As the Seattle Supersonics fell to 2-10 yesterday after a 125-108 loss to the Memphis Grizzlies (for the 2nd time this season), I was thinking about what to write. A lot of times it is tough to find positives out of another loss, but with a team as young as the Sonics in what can clearly now be called a rebuilding year, you measure a worthwhile year by other factors: player development, team improvement over the course of the season, weeding out the players who aren't part of the future, etc. With that in mind, I'll do a gimmick post, the classic 'thumbs up/thumbs down' rundown of the game.
Thumbs Up: To Jeff Green who earned his first start vs. the Grizzlies and recorded career highs in minutes (31) and rebounds (14). Green added 11 points for his first double-double, and was a monster on the offensive glass snatching 8 rebounds after missed Sonics shots. On the downside, Green shot just 4-12 from the field, and recorded only 1 assist (not usually an issue for a frontcourt player but Green's passing skills from college were especially hyped). Still Green has already turned out to be one of the top rookies in the NBA living up to his lofty draft status. While most expected Green to claim a starting job eventually this season, I think its safe to say he is ahead of schedule. Green is currently averaging 9.8 points per game and his numbers should continue to climb as he is rewarded with more minutes. Green could be a 12-13 ppg scorer his rookie year if he continues to get playing time.
Thumbs Down: Kevin Durant. Durant started his NBA career with a bang, scoring 18, 27, 24, and 27 points in his first four professional games leading a lot of people to believe he was going to be even better than we expected (and we expected alot). Unfortunately, since then Durant has struggled, scoring over 20 just twice, and even more discouragingly, shooting over 38% from the field in just one game. He's managed to balance his extremely poor shooting by getting to the free throw line more (where he converts an outstanding 84%), but he has been unable to balance his dropoffs in other areas, including rebounding , where he is averaging just over 3 rpg over the last 8 games. Almost no one expected Jeff Green to be the better Sonics rookie so far, but that's exactly what their PERs through 12 games say (13.88 to 12.60). It's November, and KD has plenty of time to pick it up, but by playing so well his first four games, he raised everyone's expectations. The worst news is that he appears to finally be losing confidence, taking a career low 8 shots vs. Memphis. We need you KD. Coach Carlesimo: Can you get KD some easier scoring opportunities? Would it kill you? He's only 19 for goodness' sake.
Thumbs Up: Sonics Rebounding. The Sonics outrebounded the Grizzlies 48-35, including an 18-10 edge on the offensive glass (thank you Jeff Green). In addition to Green's big game, Johan Petro added 7 in 17 minutes, Chris Wilcox grabbed 6, and Wally Szczerbiak and Damien Wilkins grabbed 5 apiece.
Thumbs Down: Starting slow. The Sonics came out like zombies for the start of both halfs, losing ending the first quarter down by 14, and losing another 10 points in the third. The Sonics aren't good enough to fight back from big deficits, and coming out of the locker room flat is the surest way for a young team to get blown out.
Thumbs Up: Delonte West. I'd be remiss if I didn't mention the Sonics leading scorer. West scored 17 points (including 3-3 from downtown) and added 4 assists in 26 minutes of action. Coach Carlesimo went with the hot hand giving Earl Watson 22 minutes. Watson had a decent night as well scoring 11 points, though he only recorded 3 assists less than half of his season average. With Luke Ridnour out two-four weeks, this is a great time for one of these guys to seize control of the point guard position.
Thumbs Down: Sonics counting stats. As expected in a loss where the outcome was never in doubt, the Grizzlies put up more steals (9 to 5), assists (33 to 20), blocks (9 to 3), hand less turnovers (13 to 16) and had an outstanding night from the field (55.8% overall).
Thumbs Up: The Sonics are done with their 5 game road trip and return home for Thanksgiving. Their next game is a nationally televised battle with the New Jersey Nets.
Thumbs Down: The Sonics had a losing record on the road trip.
Thumbs Up: I correctly predicted the number of wins for the Sonics on the road trip.
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