The Sonics played a huge 4th quarter, pulling to within a one point with less 55 seconds left after trailing the entire game, but in the end it wasn't enough. The Nets were just good enough to make the plays needed to pull out the game, while the young Sonics fell short again after a valiant comeback. It's not a terrible loss or anything, and if the Sonics have a chance to win every game in the 4th quarter, they'll start winning more than once every 7 games. As it is, the Sonics fell to 2-11.
Green is Good: Jeff Green is quickly becoming one of my favorite Sonics. Green didn't get the start, but he played great, scoring in double figures for the 3rd straight game and matching his 14 points with with 14 rebounds. This was also his 2nd consecutive double-double. Green brings a lot of energy to the floor, and is a very intelligent basketball player. He's beginning to take advantage of mismatches. The Net's are a nice matchup as they don't have very good post players to guard him, but at the same time, he had to guard some of the Net's perimeter scorers, specifically Richard Jefferson and Vince Carter. He wasn't great, but was able to box out and he gets to a lot of loose balls. Green played 33 minutes and was 6-10 from the field. His one weak point was turnovers as he led the team with 4 (tied with Earl Watson and Delonte West).
Go West!: Delonte West was an impact player again, scoring 17 points and being the focal point on offense. West is excellent in the fast break game, and is learning how to work the pick and roll, the bread and butter play for most NBA teams. It was nice to see West put together consecutive strong games, maybe Coach Carlesimo will start to look at starting West. I like West's energy coming off the bench as well, but at some point, he is going to need to get consistent minutes and know that he isn't a few bad minutes of being yanked for another 30+ minutes of 'Watson-time'. West was confident and shot the ball 14 times, a season high for him. Playing against a familiar foe (he played the Nets 4 times a year with the Celtics before this season) might have given West added confidence.
KD on D: Kevin Durant, was taken to school by the Jefferson/Carter combo, as the pair took turns teaching the rookie a lesson on defense. Hubie Brown certainly didn't shy away from mentioning it. Aside from being abused on defense, Durant again struggled shooting the ball, going 4-12 for 12 points. But when the chips were down, Durant came up big, with a monster slam and nailing a contested three on consecutive possessions in the 4th quarter. I'm still waiting for Coach Carlesimo to get him some easier looks, but I know he'll figure it out. He's too good not to.
Crunch time lineup: West, Durant, Wilkins, Green, and Thomas. Wilcox has been the Sonics' best player this year, but Coach Carlesimo stuck Thomas in for crunch time, and it wasn't a bad decision. This was a game the Nets won with experience, constantly making the smart play to win the game. Thomas has that effect on the Sonics, and essentially always make the correct play, whether fouling to stop a fast break by pulling on Richard Jefferson's jersey, or making Jason Kidd go to the line to earn points the hard way.
Saddle Up: The Supersonics have tomorrow off, before facing the defending champion San Antonio Spurs on Sunday. While I don't expect a win, it will be interesting to see the Sonics match up with their template. As everyone probably knows by now, Clay Bennett wants to model his franchise after the Spurs, and as such he pilfered Coach Carlesimo and front office up and comer Sam Presti to lead the Sonics. I'm sure there will be some emotions on Sunday.
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Saturday 11/24/2007 Picks
Dallas (-4.5) over Milwaukee
Denver (+4.5) over Houston
Boston (-6.5) over Charlotte - I know this is a trap, but I can't help it. There is no way Boston
won't win by 7.
(Yesterday 4-0, 14-10 on the year) I knew I would make it back.
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