ducks
04-21-2005, 03:34 PM
Sonics-Kings Breakdown
Marty Burns, SI.com
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The Sonics will win if ...
Vladimir Radmanovic returns in a hurry. Otherwise the Sonics could be in trouble. Radmanovic has been out since March 16 with a stress fracture in his right fibula and is doubtful until Game 3 at the earliest. Without the 6-foot-10 bomber playing in peak form, Seattle loses a key weapon and matchup nightmare. The Sonics still have scorers in Ray Allen, Rashard Lewis and sixth man Antonio Daniels, but they will likely need Radmanovic against the higher-scoring Kings. Seattle has pounded foes all year with its bench, its offensive rebounding and its active big men (Jerome James, Reggie Evans, Danny Fortson and Nick Collison). But those factors figure to be mitigated by the rise in playoff intensity from their opponents. Seattle slumped badly down the stretch -- mostly due to injuries -- and it will be hard-pressed to beat the Kings without a healthy and productive Radmanovic.
The Kings will win if ...
They don't get too caught up trying to work Bobby Jackson and/or Brad Miller back into the mix too soon. As good as those injured stars might be, the Kings have the horses right now to run with the slumping Sonics. Mike Bibby, Cuttino Mobley and Peja Stojakovic give Sacramento a perimeter trio to match Seattle's Luke Ridnour, Allen and Lewis. And Kenny Thomas, Brian Skinner, Darius Songaila and Corliss Williamson give them four capable big men to offset the Sonics' frontcourt rotation. The Kings remained a potent offensive force after the Chris Webber trade -- they rank second in the NBA with 103.6 points per game while leading the league in assists and turnovers -- but their defense and rebounding suffered a bit. But as long as Rick Adelman incorporates Jackson (wrist) and Miller (fractured fibula) without disrupting the chemistry too much, the Kings are equipped to advance.
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Key Matchup
Mike Bibby vs. Luke Ridnour
This is the one matchup where the Kings potentially hold a huge advantage. Bibby is a big-time shot-maker who has played in many playoff games. Ridnour is making his first postseason appearance. Of course, Bibby (16.3 points, 6.0 assists) didn't exactly light up Ridnour in their four regular-season meetings, but he's a savvy vet who will use his strength advantage to take the wispy second-year pro into the paint. The Sonics also have Antonio Daniels, a solid veteran defender, to check Bibby. But Ridnour's ability to stay with Bibby on the pick-and-roll and keep him out of the lane will go a long way toward determining Seattle's fate.
Interesting fact
The Sonics were 26-15 on the road this season, second only to the Suns (31-10). They won once at Sacramento, where the Kings used to be all but unbeatable but slipped to 30-11 this year.
The pick
The Sonics are missing Radmanovic and sliding into the postseason. The Kings have Jackson back, and they have more playoff experience. Kings in 6.
Updated on Thursday, Apr 21, 2005 3:50 pm EDT
Marty Burns, SI.com
Headshot
Logo
The Sonics will win if ...
Vladimir Radmanovic returns in a hurry. Otherwise the Sonics could be in trouble. Radmanovic has been out since March 16 with a stress fracture in his right fibula and is doubtful until Game 3 at the earliest. Without the 6-foot-10 bomber playing in peak form, Seattle loses a key weapon and matchup nightmare. The Sonics still have scorers in Ray Allen, Rashard Lewis and sixth man Antonio Daniels, but they will likely need Radmanovic against the higher-scoring Kings. Seattle has pounded foes all year with its bench, its offensive rebounding and its active big men (Jerome James, Reggie Evans, Danny Fortson and Nick Collison). But those factors figure to be mitigated by the rise in playoff intensity from their opponents. Seattle slumped badly down the stretch -- mostly due to injuries -- and it will be hard-pressed to beat the Kings without a healthy and productive Radmanovic.
The Kings will win if ...
They don't get too caught up trying to work Bobby Jackson and/or Brad Miller back into the mix too soon. As good as those injured stars might be, the Kings have the horses right now to run with the slumping Sonics. Mike Bibby, Cuttino Mobley and Peja Stojakovic give Sacramento a perimeter trio to match Seattle's Luke Ridnour, Allen and Lewis. And Kenny Thomas, Brian Skinner, Darius Songaila and Corliss Williamson give them four capable big men to offset the Sonics' frontcourt rotation. The Kings remained a potent offensive force after the Chris Webber trade -- they rank second in the NBA with 103.6 points per game while leading the league in assists and turnovers -- but their defense and rebounding suffered a bit. But as long as Rick Adelman incorporates Jackson (wrist) and Miller (fractured fibula) without disrupting the chemistry too much, the Kings are equipped to advance.
ADVERTISEMENT
Key Matchup
Mike Bibby vs. Luke Ridnour
This is the one matchup where the Kings potentially hold a huge advantage. Bibby is a big-time shot-maker who has played in many playoff games. Ridnour is making his first postseason appearance. Of course, Bibby (16.3 points, 6.0 assists) didn't exactly light up Ridnour in their four regular-season meetings, but he's a savvy vet who will use his strength advantage to take the wispy second-year pro into the paint. The Sonics also have Antonio Daniels, a solid veteran defender, to check Bibby. But Ridnour's ability to stay with Bibby on the pick-and-roll and keep him out of the lane will go a long way toward determining Seattle's fate.
Interesting fact
The Sonics were 26-15 on the road this season, second only to the Suns (31-10). They won once at Sacramento, where the Kings used to be all but unbeatable but slipped to 30-11 this year.
The pick
The Sonics are missing Radmanovic and sliding into the postseason. The Kings have Jackson back, and they have more playoff experience. Kings in 6.
Updated on Thursday, Apr 21, 2005 3:50 pm EDT