Kori Ellis
05-09-2005, 12:40 AM
Injury bug bites Sonics big time
Web Posted: 05/09/2005 12:00 AM CDT
Mike Finger
Express-News Staff Writer
http://www.mysanantonio.com/sports/basketball/nba/spurs/stories/MYSA050905.4C.BKNsonics.injuries.256fe4dc4.html
A fallen Rashard Lewis writhed on the SBC Center baseline Sunday evening, trying to recover from catching a knee in what he later described as his "you-know-what."
His fists pounded the floor. A grimace covered his face. He moaned in agony.
And he was Seattle's healthy star.
On a night in which the Sonics were battered by the Spurs in a 103-81 blowout in the opener of their Western Conference semifinal playoff series, they had more to worry about than bruised egos.
Ray Allen, the NBA's leading scorer this postseason, left the game with 7 minutes, 59 seconds remaining in the second quarter with a sprained right ankle. Only 27 seconds earlier, forward Vladimir Radmanovic was carried off the floor with what appeared to be a more serious version of the same injury.
It was a dizzying stretch in a dizzying game for the Sonics, who all had their own colorful phenomenon with which to compare it.
"Like it rained and poured in the span of 30 seconds," guard Antonio Daniels said.
"It was kind of a tailspin," said guard Luke Ridnour.
"A total disaster," Lewis said.
How disastrous the injuries will be to the Sonics' chances in the rest of the series is yet to be determined. Radmanovic left the building on crutches, and no one in the Seattle locker room sounded optimistic about getting him back anytime soon. Radmanovic had missed the previous 19 games of the regular season with a stress fracture in his right fibula.
X-rays on both Radmanovic and Allen were negative, but the Sonics seemed more hopeful about getting Allen back. They certainly could use him.
He scored eight points on 4-of-7 shooting before his injury, asserting himself with strong drives as he tried to gain an early edge in his much-hyped confrontation with Bruce Bowen.
"He was aggressive from the moment the ball was thrown up," Daniels said. "He was obviously trying to make something happen for himself."
But even with Allen still on the floor, the Spurs already were pulling away. The Sonics, like Denver in the first round, found it almost impossible to establish their usually efficient offense against the Spurs. Seattle didn't get its first fast-break basket until almost four minutes into the third quarter.
They also had trouble taking advantage of what looked like a big mismatch. With Bowen guarding Allen, the Spurs were forced to use a rotation of Brent Barry, Robert Horry and Glenn Robinson on Lewis, an athletic 6-foot-10 forward.
But Lewis went 2 for 9 in the first half and finished with 19 points only after getting some easy baskets during garbage time.
"There were double teams coming from the baseline a lot," Lewis said. "It was kind of difficult to get to the basket."
If Allen doesn't return for Tuesday's Game 2, the Sonics will need more from Lewis and players such as Jerome James, who had only four points and two rebounds.
James, though, didn't want to overestimate his importance.
"I'm Jerome James," he said. "I'm not Ray Allen."
Web Posted: 05/09/2005 12:00 AM CDT
Mike Finger
Express-News Staff Writer
http://www.mysanantonio.com/sports/basketball/nba/spurs/stories/MYSA050905.4C.BKNsonics.injuries.256fe4dc4.html
A fallen Rashard Lewis writhed on the SBC Center baseline Sunday evening, trying to recover from catching a knee in what he later described as his "you-know-what."
His fists pounded the floor. A grimace covered his face. He moaned in agony.
And he was Seattle's healthy star.
On a night in which the Sonics were battered by the Spurs in a 103-81 blowout in the opener of their Western Conference semifinal playoff series, they had more to worry about than bruised egos.
Ray Allen, the NBA's leading scorer this postseason, left the game with 7 minutes, 59 seconds remaining in the second quarter with a sprained right ankle. Only 27 seconds earlier, forward Vladimir Radmanovic was carried off the floor with what appeared to be a more serious version of the same injury.
It was a dizzying stretch in a dizzying game for the Sonics, who all had their own colorful phenomenon with which to compare it.
"Like it rained and poured in the span of 30 seconds," guard Antonio Daniels said.
"It was kind of a tailspin," said guard Luke Ridnour.
"A total disaster," Lewis said.
How disastrous the injuries will be to the Sonics' chances in the rest of the series is yet to be determined. Radmanovic left the building on crutches, and no one in the Seattle locker room sounded optimistic about getting him back anytime soon. Radmanovic had missed the previous 19 games of the regular season with a stress fracture in his right fibula.
X-rays on both Radmanovic and Allen were negative, but the Sonics seemed more hopeful about getting Allen back. They certainly could use him.
He scored eight points on 4-of-7 shooting before his injury, asserting himself with strong drives as he tried to gain an early edge in his much-hyped confrontation with Bruce Bowen.
"He was aggressive from the moment the ball was thrown up," Daniels said. "He was obviously trying to make something happen for himself."
But even with Allen still on the floor, the Spurs already were pulling away. The Sonics, like Denver in the first round, found it almost impossible to establish their usually efficient offense against the Spurs. Seattle didn't get its first fast-break basket until almost four minutes into the third quarter.
They also had trouble taking advantage of what looked like a big mismatch. With Bowen guarding Allen, the Spurs were forced to use a rotation of Brent Barry, Robert Horry and Glenn Robinson on Lewis, an athletic 6-foot-10 forward.
But Lewis went 2 for 9 in the first half and finished with 19 points only after getting some easy baskets during garbage time.
"There were double teams coming from the baseline a lot," Lewis said. "It was kind of difficult to get to the basket."
If Allen doesn't return for Tuesday's Game 2, the Sonics will need more from Lewis and players such as Jerome James, who had only four points and two rebounds.
James, though, didn't want to overestimate his importance.
"I'm Jerome James," he said. "I'm not Ray Allen."