Live From the Press Box - Sonics vs. L.A. Lakers
Want to enjoy the electricity of at KeyArena 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 quotes, analysis and observations from the game. E-mail Kevin at sonicsconnection@sonics-storm.com. Make sure to keep coming back or refreshing so you get the latest content.
Lakers Too Hot for Sonics
Final: Lakers 111, Sonics 91
The way they came out tonight, I'm not sure anyone in the league could have beaten the Los Angeles Lakers tonight. The Lakers used unselfish passing and precision in their cuts to shred a Sonics defense that had been playing very well to the tune of 58.3% first-quarter shooting. The Lakers quickly built a 16-point lead and the Sonics never really threatened after early in the first quarter. Kobe Bryant, Pau Gasol and Lamar Odom combined for 62 points on 26-of-43 shooting and the Lakers finished at 48.9% from the field and 52.4% (11-of-21) from beyond the arc.
The Sonics played much better basketball in the second half but never found much of a rhythm. They did get great contributions from Mickaël Gelabale, who scored a career-high 21 points on 10-of-16 shooting and added eight rebounds, one shy of his best mark in that category. Jeff Green had 15 points and eight rebounds for the Sonics.
The Sonics will hold their first practice with their newcomers on the roster tomorrow, then fly to the Bay Area to face the Golden State Warriors on Tuesday. Wednesday they'll return to KeyArena to host the high-scoring Denver Nuggets, who will bring All-Stars Carmelo Anthony and Allen Iverson to Seattle. 
Get your tickets now and be here at the Key Wednesday!
Griffin Reunited With Carlesimo
Fourth Quarter: Lakers 107, Sonics 85
15-plus years ago, P.J. Carlesimo welcomed an 18-year-old Adrian Griffin to his team at Seton Hall. I can't imagine at the time either figured Carlesimo would be coaching Griffin all this time later in the NBA. Carlesimo left the Hall to coach Portland after Griffin's sophomore season. Three years out of college, Griffin made the NBA and now the two have teamed up again.
Griffin remembered the college Carlesimo as someone who "definitely pushed us, challenged us." Griffin didn't entirely realize the value of that tough teaching until he got to the pros and saw how it prepared him to play at this level.
"To be reunited with him was something special," said Griffin.
Durant Soars
Fourth Quarter: Lakers 103, Sonics 81
It's been a long night for Sonics rookie Kevin Durant, who is 4-for-12 from the field. However, something clicked for Durant a moment ago. He was able to get to the basket through traffic in soar in for a pair of fearless dunks. Durant has been able to get to the free-throw line eight times tonight to supplement his scoring, and he's got 15 points.
The Donyell File
Fourth Quarter: Lakers 95, Sonics 74
New Sonics forward Donyell Marshall was unable to make his Sonics debut tonight because of illness, with Head Coach P.J. Carlesimo telling reporters Marshall had a fever of 102. At some point in the near future, however, Marshall will don the Green and Gold for the first time. Marshall previously played for Carlesimo with the Golden State Warriors. How was their relationship?
"Good, considering he went to Connecticut," joked Carlesimo. "I don't like people from Connecticut. I've known Donyell since high school, so I go way, way back with him."
Carlesimo gave a scouting report on Marshall.
"He's a very good shooter, he's got good length," Carlesimo said. "He's more of a perimeter four - stretch the defense, pick and pop. Good offensive rebounder; you can post him up inside a little bit because of his length. He's good with tips and offensive boards. He can guard a little better than people think; he can guard different positions too."
Assimilating the Newcomers
End Third Quarter: Lakers 93, Sonics 70
New Sonics Francisco Elson and Ira Newble have seen extended action tonight and I'm sure we'll see Adrian Griffin at some point, but Sonics Head Coach P.J. Carlesimo is conservative in terms of what he expects from the new guys because at this point they have to think about everything they're doing on the court as they learn the Sonics offense and defense.
"It's really hard to play while you're thinking," Carlesimo said before tonight's game. "It's so much easier when you don't have to be thinking where am I supposed to be, what am I supposed to be doing? That's always a tough adjustment. Sometimes the first couple of games are easier because basically everything is new, they're just out there playing. You go from that situation to all of a sudden you know a little bit about what you're doing and usually that slows down for a while, you bog down until you get comfortable."
Elson is helped by the similarity of the Sonics system to that used in San Antonio, where he played and P.J. Carlesimo was on the coaching staff before coming to Seattle. There's also some similarity with the system Newble and Donyell Marshall used in Cleveland. Cavaliers Head Coach Mike Brown spent time early in his NBA coaching career in San Antonio.
Bryant Ejected
Third Quarter: Lakers 90, Sonics 64
The Los Angeles Lakers will finish this one without All-Star guard Kobe Bryant. Bryant was ejected at the four-minute mark of the third quarter after drawing a pair of technical fouls. Bryant had been unhappy about a no-call when he took the ball to the hoop on the other end. Bryant finishes with 21 points on 8-of-13 shooting and 10 assists - his 11th double-double of the season and fourth of the point-assist variety.
Lakers Offer No Quarter
Third Quarter: Lakers 74, Sonics 51
The Lakers have kept their food on the gas pedal coming out of the locker room, continuing to execute on offense while extending their lead. Kobe Bryant and Pau Gasol are now both up over 20 points on the night.
Fun video on SonicsVision during the timeout. Two Lakers fans were tormenting the greater Seattle area in their Lakermobile - a junker car painted in purple and gold - when Squatch rode in on a monster truck to run them over and save the day for Sonics fans.
All Lakers in First Half
Halftime: Lakers 62, Sonics 43
During the first half, the Los Angeles Lakers shot 51.0%, hit 7-of-11 from three-point range and committed just six turnovers. It was a dominant offensive performance that has given them a 19-point halftime lead. Kobe Bryant finished the first half with 16 points on 6-of-10 shooting and six assists against no turnovers. This is the efficient Bryant that is simply lethal for opposing teams. Pau Gasol added 12 points on 5-of-9 shooting, Lamar Odom has 10 and Sasha Vujacic and Luke Walton have combined for 15 more points.
The Sonics had a much tougher time generating offense, shooting 38.0% from the field. The offensive bright spot was Mickaël Gelabale, whose 14 points on 7-of-9 shooting are already a season high. Gelabale is threatening his career high of 17 points with an entire half to go.
Gela-Ballin'
Second Quarter: Lakers 51, Sonics 31
For the second straight game, reserve swingman Mickaël Gelabale is giving the Sonics excellent minutes. Gelabale has 10 points on 5-of-7 shooting and has pulled down a pair of rebounds. Gelabale has now scored double-figures in back-to-back games after doing it just once all season to date.
"I thought he played extremely well," Sonics Had Coach P.J. Carlesimo said of Gelabale's Friday performance. "He was pretty aggressive, did a good job defensively; obviously, he shot the ball well. He drove it. I thought he did a lot of things well. I thought he had a very good game. He looked a lot more comfortable than he did the previous game. Hopefully he'll just build on that."
The Sonics Boom Squad rocked the house during that timeout, with a featured performance by our favorite young dancer, Jalen (aka "Lil' Boom).
Changing the Questions
Second Quarter: Lakers 48, Sonics 27
I don't often reference wrestling in the blog, and that's probably the best for all concerned, but I can't help but think of the famous "Rowdy" Roddy Piper quote as I watch this game. "Just when they think they've got the answers," Piper said, "I change the questions." That seems to be about the way the Lakers are playing tonight. The Sonics got within six in the first quarter, then made a run early in this second quarter, but both times the Lakers have had the answer. This time, it's been in the form of an 12-0 run that has given them a lead of 21 points, their largest of the evening.
The Lakers just seem a step quicker than the Sonics at all times tonight. They're getting open shots regularly - and they are not missing them.
Lakers Get Bench Involved
Second Quarter: Lakers 39, Sonics 27
The Lakers have gotten outstanding production from their bench all season long, but obviously the reserves were not going to be able to maintain the fast pace set by Kobe Bryant, Pau Gasol and the starters. The Lakers were held scoreless over the first 3:12 of the quarter as the Sonics went on a 7-0 run, but since then the Lakers have gotten a couple of scores, including a three by Sasha Vujacic.
Ira Newble has checked in to make his debut for the Sonics. He'll wear No. 14, as he did in Cleveland. The media had a chance to chat with Newble before the game, and he was asked to describe his style of play.
"First, I'm known as a defender," said Newble. "I consider myself one of the best defenders in the league."
Talking Sonics Rookies
End First Quarter: Lakers 34, Sonics 18
The Lakers finish the first quarter shooting 58.3% from the field and rack up 34 points. Predictably, Kobe Bryant and Pau Gasol were in the middle of it, combining for 21 points on 9-of-10 shooting. For the Sonics, Kevin Durant had a tough first quarter, missing all five of his shot attempts and turning the ball over. Still, Durant has a fan on the opposing sideline in Phil Jackson. Jackson, who knows a little bit about impressive young talent, likes what he's seen from Durant.
"We are going to see a big change in Kevin over the next 10 years of his play," Jackson said before the game. "What we are seeing now is a 6-10, lanky kid who is learning how to play the game. He looks like he is going to be a good shooter. He is still finding out what is a good shot and what isn't.
"He's got range, he is really good in the opening floor and taking the ball to the basket. Those are all parts of his game that will stay pretty solid. As he gets more strength, he will be able to go into the post and that is going to take strength and maturing."
Jackson also took time out to praise the other Sonics rookie, Jeff Green, saying, "I think Green is impressive too. I don't think people are giving this other player that they have enough credit as a rookie."
Lakers Answer Sonics Surge
First Quarter: Lakers 29, Sonics 16
The Sonics got within six at 22-16 and got the KeyArena crowd in the game, but the Lakers have followed with a 7-0 run to extend their advantage to 13 points. The passing is really the impressive thing about the Lakers right now. If anything, they might be a little too unselfish. Pau Gasol tried to make the extra pass under the basket and turned a likely layup into a turnover.
Tonight is a Kids at the Key Sunday presented by Aquafina and the New B97.3, and there are pretty of youngsters here checking out the Sonics as well as one of the league's most popular visiting teams in the Lakers. During the last timeout, we enjoyed the precocious talent of the Storm's Dance Troupe. I had a chance to see some other young dancers in New Orleans during All-Star Weekend, the Stingers, who perform at Hornets games. Let me tell you, they can't compare to the Storm Dance Troupe.
Lakers Offense Clicking
First Quarter: Lakers 20, Sonics 12
In the Insider Preview for tonight's game, I wrote about the impressive offensive numbers the Lakers have posted since adding Pau Gasol to the lineup. It's entirely different to see that play out on the court in front of you. They've opened up 8-for-13 from the field, scoring 20 points in a little over six minutes. So far, Kobe Bryant has been playing distributor, with three assists (though he does have eight points). Pau Gasol had the prettiest assist, going over his shoulder to find Lamar Odom for a three-point play.
The Sonics started with rookies Jeff Green and Kevin Durant defending Bryant. Now Mickaël Gelabale is getting his chance and has done a credible job, scoring two buckets on the other end.
Sonics Add Two, Lose Two
Pregame
The active group for the Sonics continues to be in flux. Tonight, the Sonics will welcome newcomers Adrian Griffin and Ira Newble, who are in uniform and will make their Seattle debuts. However, the third player the Sonics acquired in Thursday's trades, forward Donyell Marshall, is not dressed because of an upper respiratory infection. An upper respiratory infection will also keep starting forward Chris Wilcox out of the lineup tonight. And reserve swingman Damien Wilkins sprained his wrist against Portland and also will be unable to play.
The upshot of the injury and illnesses: Griffin and Newble will get a chance immediately. Sonics Head Coach P.J. Carlesimo has consistently used a 10-man rotation and, for the third straight game, the Sonics will have just 10 available tonight. Look for Newble or Jeff Green to get time at power forward in a smaller lineup with Wilcox unable to go.
Signing On
Pregame
Welcome to KeyArena, where the Sonics will take on the Los Angeles Lakers in the third of four head-to-head matchups this season. The last one was an instant classic, requiring overtime and a game-winning shot from Kobe Bryant with just seconds remaining for the Lakers to outlast the Sonics 123-121. With new Sonics Adrian Griffin and Ira Newble making their debuts, the Sonics hope to be every bit as competitive again tonight and reverse the outcome. That will be a challenge against a Lakers team that has won its last seven games and is rolling with Pau Gasol in the lineup. Stay with us all night long as we liveblog from start to finish.
