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SEATTLE SUPERSONICS 2007-2008 SEASON ANALYSIS
It is a chilly night in the Emerald City, the wind is blowing mercilessly, and the it’s another downpour in Seattle. Residents scurry into the local Starbucks to pop a squat on the couch and down a vanilla latte; then discussion breaks out. Friends are conversing, trying to come to a point of agreement on their evening plans. Kevin Durant’s photo on the front page of the sports section caught a beam of sunlight and became illuminated. Many scanned the column to discover that the Sonics were hosting the Milwaukee Bucks at 7 o’clock. Considering the advantages and disadvantages of watching the game, these once fervent Supersonic fans weighed the pros and cons of buying a seat in Key Arena to observe the contest. Dialogue consequently ensued about the enormous sum of losses the Sonics have suffered in ’08 (62 in all), and the tragedy that is the team’s almost certain future relocation to Oklahoma City. The eyes of the coffee customers dash out the window to catch the beginning of a thunderstorm. The group inside the coffee shop decided to visit the local movie theater and arcade. The Sonics lost that special connection with the city of Seattle, and there is nothing they can do to regain their once sacred relationship. Not one of these people went to the Sonics game that night -- not even one! SEATTLE SUPERSONICS -- TOP 3 PLAYERS1. Kevin Durant (Rookie) — 20.3 ppg, 4.4 rpg, 2.4 apg, 1 spg, .9 bpg, 87.3% (FT%), 34.6 mpg
The second that the number one pick in the 2007 NBA Draft, Greg Oden, went under the knife for season-ending microfracture knee surgery, the Rookie of The Year Award was automically signed over to Kevin Durant. Clearly the top two freshman prospects, the expectation during the draft was that Kevin Durant and Greg Oden would duke it out for the top first year honor. Durant has used his fundamentally flawless assortment of crossovers, deceptively effectual post moves, and long jumpers to bring excitement to all NBA fans (including a few in Seattle that are the “diehard type”). Kevin Durant plays the game like he was born holding a roundball and was shooting freethrows before he could walk. To K.D., hoops is NOT a job; basketball is LIFE.
2. Jeff Green (Rookie) – 10.5 ppg, 4.7 rpg, 1.5 apg, .6 spg, .6 bpg, 74.4% (FT%), 42.7% (FG%), 28.2 mpg
Imagine Elvis back in the day belting out one of his hit singles, and a perfectly complementary voice emanates from behind the King. Jeff Green is, in a sense, Durant’s background singer. Although Elvis would absorb the spotlight, strut his stuff on the floor, and enjoy the status of “media darling”, he would not sound anywhere as good without his background singer accompanying him. It’s about time someone recognizes Jeff Green’s importance to the future of the franchise. Hooray Jeff Green! Bravo!
3. Chris Wilcox – 13.4 ppg, 7 rpg, 1.2 apg, .7 spg, .6 bpg, 52.4% (FG%), 28 mpg
The steady veteran presence on an extremely young team, Chris Wilcox, knows how to calm the storm. His unspectacular yet sufficient offensive game gives the Sonics their only reliable inside presence. He is, by no means, a go-to guy. Wilcox knows his limitations and only plays to his strengths -- defensive rebounding and beating his man up the floor on the fastbreak.
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