Game Thread: Seattle Supersonics @ Philadelphia 76ers

[Det the Threat]

Of course, right now the most important thing for us Sonics fans right now is to call Frank Chopp and the folks in Olympia, Washington, to make sure he can't just turn away that great offer those investors and the city of Seattle made them regarding a KeyArena re-model, but there's still some basketball left to play, for Kevin Durant and his fellow Sonics.

Today we'll head into the city of brotherly love and play Andre Igoudala, Andre Miller and the Philadelphia 76ers, who, a bit surprisingly, are playing for a playoff spot in the weak eastern conference.

When and Where?

Friday, March 7th, 4:00 p.m. PT, Wachovia Center, Philadelphia, Pensylvania

This game will be broadcasted by FSN NW





Starting Lineups:

Seattle Supersonics


Philadelphia 76ers


Important Role Players

Seattle Supersonics


Philadelphia 76ers




Team Leaders

Kevin Durant 19.5 PPG & 1.00 BPG & 1.00 SPG
Nick Collison 8.8 RPG
Earl Watson 6.7 APG


Andre Iguodala 19.7 PPG & 2.10 SPG
Samuel Dalembert 10.0 RPG & 2.31 BPG
Andre Miller 6.8 APG

Key Matchup


Earl Watson

vs.


Andre Miller

Just for the looks




Questions:
Can Watson keep up with Miller?
Will Durant be able to shoot it at an acceptable percentage?
Can Wilcox give us some solid low post scoring?
What will Green be able to give us?


Discuss and Go Supes Go!

[SouthJersey]

Sixers fan chiming in. I'm really interested in seeing Seattle tonight. They got some nice young players, and I especially want to see Durant at the SG. How has that worked out so far this year? Our Rookie, Thaddeus Young, has been a very nice surprise. I think within the next couple years, Thad will show he was one of the best 3 players in this draft.

Philly is playing real good right now and need this win bc they have a couple of tough games coming up. I think we take this one in a tough game.

[tk76]

Another Sixer fan.

How does Watson do against post up players?- because that is how Miller gets his points.


How are the Sonics at avoiding TO's off of traps and getting back against the break?- that is the ONLY way the SIxers have been beating people.

For some strange reason, the Sixers, who can't shoot or score inside, have been throttling bad teams recently by 20-45 pts- I mean killing them. It is not something the fans predicted, but now many at the Sixers board have come to expect it.

I wouldn't be surprised by a close game. The Sixers are coming off a long layoff of a West Coast trip, and probably are overconfident. If the Sonics keep them off the break they will be very beatable- I just have no idea whether the Sonics will be able to keep this a half court game?

BTW, sure hope the league smartens up and keeps the team in Seattle. I remember rooting for the Sonics teams in the late 80's, and am a big fan of the town.

[BBen]

Believe it or not Watson is a pretty strong guy and a decent post defender. You may be surprised at his efficiency guarding Miller. I doubt the Sixers kill us, we almost always keep it close and lose in the fourth, Denver being the recent exception.

[big L]

We do have trouble taking care of the ball, so if you guys exploit turnovers well you might have a leg up on us there.

[tk76]

I was honestly asking about Watson, not trying to imply he was not a good defender... not here to troll

[HeavyP]

I don't think anyone here was thinking you were trolling. However, thanks for having the forward approach. Good luck tonight to the Sixers. I'm interested in watching Thaddeus Young against Durant, I'm sure they've gone head to head many a time throughout there HS careers.

[BenjaminH]

Reggie Evans will have a double double, mark my words.

[AbdicatedReign]

Reggie Evans will have a double double, mark my words.

Incorrect. You can't exceed 6 personal fouls in a regulation game.

[BBen]

I was honestly asking about Watson, not trying to imply he was not a good defender... not here to troll

Didn't think you were trolling was trying to answer your questions honestly.

[OzSonic]

-= original quote snipped =-



Incorrect. You can't exceed 6 personal fouls in a regulation game.

This is one of thae rare times I actually type LOL and mean it.

He is well on his way to a double, double already, 7 and 4 right now. We have no players who can keep him off the boards so I'd expect at least 13 rebounds tonight.

[AbdicatedReign]

i never thought I'd see a more poorly coached team than last year's Bob Hill-led squad, but P.J. is giving him a run for his money. They go to Durant three times in a row in the post in the first, it works, wonderfully. And then, instead of sticking with that, you run him off screens against a team that's switching screens/playing zone, thus rendering your best offensive ineffectual.

I'm baffled.

[OzSonic]

Come on PJ give Wilks some minutes, 27 down now and he still has Wilkins and Ridnour out there sit their butts on the wood and bring in some Wilks and Gelo!

Edit: PJ can hear me.

[tk76]

Igboring the last 16 minutes... Wilcox was a beast on offense. I am surprised when I hear rumors of him being available. He is the kind of post up scorer the Sixers need.

Do you see Wilcox as a long term part of Seattle's future, and what are his downsides? Does he play D decently?

[Dick Tate]

i never thought I'd see a more poorly coached team than last year's Bob Hill-led squad, but P.J. is giving him a run for his money. They go to Durant three times in a row in the post in the first, it works, wonderfully. And then, instead of sticking with that, you run him off screens against a team that's switching screens/playing zone, thus rendering your best offensive ineffectual.

I'm baffled.

Um...

Never mind.

[BenjaminH]

-= original quote snipped =-



Incorrect. You can't exceed 6 personal fouls in a regulation game.

Well, he was three rebounds or eight personal fouls short. I misjudged him and thereby apologize profusely.

[Det the Threat]

Do you see Wilcox as a long term part of Seattle's future, and what are his downsides? Does he play D decently?

No one knows about that right now.
We could get Beasley in this years draft and i doubt that Wilcox would be all that much needed then, because Durant and Beasley would most likely become our forward combo and with Collison also in place, Wilcox could be available.

Also, Wilcox will be a free agent next summer and might ask for a nice contract then. So Presti most likely will have to decide this summer if he's going to stick with him or not, cause that's when he's still going to be able to get something solid for Wilcox.

[Dick Tate]

Also, Wilcox will be a free agent next summer and might ask for a nice contract then. So Presti most likely will have to decide this summer if he's going to stick with him or not, cause that's when he's still going to be able to get something solid for Wilcox.

Presti could still get something solid for Wilcox in a sign & trade.

It's funny nobody ever considers the idea Collison might be traded. He was playing his best stretch of ball as a starter and gets benched anyway. He also has the longest running contract on the team and we see what Presti has been trying to do with those. Does he really want to tie three more years up in a guy that most likely will continue to come off the bench?

[D5150]

you need solid bench guys to be successful. nick is solid.

[Det the Threat]

-= original quote snipped =-


Presti could still get something solid for Wilcox in a sign & trade.

It's funny nobody ever considers the idea Collison might be traded. He was playing his best stretch of ball as a starter and gets benched anyway. He also has the longest running contract on the team and we see what Presti has been trying to do with those. Does he really want to tie three more years up in a guy that most likely will continue to come off the bench?

Look, everyone outside of Durant could get traded, IMO.

Though, Presti will have to make a decision on Wilcox pretty soon, cause we saw last summer what you'll be able to get in a sign & trade and that, most of the time, isn't all that great.

Also, Collison is a solid guy that you can start or bring off the bench and he'll always give it his all. His contract also isn't really a problem, cause solid bigs like him are always at least going to be paid what he's earning right now, as long as they aren't on their rookie contracts. Wilcox, on the other hand, is even complaining when he feels that he's not getting enough touches, so trying to bring him off the bench for a longer stretch will not be a really good option, chemistry wise.

So yes, Collison could get traded, but even with those deals Presti made around the deadline, it's still very unlikely to me that he'd trade Collison because of the money he makes.

That's why i think Wilcox is the guy he'll have to decide on first and if he doesn't thinks that he's going to be the answer at the 4 spot, then he should look to trade him, while he's still under contract.