Live From The Press Box - Sonics vs. New Jersey
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.
12th Win in the Books!
Posted at 10:00 p.m.
Despite entirely too many fouls in the last three minutes, the Sonics cruise to a 92-79 win to move to 12-2 on the young season, one of the best starts in franchise history. How good is this team right now?
Don't forget to listen to tonight's postgame show, featuring David Locke and Elise Woodward, on KJR 950 AM and the rest of the Sonics Radio Network.
Indiana Sunday
Posted at 9:56 p.m.
With Lawrence Frank taking a timeout to get his bench in the game, I don’t think it’s too early to start looking forward to Sunday’s game. Don’t look now, but the Indiana Pacers and Seattle SuperSonics square off as the best teams in their respective conferences. The suspensions suffered by the Pacers haven’t affected them much, as the Pacers have won their last three games.
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Measure of Success
Posted at 9:53 p.m.
It’s not an official statistic and you won’t find it in next year’s Sonics media guide (at least I don’ think so), but Danny Fortson just checked out of the game to a standing ovation for the third time in six Sonics home games. Or at least that’s what we thought - with Nick Collison fouling out seconds later, Fortson’s back in the game to an even louder ovation.
Squatch to Rice!
Posted at 9:48 p.m.
Montana to Rice it’s not, but the loveable Sonics mascot and the greatest receiver in NFL history hooked up to toss around t-shirts (before tossing them into the crowd) during the last timeout. Jerry did drop one - no comment on the Seahawks receiving core. Vladimir Radmanovic for three and the Sonics lead 84-64 with 4:28 to play. I don’t think the Nets can score that many points.
Big D
Posted at 9:43 p.m.
What has been the difference for the Sonics in the fourth quarter, you ask? Danny Fortson, that’s what. Fortson’s 18 points are a new season high. He’s still a long ways from his career high (26), but it’s the most points he’s scored since the 2001-02 season, when, you might recall, he averaged a double-double.
Gold for Everyone
Posted at 9:38 p.m.
It’s not just the players who are wearing gold - so is the Sonics Dance Team, wearing tops modeled after the new jerseys. They wear them better, honestly.
Lewis Sidelined
Posted at 9:35 p.m.
We’ve just been handed a note that Rashard Lewis has suffered a strained left shoulder. His return is questionable at this point. The Sonics seem to be weathering the New Jersey run, as the Nets can’t cut into the lead this quarter.
Radmanovic for Four Points, Four Points Radmanovic!
Posted at 9:33 p.m.
Seeing a couple of four-point plays in a season is pretty special. They’re quite rare in the NBA. The Sonics just got their second in as many Fridays, as Vladimir Radmanovic nailed a three while getting knocked down. Nick Collison followed with a powerful tip jam that showed he’s more athletic than you think. But the Nets have gotten some offensive confidence, and they’re staying in this one. 71-56 Sonics at the 10-minute mark.
Storey Story
Posted at 9:28 p.m.
The Nets just inserted Awvee Storey into the game for one play, which gives me the chance to talk a little bit about him. I, like some of you may, recall Storey from his time at Arizona State. After finishing up in 2002, it seemed like Storey’s career in the spotlight was finished - he wasn’t drafted and, at 6-6, would have to play the perimeter in the pros after being a low-post player with the Sun Devils. Through sheer persistence and hard work, however, Storey has made it; no matter what happens the rest of this season or his career, he’s always an NBA player. For more on Storey, check out this feature in the
Asbury Park Press.
To the Fourth
Posted at 9:25 p.m.
The Sonics found some late offense, and go to the final period holding a 63-51 lead. But given the Nets outscored them by nine in the third quarter and completely turned the momentum of the game, it doesn’t feel particularly secure.
Note That May Interest Only Me
Posted at 9:20 p.m.
Lawrence Frank has changed his rotation in a strange way today. After Zoran Planinic was removed from the starting lineup, he now appears to be entirely out of the rotation, as Jacque Vaughn got the call this quarter as the backup point guard. That decision only makes sense if Frank is playing for today - but if that’s the case, why is Nenad Krstic playing as the backup center instead of Aaron Williams, one of only two players on the New Jersey roster shooting better than 45% from the field? (The other, Awvee Storey, is a sizzling 2-for-4.)
Look, I told you up front this might only interest me.
Imposters
Posted at 9:14 p.m.
Who are you, and what have you done with the New Jersey Nets? After looking mostly lifeless in the first half, the Nets have come out playing hard to start the third quarter, and their hard work has born fruit. Already, they’ve got 16 points in the period, twice what they got in the first quarter. The Sonics haven’t been shooting particularly well all night and are really struggling right now. Lastly, New Jersey has gotten the benefit of five foul calls in this quarter, the Sonics just one. Add it up, and the Nets are within seven, 53-46, as close as they’ve been since early in the first quarter.
Nate on Hubie
Posted at 9:09 p.m.
The talk of the NBA this Thanksgiving weekend is the sudden retirement of Memphis Coach Hubie Brown, who resigned yesterday, citing health reasons. Brown’s last game as a coach was Wednesday’s 93-84 victory by the Sonics in Memphis. Brown’s Sonics counterpart, Nate McMillan, was initially surprised by Brown’s decision, but not after thinking about.
“Knowing his age, and how much I think he wants it to be right, talking to him,” McMillan said, “he probably wore himself down, just wanting to do well and really pushing those guys, pushing himself to get better.”
McMillan lauded Brown’s work during his brief time - basically two seasons - in Memphis.
“I thought he sent a message, not only to his players, but to the league, that if you discipline your team and you get your team to work hard - he had a very deep rotation that, whether they bought into or not, they accepted their roles - you can win some games,” McMillan said.
It’s a philosophy not unlike what the Sonics have done so far this season.
Nate on Injuries
Posted at 8:53 p.m.
Before tonight’s game, Nate McMillan updated the local media on the status of his team’s injured players. McMillan expects guard Ronald “Flip” Murray, on the injured list with a strained left quad, to practice tomorrow. However, McMillan maintains he wants Murray to practice “at least four or five” times before activating him. Looking at the schedule, that would probably mean getting him back for the Saturday, Dec. 4 matchup with the Portland Trail Blazers at KeyArena, but maybe not until the Sonics play at San Antonio the following Wednesday. Center Vitaly Potapenko has been cleared to begin shooting, but is still about two weeks away from returning from a broken bone in his right hand.
McMillan said he won’t hesitate to put Murray back in the rotation despite the Sonics fast start, noting that he’d like to reduce the minutes of guard Ray Allen (39.8 mpg) and forward Rashard Lewis (39.5 mpg).
At the Half
Posted at 8:41 p.m.
Nenad Krstic did a little better at the end of this quarter, splitting two free throws, but Ray Allen answers with a three and the Sonics lead 48-27 at the break. While the Nets can’t seem to figure out the Sonics offensively - their lowest two scoring halves are against Seattle - they’ve got defending Allen down. Allen has 11 first-half points, but has shot just 2-for-9 from the field. That’s only slightly worse than what the Nets (9-for-32, 28.1%) are doing as a team.
Frustration (Technical) Fouls
Posted at 8:33 p.m.
Think the Nets might be frustrated with their seven-game losing streak and a slow start tonight? Brian Scalabrine picked up a technical - after a call went his way, oddly - followed by Lawrence Frank getting Td up and having to be restrained by an assistant coach. Well, restrained is a relative term. Frank isn’t really the hardest guy in the league to hold back. Sonics lead by 20, 42-22.
Telling Stat
Posted at 8:25 p.m.
We’re halfway through the second quarter, and the Nets have one assist … as a team. How many would Jason Kidd have by now? New Jersey has had some success getting to the free-throw line in this quarter, but still can’t shoot. Leading scorer Richard Jefferson recently threw up an airball. Sonics point guard Luke Ridnour only has one assist, but it was a beauty, a no-look feed to Nick Collison for the score off glass. Luke completes a three-point play to give him seven points and the Sonics an 18-point lead, 36-18.
Football Legends
Posted at 8:18 p.m.
Officially, tonight is new jersey vs. New Jersey night. Unofficially, it’s Football Legends Night at KeyArena. Sitting on the sideline courtiside is UW legend and Seahawks broadcaster Warren Moon. Sitting on the baseline is new Seahawks receiver Jerry Rice, arguably the greatest receiver in NFL history. Since Moon is amongst the leading passers in NFL history (despite a late start to his career as he toiled in the CFL) and Rice is the leading receiver in NFL history, we’ve got a lot of yards in the house. Thanks to LFTPB celebrity spotter Steve Sloboda for the note.
Thunderous Dunk!
Posted at 8:13 p.m.
Okay, not literally - it was actually a layup by Danny Fortson. But since the Baddest Man in Pig Tails (which he’s sporting tonight) is the only NBa player I can outjump, that’s as close as he’s going to get. So, for him, it’s a big-time slamma jamma. Jumping or no, Fortson has six points after a tip-in. Nick Collison pushes the Sonics lead to 27-12 on a nice move in the lane, and Lawrence Frank takes a TO.
Fitting End
Posted at 8:09 p.m.
The New Jersey Nets play for the last shot of the first quarter, and work it to an open Nenad Krstic … who promptly throws up an airball. New Jersey finishes with eight points and trails 21-8. Naturally, that’s the Sonics season opponent low for a quarter this season. It’s even a new season low for the low-scoring Nets. In fact, it ties their all-time low for a first quarter, previously set on Feb. 12, 2003.
Wasting No Time
Posted at 8:05 p.m.
On his first play after checking into the game - to the loud applause of a sizeable crowd at KeyArena the day after Thanksgiving - Danny Fortson grabs his first rebound. He could get a lot of defensive boards tonight - the Sonics lead on the glass early, 13-8.
The New Jersey Offense
Posted at 8:00 p.m.
Not to be critical, but let’s put it this way - when you’ve got Travis Best dribbling into a 20-footer with one on the shot clock, that’s probably not a real good sign.
Gold Like the Medal
Posted at 7:55 p.m.
What’s gold and green and the hottest Thanksgiving accessory? The new Sonics alternate jersey, that’s what!
Let me tell you, that picture does not do these jerseys justice. They are a rich shade of gold. Pick yours up today at SeattleTeamShop.com, the Sonics & Storm Team Shop on the Internet.
The Sonics are playing well in gold. At the under-six media timeout, they lead it 15-5. Jerome James is off to a quick start; with six points, he’s only one of his season high.
Quick TO
Posted at 7:44 p.m.
Unfortunately, the Official NBA Guide contains no entry for fastest timeout, and it’s doubtful Lawrence Frank broke it anyways. But he did take one just 55 seconds into the game, unhappy with his team’s defense that allowed Reggie Evans an uncontested dunk for the first score.
Best Point Guard
Posted at 7:23 p.m.
We were just handed the starting lineups, and they include a mild surprise from the Nets. New Jersey will start veteran Travis Best at the point instead of second-year man Zoran Planinic, who’s started eight of 11 games this season (another veteran, Jacque Vaughn, got the call the other three games). Best has seen more playing time lately and played 25 minutes to Planinic’s 18 last night as the Nets lost to the L.A. Clippers, so this is hardly a stunner.
Signing On
Posted at 7:20 p.m.
It’s the Sonics and the New Jersey Nets tonight as the Sonics return home from one of their most successful road trips ever, a 5-1 effort that lifted them to 11-2 on the season. A few tickets are still left to see the first-place Sonics, so come on down if you’re in the house, or pull up a chair and get comfortable as we keep you updated all night long. Remember to hit refresh so you get the latest.
