Sonics Rising - All PostsThe sane voice of the Sonics' return to Seattlehttps://cdn.vox-cdn.com/community_logos/51481/sonicsrising-fav.png2020-04-01T06:00:00-07:00http://www.sonicsrising.com/rss/current/2020-04-01T06:00:00-07:002020-04-01T06:00:00-07:00Sonics Rising is on hiatus
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<p id="0IpbIW">Hello Sonics Fans. I’m here to let you know our plans for this great site. </p>
<p id="LuK0MF">When we first brought this site into the SB Nation network it seemed like the NBA was about to make its grand return to your great city. I was thrilled to work with Brian and Kevin to integrate this community into our larger network of sites covering the NBA and was excited to have the best Sonics site in the world as part of our family. </p>
<p id="OlUU1W">I don’t need to tell you how that played out and where things stand now. </p>
<p id="G2ZYk8">Given the current situation and a few other factors outside our control, we’re going to put Sonics Rising in kind of suspended state. The site will remain online with all the great existing content still available and when the NBA finally does get ready to revive the Sonics franchise we’ll be here to restart things.</p>
<p id="e8mcTc">Sonics Rising has played such a vital role in your community documenting, organizing and commiserating about the various ups and downs over the past decade. This really is a special place and I can’t wait for the time when it rises up to cover the next iteration of NBA in Seattle.</p>
<p id="bC7iQP">Please let me know if you have any questions via email: sethpollack at sbnation dot com.</p>
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https://www.sonicsrising.com/2020/4/1/21201616/sonics-rising-is-on-hiatusSeth Pollack2019-12-20T11:58:20-08:002019-12-20T11:58:20-08:00SonicsRising supports fired California SB Nation Bloggers
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<p id="Lt8lb6">SB NATION NBA BLOGGERS’ STATEMENT REGARDING RECENTLY ANNOUNCED CHANGES FOR CALIFORNIA INDEPENDENT CONTRACTORS:</p>
<p id="YuUpsP">We are the bloggers. SB Nation calls us “<a href="https://www.sbnation.com/2019/12/16/21024100/thank-you-california"><strong>Community Insiders</strong></a>.” Deadspin has referred to us as an “<a href="https://deadspin.com/how-sb-nation-profits-off-an-army-of-exploited-workers-1797653841"><strong>Army of Exploited Workers</strong></a>.” We call ourselves fans.</p>
<p id="wt5858">For almost 15 years, team site bloggers have been the passionate heartbeat of SB Nation. That heart skipped a beat when most of us learned along with the general public that Vox Media/SB Nation planned to terminate their independent contractor agreements with bloggers who live in California or work for California-based team sites.</p>
<p id="rzckBR">These are our friends, colleagues, and peers. We are heartbroken that many of them will not be able to continue doing something they love because of this decision. While we acknowledge SB Nation was forced to make changes due to the <a href="https://www.latimes.com/california/story/2019-09-18/gavin-newsom-signs-ab5-employees0independent-contractors-california"><strong>recent passage of AB5</strong></a> in California, which defines and limits the nature of independent contractor arrangements, we are deeply disappointed in how they chose to move forward and how they chose to announce these decisions.</p>
<p id="N9yBj0">These hard-working bloggers were not informed of their imminent termination prior to SB Nation’s public announcement on Monday, December 16. This, despite numerous efforts by SB Nation bloggers to discuss a path forward months ago when AB5 was passed. That is shameful. We should have been told of the planned changes months ago, ahead of the general public, and given a voice in how to best help our communities with these transitions.</p>
<p id="FvfmLS">We have built SB Nation through a late night recap after a game that goes into 2OT on the West Coast, by interacting with our fans through social media, comments, and watch parties, and by providing amazing journalism well above our pay grade. We are also your friends at work in the cubicle next to you reporting on breaking news on our lunch break, your classmate cramming for the test while also moderating a comment section, and the fan sitting next to you in the nosebleeds while providing in game updates.</p>
<p id="g9xrwt">We also build and curate communities which serve as vital online “homes” for so many sports fans. Our network not only stands to lose an immense amount of talented writers, creators, and managers, but vast reservoirs of institutional knowledge and the trust of our community members that can’t be replaced with just any employee. All of that work for limited compensation has generated huge value for SB Nation and its parent, Vox Media.</p>
<p id="kOo1tH">And make no mistake, there are alternatives. SB Nation could have offered full or part time employment to their current California site managers, while maintaining the independent contractor model for contributors on a lesser scale. The law permits this, but SB Nation decided, without consultation, to instead terminate all independent contractor contracts and with that, so many fantastic team sites with their own voice and loyal followings.</p>
<p id="jLsuCI">California bloggers and team brands deserve a lot more than a pat on the head and the opportunity to battle it out for a handful of jobs. The rest of us deserve the assurance that we won’t be the next ones to <a href="https://www.goldenstateofmind.com/2019/12/16/21024619/nba-2019-did-vox-just-fire-the-entire-golden-state-of-mind-staff"><strong>learn from a tweet</strong></a> that our contracts have been terminated.</p>
<p id="pIvkoe">We call on SB Nation to open an honest dialogue with us and our communities about these changes, and to give us a greater voice in any future decisions affecting the heart of our work and communities. We deserve at least that, and frankly we deserve a lot more.</p>
https://www.sonicsrising.com/2019/12/20/21031971/sonicsrising-supports-fired-california-sb-nation-bloggersKevin Nesgoda2019-07-17T13:45:50-07:002019-07-17T13:45:50-07:00Fans Invited as Seattle Welcomes NHL Legend Ron Francis
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<p>Join Tod Leiweke at the BeerHall in Queen Anne July 18, 5-8pm</p> <div id="NRoBID">
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<p lang="en" dir="ltr">Join us tomorrow at Queen Anne Beerhall for a Toast to the Fans with <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/NHLSeattle?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#NHLSeattle</a> CEO Tod Leiweke and a special guest. <br><br>Details → <a href="https://t.co/KOLuXSn1AB">https://t.co/KOLuXSn1AB</a> <a href="https://t.co/ZhTkqyZPtU">pic.twitter.com/ZhTkqyZPtU</a></p>— NHL Seattle (@NHLSeattle_) <a href="https://twitter.com/NHLSeattle_/status/1151544942990204928?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">July 17, 2019</a>
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<p id="BYn03t">Tod Leiweke has invited fans to celebrate tomorrow afternoon at 5pm as NHL Seattle prepares for a major milestone, the hiring of their first team staffer. The franchise is expected to name NHL Legend Ron Francis as their General Manager.</p>
<p id="EGlbVr">Francis is a legend in the NHL, ranked #5 all time in scoring and #2 all time in assists. To put some perspective on that the NBA’s fifth ranked scorer is Michael Jordan and the #2 in assists is Magic Johnson.</p>
<p id="CdZ9kr"><a href="https://t.co/nXPxXGqlNz">The Hockey News </a>wrote a great article describing what it means to have landed such a high profile individual on an expansion team:</p>
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<p id="7CSLf4">On one hand, Francis makes plenty of sense as a figurehead hiring. He’s one of the most respected hockey players ever. He was known for his class, winning three Lady Byng Trophies. He ranks second in NHL history in assists, fourth in games and fifth in points. He’s one of the best ever to do it, he brings brand-name glamor to the GM position, and he’s well-liked across the league. From a public-relations standpoint, Francis is a home-run hire.</p>
<p id="9EvsGc">“It’s a great choice for an expansion franchise,” said an NHL team executive. “It gives them instant credibility by adding a first-class guy that knows all sides of the game and quietly did a great job starting the turnaround in Carolina.”</p>
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<p id="ReeEbD"><a href="https://www.seattletimes.com/sports/hockey/nhl-seattle-makes-big-splash-by-adding-ron-francis-as-gm-but-dont-evaluate-the-hire-now/">Matt Calkins of the Seattle Times describes the move as a “Big Splash”:</a></p>
<blockquote><p id="ASUSgn">If we’re talking about stature, team president Tod Leiweke couldn’t have done much better than Francis. If he wanted to announce to the league that Seattle is here to rumble with the big boys, luring a first-ballot Hall of Famer was his Michael Buffer moment.</p></blockquote>
<p id="taP2qs">As someone who is new to hockey this is my first chance to really dive into a franchise acquisition. I’ve spent the last day reading up on <a href="https://www.nhl.com/news/ron-francis-100-greatest-nhl-hockey-players/c-285371266">his history as a player</a> and <a href="https://nhltoseattle.com/2019/07/17/a-look-at-how-new-nhl-seattle-gm-ron-francis-fared-in-carolina/">relied on the gang at @NHLtoSeattle to educate me on what he could bring to the table as a manager</a>. </p>
<p id="H3j7YX"><a href="https://go.redirectingat.com?id=66960X1516590&xs=1&url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.bonanza.com%2Flistings%2FMen-s-Hartford-Whalers-10-Ron-Francis-Throwback-Stitched-Hockey-Jersey-Green%2F732903804%3Fgoog_pla%3D1%26variation_id%3D1060048104%26gpid%3D173784728461%26keyword%3D%26goog_pla%3D1%26pos%3D1o3%26ad_type%3Dpla%26gclid%3DCj0KCQjwjrvpBRC0ARIsAFrFuV-wkf05QoE-B__2NCivwYiWcFdWhwm_VksTds5niIG2CKNiG4jzRyAaArdbEALw_wcB&referrer=sbnation.com&sref=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.sonicsrising.com%2F2019%2F7%2F17%2F20698351%2Ffans-invited-as-seattle-welcomes-nhl-legend-ron-francis" rel="sponsored nofollow noopener" target="_blank">I finally bought myself a jersey</a></p>
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<p id="lwRzoU">This is the very first time my new franchise has acquired an asset for me to judge. It’s the first time I really have a chance to think about what could be if this move works out. </p>
<p id="SOtRjq">What they delivered is one of the top 100 players in NHL History. The best NBA equivalent I can come up with for the Francis hire is Larry Bird. Bird, Like Francis is an all time great, Hall of Fame player with multiple championships and a productive, if not perfect front office career.</p>
<p id="M3qUDF">Larry Bird. Just think about that for a minute. These guys are doing it big.</p>
<p id="9gqhIe">#WeGotNext!</p>
https://www.sonicsrising.com/2019/7/17/20698351/fans-invited-as-seattle-welcomes-nhl-legend-ron-francisBrian Robinson2019-06-27T15:44:22-07:002019-06-27T15:44:22-07:00Dominant Week Brought to you by Symetra
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<p id="WNhO40">“The same principles that make [Seattle Center Arena] brilliant for hockey will make it brilliant for music and will make it brilliant for the NBA. We will have a huge welcome mat out for the NBA when they’re ready but again, we’re never going to get in front of the league.”</p>
<p id="sGn4ns">“They’re well aware of what we’re doing and we’re ensuring that it’s not only compliant with NBA standards but well above those standards.” - <a href="https://www.forbes.com/sites/carolschram/2019/06/24/nhl-seattle-is-thinking-big-with-nba-ready-arena-and-event-hosting-aspirations/#67b12748797a">Tod Leiweke - Forbes</a></p>
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<p id="ZTOWD3">When I first heard that the 2019 NHL draft would be held in Vancouver, BC, just 16 months before an anticipated 2020 Seattle franchise launch my imagination started working overtime. </p>
<p id="0em46P">I envisioned the road trip to Vancouver as the first of many victory rallies, with Seattle fans forming a caravan north for the first real opportunity to feel firsthand the passion of the league, I even thought that a few Sonics fans and “non-affiliated arena supporters” would join in the fun to catch the hockey fever.</p>
<p id="mnM7uK">A lot has changed since then, most specifically the fact that the franchise will not launch until 2021 and, while we are not getting ahead of any commissioners, it seems likely that Seattle will be hosting it’s own draft party just prior to that new open date.</p>
<p id="NlEI0P">Regardless of the change of circumstances my expectations had been formed early and local hype going into the draft weekend’s NHL draft seemed initially lacking. </p>
<p id="4RPys9">That feeling didn’t last long. </p>
<p id="fb9nEd">This last week has proven to be a good reminder that great performance and quality execution are more important than a catchy lead up narratives. As they often do the gang at NHL Seattle chose to prioritize execution of their corporate vision, <a href="https://t.co/9oEqJebEeI">interviewing GM candidates</a>, <a href="https://www.seattletimes.com/sports/hockey/no-new-gm-yet-but-a-key-hockey-operations-pickup-by-nhl-seattle-should-help-make-that-call/">landing another intriguing hire</a>,<a href="https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2019-06-24/seattle-s-nhl-expansion-team-lines-up-symetra-as-first-sponsor"> announcing Symetra as their first sponsor</a> and earning plenty of big time coverage from major publications like Forbes, USA Today, Bloomberg and the Los Angeles Times. In those articles they effectively utilized Jerry Bruckheimer’s celebrity, <a href="https://www.latimes.com/sports/hockey/la-sp-seattle-nhl-team-tod-leiweke-jerry-bruckheimer-20190623-story.html">laid out their vision for the franchise</a> and <a href="https://www.nhl.com/news/nhl-seattle-confident-with-long-term-plan/c-307961934">cemented their positions as the Rock Star’s of the professional sporting universe. </a></p>
<p id="o7m0OI">That is a ton of news, but David Bonderman’s crew was not done yet, following up with another blockbuster announcement that their minor league AHL franchise will be housed in a new $250M arena to be built in Palm Springs, CA. </p>
<p id="RQjgLF">As with virtually every aspect of this project the AHL arena and team are being viewed not as a standalone project, but rather as another part of a much larger vision of dominance in the live sports and entertainment market. </p>
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<p lang="en" dir="ltr">Why NHL Seattle chose Palm Springs for their future AHL farm team site. A planned $250M arena dubbed “the most expensive AHL-specific arena ever built” had a lot to do with it. <a href="https://t.co/ig92DyDhoP">https://t.co/ig92DyDhoP</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/NHL?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#NHL</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/NHLSeattle?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#NHLSeattle</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/AHL?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#AHL</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/PalmSprings?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#PalmSprings</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Boise?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Boise</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/OVG?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#OVG</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/LiveNation?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#LiveNation</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/OVGSeattle?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#OVGSeattle</a></p>— Geoff Baker (@GeoffBakerTIMES) <a href="https://twitter.com/GeoffBakerTIMES/status/1144125592398209024?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">June 27, 2019</a>
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<p id="gLOFS9">OVG co-founder Tim Leiweke, said the new arena will be the most expensive ever built as an AHL-specific venue. Leiweke said the projected $250 million cost is part of the commitment by billionaire David Bonderman — an OVG partner and principal owner of Seattle’s NHL team — to put a “best in class” hockey franchise in place from the minor leagues on up.</p>
<p id="NK5S06">Of prime importance to the team’s ownership, he added, was that the new arena will be a quick flight away from Seattle and allow for easy player transfers between the NHL and AHL squads. It will also enable Seattle hockey fans, many of them with retirement homes and part-time residences in Palm Springs — or who simply vacation there in hotels — to see up-and-coming minor-leaguers play on a regular basis.</p>
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<p id="ygmRv5">Assuming this plan moves forward the Palm Springs arena represents a third major construction project for this already busy team. I have not heard whether the building will be capable of hosting a G-League NBA affiliate but do know I’m excited about heading down to Palm Springs for sports and music getaways in the future.</p>
<p id="ZFAjiq">Expect to see more of this type of dominance from a group hellbent on assembling the most talented executive team in the history of sports. They know that they have plenty of time ahead to run a marketing campaign and also that messaging will be much, much easier as the team identity comes together and the building progresses. </p>
<blockquote><p id="PIJKjH">“Two years from now you can judge for yourself, but we think we’re building one of the greatest buildings in the world,” Leiweke said. “Perhaps in two years we’ll be hosting a very similar conference like this, and instead of projecting that we’re going to have one of the most beautiful buildings, you’re going to be asking us questions, saying, ‘Wow. How did this happen?” <a href="https://www.nhl.com/news/nhl-seattle-confident-with-long-term-plan/c-307961934">- Todd Lieweke </a></p></blockquote>
<p id="wRYpga">There is no doubt that 2 years from now, when the building is taking shape and the proof is tangible all of the arguments will become much easier. Real images of a new building will be more compelling than any mock up and critics with concerns that this group is not serious about the NBA will struggle to refute his brother Tim’s first press conference standing in a completed NBA locker room filled with green and gold amenities. </p>
<p id="x55jiW">So, given that marketing will be so much easier in the coming years, doesn’t it make sense to wait before trying? </p>
<p id="b8ZEnq">YES, the vast majority of that conversation should take a backseat to big accomplishments like they announced last week.</p>
<p id="uKDqXb">Does that reality invalidate my Vancouver draft expectations or the lingering feeling that “I can’t wait until they get around to talking to me?</p>
<p id="1RdJKH">NO, there is nothing wrong with being excited about the fan experience to come. People naturally feel more invested in ventures when invited to join early and share the formative experience than they do joining an already finished project so it makes sense for the team to roll out a more robust fan engagement strategy as soon as possible. </p>
<p id="cePJ29">We haven’t seen anything yet. This is only going to get bigger and more fun as the months go on. </p>
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https://www.sonicsrising.com/2019/6/27/18716264/dominant-week-brought-to-you-by-symetraBrian Robinson2019-06-24T13:36:29-07:002019-06-24T13:36:29-07:00Appreciating Lenny Wilkens
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<blockquote><p id="nQIF6R"><a href="https://www.nwcatholic.org/features/nw-stories/people-of-faith-lenny-wilkens.html">“I feel that by the way you live your life people will know who you are and what you’re about.”</a> - Lenny Wilkens</p></blockquote>
<p id="xMU0eq">Word broke early this morning that the Lenny Wilkens Foundation will be closing after a final dinner event this August, prompting a look back at the storied career and contributions of a local legend. For more insight about this news make sure to read these great articles by <a href="https://www.king5.com/article/news/local/sonics-legend-lenny-wilkens-to-end-foundation-this-year/281-01702ef8-ec09-4105-a2da-14db94a4f4a3">KING5’s Chris Daniels</a> and <a href="https://www.seattletimes.com/sports/other-sports/allen-lenny-wilkens-story/">Percy Allen of the Seattle Times</a>. </p>
<p id="4vguKM">Wilkens is best known for being an elite player and coach in the NBA, racking up countless awards and commendations over the course of a 45 year professional basketball career.</p>
<p id="wYWWcs">As a player he appeared in 9 all star games, earning MVP honors one time. He averaged double figures in 14 of his 15 seasons and, when he retired in 1975, was ranked second on the NBA all-time assist list with 7,211.</p>
<blockquote><p id="eEOwbc"><em>“I think that people are surprised when they read my statistics as a player, because most of them would remember me as a coach.”</em> Wilkens told SonicsRising, going on to explain that he was originally reticent to transition between those roles. <em>”They let the coach go and Dick Vertlieb who was the general manager, wanted me to be a player coach. I told him he was crazy. He said, no, you’re like a coach anyway on the floor. </em><em><strong>You know what to do, you run the show</strong></em><em>.” </em></p></blockquote>
<p id="X4xP1S">And run the show he did. </p>
<p id="uW4mLD"><a href="https://www.talkbasket.net/44486-words-of-wisdom-coaching-advice-from-lenny-wilkens">Wilkens went on to coach in the NBA for a mind boggling 32 seasons</a>, leading the NBA coaches association for 17 years. He led 9 different teams to 50 win seasons and retired with more wins (1,332), games coached (2,487) and losses (1,115) than any coach in NBA history before being surpassed by Don Nelson and Greg Popovich. </p>
<p id="cyKb7J">These achievements earned him an unmatched <a href="http://www.hoophall.com/hall-of-famers/lenny-wilkens/">3 entries into the Naismith Hall of Fame</a> and in <a href="http://sportspressnw.com/2118733/2011/lenny-wilkens-honored-for-lifetime-nba-achievement">2015 he was honored by the NBA with the Chuck Daly Lifetime Achievement award</a>. </p>
<p id="JurlF7">Regardless of how impressive those honors may be they represent just a fraction of his total accomplishments. You cannot appreciate the true greatness of Lenny Wilkens without considering the impact he has made outside of basketball. <em> </em></p>
<p id="poxe7i">For starters, Wilkens is a respected businessman who has served on corporate boards including Seattle Children’s Hospital, and the Institute of Human Virology. Over a span of 27 years his foundation has raised more than $10 million for charities including <a href="https://www.king5.com/article/news/health/childrens-healthlink/seattle-childrens-announces-odessa-brown-clinic-in-rainier-valley/281-579070110">the Odessa Brown Clinic which will be soon be breaking ground on a second facility named in his honor.</a></p>
<blockquote><p id="06jZZ5"><em>”I’m an active person, I can’t visualize not doing anything,” - </em>Wilkens told <a href="https://www.forbes.com/sites/steveschaefer/2015/02/11/lenny-wilkens-retirement-i-dont-understand-the-word/#646124476621">Forbes Magazine in a 2015 biography highlighting is off court activities. </a></p></blockquote>
<p id="PlNbiK">Pause for a minute and take this all in: A world champion with as many all-star appearances as Gary Payton, who coached at a Popovich level, excelled at business and politics while raising tens of millions of dollars for charity, then consider that all of that is just the tip of the iceberg when evaluating this great man. </p>
<p id="kQ3o2C">Trying to define Lenny Wilkens by listing off statistical accomplishments is like trying to prove Stevie Wonder, Prince or Frank Sinatra were great musicians by citing their record sales. Sure the numbers are impressive, but numbers alone cannot convey the artistry with which they lived their lives, the totality of their experience or the sum of the impact they made on others.</p>
<p id="fz7bBD">Lenny Wilkens is more than a player, coach, businessman or philanthropist. He is an icon who has lived each day of his life adhering to values collected and honed over time, surrounded by great people, building relationships and <strong>relentlessly learning from those around him. </strong></p>
<p id="X34LPD">The accumulation of those values started with his mother, a staunch Roman Catholic, forced by tragedy to support a young, mixed race family of 5 on her own in Brooklyn, NY during the 1940’s. </p>
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<p id="B8EcwT"><em>“My Dad died when I was five and so it was tough for my mother. But you know, she raised us and taught us that honesty and integrity were important to our character. </em></p>
<p id="rsc6T3"><em>She had a job that didn’t pay a whole lot. It was a struggle and at that time, if you were from a mixed race family and you went places, people would look. If she saw someone looking she would ask them what they were looking at. She wasn’t going to back down from anybody. </em></p>
<p id="dUhoTU"><em>As a youngster, you have to learn growing up that you’re going to speak up for yourself and take care of yourself. My mom set that example.”</em></p>
</blockquote>
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<figcaption>ROTC 2nd Lieutenant Lenny Wilkens attending college graduation with his mother.</figcaption>
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<p id="5k7wVt">His mother was the first of many great influences over the course of a lifetime spent seeking out mentors and learning at every opportunity. </p>
<blockquote>
<p id="PbPDvp"><em>“I think the people in your life help you become who you are because they have a part in your growth.”</em></p>
<p id="7fUjGm"><em>“I met some people who I thought were very instrumental growing up in Brooklyn. I had a little part time job and I remember delivering groceries to Jackie Robinson’s house and I got to meet him. The thing that I saw is that he was such a fierce competitor on the baseball field, but he was also very intelligent. And he used a lot of that. No matter what anyone said, it didn’t deter him from what he wanted to accomplish.”</em></p>
</blockquote>
<p id="zTLtL3">Wilkens has an endless trove of stories and experiences to share, transitioning deftly between subjects ranging from his childhood in New York, a fairytale NBA career, time spent leading young men as a Lieutenant in the United States Army and his experience supporting the Odessa Brown Clinic. He is quick to credit others by name and offers equal recognition and respect to unknown figures such as his childhood priest, <a href="https://www.currypilot.com/csp/mediapool/sites/CurryPilot/Obituaries/story.csp?cid=4249485&sid=920&fid=151">Father Tom Mannion</a> and the staff at Odessa Brown as he does NBA legends like Oscar Robinson and Jerry West, with whom he has traveled the globe, coaching youth camps, speaking and being an ambassador for the league. </p>
<blockquote><p id="8G4Cw5">“His gentlemanly manner and humble disposition have not changed in 30 years. He’s poised, calm and patient, always under control, accepting the good and the bad equally,” - <a href="https://www.nba.com/history/legends/profiles/lenny-wilkens">Hall of Famer Dr. Jack Ramsey</a></p></blockquote>
<p id="f9CCxn">In addition to being<strong> a great student</strong> who sought out strong mentors, Lenny Wilkens has always been <strong>a brilliant teacher and role model</strong>, not just for the regular kids who attended his camp or heard him speak, but also for the next generation of NBA players.</p>
<blockquote><p id="Xqdbje"><em>“At one time there were people saying that players couldn’t coach and I wanted to prove them wrong.”</em> Wilkens says, <em>“I think I’ve done that and hopefully I opened the door for a lot of other players who have gotten into coaching.”</em></p></blockquote>
<p id="AKXbvy">Coach Wilkens has a message for these younger players and coaches whom he expects to carry on his tradition of community service. </p>
<blockquote><p id="sdVlTL"><em>“I would tell them to surround themselves with strength and with smart people who can protect them. They need to pay attention to the community, to what’s happening with young people and encourage young people to the point that they realize that they can make a difference.”</em></p></blockquote>
<p id="41YsWt">Clearing the way for young players to assume the mantle of leadership was a primary consideration in the decision to shut down the foundation </p>
<blockquote><p id="Nf9Ngq"><em>“It’s the right time to step away and make room for the next generation to make their mark.”</em> he said in the formal announcement, </p></blockquote>
<p id="UzPgKV">No matter how hard I tried to write an article about the closing of the foundation or the end of an era I could barely fit it in. There simply is not enough space to convey Coach Wilkens’ total contribution to our world. </p>
<ul>
<li id="BBa7k7">Player and coach</li>
<li id="XO9COV">Businessman and philanthropist</li>
<li id="3QtN5G">Student and teacher</li>
<li id="TOQGRT">Father and husband. </li>
</ul>
<p id="t2aI2R">Wilkens ultimate legacy will have little to do with his stats as a point guard, his longevity as a coach or even the substantial funds he has raised for good causes. More likely he will be celebrated for his vast accumulation of relationships, the wisdom gleaned from those relationships and the masterful way he leveraged his NBA experience to share that knowledge with thousands of people all across the world. Coach Wilkens inspired dozens, if not hundreds of future leaders whose combined achievements will ultimately dwarf any of his own individual accomplishments. </p>
<p id="nLn0sj"><strong>His impact will be felt for generations to come. </strong></p>
<p id="KHqcsE">Thank you for sharing your wisdom Coach Lenny Wilkens. You are an inspiration to us all!</p>
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<p id="X3YpB7"></p>
<p id="HKeIR2">To learn more about the Lenny Wilkens Foundation or support their mission please visit the link below:</p>
<blockquote>
<p id="vPZ5hq"><a href="https://lennywilkensfoundation.org/">LENNY WILKENS FOUNDATION: MISSION</a></p>
<p id="FYveYj"><a href="https://lennywilkensfoundation.org/">Our passion lies in the enrichment, education and health of our youth. The Lenny Wilkens Foundation funds organizations that help young people reach their full potential while honoring their dignity and self-respect, regardless of circumstances.</a></p>
</blockquote>
<p id="sVAQb9">To learn more about the Odessa Brown Clinic visit:</p>
<p id="oYIn1U"><a href="https://www.seattlechildrens.org/contact/odessa-brown/">https://www.seattlechildrens.org/contact/odessa-brown/</a></p>
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https://www.sonicsrising.com/2019/6/24/18713276/appreciating-lenny-wilkensBrian Robinson2019-06-03T11:08:39-07:002019-06-03T11:08:39-07:00Friendship and Death but Still no Sonics
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<figcaption>Departed friend Mike Baker and the SonicsRising Staff in 2014</figcaption>
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<p id="ZbNnV8">Mike Baker was a fixture at Sonics Rising for years and before that he was one of the founding members at SonicsCenral.com. Mike was one of the Unsung heroes of the Save Our Sonics movement, dedicating a ton of time writing, organizing and just being a damn good friend when I needed somebody to talk to. I remember spending hours on the phone with Mike contemplating ways to thwart Clay Bennett and just venting about it all. </p>
<p id="iRNgJL">Mike held strong opinions and left Sonics Rising in the midst of the OVG/SonicsArena conflict. His frustration with this whole unending mess had hit a point where he simply said “I can’t do this anymore” and walked away. </p>
<p id="UGG1pu">This morning someone commented on an old Facebook thread, leading me back to a Mike Baker comment from 2017 and prompting me to check in with Mike. This is what I found:</p>
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<p id="WuKIMR">Mike’s role with this site and the Sonics movement cannot be overstated. He will be missed greatly.</p>
<p id="fO06na">Steve Gough, another low profile member of the Sonics movement, joined me for road trips to Shanghai to watch Yao Ming’s Rockets play in his hometown and Phoenix for Super Bowl XLIX. We shared some amazing experiences touring Rocket players through Steve’s Chinese second home and joining Chris Hansen for beers pre-game in Arizona. Steve’s high level connections with international entertainment organizations helped verify and vet a lot of the rumors that have passed on to this site in recent years. </p>
<p id="IfyUfY">Steve was born and raised in Philly so in addition to loving his Sixers he was a huge hockey fan. We had just talked a couple days before his death about his excitement for the NHL’s arrival and the confidence he had that it would ultimately lead to the NBA’s return. After he passed suddenly in December, leaving a remarkably strong widow and heartbroken young daughter, his family and I commiserated over the fact that his beloved Sixers were playing the Blazers during his funeral.</p>
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<figcaption>Friend and Sonics supporter Steve Gough and I with agent Leigh Steinberg in in 2015</figcaption>
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<p id="t3KuSa">I spend a huge amount of time pleading for patience among the fans as the city and league maneuver to deliver on this very big goal. I also do my best to explain to people up the ladder what the actual experience has been like for all of us hoping our team comes back but nothing explains how painful the wait has been more clearly than the message I sent to a widow today:</p>
<h2 id="hu6Wcx">”When the Sonics do come back please make sure that you reach out to me to make sure that Mike’s kids get to be a part of the celebration their father worked so hard for.”</h2>
<p id="geiwk3">It’s gone on so long that the friends we made along the way are dying without ever seeing their dreams come to fruition. Our kids are growing old without ever knowing the Sonics as a team instead of a political novelty. This has taken so long that it will never be the same for us. </p>
<p id="zhgOtc"></p>
<h3 id="877YqW">That is how it is.</h3>
<h3 id="5ZUJ75">That is what we’re dealing with.</h3>
<h3 id="COsc3L">That is why, after 12 years I don’t care who solves the problem, we just need a resolution.</h3>
<p id="HccL4k"></p>
<p id="yarc2j">RIP Mike & Steve. I’ll make sure your kids are at opening night or I’ll skip it myself. </p>
https://www.sonicsrising.com/2019/6/3/18650871/rip-mike-and-steve-sonicsBrian Robinson2019-06-01T08:57:43-07:002019-06-01T08:57:43-07:00Happy 40th Anniversary Sonics Fans
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<p id="WM771C">Lots of green and gold activities around town this weekend as faithful fans celebrate the 40th anniversary of the Sonic’s championship season. </p>
<p id="VebGJ4"><a href="https://www.simplyseattle.com/sonics/gary-payton-signing-ticket">I plan on making my way out to see Gary Payton at 1pm this afternoon at Simply Seattle</a>. As always I’m tremendously appreciative and supportive of new supporters of the cause like Simply Seattle and the Bring Em Back movement and especially love seeing them partner with OG Sonics supporters like KJR and Sonicsgate. <a href="https://twitter.com/simplyseattle/status/1126223473242587136"> <strong>In addition to having the Glove out today Simply Seattle will host Coach Lenny Wilkens on June 6 from 5:30 - 7:30pm.</strong></a></p>
<p id="QQfdjs"><strong>Things have been very quiet lately for a number of reasons:</strong></p>
<ul>
<li id="OIeQhu">The official team has been working their tails off, fighting cost overages and trying to get the building and the NHL franchise off the ground. </li>
<li id="pT5dKF">Hockey is deservedly having it’s moment and the writers from this site have been working to provide a forum for that conversation. <strong>Meanwhile John, Andy and the rest of the gang at </strong><a href="https://nhltoseattle.com/"><strong>NHLtoSeattle</strong></a><strong> continue to deliver spectacular content.</strong>
</li>
<li id="0xjHNV">I’ve been focused on getting my business in order and preparing for the birth of our 4th child, due August 31. That same month I’ll be saying goodbye to my oldest who heads away for college. Hard to believe I’ll have kids who are 19, 16, 3 and 1 before the Sonics come back...</li>
</ul>
<p id="jLirrs"><strong>I don’t expect that silence to last:</strong></p>
<ul>
<li id="ZCMumb">I’ve been working on content related to where we are now and what the process for the Sonics return may look like. </li>
<li id="oLcbvD">As NHL Seattle transitions away from startup mentality and starts to really work on audience engagement they know that they need to engage the NBA audience. Support from basketball fans is important both to the immediate success of the hockey team and also contributes to their NBA ownership aspirations.</li>
<li id="9kJRvA">Nobody wants to see Sonicsgate 2.0 so do not expect to see drawn out, incremental changes of position from the league. The answer from them will continue to be “no” right up until the day it becomes “yes”. If you need an example of this check out Gary Bettman’s commentary regarding NHL expansion right up until the moment it happened. </li>
<li id="OLjc2Q">Regardless the ever increasing certainty of an NBA suitable building in this market is going to lead to an ever increasing sense of inevitability about the teams return. I expect to see some substantive new developments starting in the next 3-6 months and continuing through arena construction. </li>
</ul>
<p id="criyCr"><strong>And what about Sodo?</strong> </p>
<p id="zuBcHH">The 40th Anniversary of the teams championship has brought back a lot of memories from 2007 when the franchise dedicated courts around the city to celebrate 40 years in existence. I went to just about every event and remember vividly how welcoming then team President Wally Walker was. I know that at the end of the day Chris, Wally, Pete and Russel are big fans who love the franchise </p>
<p id="djVNib">Right now I think their effort is dead in the water, both locally and with the league. “Secret meetings” with the NAACP aren’t going to change anything, rather they need a complete political reset as well as some change of circumstances with the league or ownership if they want to get back in the game. </p>
<p id="UO5QJw">Any disagreement I have with that team about their strategy is mitigated by the fact that I’m a big fan of the way they live their lives. I can’t criticize anyone for choosing not to immerse themselves fully into league or local politics and have huge admiration for the way Chris has maintained his priorities of family and business first.</p>
<p id="yubSm0">I don’t feel sorry for Chris and am not mad at him. If he finds a way back into the scene, or wants help figuring out how I hope he calls me sometime and I’d be happy to do whatever I can to help. Until that happens I’m leaving it with this quote I dug up that IMO really summarizes who he is and why he’s doing just fine regardless of who eventually owns the Sonics. </p>
<blockquote><p id="phwDY1"><a href="http://blogs.seattletimes.com/nbainseattle/2014/04/02/chris-hansen-seattle-will-have-a-basketball-team/">“I’ve been blessed in life. Let’s start with that. I do a job that I love. I would probably do my day job for free. I’m one of the few people in this world that’s excited to go to work every day. I love my co-workers. I have a great family. Everybody is healthy. Everybody is happy. All of the little things that are really important in life are going pretty well for me. Sure you have speed bumps in life. Things might take a little longer. You might have some adversity and that’s all part of it. Growing up in Rainier Valley, I faced plenty of adversity at a young age. Right now I would be more concerned about tragedy being interjected in my own life then worried about things getting better. I think that’s one of the real challenges for all of us is to realize how lucky we are with the things that really matter in our lives without something bad happening to you to make you realize what you have.”</a> - Chris Hansen</p></blockquote>
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<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">
<p lang="en" dir="ltr">We’re hosting a FREE Sonics party with the legendary Lenny Wilkens! Limited VIP tickets are available for exclusive gear and early access at <a href="https://t.co/PM29wjVr8F">https://t.co/PM29wjVr8F</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/sonicsforvever?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#sonicsforvever</a> <a href="https://t.co/IIhHFw75LZ">pic.twitter.com/IIhHFw75LZ</a></p>— Simply Seattle (@simplyseattle) <a href="https://twitter.com/simplyseattle/status/1126223473242587136?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">May 8, 2019</a>
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<p lang="en" dir="ltr">BREAKING: Gary Payton is making a last minute appearance at our Pioneer Square store this Saturday. Due to high demand and space, tickets are required. Reserve yours at <a href="https://t.co/PM29wjVr8F">https://t.co/PM29wjVr8F</a> <a href="https://t.co/lS1nIHwnO0">pic.twitter.com/lS1nIHwnO0</a></p>— Simply Seattle (@simplyseattle) <a href="https://twitter.com/simplyseattle/status/1134186298455994368?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">May 30, 2019</a>
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https://www.sonicsrising.com/2019/6/1/18648485/happy-40th-anniversary-sonics-fansBrian Robinson2019-05-02T20:33:21-07:002019-05-02T20:33:21-07:00A Fan’s View of Russell Westbrook
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<p>Is Russell Westbrook really that good?</p> <p id="zvP59T"><span><strong>Russell Westbrook</strong></span><strong> isn’t very good:</strong></p>
<p id="Ct7BTU">No, I don’t watch every <a href="https://www.welcometoloudcity.com/">Oklahoma City Thunder</a> game, <strong>but</strong> it’s beginning to feel like <span>Russell Westbrook</span> is detrimental to his teammates and perhaps even a choke artist. He whines to refs way too much, starts a beef with almost every other superstar when his play doesn’t back up his mouth, and most of all, he doesn’t understand the fact that he isn’t a good shooter. No player in the NBA frustrates me more than <span>Russell Westbrook</span>, and it’s gotten to the point where Westbrook’s status as a top-tier NBA superstar needs to be re-evaluated:</p>
<p id="plFPjC"><strong>What he does right:</strong></p>
<p id="beto55">Sure, let’s give Westbrook credit where it’s due; he has averaged a triple-double in three straight seasons. That’s impressive. At 6’3”, grabbing over 10 rebounds per game for three seasons is tough to do. His defense could even be considered underrated. With <a href="https://www.basketball-reference.com/leagues/NBA_2019_leaders.html">1.9 steals per game,</a> he was fourth best in the NBA behind <span>Paul George</span>, <span>James Harden</span>, and <span>Chris Paul</span>. <a href="https://www.basketball-reference.com/players/w/westbru01.html">His DBPM has been over +3.1</a> for each of the last three years , and he is a pest with his on-ball defense (Oh my gosh, each passing sentence is like a dagger in my back). Besides that, Westbrook’s best strength is his speed. He and De’Aaron Fox of the <a href="https://www.sactownroyalty.com/">Sacramento Kings</a> are probably the two fastest players in the NBA right now <a href="https://www.slamonline.com/nba/deaaron-fox-says-faster-person-league/">(though Fox will say otherwise</a>). Westbrook uses his speed to his advantage as he can get to the rim when he <em>chooses</em> to. And, as a result, he is excellent in transition. Now that I’ve gotten that out of the way let’s talk about everything that frustrates me about Russell Westbrook:</p>
<p id="8zhLrP"><strong>Myth #1: Russell Westbrook is a good passer</strong></p>
<p id="DVWyNg">Myth. Pure myth. Yes, Russell Westbrook did lead the NBA in assists per game for the second straight season. However, Westbrook is an absolute turnover machine. Westbrook was second in turnovers per game, behind <span>James Harden</span>, but Harden’s turnover rate is expected to be high <a href="https://www.basketball-reference.com/players/h/hardeja01.html">with his usage rate at 40.5%</a>, the highest since 2016-17 MVP Westbrook (we’ll hit on that season later). Even with <a href="https://www.basketball-reference.com/players/w/westbru01.html">Westbrook’s usage </a>rate down to 30.1%, the lowest since the 2009-10 season, he still forced way too many plays that just weren’t there. He even led the NBA with <a href="http://www.nbaminer.com/player-turnover-details/">2.4 bad-pass turnovers per game</a>, above Harden despite the significant usage difference. And, not to pull one straight out of the <a href="https://elitesportsny.com/2019/04/17/brooklyn-nets-news-jared-dudley-calls-ben-simmons-average/">book of Jared Dudley</a>, but most of Westbrook’s assists come from transition where he either lobs to <span>Steven Adams</span> or hits a shooter in the corner. Once you get him in half court, well, he becomes a lot worse. </p>
<p id="vrY7RJ"><strong>Myth #2: Russell Westbrook was at any point in his career the best player in the NBA:</strong></p>
<p id="pNZ3u0">It was clear that Westbrook was always the second option to <span>Kevin Durant</span> when they were teammates. So how come everyone thought Westbrook was somehow better than <span>Durant</span> after KD left for GSW? There is no debate that when usage goes up, stats such as points, assists, and turnovers go up with it. No, I’m not here to say that Westbrook wasn’t great during his MVP 2016-17 season where he put up 31.6 ppg while averaging a triple-double, en route to a playoff appearance despite limited talent around him (actually, they had <span>Oladipo</span> - I’ll get to that later). Despite the beastly regular season where he carried them to the sixth seed in the west, the Thunder lost in five to <span>James Harden</span> and the <a href="https://www.thedreamshake.com/">Rockets</a>. If I’m generous, the case could be made that Westbrook was at most, the third best player in the NBA that season. </p>
<p id="LnEh7A">At no point in their careers was <span>Kevin Durant</span> worse than Westbrook. Sure, <span>Durant</span>’s scoring went down during the 2016-17 season. And yes, everyone was/is still mad at him for going to Golden State and that’s fair to a certain extent; but when you go from playing with one border-line reliable scorer to a team with two of the top shooters in the league, numbers will inevitably go down. Everyone acted like Durant was playing poorly when in reality, he was still putting up<a href="https://www.basketball-reference.com/players/d/duranke01.html"> 25 and 8 on the season</a>. Durant did miss 20 games that season when <span>Zaza Pachulia</span> took out his knee.* </p>
<p id="5ros9v"><em>*I guess while we’re on the subject of Zaza, then sure Westbrook is in fact better at taking hits to the knee from </em><span><em>Zaza Pachulia</em></span><em>.*</em></p>
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<p id="IHBixZ">It shouldn’t even be a question which player was better during the 2016-17 season between Lebron and Westbrook. Sure, Lebron did have more talent around him with <span>Kyrie Irving</span> and <span>Kevin Love</span>, but Lebron carried that team to the <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/nba-finals">NBA finals</a>, and despite losing to the <a href="https://www.goldenstateofmind.com/">Warriors</a>, still had a great season. Whether or not James has lost a step is another question, but that season was still prime Lebron, and it’s not even close as to which of the two was better. </p>
<p id="wZfzJj">James Harden, Steph Curry, <span>Kawhi Leonard</span>, <span>Anthony Davis</span>, and <span>Chris Paul</span> could all make their cases as being better than Westbrook that year as well. Now, I’m not even sure if he belongs in the top twenty. </p>
<p id="mOQKY2"><strong>Myth #3: Russell Westbrook can lead a team deep in the playoffs</strong></p>
<p id="9G7oAb">Actually, at this point, I’m not sure if he can prevent a team from getting knocked out in the first round with the volume of shots he takes. If you think about it, Russell Westbrook has never in his career been the best player on a championship-caliber team. During the Thunder’s final run in the 2011-2012 season, Westbrook was a good number 2 to arguably the best player in the NBA in <span>Kevin Durant</span>. Durant makes his teammates around him better, and the perfect example of this is in how he let Westbrook run that offense. Despite the high assists, it doesn’t feel like Westbrook is making his teammates around him better. Everyone likes to blame <span>Carmelo Anthony</span> for the Thunder’s collapse in the 2017-18 season, whereas I would put that on Westbrook. During that season, it felt like <span>Anthony</span> was put in a box and left on the wing while Westbrook would try to make a move. Maybe there’s some blame that should go to Carmelo for that, and perhaps some of the responsibility falls on Billy Donovan. But in my opinion, Westbrook is the reason <span>Anthony</span> didn’t do well with OKC. </p>
<p id="LLz8j2">Maybe this is an overstep but please hear me out on my what I’m about to say: Russell Westbrook nerfed <span>Victor Oladipo</span>. A lot of people forget at this point that <span>Victor Oladipo</span> and <span>Domantas Sabonis</span>, an all-star and border-line all-star, were both on the 2016-17 MVP Westbrook Thunder team. Yeah, they were the guys traded for <span>Paul George</span>. No, <span>Sabonis</span> was not hurt by Westbrook as a rookie. But I think <span>Victor Oladipo</span> was. When the Thunder traded <span>Serge Ibaka</span> to acquire Oladipo, he was seen as a candidate for a breakout season, coming off a season where he had improved leaps and bounds as a ball-handler. During his lone season in OKC, Westbrook’s presence and ball-hogging forced Oladipo to have to play as more of a catch and shoot guy. After improving through each of his first three seasons, Oladipo had career lows with<a href="https://www.basketball-reference.com/players/o/oladivi01.html"> a -1.3 BPM and 0.4 VORP.</a> Maybe that’s partially Billy Donovan’s fault, but I feel like this is an example of how Westbrook’s cancerous play-style can hurt his teammates. Yeah, Oladipo has improved a lot with the <a href="https://www.indycornrows.com/">Pacers</a>, but it’s not a huge coincidence that’s ‘Dipo’s development halted with the Thunder. </p>
<p id="r5ErVE"><strong>Fact #1: Russell Westbrook sucks in comparison to </strong><span><strong>Damian Lillard</strong></span><strong> </strong></p>
<p id="sauT72">As a fan of the sport, it’s entertaining to see some jawing between two guys. But there is a vast difference between doing it to rally your team, and doing it to start a beef with other players for no given reason. Take Patrick Beverley, for example: he’s a scrappy competitor and loves to get into other players’ heads. He may get a tech while doing so, but in turn draws a tech from opponents and infuses energy into his team. With Westbrook, it doesn’t feel like he’s arguing with other guys for the sake of his own team; it feels more like he’s being pissy and therefore there’s no benefit to it.</p>
<p id="MNfW4Q">Keeping that in mind, let’s break down the <span>Damian Lillard</span>-Russell Westbrook feud. It started about three years ago when Westbrook kicked a ball away from Dame during a timeout, much to the dismay of the Portland crowd. It was noteworthy for a few days and then went away for a while… until Westbrook brought it back as he tried to prove he’s better than Dame. To me, when I see this, it feels like Westbrooks tries too hard to get in Dame’s head, while <span>Lillard</span> quietly beats him. All in all, Lillard is known as a level-headed guy. </p>
<p id="5x2Yo5">In 28 games played against one another, the series is relatively even with the <a href="https://www.blazersedge.com/">Trail Blazers</a> having a <a href="https://www.landofbasketball.com/games_between/damian_lillard_vs_russell_westbrook.htm">15-13 advantage</a>. However, Dame has two significant advantages: he’s a much better shooter, and even more important than that is he’s a much better teammate in terms of how other guys play around him. The shooting is pretty clear: Westbrook is <a href="https://www.basketball-reference.com/players/w/westbru01/shooting/2019">29.0% from 3, 65.6% from the line, and 35.8%</a> between 16 feet and the 3 point line on the season whereas Dame shoots<a href="https://www.basketball-reference.com/players/l/lillada01/shooting/2019"> 36.3/91.2/47.3</a> percent from those areas. Westbrook doesn’t even seem to realize that he isn’t a good shooter. Yet, this man just keeps and keeps and keeps on shooting the freakin’ ball . Lillard, meanwhile, is cool with letting other players take shots when they’re hot. When C.J. McCollum is having a great night,<span> Damian Lillar</span>d is completely okay with letting him take the big shots. In this way, Lillard makes the guys around him better. For comparison, Here are there stats from their playoff series: </p>
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<p id="v5kaFE"><strong>Fact #2: Westbrook deserves the blame for losing to Portland in this year’s playoffs</strong></p>
<p id="NMbfnD">While 100% of the liability can’t go into the arms of one player, Westbrook is easily the main reason why Thunder lost that series. </p>
<p id="6i4ibr">Late in games when the Thunder need a big shot, the ball should never be in the hands of Russell Westbrook. It has to be in the hands of<span> Paul Georg</span>e. PG13 is OKC’s most reliable scorer and hit several winners throughout the season, including shots to beat Utah and Philadelphia. Westbrook, however, has choked several times late in games, most notably during the final stretch of game five against the Trail Blazers. In the last five minutes of the game, Westbrook missed the would-have-been go-ahead shot, while shooting 1-5, had a costly charging foul, and a dumb personal foul that put<span> Moe Harkles</span>s on the line. Late in games, when a big shot is needed, Westbrook shouldn’t be allowed to touch the ball;<span> Pau</span>l George needs to have it. Westbrook simply isn’t a good enough shooter to take those shots. The fact that Westbrook took 31 shots from the field (35.5%) in game 5, while PG13 took just 20 (70%), is unfathomable. Honestly, I think the Thunder would have been better off putting Westbrook on the bench during that stretch.<span> Steven Adam</span>s didn’t do the Thunder any favors, but the unfortunate reality of the situation is that Westbrook killed the Thunder in game 5. And of course, this is not to take anything from<span> Damian Lillar</span>d at all because that was an insane shot he hit.</p>
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<p id="rMZwE7">There it is, I’ve stated my case. Westbrook is a fantastic athlete, but he’s also super irritating and overrated. </p>
<p id="ChPaqh">I hope you’ve enjoyed!</p>
<p id="l3oFhs">Comment your thoughts below!</p>
https://www.sonicsrising.com/2019/5/2/18526127/fans-view-russell-westbrookdannypodolsky21