| Why The Sonics Will Be OK Authored by Quinten Farmer - November 29, 2007 - 9:52 pm
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Those hopes were thrown out the window as the team stumbled to an abysmal 0-8 start. Although two straight wins temporarily buoyed fan’s hopes, two ensuing blowout losses showed that there is much more hardship to come for the Sonics faithful. Fortunately, despite the awful start there are individual bright spots, especially the youngsters on whom the team is banking their future.
After following the team throughout this young season, and then getting the chance to see them up close from courtside, it is obvious who on the team is a contributor, and who is doing nothing to help the team improve and grow.
The Positives
- Kevin Durant:
Durant has for the most part lived up to the massive expectations placed upon him this season. It’s hard to complain about a 19 year old rookie who averages 19 points a game and already has one game winning shot under his belt, yet Durant still leaves fans wanting more. His shooting percentages have been subpar, and he has been less of a factor on defense than his massive wingspan and quickness should allow him to be. Some have also questioned his shot selection, although it is hard to argue that Durant should pass up shots for the benefit of such offensive dynamos as Earl Watson and Johan Petro (shooting 35 and 32 percent, respectively)
All criticisms aside, the Seattle organization really could not be asking for more from Durant. Kevin has handled himself very well in the media, a challenge for a shy, soft spoken young man suddenly cast as the face of an NBA team. Despite some early struggles, it is obvious that Durant will be a superstar in this league for years to come, especially once he has a mature team around him.
- Jeff Green:
The other half of the Sonics prized rookie twosome started slow, but has come on strong in recent games. Green has rebounded particularly well, including two 14 rebound efforts in recent games. Although one can hardly expect that kind of rebound work from Green in the long run, it is encouraging to see the rookie attacking the glass and working hard to help the team. Green’s scoring and field goal percentages have also slowly improved as his minutes have gone up, an encouraging sign that Green is settling into the NBA game. If Green continues his development, he should cement a starting role before the season is over.
- Damien Wilkins:
Damien Wilkins has surprised many around the league with an excellent start to the season. In a three year NBA career with the Sonics, Wilkins has shown flashes of good play that have been marred by inconsistency. Stuck behind the Allstar tandem of Ray Allen and Rashard Lewis, it appears that Wilkins was never able to get into the rhythm necessary to let his offensive abilities reach their full potential.
All that changed as this season Wilkins was thrust into a starting role, and almost by default became the second scoring option behind Durant. Wilkins responded in oftentimes spectacular fashion, including a 41 point outburst in front of his family in Atlanta. In prior years Wilkins was often accused of poor shot selection, but this year he is putting up eye popping percentages, averaging 48% on field goals and an astounding 50% from behind the arc. Those percentages, to go along with a respectable 16 ppg scoring average, have made Wilkins an efficient offensive contributor.
As the team continues to lean heavily on Wilkins scoring, it is vital that he continue his improved shot selection to maintain his offensive efficiency. If Wilkins keeps up his production, his relative youth could make GM Sam Presti think long and hard about keeping Wilkins as part of the core of this young team for years to come.
- Kurt Thomas:
Although Thomas’s play this season has not been statistically spectacular, he still deserves mention as a notable player in the early going for the Sonics. Bothered by a recurring Hamstring issue, Thomas has been limited to 5 points and 7 rebounds a game. However, Kurt’s impact has been felt not in the box score, but in the added dimension he brings to such a young team. Thomas has stepped right into the role of veteran leader, teaching the youngsters with his hustle and hard work in games, and his quiet, respectful demeanor off the court.
Considering that the Phoenix Suns essentially paid the Sonics 2 draft picks just to take Thomas, the deal looks like a huge steal for the Sonics. Although Thomas does not fit into the long term rebuilding focus of the team, for the time being his veteran leadership is invaluable, and he is exactly the kind of NBA player that should be around the youngsters Green and Durant in their early years in the league.
The Disappointments
- Earl Watson:
Watson’s play thus far has been undeniably awful. Despite receiving 26 minutes per game of playing time, he has only managed to produce a pathetic 6 points per game, on 36% shooting from the field and an awful 18% from three. His shot selection has been horrible, and he has shown an alarming tendency to over-dribble while ignoring his teammates, only to launch an awkward layup or fade-away jumper. Watson’s struggles shooting the ball could be excused as an early slump, were it not for his willingness to continue to shoot the ball at the expense of his teammates.
Despite the fact that the injuries to Luke Ridnour have forced Watson to play heavy minutes, it is still inexplicable that Watson continues to average more minutes than backup Delonte West, who has played better by almost every statistical measure. It is possible that management is attempting to showcase Watson to other teams, in the hope that someone will bite on his 3 year, 18 million dollar deal. If that is the case, then the plan has most certainly backfired, as the Sonics can hardly hope to draw many offers for such a poor performer.
- Johan Petro:
Fortunately for the Sonics, Petro’s negative contributions have not been as painfully noticeable as those of Watson, due to Petro only 11 minutes per game of playing time. Still, Petro was a first round draft pick only three years ago, and more should be expected of him than the paltry production he has managed so far. While Petro has hardly been stuffing the stat sheet with averages of 2.8 points, 3.2 rebounds and .2 blocks per game, his most glaring fault is a .323 field goal percentage. For a reasonably strong 7 footer to average such a low field goal percentage is indicative of a sheer lack of hustle on the part of the big man. While there is certainly a place in this league for big men with a decent 15 foot jump shot, Petro will have to not only improve his percentage from the perimeter, and add an inside game if he is to contribute to an NBA team in future seasons.
The Injuries
While the Sonics have suffered through the minor injuries typical to the start of the NBA season, injuries to two players have been slightly more severe. Robert Swift, who sat out all of last season after knee surgery, was expected to be a major contributor this season. Unfortunately, Swift has still been bothered by knee pain and has only appeared in 5 games. As Swift continues to rehabilitate and gain strength in his troublesome knee, he will hopefully be able to step in and contribute at a high level, as his rebounding and shot-blocking are sorely needed.
One of the few players remaining from previous Sonics teams after the massive rebuilding effort of the summer, Luke Ridnour was expected to be a veteran presence despite his own relative youth. Instead, Ridnour first suffered a broken nose, and then a subsequent quadriceps tear that has sidelined the point guard for up to a month. As with Swift, there is no reason Ridnour cannot contribute later in the season. Still, the early setback is a disappointment for a player striving to earn a long term extension he received a season ago. If Ridnour cannot return to the form that the team expects from him, he too may be a victim of the continued rebuilding effort.
While such a slow start is certainly a disappointment, fans and management alike must remember that the NBA season is a long one, and there is plenty of time to at least improve upon the appalling winning percentage thus far. If Ridnour and Swift can come back healthy, and slumping players such as Watson can return to form, this team could quite easily play the role of spoiler for some bubble playoff teams down the stretch. Still, improved performance down the stretch is not the final goal of this team, as Sam Presti continues to build for the future. While a rebuilding season is tough, the true value of this team will be felt in years to come, as Durant and co. show their true potential. |
