Want to enjoy the electricity of being Live at the Hardwood even if you're thousands of miles away? SUPERSONICS.COM's Live From the Press Box in-game blog is your best bet. All night and all season long, Kevin Pelton will be bringing you pregame Q&As and observations from the game. Make sure to keep coming back or refreshing so you get the latest content.
It Is a Final
Posted at 10:03 p.m.
The Sonics close out a 106-85 victory, their biggest in a home opener since a 129-101 win over the L.A. Lakers on 11/6/93. That’s a wrap from Section 214; stay tuned to SUPERSONICS.COM for Postgame Quotes and Notes later tonight.
Swift Scores!
Posted at 10:02 p.m.
Swift scores the first of many points in his NBA career by hitting the second of two free throws, drawing what might have been the largest applause of the night. An angry Peja Drobnjak answers with a three. Big Man for Three!
Swift!
Posted at 9:58 p.m.
With 2:19 left to play, Robert Swift makes his long-anticipated KeyArena debut and gets a loud round of applause from the crowd. Anthony “Pig” Miller, also checking in at the same time for the Hawks, gets a significantly quieter hand. The Sonics immediately feed the big man, whose pass to a cutting Antonio Daniels is knocked away. Swift, at 18 the fourth-youngest player in the league, briefly matches up with the 42-year-old Willis, the NBA’s oldest player. No word yet on whether Swift asked Willis what playing was like in the days before color TV.
Block of the Year
Posted at 9:51 p.m.
Well, it is only two games, but Rashard Lewis going way up to return Kevin Willis’ shot to sender is going to be tough to beat. Lewis is now at 23 points and over 20 for the second straight game. Willis showing no signs of fatigue and is still playing hard, getting to the free-throw line. Where is Swift?
Don’t Call it a Comeback
Posted at 9:49 p.m.
Because it isn’t. The Hawks score five straight … and still trail by 18. The crowd may not be chanting, “We want Swift!” with reference to the Sonics first-round pick, but you know they’re thinking it. Two Danny Fortson free throws push the lead back to 20 with five minutes to play.
Toine
Posted at 9:40 p.m.
Antoine Walker has about the most fascinating stat line possible. Through three quarters, Walker has 20 points and seven rebounds – but he’s missed 12 shots and committed six turnovers. A triple-double with the TOs is not out of the realm of possibility. Reggie Evans checks back in needing one board for a double-double. Sonics lead by 20 and seem to have it on cruise control.
Sunday Sunday Sunday
Posted at 9:32 p.m.
Plenty of time left in this game, but a quick reminder that Brent Barry returns to Seattle Sunday with the San Antonio Spurs, who are a trendy pick to win this year’s Championship. You can get tickets for the 5:00 tip-off
right now!
Big Night, Big Tie
Posted at 9:28 p.m.
My boss tells me I’m going to be docked a week’s pay if I don’t mention that Sonics assistant coach Bob Weiss has broken out the so-called stoplight tie, as it is known in Sonics circles. It’s a series of multi-hued circles cascading from top to bottom. Weiss uses the tie in Dressing For IR Success 101. Vlade Radmanovic gives the Sonics an 11-point lead, their largest of the night, with a layup. Antonio Daniels extends it to 13 as he breaks into the clear for a layup. Atlanta badly needs a run before the end of the quarter, but it doesn’t come. Ray Allen scores at the buzzer and the Sonics take a 79-64 lead to the fourth period. Squatch rocks the drums between quarters.
Like Father, Like Son
Posted at 9:17 p.m.
Striking resemblance, isn't it?.
Andy Lyons (L)/Robert Laberge (R)/Getty Images
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This much we know - Sonics rookie swingman Damien Wilkins is a spitting image of his father, Gerald, as the above photo proves. When you consider that Sonics in-arena Friday Night Live emcee James Parker could serve as a double for Gerald if the latter shaved his head, I don't know about anyone else, but I'm pretty confused. I managed to get my bearings straight enough to talk to Gerald before the game, and he couldn’t be more excited to watch his son tonight.
Gerald runs a business called PREP (Players Returning to Educate Players), a development and education program that teaches players the NBA game. After completing his college career at Georgia, Damien enrolled in the advanced version of the program, a big reason Wilkins has had such an impressive summer and fall. Wilkins says he would be interested in a position with an NBA team, though he’s happy doing what he’s currently doing.
Can You Count to Five?
Posted at 9:10 p.m.
The Sonics just forced a five-second inbound violation, one of my favorite things to see. When a team forces a five-second vio before the final minutes of the game, you know they’re working hard. Also, my apologies to Reggie Evans. After my comments before, he’s had a dunk and a three-point play to get to 11 points. Can you smell a double-double? (Did You Know: Reggie did not have a double-double all last year.)
He's a Fighter, Not a Lover
Posted at 9:06 p.m.
Reggie Evans throws up an airball on his first of two free-throw attempts, then hits number two. That's okay, Reggie. You're here to rebound (game-high-tying seven so far). We'll let Ray Allen shoot the free throws.
'Nique In the House
Posted at 9:05 p.m.
Wilkins has made a successful transition to the front office.
Scott Cunningham/NBAE/Getty
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Nine-time NBA All-Star Dominique Wilkins was named Vice President of Basketball for the Hawks in March and is a minority investor in the team. But Wilkins has more than the Hawks on his mind tonight - he's watching his nephew play an NBA game for the first time. (Well, Wilkins has played before, but not with Dominique watching.) The Human Highlight Reel took some time out of his busy schedule earlier to chat with SUPERSONICS.COM.
Your title is Vice President of Basketball, which is pretty vague. What do you do for the Hawks?
Wilkins: I am the Vice President of Basketball Operations as well as a part owner. I wear a lot of different hats with the organization – I work both sides of the business. I do a lot of analyzing players with coaches on the basketball side, I give a lot of advice. On the business side, I do a lot of things such as sponsors, business deals. I do a lot of different things.
Are you excited about the direction of the Hawks under the new ownership group?
Wilkins: Yeah. I think it’s going to happen in steps. Right now, we’re trying to build instead of rebuild on what we have with our core pieces. Right now, we have to add more pieces with that.
Are you surprised that so many players from your generation are in basketball management now?
Wilkins: I’m not surprised. It’s something that I think should have happened a long time ago, because ex-players know this game. We know this game. No one could ever dispute or debate that. We’ve been professionals all our lives.
What kind of edge is that?
Wilkins: The thing is, when you’re an ex-player and you’re in the front office or a general manager, players relate to you. I think a lot of times, you get more respect that way as an ex-player coming in, because guys can’t snow you. We’ve done what they’re trying to do.
How exciting is it to watch Damien tonight?
Wilkins: Oh, man. Look, he’s an NBA player. He’s going to be around this league for a long time. I think he’s with the right team. Sometimes, things happen for a reason. You’ve got to cherish those moments, but you’ve still got to work hard and continue to learn the game. He will do that.
To the Half
Posted at 8:45 p.m.
The Sonics head to the locker room with a 53-46 lead and some pretty good momentum after Rashard Lewis closed the first half with a follow tip dunk to give him 13 points in the first half. Lewis and Ray Allen combine for 31 of the Sonics 53 points.
Off the Schneid
Posted at 8:40 p.m.
Luke Ridnour gets his first field goal of the season on a second-chance jumper from the left baseline (thank you, Reggie Evans, who pulls down his team-high sixth rebound). Let’s see if that doesn’t get Luke going. He’s a better shooter than Wednesday night’s 0-for-8 performance. Reggie is now at the line after drawing a loose-ball foul. Evans splits the two free throws. Wow! Incredible rejection by Jerome James on Hawks rookie Josh Smith!
Important Three Minutes
Posted at 8:35 p.m.
Not to get all Doug Collins on you, but watch how the Sonics finish the first half. At the under-three media timeout with 2:57 to play, they lead by five, 46-41. If they can push the lead to double-digits, it will feel a lot more insurmountable. On the other hand, if the Hawks rally to tie, they’ll go into halftime feeling good. Incidentally, Ray Allen leads the Sonics with 18 points. And here’s a suggestion for when you’re at the game – if you’re not related, go ahead and Kiss the Girl when the timeout promotion is going on. It will save you a lot of booing. Who needs that?
The Drobber Returns!
Posted at 8:30 p.m.
Big man for three!
Joe Murphy/NBAE/Getty
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Former Sonics center Peja Drobnjak is making his only trip to Seattle all season. Drobnjak is with his third franchise since leaving the Sonics last October, having been dealt from the L.A. Clippers to Charlotte and then on to Atlanta, where he's backing up at center. SUPERSONICS.COM sat down with the KeyArena fan favorite before the game for a few quick questions on life with the Hawks.
How are things with the Hawks so far?
Drobnjak: It’s good. I’ve just been there a month for training camp and the start of the season. We’re only the second game. It’s pretty good.
Do you like your opportunity?
Drobnjak: It certainly could be good. It’s a new team, basically a new team, because there’s just two players from last year. We need to catch up with everything, adjust to each other.
Does it mean anything being the first player in Charlotte Bobcats history? (Drobnjak was acquired in a trade with the L.A. Clippers the day before the Expansion Draft.)
Drobnjak: No. It’s just paperwork. What else can it mean to me except I was technically the first player in Bobcats history?
Does it mean something special to come back to Seattle?
Drobnjak: Yeah, I really like Seattle. I like the city and there was a great chance for me here three years ago. It was really nice here and they were great guys, great staff, everything. It was a really nice opportunity for me and I got it and used it.
Did you feel you were more of a fan favorite here than with the Clippers?
Drobnjak: Yeah. Last year, I’d have liked to stay in Seattle but things happen. You know how things work in the NBA.
Don’t forget to check out the Drobnjak’s Manjaks page! Whoa, is that a second three-point play for the Drobber? He’s in his element!
Trophy Love
Posted at 8:22 p.m.
Seattle Storm Head Coach Anne Donovan just got a nice standing ovation from the crowd as she lofted the Storm’s Championship trophy high above her head. Just before that, a video commemorating the run to the title got things a little dusty in Section 214.
Nice Start
Posted at 8:15 p.m.
Rookie swingman Damien Wilkins checks in for the first home minutes of his career, and immediately scores a layup when Vladimir Radmanovic steals the ball in backcourt and sends it over to him. Congrats, Damien! (More on him later.)
The Shimmy
Posted at 8:10 p.m.
With a minute and a half left in the first quarter, Antoine Walker dusts off the shimmy for the first time. He ends the quarter with seven points, but Ray Allen has 13 and the Sonics a 26-23 lead.
Fortson Sighting
Posted at 8:05 p.m.
Danny Fortson, who was questionable tonight after missing the opener with a sore back, is in the lineup and making his Sonics debut. He quickly grabs his first regular-season rebound. Yeah, he’s good at that.
Uh, oh, Hawks
Posted at 7:48 p.m.
Is Ray Allen getting hot? Seven points already. Al Harrington stems the momentum with a dunk.
Welcome Back, Welcome Back, Welcome Back
Posted at 7:50 p.m.
What could inspire Ray Allen to sing the “Welcome Back, Kotter” theme in the Sonics locker room pregame? The return of guard Mateen Cleaves, that’s what. After an MRI on Ronald “Flip” Murray’s strained quad revealed continued swelling, the Sonics decided to place him on the injured list.
“We couldn’t have just two point guards on the roster,” Nate McMillan explained, so the team re-signed Mateen Cleaves. Fortunately, they didn’t have to go far to find him – Cleaves was still staying at a local hotel, trying to decide his next move after being waived last Thursday.
“I knew I was very close to making the team,” Cleaves said. “That let me know that if something happened, I’d probably be one of the first guys they brought back.”
Lots of Firsts ...
Posted at 7:48 p.m.
And we have the season's first defensive three-second violation on the Sonics. Kenny Anderson hits the free throw.
You Know It's Opening Night When ...
Posted at 7:40 p.m.
... there are drummers, a band, a choir and a balancing act all on the court at the same time. The Sonics roster is in the process of being introduced, and it includes a surprise - guard Mateen Cleaves, signed earlier today when Ronald "Flip" Murray was placed on the injured list. We'll have more on that move later. The starting lineup also holds a surprise, as Antonio Daniels has replaced Luke Ridnour as the Sonics starting point guard. He's joined by Ray Allen in the backcourt with Rashard Lewis, Reggie Evans and Jerome James up front. (
Whoops - turns out the starting lineup they handed the media is wrong; Ridnour is starting.) Kenny Anderson, Boris Diaw, Al Harrington, Antoine Walker and the ageless Kevin Willis get the call for the Hawks.
Signing On
Posted at 7:25 p.m.
I'm safely in Section 214 and ready to start blogging. We are literally minutes away from the start of the 2004-05 season as the National Anthem is performed by Leah LaBelle of
American Idol fame. There are still a few tickets remaining, so cruise on down if you're nearby. If not, pull up a seat and make sure to keep hitting refresh so you get the most current content.
