Portland Makes Our House A Home

Oy...my new favorite green n gold to help ease the sting of another home loss against a team we should have beaten. Watched the game on Channel 8 Portland, Seattle sucked and Portland outhustled us to everything. Alot of offensive rebounds and 2nd shots. Portland played better Dee. And just enough offense to beat us. Was funny to listen to the Blazer commentator get excited when Luke would go out and Flip would run point. He said it would totally break up Seattle's flow and turn it to a stop and he was right! Flip sucks as a point back up, get somebody decent.

Two fine Russian vodkas or 2 up and coming basketball players from the former USSR? Vladimer Radmanovic hooks over Khryapa in yesterdays tussle. Fun fact: Khryapa's young son is named Vladimer. Vlad keeps the beard in tribute to his lookalike hero Vlade Divac. Or maybe its because he sports the unintimidating baby face!

Let's STING the Warriors this Wed. Get yo Sonic buzz on! Or at least try to get up for it. GO SONICS!!!

Nate's Night

AT

  The folks in Seattle hold court for ex-Mr. Sonic and current Portland coach Nate McMillan tonight at the Key Arena in Seattle. A tribute and video montage of Nate's career will be shown. Then the Sonics will school the Blazers, at least thats the way I see it.

I will the "golden touch" of Downtown Freddie Brown to be with the Sonics tonight against freeway rivals Portland. Portland always gets up for Seattle, as they have always had a bit of an inferiority complex toward its bigger northern neighbor. Both teams have brought an NBA title to they're respective Northwest locales. Portland took one with Walton and ABA cast off and new found enforcer of the NBA, Maurice Lucas. That was 1976-77. In the same time frame, a few years down the road the Sonics with Gus Williams, Sikma, Johnson and Johnson, Walker, etc. took the Championship in the year of "the Dream Police" 1979. It all seems to be a dream now. Northwest dominance in pro hoop did happen in the 70's. The decade of solid team play. Teams like the 74-5 Warriors with Rick Barry, and the Bullets with Phil Chenier and Wes Unseld and the Sonic/Blazer teams were on top most of the mid to late 70's. I loved those old Sonic, Blazer, and gasp! even the Warriors, but I was a kid. I lived in all those regions as a kid and a fondness developed for each team. A Sonic fan for life. Downtown will be in the building and the Seattle shots will be falling like the rain outside. GO SONICS!!!

As a true rookie in 1974-75, "The Enforcer" of the Spirits of St. Louis of the ABA. Lucas had to deal with one of the 1st "Superfly" head cases to inspire the current "me" generation of NBA stars, a guy named Marvin Barnes. And Barnes backed down to Lucas. Bob Costas also cut his 1st chops in sports announcing as he was the play by play guy for the Spirits. Lucas went on to NBA greatness and a championship in Portland. I salute all ABA players who went to the NBA and proved everybody wrong. Salute Maurice...but no Portland runs tonight!

Swift Feet Help Sonics

The young man who has put the "beep beep" back in the Sonics! 14 pts and 12 rebounds against the Nets for a 1st time double double for the would be hi schooler. Game ball baybee...but others performed well also. Platooning Swift and Petro is paying off for now.

  Sonics are playing a new brand of ball and I like it. Allen had 35, and Rid with another solid outing 20 pts. and 13 assists. Rashard chipped in 15 and then Swift, boo ya! The Nets were on an 0 for 5 road trip I believe but I'll take it. Crawling back to respectability. Kidd had a horrible night...good for us.

The Sonics new playing style is straight from a Jersey album cover. Coming to an arena near you. Special appearence tomorrow at the key just for Portland. Should be a cool game.

My favorite Trail Blazers player when I was a little kid. The Sonics N Blazers rivalry writes another chapter this Monday night, i'll be watching on Blazer TV. Go Sonics! Run em out of the gym.

The Fran Drescher State

Calling all intelligent alien life forms, please destroy this band with whatever death rays you have before they make anymore filler rock. Calling out to the lighter wavers of the world, Journey, Styx, and Boston are all the same band. And Bon Jovi is something I get on a pizza when I have a beer buzz. Joisy...gotta love it.

  So its the Nets for the Sonics tonight at Key. The Nets just were down the road in Portland and took a beating from a resurgent Sebastien Telfair and the Blazers so were gonna get em on a downer and long road trip blues game.

  Guess its time to give a 1/2 season report card, lemme think about it after tonight and then the Portland game Ill grade the underachieving Sonics. I shall return to blog more...b4 tonights game.

 

Mavs Hold On

Mikki Moore doing either his best Chris Rock or worst Predator imitation.

  The Sonics had they're mini win streak ended last night by a hot Dallas team that swept they're road trip, including us. Seattle starters Luke Ridnour and Vlade R missed the game due to injuries and we still managed to hang tough. Hang Tough, wasn't that a New Kid's album? The Sonics are the walking wounded with Fortson out, Potapenko, and back up guard Rick Brunson is out with a foot ailment that sounds like latin, I can't pronounce it.

In with the old and in with the new. New Sonics assistant coach Detlef Schremph gives some pointers to the largest red headed step child Robert Swift. I can still hear the PA announcer back in the day when Detlef was introduced at the Key, "Detlef SSSSCCCCRRRREEEEMMMMMPH!"

  I'm out the door to sell falafels in the rain and await our upcoming game with Joisy...the state that spawned Bon Jovi and Fran Drescher, cultural capital of the world. On a positive note, they did film "Toxic Avenger" in that state, kudos Joisy!

Jazz Play A Sour Note At Home

"Cool Hand" Luke is getting better with every game. Luke dished out 7 assists and put 17 on the board in a rare Sonic road victory over the Jazz.

 

    The 3 Amigos of the North helped put this in the W column. Ray, Rashard & Ridnour respectively spread the wealth amongst themselves. The point totals were Ray 22, Rashard 16, and Luke 17...and Flip Murray with 81 points to match Kobe...ok I made the last one up. This is also the 1st time we have won consecutive games since Dec. 16-19! Its a new look line up featuring "the need for speed".

  Vlade Radmonavic has been starting effectively since his awesome performance a few days back against PHX. And the no scoring power forward he replaced, Reggie Evans is already whining for a trade. Team chemistry baybee...and harmony. Later Reggie, get on the page or be gone. I'd rather see the team win than worry about minutes for an average player at best.

  More minutes are have also been in the mix for Robert Swift and Johan Petro. They are young, Swift just out of high school, and Petro a 19 yr old from France. Whenever someone tells me they are from France I think they're parents are Coneheads and we will soon be consuming "mass quantities" of beverage and head to the bedroom to toss the "ring on the cone". Better than sex so say the Coneheads! Having these two on the floor ups the "greyhound factor" significantly. Teams aren't reacting well but I'm sure someone is drawing something up as we speak to kill it. Roll with it Sonics...its working and Bob Hill seems to be gaining a little player respect. Ray even said some good things about him after yesterdays game!

Ray leads the team night in and night out in scoring, and he did it again last night with 22. Now the defense part? Guess you can't have it all.

  Tonight we play Dallas at home and if we continue this trend we can win this game. Need a little dee and explosive offense to get by the Mavs. So 4 at home now and then 4 on the road. Hopefully like TLC back in the day we will "Creep" toward .500 and get into the playoffs this season. It can happen Sonic faithful...then again. We'll see if we can somehow roll up a fat winning streak and make it happen.

Back Full Force

  I have been away on vacation but Iam back at home in the Rose City and ready to resume Sonic blogging. I was on the train and missed the OT win over Phoenix and the NFL playoff games drifted in and out on Walkman. Heard a fuzzy report about Kobe's 81 point game. I was the reporter who broke the news to the train, playoff scores too! So we...in order, since the Miami game and blog our games have been: LAC 98   SEA:  72,   GS 109   SEA: 93,   TOR:  121   SEA: 113,  SEA: 152   PHX: 149 (2 OT's). The last victory rawks but overall not good. We take on Utah tomorrow, regular blogging will start then!

Jurassic Jive Time

Recently released Toronto center Barney livin' it up in LA. He is world wide and if your kid likes him...worry...alot!

Out of the Loop

  Hey Everybody. Sorry about the accidental football blog posting the other day.I'm on vacation in Palm Desert and pc access is nill. My (and your) Sonics are tankin'. Caught a quip of Luke getting smack from Baron Davis during agame this week. I will be back home Monday night and the blog will be back to normal.

  I'm in Laker La La Ville, and they are doing pretty good but I hates hearing about KOBE! I don't give a rat's!

   Oh but while I was away Deadspin.com did name me 3rd BEST SONICS BLOG ON THE NET! And also "BEST SONICS BLOG OUTSIDE THE PUGET SOUND AREA"...I can deal  with that and it only motivates me to do better.

Don't brawl wit my boy Luke, ya know, the size of the dog, the fight in the dog...all that.

  Toronto at home tonight...beat Bosh and those Barney boys...yeah the Barney possee. I'm running out of room to pass smack, Sonic green is slimy green mold...at least mold attacks something rotten. But I'll dish it out and take it! Get it tonight!

HOTEL CORAL ESSEX

  One former Sonic who I always liked to watch play and led the Sonics farther than they had been in eons in the mid 90's, Gary Payton, returns to the Key. Not sayin' he is the most likeable guy but in his hey day, he had it goin' on. A vagabond now, a loaded six string on his back, he plays for keeps...heyyyyyyyy...wait a minute. Anyway Payton returns with his South Beach Crew to the precipitous NWest to face the Sonics and I'm looking forward to seeing if we can hang and steal one from the Heat. Gotta say I dig the Floridians/Heat page that celebrates the old ABA club, and dresses up the current roster in vintage Floridian uni's with fros included! Its at the Heat official site if your interested.

Miami has for real celebrities at they're games. Seattle's version of Jack Nicholsen or David Caruso used to be Pearl Jam in the front row behind the Sonic bench. Ah, those were the days. Hey look! Theres the dude from Candlebox!  Candle Who? Yep, celebrity watching in Seattle is a different game. But I would gladly bust a clarinet over Kenny G's head if I saw him at a game for filling my head with shit whenever i step into a store or elevator. F*ck you, Kenny G!   We'll see Dwayne Wade also. Shaq Daddy Bom Bastic. I'm sure Collison and Petro will be punishing Shaq all nite. I say Bombs Away Rashard and Rid!! Keep em on they're toes. Beat Miami. SEATTLE #1 MIAMI #1 MIAMI #2 MIAMI #3   I hereby certify that this mans name has been removed from the list that in anyway associates, or gives any props, to him even being remotely identified as being from the region of the NWest and Seattle as a whole. Its like indentifying Chicago music with Micheal Bolton. Enough of the clowning. GO SONICS! The Unrest of the N'West against the beast of the East...bring it!

A Little R & R

  What could have spelled disaster for the Sonics brought them together for a W...finally. After Ray Allen was ejected for scuffling with, let me rephrase that, almost actual fighting with Magic guard Keyon Dooling. The fight spilled into the stands and I thought Dooling got the better of it. The aloof Seattle crowd poured not a beer on the head of the players, just lattes! It was there, so I took it. I'm sure suspensions and big fines will follow. But on to win.

Rashard put the beat down on the Magic to the tune of 45 points.

Luke says "Iam Your Father", 4 for 4 on 3's, 23 points and a big time step up. Stay there Rid.

  I was falling asleep when the sports report came on and "the fight" was a featured segment. Guess it did get pretty spirited. Listening to the sometimes funny, mostly annoying Vegas boy Colin Cowherd and he just mentioned it, said haymakers were flying and Allen "did not get the best of it." Enough, cheeee ulll to the next episode.

  My fave player in the NBA Luke Ridnour, from tiny Blaine, WA stepped up to the mike and dropped bombs all nite. I always stoke when Luke does well, as I have said I resided in his hometown for a year on the Canadian Border and have a genuine affection for the tiny town. It has a Burger King by the truck crossing and some of the worst pizza in the world at a hell hole called "the Pizza Factory", nuff said. I swear that place bought Totino's and just put toppings on it. Went there, once.

  Iam drifting down memory lane again, it just always trips me an NBA player came from there! And right up the road Steve Nash from Victoria, BC. You see, I lived in Harlem, played street ball in Venice and Laguna Beach...breeding grounds for great players. Played in games (the 80's, and no, I didn't wear Stockton Dolphin shorts!) where NBA players were on the court, some old ABA ballers too. High caliber stuff. A pick up game in Blaine, WA was a 7 yr old kid who wouldn't dribble, a few Mexican dudes in street clothes with hard soled black shoes on, a wimpy priest chiding me for fouling too hard and taking it too seriously, one decent teenage kid, and dogs running on the court and little kids walking through the game. No NBA player comes from this! But Luke did, and prospered. On Saturday nights the big thing to do was go to the Bordertown Tavern and hear the house band play horrible Bad Co. and Foriegner covers. It was culture shock to me but I grew to love that little shanty town. I hope Luke stays at this level he played at last night, we will need his contributions even more when Ray is suspended. Ride on Luke.

  Rashard for one game at least showed some leadership skills and took the team on his back to the win at the Key. Lewis was on the line and capilizing at the charity stripe going a cool 17 for 20 from the line. I love free throws because they are, free shots uncontested for your hard work (no, not the GWB version of what "hard work") for taking it to the hole and forcing the other team to foul you. It starts a nice vicious circle if you can take advantage of it. Bravo Rashard...now play some dee and grab a rebound or 2!

  Iron Maiden said it best in "Run to the Hills", the two coaches courtsidewere both Hills, Brian and Bob. So we have 2 vicotories in "the Hill Era". Still looking for that improved defense but Rome wasn't built in a day I guess.

 And I throw out mad props to the team down the I-5 from mine and the city where I reside. The Portland Trail Blazers didn't take out the elite Lakers but anytime you "Beat LA!" it rocks. Especially when your the 2nd worst team in the league at this pont. Steve Blake had the stroke and Ruben Patterson was awesome. I like it when Kobe looks dumbfounded. And one last thing, what the f8ck is up with Phil Jackson's "throne"? Talk about an ego. Its so much bigger and higher than the bench seats. He makes the assistant coaches look like OOmpa Loompas! And it is tricked out like a James Bond car I hear. Glad you lost in Portland Mr. Egotistical Inspector Gadget. Sit upon your throne and gaze down on mediocrity. Sorry Jack & Diane...put it in the "L" column. Beat LA!

Steve Blake, when he has his stroke...he da man!

 

Kreskin Was Magic

 The lowly, well same as us pretty much, Magic come to the Key Wed. 1/11 at 7pm.

 

For Whom the Liberty Bell Tolls

One star, A.I. runs into our high school wiz kid who never plays Robert Swift Were 1-4 on this road trip and discombobulated. Think we have lost 3 in a row. Maybe because its we released Mateen Cleaves last week. No, it wasn't that...we just suck on dee!

  We lost in the city of Brotherly love. And one of the brothers who did us in was Allan Iverson. 41 pts for my favorite "g". Like him or not, he kicks some serious ass.

  If we didn't have the leagues worst...yep...WORST defense, we would be a pretty good team. But we don't so here we are. Less than mediocre. We return home to play Orlando and tough Miami. Miami just was here in town to play the Blazers and whupped they're ass. The always quotable Ruben Patterson said Gary Payton, x Mr. Sonic,and now with Miami, came up to him after the game and said, "You guys really suck" Of course he told the press. You gotta love this guy. Well, Miami dosen't suck and we do. So I hope Gary leaves us alone with his remarks.

  Ray scores and scores and scores, but is as pourous as Sponge Bob Square Pants when it comes to stopping scorers. What er ya gonna do?

Knicks Prevail

 David Lee sinks the winning shot and beats Seattle with time running out. Oy vey! Will this ever end?

  Sorry peeps about my blog the past few days. My pc is screwing up. Oh yeah I'm on the dial up with an ancient 755mhz and it freezes continuously. Its frustrating because alot of the games I follow on AOL Scorecast and my Flinstones pc left me hangin' hard for this game.  The pc freezes right when Vlade sinks a long j and the Sonics went ahead 113-111 with a small chunk of time left. I was exhilarated for they had made a late surge and BAM! Left hangin'. Saw the 11 o' clock news for the bad news. Couldn't follow the Sixers game today or freakin' listen to Sportsbloggers Live either. Sports Bloggers ratings took a big hit the last 3 weeks without me listening, the other 4 listeners had to hold down the fort! In all realness it sucks, I miss I M ing Jamie and the crew during the show cuz something possesses me to go loony when they are on air. I'll be in SoCal visiting my dad next week on vacation in Palm Desert, so get ready Bloggers crew, I'll be on a real pc and if I'm on my way to Catalina Island I'll use a wireless laptop. So I may be on the deck of a sailboat in the sun while the Bloggers are indoors in the aptly named Dulles, VA. And I will think of my friends in Portland also who are enduring about 2 months of consecutive rain. My pc is working now so I'll try and catch up. Thanks for your patience, all 5 of you who actually read my blog.

New York State of Mind

VS 

From Pavarotti to the Beastie Boys, the Rangers, freakin' Hootie & the Blowfish. They all played the Garden. This place has seen more history than any arena I can think of. My Sonics play there tomorrow. Make a little history, beat the Knicks in they're house.

 

Hill Has Hills To Climb

Rashard Lewis drives between 2 Pistons for  hoop, hey, is that Ben Wallace not blocking a shot, amazing. Hands down Ben has the best hair in the league. Dare you to say anything about his doo to his face!

  The Sonics lost a tight one in Detroit last night but considering, they looked OK doing it! Going into Detroit is about the toughest road game for any team in the NBA. We were right in it till midway through the 4th, I'll take this loss with a grain of salt, whatever that means.

  I'm not a Detroit fan. Some for reasons not pertaining to sports but a particularly insane man I was forced to work with from Detroit at a restaurant I worked in NYC. Same name as me too, Al, from Deeeeetroit he would say. Between puffs of a crack pipe back in the alley, not me of course. Would tell me stories of his gang robbing people at Auburn Hills in the parking lot of the arena, and "beatin' em down" afterward, some critically. Even said he set a dudes hair on fire after he robbed him, doused it w/lighter fluid and lit it. This guy was a peach. Not much rattles me, but this guy in a kitchen full o knives was the ultimate distraction. I made the critical mistake one night...called him out. Told him to shut the f*ck up, he was discussing a rape he had committed...that was all I could take. Didn't wanna hear anymore. He freaked and lo and behold...grabbed an 8" chefs knife and came at me. Safety in the work place I always say. He stopped right in front of me, I thought he was bluffing. No way even an x con is gonna stab someone in full view of everybody in a **** restaurant right? Wrong. He pressed the tip of the knife to my belly, and mini thrusted. Broke skin and slid in, no lie...about 1/2 inch and he held it there. Called me a beeyatch and said he was gonna set my hair on fire too! All staff was stunned and too afraid to intervene. He was high on crack cocaine having just come from the alley.

  Not being macho, but didn't have time to be afraid, it all happened so fast. I just stepped backwards quicky, he froze. Moved to his side and open handed, kinda like a palm thrust, full force hit the inside of his wrist. The knife skittered cross the floor. The staff pounced, dogpile of death on top of this insane dude and it was all we could do to hold him down. I broke his wrist it later turned out. Um, he got fired and put away for 2 years. Heard through the grapevine he was gonna kill me when he got out! Yeah, these are the people I want in my life. Didn't have to sweat it though. The day he got out (and I knew it) he crack'd out, OD'd and died! I'm compassionate but I was relieved in a way as cold as it sounds. Big Al my non bruddah, RIP. Thanks for one of the worse nights of my life. I was complemented by the staff, they thought the disarming move was awesome. But Al from Deeee troit, you forever changed my opinion of Dee Town. Although I'm sure the majority of people from Detroit are cool. Its kinda like when the class clown acted up and everyone had to stay after class. He was the class murderer, rapist, robber. And he was released to the public to wreak havoc! Unbelievable. Side tracked...back to the game!

Parlez vous francais Chauncey? Johan Petro slams one home for two of his career high 10 points. Hey, its his 1st yr of the career so he'll beat 10pts this season.

  One strange call happened at a critical time. Coach Hill was called for a technical on a 3 point attempt by Richard Hamilton. With the outcome still very much in doubt. The Pistons were ahead 83-76 with 4:19 left when Hamilton launched his shot...which missed by the way. Hill's foot was on the court and he was in close proximity to Hamilton when the shot was taken. Shot interference technical, basket good. Hill protested hardily to no avail. That pretty much put the game outta reach.

  Rashard scored 27 and Allen 22, seems like the only guys who score for the Sonics. The rest is filler at this point. Rookie center Petro had 10 also. Lets see if Hill can help this team play together. Toiling under .500 sucks, its always hard to get back there and then go a few games over the hump.

Iam no fashion advocate, t shirt and jeans for me. But if Allen Iverson wears his pants too low, Hill pants are ridin' high! Is that belt at chest level or what? And the tie is too short, like a clown tie. Add sqirting boutineer and you have the complete clowny coach! Just kidding...Bob is dead serious.

Firing=Rare Road Win

Ray and Luke helped guide Seattle beat the Bulls in the Windy city. Off to sell falafels and it ain't raining! More later...

Hammerdown!

No, not that Bobby Hill who is Hank's son. Its Bob Hill, new interim coach of the Sonics.

  I have no problem with this decision to fire Weiss. He is a great guy but the coaching record speaks for itself. But even I can't believe Sonic management pulled the trigger on this, so early in the season. I think they saw what I saw. And yes I do feel you have a "feel" for where the team is headed with a little more than a quarter season gone. Sure teams have turned it around after a start like this but we shouldn't be this far down in the 1st place I feel. With this years roster playing to its potential I saw us realistically as a #7 seed or therabouts.

  Bobby, we hardly knew ye! Just had a cup o coffee as head coach. But he has been a part of coaching Seattle ball since 1994 I think. Also a fact, he was on the 1st year 1967 Sonics team as a player. Good luck & Bon Voyage, although I hear he is still with the team and all is amicable. I wouldn't be too stoked to have the rug pulled out this early, but as I said, I'm down for a change. Didn't like the hire in the 1st place. No hard feelings Bob.

Set the Pace

 
Pacers vs. SuperSonics
Monday, Jan. 2
7:00 EST, Conseco Fieldhouse

Surprise! We lost!

Through the Griz Grinder

Damien Wilkins takes it to the hole on Lorenzen Wright. The Sonics fell to the Grizzlies at home, 100-96. Same old, same old.

Vladimer has a long way to go to match Gene Simmon's!

  We play the Pacers Monday in Indy. They are not playing well. Niether are we.