Live From The Press Box - Sonics vs. San Antonio
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It’s Over
Posted at 9:18 p.m.
103-84 San Antonio your final. The Sonics suffer one of their worst defeats of the season without Ray Allen. In Ray’s absence, the Sonics had to be perfect to beat the Spurs. That they were not should not be held against them. Allen should be back in the lineup Saturday when the expansion Charlotte Bobcats, led by number two overall pick Emeka Okafor and former Sonics Coach Bernie Bickerstaff, make their first appearance ever at KeyArena.
Get your tickets now!
Frustration
Posted at 9:12 p.m.
Was evident when Vladimir Radmanovic slammed the ball to the court and was called for a technical after fouling Brent Barry. I’m obligated to point out that Wally Szczerbiak was not called for a technical when he did precisely the same thing a week and a half ago. Why the double standard? Mateen Cleaves getting his first run of the night after being activated when Kutluay was waived.
Playing Hard
Posted at 9:00 p.m.
Say what you will about the Sonics performance tonight, but they are playing hard and are playing to the final buzzer. There has been no sign of quit during this fourth quarter as the Sonics have hustled and scrapped for loose balls. This sets a great tone for tomorrow’s game in Sacramento.
Let’s Talk Ibo
Posted at 8:57 p.m.
To say it came as a surprise that the Sonics waived 12th man Ibo Kutluay today would be something of an understatement. Kutluay seemed happy despite his small role on the Sonics and was jovial off the court and in the locker room. His quick smile, however, concealed a concern about his career. Kutluay wasn’t as worried about this year as next year, when a potential NBA lockout could have prevented him from having the option of signing with a team in Europe. So he recently went to Sonics management and quietly asked for his release. His agent and the team negotiated a buyout which Dwane Casey called, “a great move for both sides.”
Kutluay has a deal with a team in Greece, where he has played a couple of seasons, pending a physical.
“I love Ibo. He’s a great ambassador,” said Casey. “This gives him the opportunity to go back and finish his career.”
Nick
Posted at 8:53 p.m.
It’s too early to give up on this game, but maybe the best thing the Sonics could get in the fourth quarter is good performances from their youngsters, notably Nick Collison and Flip Murray (whose production will be necessary tomorrow against Sacramento). Lo and behold, Collison scores the Sonics first three buckets of the fourth quarter with savvy moves to get open and Flip follows with an open-court layup. Unfortunately, the scores haven’t gotten the Sonics any closer because Brent Barry has scored eight straight Spurs points on two threes and a layup to the delight of his wife, seated courtside with their son.
After Three
Posted at 8:50 p.m.
The last five points of the third quarter give the Spurs a 76-59 advantage that will be difficult to overcome. The Sonics momentum took a turn for the worst when Vladimir Radmanovic left the court (he has since returned to the bench and will start the fourth quarter). Antonio Daniels missed a good look at a layup and a free throw. That happens, but against the Spurs without Ray Allen, those are the opportunities you have to convert.
Vlade Down, Out?
Posted at 8:44 p.m.
After hitting a three to briefly get the Sonics within 11 points, Vladimir Radmanovic just took a wicked incidental elbow to the face from Manu Ginobili while Ginobili was setting a pick. Radmanovic immediately grabbed his head and Antonio Daniels was forced to foul to keep the Spurs from exploiting a five-on-four advantage. Radmanovic has headed off the floor and into the locker room for examination.
Quick TO
Posted at 8:38 p.m.
Sensing momentum shifting towards the Sonics after a Vladimir Radmanovic fast-break dunk and wanting to take no chances, Gregg Popovich quickly signals for a timeout. It’s 67-53 with 3:25 left in the third quarter. I’ll spare you the obligatory “want to get it into single-figures by the end of the quarter” line - or did I just subtly sneak it in while pretending not to?
The Other AD in the House
Posted at 8:32 p.m.
With the WNBA’s free agency market set to open tomorrow when teams can begin signing players to contracts, Seattle Storm Head Coach Anne Donovan is in Seattle and taking in tonight’s Sonics game. It was only fitting that when the basketball junky was introduced on Arenavision during the last timeout, she was busy diagramming a play and took about 15 seconds to notice she was being shown. For more on the Storm and free agency, check out
storm.wnba.com.
Manu
Posted at 8:27 p.m.
As I discovered when I traveled to San Antonio with the Sonics earlier this season, they’re just crazy about Manu Ginobili near the Alamo and the Rio Grande. And Ginobili is making a pretty convincing argument for why that is tonight. Ginobili just seems to be playing at a different speed that everyone else on the floor. Even when he slows it down and plays under control, he’s still moving faster than the defenders trying to stop him. He’s also a terrific shooter and an underrated defender who has absolutely clamped down on Flip Murray this evening. I’m not sure if Manu’s an All-Star in the West, with Kobe Bryant and Tracy McGrady locks to be voted in and a certain Sonics two guard making a strong argument for his value in his absence tonight, but Ginobili is not far from that group and he’s getting better.
Looking at the Halftime Box
Posted at 8:22 p.m.
The Sonics 34 first-half points aren’t a season low for a half (it’s actually 33 in the second half against Atlanta on Dec. 30), they just feel that way. 12 offensive rebounds for the Spurs are far too many, as are the Sonics 10 turnovers. But what I didn’t note earlier is the Spurs have just two turnovers - the Sonics continue to force no turnovers whatsoever. The starting backcourt shot 2-for-11. Neither bench was a factor; the Sonics reserves had eight points, San Antonio’s five. Jerome James has tied season highs for both points and rebounds.
Spurs Lead at the Half
Posted at 8:05 p.m.
San Antonio took command here in the second quarter and takes a 48-34 lead to halftime. The Sonics managed just 12 points in the second quarter, committing four turnovers. There seems to be some restlessness from the KeyArena crowd, but frankly that’s unjustified. This is the second-best defense of the past three decades, the Spurs, and you’re playing them without your leading scorer. Of course you’re going to struggle. The Sonics could certainly stand to cut down on unforced turnovers and pick up their effort on their glass. They also need more production from their bench if they’re to come back in the second half. But frankly, if they’re outmanned tonight, that shouldn’t be a surprise.
Nate’s Absence
Posted at 8:00 p.m.
Very sad news today as it was announced that Sonics Coach Nate McMillan’s mother passed away yesterday evening. McMillan headed back to his native North Carolina yesterday after debating whether he should wait until after the current back-to-back to go home. It was lucky he didn’t wait, as mother passed within hours of his return.
Associate Head Coach Dwane Casey, who will assume McMillan’s duties during his absence, said he spoke to McMillan twice today. This morning, they talked while McMillan was at a funeral home helping make arrangements for the funeral.
“He’s lost two important people,” said Casey, referring to McMillan’s aunt, whom he was close to, dying earlier this month. “He’s got a lot on his plate right now. I told him to take as much time as possible.”
McMillan will definitely miss tomorrow’s game in Sacramento. His status for Saturday’s game against Charlotte is still uncertain; officially, McMillan’s leave is indefinite.
Lookalikes
Posted at 7:55 p.m.
During the lest timeout, the Sonics played “Lookalikes” on the Arenavision with characters from the cartoon “Scooby Doo”. The punchline? Former Sonics guard Brent Barry as Shaggy. Barry, never one to shy away from a camera, stroked his chin when his reaction was shown on Arenavision. The only person who plays to a crowd more than Barry is referee Jim Clark, who loves making a big show of every call he makes.
Amazing Stat
Posted at 7:53 p.m.
As of the last timeout, the San Antonio Spurs had 10 offensive rebounds and five defensive rebounds. The Sonics had five offensive rebounds and 10 defensive rebounds. Thus, both teams had identical 50% offensive, defensive and total rebounding percentages.
Sonics Getting Untracked
Posted at 7:51 p.m.
The Sonics are finding some offensive rhythm, and Gregg Popovich likes that about as much as he does the Dallas Mavericks. He takes timeout after the Sonics get within 36-30 with 6:43 left in the second quarter. Jerome James, surprisingly, has been the key. He’s got the touch from midrange and has scored 12 points on 4-for-6 shooting. That’s already tied James season high, and he’s closing in on his career-best mark of 18 points. Now James blocks Tim Duncan! He’s on fire!
The San Antonio Strategy …
Posted at 7:44 p.m.
… falls a little bit more into place. First, look to drive to the lane. Watch as the Sonics defense collapses (no surprise, as containing Tony Parker and Manu Ginobili is their primary goal this evening), then kick to the corner for the open threes before the Sonics rotate. Either look for a layup or an open jumper. If those don’t go, get the offensive board. It’s working to perfection right now, as the Sonics big lineup of Fortson, Collison and Radmanovic (which has been incredibly successful this season) has looked a step slow against the Spurs three-guard lineup with Brent Barry at small forward.
Now here’s what’s really strange: the Spurs have been dramatically more successful with Tim Duncan on the bench, because the lane has been more open for penetration. Go figure.
The Sonics might be better able to combat the Spurs if it weren’t for their eight turnovers. They need to clean that up to be able to get back into the game.
After One Quarter
Posted at 7:37 p.m.
The Sonics are right in this one, trailing 25-22 after Tony Massenburg scored a putback at the buzzer. What’s fascinating so far is San Antonio’s strategy. They appear to believe they’ve uncovered a weakness in the Sonics defense: the wing threes Bowen favors. Brent Barry (a good three-point shooter from anywhere across halfcourt) has spotted up in the wings as well and attempted three threes (as did Bowen). They were good looks, but they didn’t fall. Where San Antonio had success late in the first quarter was with offensive rebounding those misses and getting putbacks by Massenburg and Robert Horry. Still, the Sonics hold a 12-8 rebounding advantage.
Barry Back
Posted at 7:29 p.m.
Brent Barry’s second trip back to Seattle with the Spurs got somewhat lost in all the Sonics activity. He just checked into the game for the first time and got a very nice ovation from the KeyArena crowd. Jerome James has been very active in the early going, and his rebound and layup cut San Antonio’s lead to two and give him six points and three boards on the evening. 9-3 Sonics on the boards.
New Scouting Resource
Posted at 7:24 p.m.
The Sonics may need to begin reading
blogmaverick.com before games. That’s Mark Cuban’s blog, and on it he recently reported that San Antonio forward Bruce Bowen is the league’s most prolific three-point shooter from the corner (where the line flattens out). Bowen has demonstrated it tonight; he’s got 10 of San Antonio’s 14 points, and eight of them have come on corner jumpers (two threes and a deuce). Bowen is generally a non-scorer, but he’s been looking for his shot more this season and he really can help the Spurs when he does get it going. The Sonics need to play him more honestly.
Robert Horry in for Tony Massenburg for San Antonio.
Good Sign
Posted at 7:19 p.m.
On three Sonics baskets early in this game, Flip Murray has a pair of assists. Ball movement is a big key after it was an issue last week for the Sonics. Having Murray get in the flow of the game before looking for his own shot is great news for the Sonics, who lead it 10-9 after Luke Ridnour hits a technical foul shot drawn by San Antonio Coach Gregg Popovich. The Sonics have been active on the glass and hold a 4-1 rebounding advantage.
Pre-Tipoff Notes
Posted at 7:12 p.m.
After starting Robert Horry in place of injured center Rasho Nesterovic on Saturday night, the Spurs have gone back to Tony Massenburg alongside Tim Duncan this evening. … Before introducing the starting lineup, the Sonics quickly gave a tribute to the late Grizzlies broadcaster Don Poier, who unexpectedly passed away while on the road with the Grizzlies earlier this month. Poier is a native of Western Washington and began his broadcasting career in Seattle.
Allen Ailing
Posted at 7:08 p.m.
Let us start by discussing the absence of Ray Allen, since it will have the most obvious and immediate impact on tonight’s game. Allen fell ill over the weekend, did not attend yesterday’s practice, and it became obvious by this morning that he would be unable to play tonight. Together, Dwane Casey and Nate McMillan decided to replace him in the starting lineup with Ronald Murray, which preserves the team’s bench rotations more or less intact.
“We don’t expect him to be Ray Allen,” said Casey. “The worst thing he can do is think he has to score 20 points.”
Casey praised the job Murray did defensively on Jason Richardson during the fourth quarter of Friday’s win over the Golden State Warriors, noting that while Murray did not score, he still had a very good game.
As for Allen, there still is a chance he could be on the court tomorrow when the Sonics play in Sacramento. Casey said that Allen is not just day-to-day, but “hour-to-hour” after receiving an IV to replenish his fluids this morning.
Sonics Short-Handed
Posted at 6:53 p.m.
There was a different air during pre-game preparations for tonight’s game, and it’s easy to see why. In the locker room, guard Ray Allen, the Sonics All-Star and team leader, was absent because of a viral infection which will keep him out of the lineup tonight. In the coach’s locker room, Associate Head Coach Dwane Casey was filling in for Head Coach Nate McMillan, who is back in his native North Carolina after his mother passed away yesterday evening. The entire Sonics organization’s thoughts and sympathies are with Nate and his family during this difficult time.
Also gone is guard Ibrahim Kutluay, who was waived by the team this afternoon, enabling him to return to Europe to continue his basketball career. Much, much more on all three topics as the night continues.
Signing On
Posted at 6:50 p.m.
The 30-12 Seattle SuperSonics, who boast the NBA’s fourth-best record, host the 36-10 San Antonio Spurs, who are tied with Phoenix for the best record in the league, tonight at KeyArena. Yeah, I’m really going to earn my pay slogging my way through this one. It should be tons of fun as the Spurs look to end Seattle’s 2-0 domination of the season series, so grab up a chair and stay with us all night long as we bring you the excitement live from KeyArena.
