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Scinos · 10-04-2004, 11:57 PM

Supersonics.com

There's plenty of info in this article...

Quote:

The message was clear as the Sonics opened training camp with annual media day: The goal for the 2004-05 season is to make the playoffs.

Quote:

"Our goal, make no mistake about it, is to make the NBA playoffs," said Sonics Chairman Howard Schultz

Quote:

We've said from the beginning, across the board, that we want to make the playoffs," concurred General Manager Rick Sund.

I'm actually glad they came out and said it this season. Now when we miss the playoffs, there's no excuse and heads can roll.

There's some other good stuff...

- We're getting rid of the trapping defense ('bout time).
- The PG, PF and C positions are up for grabs. (good, nobody should be handed anything)
- The training camp invitees are Cleaves, English, Wilkins, Young and Smith. (I think only Smith should be signed out of that lot)

Then there's the hilarious stuff (other than the playoff goal)...

Quote:

"We've become one of the most physical teams in the league," Sund said.

Quote:

"One of the stories of media day was the tan sported by Potapenko. Potapenko was so dark, one scribe, on first observation, thought he was an invitee.

Casual · 10-05-2004, 12:06 AM

I want the small forward position to be up for grabs, too.

runbmg · 10-05-2004, 07:07 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by <b>Casual</b>!
I want the small forward position to be up for grabs, too.

Radman! Radman! Radman!

**Marcus13** · 10-05-2004, 12:51 PM

If we gon start Radman (which i wont complain about) we need to renew his contract past this year and we need to trade Lewis

Scinos · 10-05-2004, 09:59 PM

Changes from McMillan for new season

The latest training camp article with some nice info...

Sounds like McMillan is working on the areas where we struggled last season, which I like. Our pick and roll defense was terrible, sounds like he's gonna change it. I also like the part about cutting down on the 3's.

The bad news...

Quote:

The Sonics got some bad news on the first day of practice when guard Murray sustained a strained left quad muscle during one of the three-on-three defensive drills. Murray laid on his back near the endline in obvious pain before leaving the court with trainer Mike Shimensky. Murray is out a minimum of one week, and an MRI scheduled for this afternoon will provide a more accurate prognosis.

Tough break for Flip, hope it doesn't keep him out long.

The good news...

Quote:

Forward Nick Collison, practicing with the full squad for the first time since being lost for the season a year ago yesterday when it was determined he needed surgery on both shoulders, showed no signs of the injury, McMillan said.

Center Robert Swift, in his first practice, was another target of observation. Swift disappointed coaches with his play as a trailer on one fast break, but quickly bounced back to impress with his defense of a pick-and-roll the following play. The weave drill allowed Swift to display his athleticism, as he got well above the rim on multiple dunks.

"I think he was excited, as you would expect, and he worked hard," said McMillan.

runbmg · 10-05-2004, 10:09 PM

I can't wait to see how these guys play ball...

SwiftIsBuff · 10-06-2004, 11:04 AM

If we start the mental midget over Lewis Nate is stupider than I even thought.

Scinos · 10-06-2004, 08:57 PM

Today's training camp articles:

Training camp notebook

Ridnour looking to do more

The new look Luke....

There's some more pics of various players here. Check out Vitaly's tan (pic 7)...

Scinos · 10-06-2004, 11:57 PM

Collison shows smarts

A nice article about Nick. I like this part...

Quote:

"Collison's second chance at his first NBA season began this week. The team scrimmaged for the first time yesterday morning and Collison showed what the Sonics expected from him.

After Ray Allen missed a shot, Collison went up and over Reggie Evans, using his 3-inch height advantage to grab an offensive rebound and score on a layin. A few possessions later he outmuscled the taller Robert Swift -- the rookie drafted out of high school -- and tipped in a rebound on a missed free throw.

"He attacks the boards, both (offensive and defensive)," coach Nate McMillan said. "He really goes after the offensive glass. That's one of the strong points of his game.

But, then there's this...

Quote:

For Collison, it could be his understanding of the game, which is why McMillan envisions him eventually able to play some small forward and act as an entry point to the offense.

"I know he can do it," McMillan said. "It won't clog his mind if a coach all of a sudden says, 'Go from four to three.' Some guys will just brainlock, but he's very capable of doing that."

WTF ? We finally find a quality PF and Nate wants to play him at SF.

There's also a Sonics camp at a glance article. Reggie Evans and Danny Fortson are battling each other...

Quote:

Forward Danny Fortson on his matchup against Reggie Evans in yesterday's scrimmage: "He cracked me in the head a couple of times today. Kind of woke me up. So I cracked him back. We'll probably go back and forth like this for the next couple of weeks."

I saw this coming when we traded for Fortson...

Pan Mengtu · 10-09-2004, 02:36 PM

Could Swift be the sleeper rookie for this year? He's been getting no love.

Pan Mengtu · 10-09-2004, 02:39 PM

Quote:

WTF ? We finally find a quality PF and Nate wants to play him at SF.

"In a followup question, McMillian talked about how well Robert Swift has been doing, but noted that his talents would probably be better suited at the SF position."

Scinos · 10-09-2004, 03:01 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by <b>Pan Mengtu</b>!
Could Swift be the sleeper rookie for this year? He's been getting no love.

Yeah, I noticed that. There was a post a while ago on the NBA board predicting busts and Swift was in nearly everyone's list, even though I doubt any of them have ever seen him play before.

I don't think Nate will give him enough playing time this season to be a factor. But, next season with guys like Vitaly and Jerome gone...well, who knows.

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