I've been posting links to other NBA fan blogs the past few weeks, where they are posting their assessments of their favorite team. Today is our turn. I'll throw out my thoughts, but it's up to you Sonics fans to fill in the comments so that when people from around the NBA come visit us, we'll have something for them to read.
Team Name: Seattle Supersonics
Last Years Record: Beautifully ugly, it landed us Kevin Durant! (31-51)
Key Losses: Ray Allen, Rashard Lewis, the dead weight of our former coach, Danny Fortson's contract
Key Additions: Kevin Durant, Jeff Green, PJ Carlesimo, the return of Robert Swift, Sam Presti, Delonte West, and Wally Szczerbiak
1. What significant moves were made during the off season?
Ping-Pong Balls. The right combination coming up for the Sonics led to a complete overhaul of our roster. Add to that a new coach, and our new wiz kid Sam Presti and we are pretty excited for what will be happening on the court this coming season.
2. What are the team's biggest strengths?
This team will have more options than the past couple of years on offense. There will certainly be some growing pains, with the high expectations on Kevin Durant to shoulder a sizable portion of the scoring load when he is on the court. The great thing is that there is room for him to grow on this team, to make it his own, and to give it his own flavor.
The Sonics have a fairly deep roster, though a roster that could still use some talent consolidation to improve the long term ability to advance deep into the playoffs. We have 3 guys who can run the point, all with different styles. We have a couple of scorers. We have guys who can and will bang inside.
3. What are the team's biggest weaknesses?
Youth. An owner trying to wreck any positive momentum the team might build. There are a lot of unknowns at this point in the season for the Sonics with the amount of change that has taken place this off season. How quickly they gel as a team, and how quickly they take to PJ Carlesimo's defense will be important things to watch.
4. What are the goals for this team?
The development of Kevin Durant, and to a lessor extent Jeff Green, will be of primary concern. Wins and losses remain important, especially with the issues going on with this team outside the white lines. Bringing Robert Swift back at a pace that both keeps his focus but also allows his body to come up to speed will be important. Finding ways to continue to develop the very raw Mo Sene. Figuring out how to best utilize Chris Wilcox will also be an important goal for this team.
5. Can this team make the playoffs?
I think this depends on how they play defense. There are potentially a lot of points in this roster, though points in ways different from our years of Rashard Lewis and Ray Allen. While there might be some real up and down periods scoring for individuals, I think there is enough talent that finding points won't be all that tough. If the team can find ways to make key stops, and continue to improve on defense I think they have a shot at a 7 or 8 seed. A talent consolidation roster move could go a long way toward making this happen as well. I suspect this team will be a lot of fun to watch, but won't have enough to break through in the Western Conference.
Predicted Record: 40-42