| Lottery Summit: Seattle Supersonics Authored by Andrew Perna & The RGM Sonics Forum - May 13, 2008 - 2:18 pm
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The Seattle Supersonics:
2007-08 Record: 20-62
Difference From 2006-07: 11 Fewer Wins
Chance Of Landing #1 Pick: 19.9%
Restricted Free Agents: Mickael Gelabale, Robert Swift
Unrestricted Free Agents: Ronald Dupree, Francisco Elson
The Verdicts
1. What could the team have done different to make the playoffs?
DoctorEvil: Nothing. The owner’s plan was to lose big to a) alienate the fans, and b) get high pick to contribute when team is out of town.
Det the Threat: The team could've at least kept Ray Allen, added some more muscle and size in the paint (we were lucky to have Kurt Thomas for half a season) and not gone into full rebuilding mode.
wiff: If we held onto Allen and Rashard Lewis, but honestly I would have blown the team up to build for a championship run. However, I feel the owners did it to alienate fan base as well.
djthesonicsfan: Nothing. There was no way Lewis was sticking around with the kind of money Orlando tossed his way. That just left us to deal an aging Allen, and another thirty-win team waiting to happen. I believe the only thing Clay Bennett's done well is hire Sam Presti and let him do his job. Which, in my opinion, he's done well. Presti's plan from the beginning was to rebuild. Bennett was totally fine with that, because it aligned with his plan to move the team to Oklahoma City.
2. Where were the team’s biggest strengths?
DoctorEvil: Kevin Durant, and potential of Jeff Green.
Det the Threat: Rebounding (Thomas, Nick Collison and Chris Wilcox all rebounded solidly) and Durant's shooting during the second half of the season. Though, there aren't a lot of strengths when you're losing 62 of 82 games.
wiff: Presti. He is building a team to win a championship, but it is going to take time for them to mature. Unfortunately, its possible Seattle fans won't see the fruits of our labor pains from watching this team.
djthesonicsfan: In terms of players Durant, Green and Collison are core guys that you can build a team around. Wilcox is also a good power forward, and would be even better with a good point guard. Imagine Wilcox playing with Steve Nash.
In my opinion, Presti is also a strength. In a short amount of time he's effectively begun the rebuilding process and acquired loads of draft picks.
3. Who had a surprisingly effective season?
DoctorEvil: No surprises, aside from maybe Collison.
Det the Threat: When given playing time Johan Petro has shown that he could be a role player in this league. Collison had a really effective season, but that wasn't all that surprisingly. Earl Watson was solid and might have surprised some people this year.
wiff: Petro ended up playing pretty well. One step at a time.
djthesonicsfan: Durant was hands down the Rookie of the Year, but his last half of the season was remarkable – at least on the offensive end. He became much more effective after the All-Star break. As a confirmed Watson hater, I have to admit his play exceeded my expectations. I also liked the development Petro showed.
4. Who had a surprisingly ineffective season?
DoctorEvil: Robert Swift.
Det the Threat: Not much of a surprise here as well, but Luke Ridnour's shown that he's nothing more then a backup point guard in this league.
wiff: Swift never got out of the blocks this season and Ridnour never really found a groove either.
djthesonicsfan: With Swift I would say his inability to recover from injury, and then the re-injury, was a surprise. I was somewhat astonished at how fast Ridnour's lack of confidence spiraled out of control. It would be best for all involved for Ridnour to get a new start on a different team.
But the biggest surprise, at least for me, was just how much Pajamas (that's P.J. Carlesimo for the out of towners) struggled. I thought that his San Antonio internship would've helped, but no, Pajamas is a horrible coach.
5. How confident are you in the front office heading into the offseason?
DoctorEvil: I have full confidence they will continue to be as bad as possible as long as Bennett owns team in Seattle. Carlesimo will coach the team into the ground, then be replaced with good coach, when, and if the team moves.
Det the Threat: I'm really confident in Presti being active and trying to add more talent to this squad. Though, that probably will be really young talent.
wiff: I think the front office is in a great position when it comes to building a team. They have tons of picks for the next few years and no worse than a top-five pick this year.
djthesonicsfan: I have full confidence that (a) Presti will continue to effectively rebuild the team, but (b) Bennett will insist Presti not add a single dime to the payroll and require him to further reduce payroll if at all possible.
‘Pajamas’ being retained is evidence of these opinions. Additionally, I expect Swift's last year will not be exercised, although Presti will probably offer him a minimum contract contingent on his making the team. Adrian Griffin will be released as his contract is not guaranteed (a good thing). And Damien Wilkins will be encouraged to opt out and sign with another team as he and his $3.1 million salary can easily be replaced by a rookie.
6. What are the team’s biggest needs in the draft?
DoctorEvil: A point guard better than Ridnour and Watson and a big, athletic rebounding defender.
Det the Threat: Point guard and center.
wiff: Point guard, which should be addressed in this draft and a defensive center.
djthesonicsfan: First of all, the most glaring need is clearly a franchise caliber point guard. Derrick Rose would be perfect. It'll be interesting to see if Presti thinks O.J. Mayo can play point in the NBA as well.
Our second need is a shooting guard/small forward with excellent perimeter shooting and decent defense. Third would be a big man who brings toughness, interior defense, rebounding and the ability to set a killer pick.
7. Assuming the lottery plays out true, who would you like your team to select?
DoctorEvil: Derrick Rose.
Det the Threat: Rose.
wiff: Rose.
djthesonicsfan: Although Rose would be perfect, it'll probably have to be Michael Beasley because I think Rose is going to Miami. While Beasley is clearly the best player, the Sonics unfortunately already have a good power forward in Wilcox.
Adding Beasley will probably mean trading Wilcox, and continuing to search for a franchise quality point guard. That brings me to Russell Westbrook, who I think has the athleticism to be a great point. If the Sonics draft Beasley, I think they should package Wilcox and picks to a team drafting in the eight-eleven range to get Westbrook. Alternatively, if Memphis takes Rose, the Sonics might be able to put together a package to get Mike Conley Jr. from the Grizzles.
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Andrew Perna is a Senior Writer for RealGM. If you’re a fan of one of the many teams that we have yet to feature, surf over to our forums and weigh in on what is happening within the organization. If you’d like to contact Andrew, shoot him an e-mail at Andrew.Perna@RealGM.com |
