Sonics' Wilcox named NBA WC PoTW

[CubanMustGo]

Keep an eye on this guy tonight ... not to mention Ray-ray:

http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/htm...73_soni11.html

Wilcox honored as Western Conference player of week
By Percy Allen
Seattle Times staff reporter

Toss up. Who had a better week: Phil Mickelson or Chris Wilcox?

Well, the Sonics forward didn't win the Masters, but he strung together the finest three games of his short NBA career and was given his first Western Conference Player of the Week award.

The recognition adds credence to Wilcox's bid to become one of the top free agents this summer and puts a little bit more intrigue into tonight's matchup against Tim Duncan as Seattle (33-43) plays the Spurs (59-18) at AT&T Center in San Antonio.

In his only meeting against Duncan as a Sonic, Wilcox scored 14 points on 6-of-14 shooting and added seven rebounds. He was unable to control Duncan, who finished with 28 points on 8-for-13 shooting and 10 rebounds; however, Seattle claimed a 106-102 upset victory on March 26 that tied the series 1-1.

Since then, Wilcox has improved dramatically.

In the past week, he averaged 23.0 points and 15.3 rebounds while shooting 75 percent from the field, which helped Seattle in three victories. He began the week by posting 26 points and a career-high 24 rebounds in a 104-87 win over Houston on April 4.

He also dished out a career-best six assists and had 20 points and 10 rebounds in a 121-108 victory at Portland on Friday. Wilcox ended the week with a 23-point, 12-rebound outing in a 116-114 win against Phoenix on Sunday.

Since joining the Sonics in a Feb. 14 trade with the Los Angeles Clippers, Wilcox has averaged 15.3 points and 8.2 rebounds. He averaged 4.5 points and 3.6 rebounds in 48 games with the Clippers this season.

Wilcox, who earns $2.8 million this season, will be a restricted free agent this summer, and his recent exploits may fetch a contract averaging between $7 million and $10 million a season. The Sonics have the right to match any offer he might receive, and general manager Rick Sund has said it's a priority to re-sign him.

Wilcox was named player of the week over teammate Ray Allen, who averaged 33 points in three games and sank the winning three-pointer against Phoenix. Dallas' Dirk Nowitzki and Sacramento's Mike Bibby also received consideration.

New York's Jamal Crawford was named Eastern Conference Player of the Week after averaging 26.3 points, 6.0 rebounds, 3.3 assists and 2.25 steals per game. The former star at Rainier Beach High hit two winning jumpers to lead the Knicks to a 3-1 record last week.

Percy Allen: 206-464-2278 or [email protected]

[CubanMustGo]

Quick game preview by same writer:

Seattle at San Antonio

5:30 p.m. today at AT&T Center

TV/Radio: FSN/950 AM (KJR)

Records: Seattle 33-43, San Antonio 59-18.

Bottom line: G Earl Watson (strained right wrist) didn't practice on Monday. ... With five games left, San Antonio is vying with Detroit and Dallas for the best record in the NBA, which carries home-court advantage throughout the playoffs. The Spurs are one game ahead of Dallas for the top spot in the Western Conference and three games behind Eastern Conference-leading Detroit. ... This is the finale of the three-game season series. The Spurs easily beat the Sonics, 103-78, at AT&T Center on Feb. 21, and Seattle claimed a 106-102 upset victory on March 26 at KeyArena.

Injuries: Sonics — G Watson (strained right wrist) is questionable, and F Danny Fortson (sore left knee) is out. Spurs — G Manu Ginobili (bruised left leg) is questionable.

[Jimcs50]

An ex Terp.

[Kori Ellis]

Since Wilcox came to the Sonics, it seems like over half his baskets are dunks. He's a horrible defender, but they challenged him to start rebounding and he's responded with some huge games on the glass.

He's playing so well that the Sonics probably won't be able to afford to keep him this summer.

[ALVAREZ6]

Wilcox is a monster.

[CubanMustGo]

Since Wilcox came to the Sonics, it seems like over half his baskets are dunks. He's a horrible defender, but they challenged him to start rebounding and he's responded with some huge games on the glass.

He's playing so well that the Sonics probably won't be able to afford to keep him this summer.

I think that if one could average 23 and 15, shooting 75% (as Wilcox did last week) that some lapses on D would be forgivable

[Kori Ellis]

I think that if one could average 23 and 15, shooting 75% (as Wilcox did last week) that some lapses on D would be forgivable

Sure, if he could consistently put up those numbers consistently, I doubt anyone would complain. I just mentioned it because Seattle's a horrible defensive team and they still acknowledge that he is a really bad defender. Despite that, I'd love him on the Spurs. I watch all the Sonics games. He runs the floor like a gazelle and I'm amazed by the high percentage of dunks he's get.

[ace3g]

Wilcox was one of the players the spurs were supposedly looking at during the whole "searching for a big man" stage this season

[Jimcs50]

Since Wilcox came to the Sonics, it seems like over half his baskets are dunks. He's a horrible defender, but they challenged him to start rebounding and he's responded with some huge games on the glass.

He's playing so well that the Sonics probably won't be able to afford to keep him this summer.

I'm sorry, but he is not a bad defender. You do not play for Gary Williams and not play great defense, that is a fact. He was in a bad system for him, playing behind an all star, he did not get a chance in LA, now he can really show the type of player he really is.

[leemajors]

the clippers have been playing good defense this season haven't they? i had always heard wilcox had all the talent in the world but had problems applying himself (i.e. lazy).

[Kori Ellis]

I'm sorry, but he is not a bad defender. You do not play for Gary Williams and not play great defense, that is a fact. He was in a bad system and played behind an all star, he did not get a chance in LA, now he can really show the type of player he really is.

Since, he's been on the Sonics, he's showed that he has some of the worse defensive numbers of anyone on the team (except Ridnour). I have all their games on tape since Noel has gotten there and he consistently gets scored on big time night in and night out. Their coaching staff/management has expressed deep concern in how bad he is defensively and how he has a rep for not caring to get any better. It's one of their hesitancies in regards to paying him this summer.

You can suck him all you want because he played for Maryland, but he's a poor defender and everyone around him knows it.

[CubanMustGo]

Since, he's been on the Sonics, he's showed that he has some of the worse defensive numbers of anyone on the team (except Ridnour). I have all their games on tape since Noel has gotten there and he consistently gets scored on big time night in and night out. Their coaching staff/management has expressed deep concern in how bad he is defensively and how he has a rep for not caring to get any better.

You can suck him all you want because he played for Maryland, but he's a poor defender and everyone around him knows it.

by the

(hey, I've been there too )

[Kori Ellis]

By the way, I wasn't even really knocking the guy by saying he's a bad defender in my original post. He's 23 (?) and I think if he applies himself (as someone else stated) he can easily be an All-Star caliber player. I like him a lot.

[Spurminator]

Is Wilcox the next Ike Austin?

[BigVee]

I thought he was outstanding in college and was always surprised that the Clippers couldn't find a spot for him.

[TDMVPDPOY]

i smell contract year!

[TDMVPDPOY]

Is Wilcox the next Ike Austin?

next JJ of the knicks

[Jimcs50]

You can suck him all you want because he played for Maryland, but he's a poor defender and everyone around him knows it.

That is classy, saying I am sucking someone because I disagree about a player's defensive abilities.

Thanks Kori.

[Kori Ellis]

That is classy, saying I am sucking someone because I disagree about a player's defensive abilities.

Thanks Kori.

Why so sensitive?

Like I said, I wasn't even dogging the guy when I pointed out he's a bad defender anyway. I think he will be an awesome player in a good system.

[Spurologist]

The most underrated player in the history of Maryland basketball. Everyone remembers Dixon and Blake but it was Wilcox with his athleticism and defense that led MD to the NCAA championship. Yes I said defense. His defense then like now, though, was only predicated on shot blocking. Just because of his shot blocking, he received an all acc defense honorable mention. What gets me is that he has terrific quickness on offense, but somehow can't use it on defense. The right system as Kori points out will help him. The right fit could highlight his shot blocking ability and minimize his lack of lateral movement on defense. He has had a nice stretch of games and that has got him the western conference player of the week. Now everyone is going to question his consistency. He's very young and could be a great player.

[Kori Ellis]

His defense then like now, though, was only predicated on shot blocking. Just because of his shot blocking, he received an all acc defense honorable mention.

That's one of the Sonics' concerns. He isn't even blocking shots, so they are challenging him with some goals to try to pick of his intensity. He averages only .29 blocks in over 30 mpg with them.

He had a bad rep of being lazy with the Clippers, hopefully he'll shed it with Seattle (or wherever he ends up after this summer).

[Spurologist]

I'm I SPURM now. Sure you don't have me confused with SPURMinator?

He averages only .29 blocks in over 30 mpg with them.

This is alarming to me. He's definately being lazy. He might want to move for bigger $$ and new voice. He needs to find another Gary Williams type personality.

[rascal]

I'd take him over Rasho. The spurs missed out on this guy. But what else is new, the spurs watch as good players move from team to team. Also Caron Butler would have bee a perfect sf fit for the spurs. And it only took an underachieving Kwame Brown to get Butler. The spurs are horrible in getting better with trades.

The spurs should have made attempts to get both Butler and or Wilcox. Two good players who could have come cheaply.

[SequSpur]

Players that get the player of the week award usually don't suck.

I think Wilcox made Duncan look like a washed up allstar. Which is the norm lately.

[Kori Ellis]

I'm I SPURM now. Sure you don't have me confused with SPURMinator?



This is alarming to me. He's definately being lazy. He might want to move for bigger $$ and new voice. He needs to find another Gary Williams type personality.

Sorry I actually typo'd "spur". I sometimes shorten a lot of usernames when I quote.