National dining correspondent Kyle Anderson has the scoop on a great place to stuff yourself this afternoon
Eat a Pizza, Save a Life (Of a Poorly-Managed Basketball Team)
Barbosa Instead of Ridnour? Could've Happened. Should've Happened. If Dwayne Casey Had His Way, Would've Happened.
True Hoop's been running a fascinating serial written by Gregory Dole, who was Leandro Barbosa's interpreter when he worked out with NBA teams before the 2003 draft. Part IV talks about Barbosa's work out with the Sonics, wherein he wowed the top of the Sonics' org chart, including then-poobah Howard Schultz. Barbosa had a great workout, hitting his shots, blowing past defenders, and unleashing a nasty crossover that caused Kirk Hinrich to fall on his ass. Then he hurt his hip running a sprint, and here's where Dole's account gets depressing.
Many agility tests later with the team doctor, and we are sitting in the reception area waiting to go back to the hotel. Leandrinho has a pack of ice on his hip. Nate McMillan walks by and idly jokes, "I hope you don't get to work out for any other club! You played great today. I hope you fall to us."more ›
Oh, the Insanity: Sonics Sputter as Paranoia Strikes
Via True Hoop, the News Tribune's Frank Hughes reports today that the Sonics' organization is "enveloped by a cloud of paranoia, mistrust, distrust and, now, anger."
Let the Door Hit You on the Way Out
Before you move it's a good idea to throw out the crap you don't need any more. And our Oklahoma City-bound basketball franchise is doing just that, firing longtime Sonics executive Wally Walker.
New Sonics Owners Look at Arena Sites in Bellevue
The Seattle P-I confirmed what SonicsCentral reported yesterday: The Sonics' new owners were looking at possible arena sites in Bellevue yesterday--specifically the old Safeway distribution center east of 405, which has been mentioned before in connection with a new arena.
Sonics Pick Tenth, Let the Speculation Begin-eth
As the NBA's 10th worst team, the Sonics had about a 1/25 chance of getting one of the top three picks, and about a 9/10 chance of getting the 10th pick. They did not pick up an ace "on the river" however (if you have been unemployed in the past year you will know what this means), and so the tenth pick is theirs.
An Ultimatum from the Sonics
Either the city agrees to rebuild Key Arena by this time next month, or the Sonics will leave Seattle after their lease is up.
Sonics Try New Personnel and New Ads
The Sonics gave up on Rick Brunson, their all-time worst free-agent signing. This offseason, they gave Brunson--who had a foot injury--a guaranteed $1 million contract. Brunson's foot injury never healed. He played four games. You do the math.
City Basketball Showdown Tonight, Sonics Make Trade
Bainbridge and #8-ranked O’Dea (the two-time defending state champs) play a winner-to-state, loser-out game tonight. The outcome will likely hinge on this: can O’Dea’s Jamelle McMillan (son of Nate) stop Bainbridge’s Steven Gray.
Sonics Replace Weiss, We Replace Sonics
Befuddled Bob Weiss, whose sideline body language reminded us of overwhelmed Husky coach Keith Gilbertson, is gone, replaced by Bob Hill. Hill's last team, the 2002-03 Fordham University Rams, posted a 2-26 record (though they did nearly knock off then #25 Dayton). Hill is a safe and underwhelming choice--just like Weiss was.

