortly after Ray returned in which he had 21 points, shot over 50 percent from the field, had 11 assists and they won the game. Wow, what a concept. He is an incredible shooter, but if Luke would come down and shoot that many times he eventually would be hitting shots, too.

Well, Gary, losing streaks will do remarkable things to people and in your case, it means you have lost your mind. Laugh with me, Gary. You are barking up the wrong tree when you are being critical of Ray Allen. Moreover, Ray is one of the most efficient offensive players in the NBA. For the month of January he shot 48 percent and hit 43 percent of his threes. Not to mention he set his career-high in assists one night. Sorry, Gary; wrong tree, wrong idea. Try again next time.

Keep the mail and comments coming or feel free to add onto any of these.