Saturday, January 15, 2005
SHUT-OPEN
Crap, I actually got a good start on this one too, but then I zonked out in front of the keyboard again. Routines are hard to break.
(final content posted ~11:46a)
(final FINAL content, the Tomahawk recap, posted ~1:47p)
***On TV today -- Pepperdine at Gonzaga (5p, FSNNW), Oregon State at Washington (7p, FSNNW)
Yep, the ABC Sports regional map says that we get stuck with UCLA/Arizona instead of getting the INFINITELY better North Carolina/Wake Forest game. Too bad I didn't know that until the damn game started. So if you're in the northwest and you're seeing That's So Raven instead of UNC/Wake, that's why. At least with this ABC decision, it's a Pac10 game. If it were Syracuse and Boston College or something, I'd be really ticked.
MARINERS
There's a month left until pitchers and catchers report. Giddiness and anticipation are ensuing. I'm also contemplating having Richie Sexson sign my number 11 Brewers shirt at FanFest, provided that I actually go to it, and assuming I'll still in the region at that point.
SEAHAWKS
Later, Trader. I've said here many times that I was afraid of what Bob Whitsitt might do to this team in the offseason. On that front, problem solved. I'm surprised Paul Allen fired a guy that's been working for him for quite a long time -- when Allen bought the Seahawks, he wasn't just going to have just any person be the president of the Seahawks, right? But now, this move is in the best interest of the organization, according to Allen. It sure defuses any possible Holmgren/Whitsitt beef, that's for sure. Said Holmgren in a statement: "The roar of our fans at Qwest Field last week was both a powerful reminder of what football means to this community, and a prelude to what we can achieve as a more focused and unified organization in the future." [emphasis added by David]
Both of those articles rattle off some names of possible replacements. I'd be okay with Randy Mueller coming back (not overly enthused though), but I'm more high on the idea of Mike Reinfeldt coming back, because I didn't see any reason for him to be pushed out (he resigned) in the first place, and I'm highly sure that his force-out ticked off Holmgren. Bring back Holmgren's salary cap guy? BRILLIANT!! You know, I want to see Reinfeldt's resume just to see if "salary cap expert" really does show up on it. In a quote that will make regular reader Morgan a little less happy, Ron Wolf said he would turn down any offer to take over for Whitsitt, saying he likes retirement and has no desire to work full-time.
But what about Bob? He's recovering from colon surgery, so I'm sure the timing of the firing isn't too great (let's hope he recovers nicely). Obviously, he's without a job. After 18 years as a GM or higher in northwest professional sports, "Trader" Bob Whitsitt is now looking for work. I'm not sure how he pulled off having a hand simultaneously in the operations of the Seahawks and the Trailblazers, but he did. But before all that, I remember him as "Trader Bob," GM of the Seattle SuperSonics. I guess for me, the one incident where Whitsitt lived up to his moniker the most was for a trade he didn't make -- when Shawn Kemp-for-Scottie Pippen almost went down. This wasn't just a feature on the sports segments on local TV here, no sir. There were entire man-on-the-street segments asking how people would have felt if Shawn Kemp was traded for Pippen. Interestingly enough, Whitsitt eventually had Pippen play for him, but as a member of the Blazers. I remember following the Sonics in those where they were a high playoff seed year in and year out, and during those Whitsitt years there always seemed to be this on-the-edge feeling knowing that Whitsitt was the GM of the team. He almost traded away*** Shawn Kemp, pre-huge weight gain, and in his prime, for goodness' sakes!! And yes, lest we forget, Shawn Kemp also played for Whitsitt as a Portland Trailblazer. Jeremy and I and two friends saw a game a couple years ago at the Rose Garden between the T'Wolves and Blazers, and friend Steve noted that Kemp still had that one shot going where he was almost falling down after he was fouled but he hit the shot, or something like that. I need some old Shawn Kemp footage to really be able to describe it well.
[***Kevin Pelton informs me that the Kemp-for-Pippen almost-trade was Whitsitt-like, but wasn't Whitsitt's doing, and it was Karl/Walker that were behind that, as Whitsitt had already been gone. Yes, my memory is fading away. Sadly, I don't think my argument looks too bad up until that point. Thanks to Kevin for keeping me on my toes. Everybody go visit his site.]
And hey, I just spouted off that last paragraph without reading Steve Kelley's column. There's some good Holmgren quotes about the situation that allude to Bob Whitsitt, or at least a dislike to some of the inner happenings, i.e., the "resignation" of Mike Reinfeldt.
Of course, a situation like this one always begs for an Art Thiel piece. Thiel says that Paul Allen's sister and a longtime friend (both on the Seahawks' board of directors) never got along with Whitsitt, and that this firing was a long time coming. I've got to say that thank goodness the Whitsitt-era Sonics never stumbled into the Jailblazer model that had so hobbled the Portland teams up until the trades of Rasheed Wallace and Bonzi Wells. Allen's sister was quite sour on the Blazers' image under Whitsitt. Basically, Whitsitt's stint with the Sonics is obviously his best, and his doings took a slow downward turn after he left the Sonics.
Overall, let's just say I like the possibilities of this offseason a lot more than I did 24 hours ago.
BASKETBALL
The Marvin Williams Watch
The Tar Heels are on the road against Wake Forest today and Clemson on Wednesday.
Huskies
My goodness, it's the one-year anniversary of the Huskies' 0-5 start in the Pac10. That seems like many many moons ago. In that year of time, the Huskies have gone 28-6. As for the Beavers, they got
The Huskies are home against Oregon State tonight and Washington State two Sundays from now on the 23rd (FSNNW).
Bulldogs
The Waves of Pepperdine will be coming to the McCarthey Center to face Gonzaga tonight before the Zags go to the Bay Area to face the Dons of USF on Thursday (KONG 6/16 broadcast).
Sonics
For my take on the game, scroll down a post or click here if you're in the archive.
Make no mistake, it was Ron Murray's night. He'd scored in double digits twice before this, but he hadn't really gotten any steady minutes and he'd floundered with his shot in the minutes that he did get. Last night, he shot 8-for-13 and I liked that I didn't always see him trying to force a drive when the defense wasn't giving him much to work with. Murray passing the ball didn't seem like a stretch to me last night, when on other nights it has seemed that way. Still, any contribution from Murray is a good way to pick up for some of the Rashard Lewis void until he can get back into form. As for the Speedy Claxton explosion, he had 15 of the Warriors' 19 third-quarter points and had 19 of their 32 second-half points. Luckily the Sonics held down everybody else.
From Jayda Evans' perspective, it was also a great night for the defense as well as Antonio Daniels. The defense put the clamps down in the second half and allowed 20 less points than they did in the first half. Daniels had a few very timely jumpers to the tune of 11 third-quarter points.
Upcoming...
Tomorrow vs. Cleveland
Tuesday vs. Denver
Friday vs. Minnesota
HOCKEY
Seattle beat Tri-City 3-1. It's 30 wins for the T-Birds. They have emerged victorious in all seven games against Tri-City this season. Seattle still has not lost consecutive games on the season. Amazingly, all of the scoring in this game came in the third period. Zack FitzGerald scored the first goal of the game and got the T-Birds a lead which lasted for all of 66 seconds. They got the lead back thanks to a goal by Matthew Hansen. Derek Couture eventually put the game on ice with an empty-netter. Tri-City outshot Seattle 25-24, and Bryan Bridges stopped 24 in net for the Thunderbirds.
Vancouver beat Everett 4-2. It was Mr. Hockey Night in Vancouver, as the Giants once again celebrated the great Gordie Howe, one of their co-owners. The Silvertips have lost all four games against the Giants this year, and they failed to keep pace with Seattle, who won. Power-play goals by Cam Cunning and Triston Grant in the first two periods staked the Giants to a 2-0 lead before Everett tied it up with two goals in 1:43 in the second period thanks to Torrie Wheat on the power play and Mike Wuchterl off a rebound. Jason Reese came away with the game-winner about seven minutes into the third period, and Gilbert Brule sealed it with an empty-netter. Vancouver outshot the Silvertips 27-23. Leland Irving stopped 24 for Everett, and Marek Schwarz stopped 21 for Vancouver.
Portland and Moose Jaw skated to a 4-4 overtime tie. The Warriors aren't too high in the standings, but the Winter Hawks will take the single point after being down 3-0 in the first period. Dustin Butler was nursing a hamstring pull and had started 25 straight games before resting one game while Blake Grenier returned from injury. The Winter Hawks had 15-year-old Kurtis Mucha in net last night. Mucha was welcomed rudely late in the first period on two goals in 68 seconds by the Warriors. The Warriors tallied again early in the second period for a 3-0 lead. The Winter Hawks eventually tied it in the second period on a deflection (Cody McLeod), a loose puck (Dan Da Silva), and a rebound (McLeod again). McLeod finished off a hat trick in the third period to get Portland the lead (four straight goals for Portland) before Moose Jaw netter the equalizer about four minutes later. Portland outshot Moose Jaw 40-37. Kurtis Mucha stopped 37 in the Portland net.
Manitoba beat Houston 3-2. The Moose won their third straight on the Texas trip and have reeled off a franchise record 13-game road unbeaten streak. The Moose scored on their first shot of the game, on a powerplay goal by Jeff Heerema. The Aeros answered back, but the Moose were quick to take the lead 18 seconds later on a Brandon Nolan goal which may or may not have been deflected in via a high stick. Josh Green scored the winning goal about six minutes into the final period after some conferring by the officials. Houston badly outshot the Moose 40-21, and Alex Auld was huge, stopped 38 in the Manitoba net.
Portland beat Puget Sound 5-1. The game was 1-1 after two periods. The Tomahawks had tied the game in the second period, and ended up holding the Pioneers scoreless for nearly 40 straight minutes. However, giving up four third-period goals usually isn't a very good recipe for winning. One of the Portland goals came early in the third period, and the Tomahawks had about eight minutes to net the equalizer until the Pioneers scored two quick ones to put it away. The Pioneers now lead the NorPac West division by one point over the Tomahawks with a game in hand. The two teams square off again tonight.
Upcoming...
Tonight: Vancouver at Everett, Portland at Kootenay, Puget Sound at Portland
Tomorrow: Seattle at Vancouver, Spokane at Everett, Manitoba at Houston
---
Let's see here. Part of Whitsitt piece was correctly debunked. I'd said a couple times this week that the UNC/Wake game was an ABC game, which was also wrong because I failed to check the freakin' regional map beforehand. Then there was that whole thing where I fell asleep in front of the computer.
[Edit ~1:47p -- ...and I forgot the recap for the Tomahawks. Shame on me.]
To take a page from Tony Kornheiser and Michael Wilbon, I'll do better next time.
Have a great Saturday and a great weekend, everybody.
(final content posted ~11:46a)
(final FINAL content, the Tomahawk recap, posted ~1:47p)
***On TV today -- Pepperdine at Gonzaga (5p, FSNNW), Oregon State at Washington (7p, FSNNW)
Yep, the ABC Sports regional map says that we get stuck with UCLA/Arizona instead of getting the INFINITELY better North Carolina/Wake Forest game. Too bad I didn't know that until the damn game started. So if you're in the northwest and you're seeing That's So Raven instead of UNC/Wake, that's why. At least with this ABC decision, it's a Pac10 game. If it were Syracuse and Boston College or something, I'd be really ticked.
MARINERS
There's a month left until pitchers and catchers report. Giddiness and anticipation are ensuing. I'm also contemplating having Richie Sexson sign my number 11 Brewers shirt at FanFest, provided that I actually go to it, and assuming I'll still in the region at that point.
SEAHAWKS
Later, Trader. I've said here many times that I was afraid of what Bob Whitsitt might do to this team in the offseason. On that front, problem solved. I'm surprised Paul Allen fired a guy that's been working for him for quite a long time -- when Allen bought the Seahawks, he wasn't just going to have just any person be the president of the Seahawks, right? But now, this move is in the best interest of the organization, according to Allen. It sure defuses any possible Holmgren/Whitsitt beef, that's for sure. Said Holmgren in a statement: "The roar of our fans at Qwest Field last week was both a powerful reminder of what football means to this community, and a prelude to what we can achieve as a more focused and unified organization in the future." [emphasis added by David]
Both of those articles rattle off some names of possible replacements. I'd be okay with Randy Mueller coming back (not overly enthused though), but I'm more high on the idea of Mike Reinfeldt coming back, because I didn't see any reason for him to be pushed out (he resigned) in the first place, and I'm highly sure that his force-out ticked off Holmgren. Bring back Holmgren's salary cap guy? BRILLIANT!! You know, I want to see Reinfeldt's resume just to see if "salary cap expert" really does show up on it. In a quote that will make regular reader Morgan a little less happy, Ron Wolf said he would turn down any offer to take over for Whitsitt, saying he likes retirement and has no desire to work full-time.
But what about Bob? He's recovering from colon surgery, so I'm sure the timing of the firing isn't too great (let's hope he recovers nicely). Obviously, he's without a job. After 18 years as a GM or higher in northwest professional sports, "Trader" Bob Whitsitt is now looking for work. I'm not sure how he pulled off having a hand simultaneously in the operations of the Seahawks and the Trailblazers, but he did. But before all that, I remember him as "Trader Bob," GM of the Seattle SuperSonics. I guess for me, the one incident where Whitsitt lived up to his moniker the most was for a trade he didn't make -- when Shawn Kemp-for-Scottie Pippen almost went down. This wasn't just a feature on the sports segments on local TV here, no sir. There were entire man-on-the-street segments asking how people would have felt if Shawn Kemp was traded for Pippen. Interestingly enough, Whitsitt eventually had Pippen play for him, but as a member of the Blazers. I remember following the Sonics in those where they were a high playoff seed year in and year out, and during those Whitsitt years there always seemed to be this on-the-edge feeling knowing that Whitsitt was the GM of the team. He almost traded away*** Shawn Kemp, pre-huge weight gain, and in his prime, for goodness' sakes!! And yes, lest we forget, Shawn Kemp also played for Whitsitt as a Portland Trailblazer. Jeremy and I and two friends saw a game a couple years ago at the Rose Garden between the T'Wolves and Blazers, and friend Steve noted that Kemp still had that one shot going where he was almost falling down after he was fouled but he hit the shot, or something like that. I need some old Shawn Kemp footage to really be able to describe it well.
[***Kevin Pelton informs me that the Kemp-for-Pippen almost-trade was Whitsitt-like, but wasn't Whitsitt's doing, and it was Karl/Walker that were behind that, as Whitsitt had already been gone. Yes, my memory is fading away. Sadly, I don't think my argument looks too bad up until that point. Thanks to Kevin for keeping me on my toes. Everybody go visit his site.]
And hey, I just spouted off that last paragraph without reading Steve Kelley's column. There's some good Holmgren quotes about the situation that allude to Bob Whitsitt, or at least a dislike to some of the inner happenings, i.e., the "resignation" of Mike Reinfeldt.
Of course, a situation like this one always begs for an Art Thiel piece. Thiel says that Paul Allen's sister and a longtime friend (both on the Seahawks' board of directors) never got along with Whitsitt, and that this firing was a long time coming. I've got to say that thank goodness the Whitsitt-era Sonics never stumbled into the Jailblazer model that had so hobbled the Portland teams up until the trades of Rasheed Wallace and Bonzi Wells. Allen's sister was quite sour on the Blazers' image under Whitsitt. Basically, Whitsitt's stint with the Sonics is obviously his best, and his doings took a slow downward turn after he left the Sonics.
Overall, let's just say I like the possibilities of this offseason a lot more than I did 24 hours ago.
BASKETBALL
The Marvin Williams Watch
The Tar Heels are on the road against Wake Forest today and Clemson on Wednesday.
Huskies
My goodness, it's the one-year anniversary of the Huskies' 0-5 start in the Pac10. That seems like many many moons ago. In that year of time, the Huskies have gone 28-6. As for the Beavers, they got
The Huskies are home against Oregon State tonight and Washington State two Sundays from now on the 23rd (FSNNW).
Bulldogs
The Waves of Pepperdine will be coming to the McCarthey Center to face Gonzaga tonight before the Zags go to the Bay Area to face the Dons of USF on Thursday (KONG 6/16 broadcast).
Sonics
For my take on the game, scroll down a post or click here if you're in the archive.
Make no mistake, it was Ron Murray's night. He'd scored in double digits twice before this, but he hadn't really gotten any steady minutes and he'd floundered with his shot in the minutes that he did get. Last night, he shot 8-for-13 and I liked that I didn't always see him trying to force a drive when the defense wasn't giving him much to work with. Murray passing the ball didn't seem like a stretch to me last night, when on other nights it has seemed that way. Still, any contribution from Murray is a good way to pick up for some of the Rashard Lewis void until he can get back into form. As for the Speedy Claxton explosion, he had 15 of the Warriors' 19 third-quarter points and had 19 of their 32 second-half points. Luckily the Sonics held down everybody else.
From Jayda Evans' perspective, it was also a great night for the defense as well as Antonio Daniels. The defense put the clamps down in the second half and allowed 20 less points than they did in the first half. Daniels had a few very timely jumpers to the tune of 11 third-quarter points.
Upcoming...
Tomorrow vs. Cleveland
Tuesday vs. Denver
Friday vs. Minnesota
HOCKEY
Seattle beat Tri-City 3-1. It's 30 wins for the T-Birds. They have emerged victorious in all seven games against Tri-City this season. Seattle still has not lost consecutive games on the season. Amazingly, all of the scoring in this game came in the third period. Zack FitzGerald scored the first goal of the game and got the T-Birds a lead which lasted for all of 66 seconds. They got the lead back thanks to a goal by Matthew Hansen. Derek Couture eventually put the game on ice with an empty-netter. Tri-City outshot Seattle 25-24, and Bryan Bridges stopped 24 in net for the Thunderbirds.
Vancouver beat Everett 4-2. It was Mr. Hockey Night in Vancouver, as the Giants once again celebrated the great Gordie Howe, one of their co-owners. The Silvertips have lost all four games against the Giants this year, and they failed to keep pace with Seattle, who won. Power-play goals by Cam Cunning and Triston Grant in the first two periods staked the Giants to a 2-0 lead before Everett tied it up with two goals in 1:43 in the second period thanks to Torrie Wheat on the power play and Mike Wuchterl off a rebound. Jason Reese came away with the game-winner about seven minutes into the third period, and Gilbert Brule sealed it with an empty-netter. Vancouver outshot the Silvertips 27-23. Leland Irving stopped 24 for Everett, and Marek Schwarz stopped 21 for Vancouver.
Portland and Moose Jaw skated to a 4-4 overtime tie. The Warriors aren't too high in the standings, but the Winter Hawks will take the single point after being down 3-0 in the first period. Dustin Butler was nursing a hamstring pull and had started 25 straight games before resting one game while Blake Grenier returned from injury. The Winter Hawks had 15-year-old Kurtis Mucha in net last night. Mucha was welcomed rudely late in the first period on two goals in 68 seconds by the Warriors. The Warriors tallied again early in the second period for a 3-0 lead. The Winter Hawks eventually tied it in the second period on a deflection (Cody McLeod), a loose puck (Dan Da Silva), and a rebound (McLeod again). McLeod finished off a hat trick in the third period to get Portland the lead (four straight goals for Portland) before Moose Jaw netter the equalizer about four minutes later. Portland outshot Moose Jaw 40-37. Kurtis Mucha stopped 37 in the Portland net.
Manitoba beat Houston 3-2. The Moose won their third straight on the Texas trip and have reeled off a franchise record 13-game road unbeaten streak. The Moose scored on their first shot of the game, on a powerplay goal by Jeff Heerema. The Aeros answered back, but the Moose were quick to take the lead 18 seconds later on a Brandon Nolan goal which may or may not have been deflected in via a high stick. Josh Green scored the winning goal about six minutes into the final period after some conferring by the officials. Houston badly outshot the Moose 40-21, and Alex Auld was huge, stopped 38 in the Manitoba net.
Portland beat Puget Sound 5-1. The game was 1-1 after two periods. The Tomahawks had tied the game in the second period, and ended up holding the Pioneers scoreless for nearly 40 straight minutes. However, giving up four third-period goals usually isn't a very good recipe for winning. One of the Portland goals came early in the third period, and the Tomahawks had about eight minutes to net the equalizer until the Pioneers scored two quick ones to put it away. The Pioneers now lead the NorPac West division by one point over the Tomahawks with a game in hand. The two teams square off again tonight.
Upcoming...
Tonight: Vancouver at Everett, Portland at Kootenay, Puget Sound at Portland
Tomorrow: Seattle at Vancouver, Spokane at Everett, Manitoba at Houston
---
Let's see here. Part of Whitsitt piece was correctly debunked. I'd said a couple times this week that the UNC/Wake game was an ABC game, which was also wrong because I failed to check the freakin' regional map beforehand. Then there was that whole thing where I fell asleep in front of the computer.
[Edit ~1:47p -- ...and I forgot the recap for the Tomahawks. Shame on me.]
To take a page from Tony Kornheiser and Michael Wilbon, I'll do better next time.
Have a great Saturday and a great weekend, everybody.
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