Kori Ellis
10-06-2005, 02:10 AM
Sonics' Allen should breathe fine soon
By JON PAUL MOROSI
SEATTLE POST-INTELLIGENCER REPORTER
http://seattlepi.nwsource.com/basketball/243541_sonx06.html
Ray Allen's breathing was a topic of conversation at Sonics camp on Wednesday, in ways literal and tactical.
He underwent a CT scan during the afternoon hours, with hopes of establishing a cause and treatment for sinus congestion he has experienced over the past three weeks. The results were not available Wednesday evening, but indications were that the likely sources (benign polyps) do not constitute a serious health concern. He participated in Wednesday's evening practice session, after the exam.
It appears, then, that Allen is unlikely to miss significant time during training camp. That should enable him to direct his respiratory efforts toward what new coach Bob Weiss has promised will be an amped-up, end-to-end offense.
The Sonics of Nate McMillan and Brent Barry attempted a similar approach two years ago, but abandoned it during a 37-45 season. In retrospect, Allen said Barry was capable of running a fast-break offense, but that he received "mixed signals" from McMillan as to the execution.
The key to such a system, then, is team-wide fidelity to the concept -- coaches and players included. As Luke Ridnour put it: "We have to preach it and do it, night in, night out."
"You have to be in better shape," Allen said. "You go down the floor, everybody's eyes are open wide. You know that the coach is allowing you to run up the court, not straight to the block.
"It's a blessing to have a coach that wants you to throw the ball ahead and score."
Allen is hip to the idea this season, citing as support the maturation of Ridnour and Nick Collison, two young players expected to figure into any up-tempo efforts. Allen called Collison a "good candidate" to start at power forward on the strength of his rebounding, although Weiss has said he prefers Collison to play probably between 25 and 27 minutes off the bench.
For his part, Ridnour predicted a transition offense would play into the strengths of Allen and Rashard Lewis.
"When you're running, no matter what (defensive) scheme they have, they can't get into it," said Ridnour, who made a philosophical reference to the Phoenix Suns. "That's huge for those guys."
Allen was able to practice Wednesday despite the sinus pain, which he indicated could be related to the change of seasons. He missed two games with a sinus infection last year, but his symptoms mellowed along with the weather. They returned three weeks ago, as the weather grew "overcast and dreary," he said.
Nasal polyps are usually benign and caused by allergies. If surgery is needed, athletes are usually able to return -- with improved breathing -- in a matter of days or one week. In fact, according to the Orange County Register, Sonics nemesis Bruce Bowen underwent a similar surgery while playing at Cal State Fullerton in 1990.
By JON PAUL MOROSI
SEATTLE POST-INTELLIGENCER REPORTER
http://seattlepi.nwsource.com/basketball/243541_sonx06.html
Ray Allen's breathing was a topic of conversation at Sonics camp on Wednesday, in ways literal and tactical.
He underwent a CT scan during the afternoon hours, with hopes of establishing a cause and treatment for sinus congestion he has experienced over the past three weeks. The results were not available Wednesday evening, but indications were that the likely sources (benign polyps) do not constitute a serious health concern. He participated in Wednesday's evening practice session, after the exam.
It appears, then, that Allen is unlikely to miss significant time during training camp. That should enable him to direct his respiratory efforts toward what new coach Bob Weiss has promised will be an amped-up, end-to-end offense.
The Sonics of Nate McMillan and Brent Barry attempted a similar approach two years ago, but abandoned it during a 37-45 season. In retrospect, Allen said Barry was capable of running a fast-break offense, but that he received "mixed signals" from McMillan as to the execution.
The key to such a system, then, is team-wide fidelity to the concept -- coaches and players included. As Luke Ridnour put it: "We have to preach it and do it, night in, night out."
"You have to be in better shape," Allen said. "You go down the floor, everybody's eyes are open wide. You know that the coach is allowing you to run up the court, not straight to the block.
"It's a blessing to have a coach that wants you to throw the ball ahead and score."
Allen is hip to the idea this season, citing as support the maturation of Ridnour and Nick Collison, two young players expected to figure into any up-tempo efforts. Allen called Collison a "good candidate" to start at power forward on the strength of his rebounding, although Weiss has said he prefers Collison to play probably between 25 and 27 minutes off the bench.
For his part, Ridnour predicted a transition offense would play into the strengths of Allen and Rashard Lewis.
"When you're running, no matter what (defensive) scheme they have, they can't get into it," said Ridnour, who made a philosophical reference to the Phoenix Suns. "That's huge for those guys."
Allen was able to practice Wednesday despite the sinus pain, which he indicated could be related to the change of seasons. He missed two games with a sinus infection last year, but his symptoms mellowed along with the weather. They returned three weeks ago, as the weather grew "overcast and dreary," he said.
Nasal polyps are usually benign and caused by allergies. If surgery is needed, athletes are usually able to return -- with improved breathing -- in a matter of days or one week. In fact, according to the Orange County Register, Sonics nemesis Bruce Bowen underwent a similar surgery while playing at Cal State Fullerton in 1990.