RealGM Basketball

Oklahoma City Wiretap

Final Four Holding Up Allen's Ankle Surgery

If it weren't for UCLA playing in today's men's Final Four, Sonics guard Ray Allen would have had surgery on his injured left ankle this week. Instead, Allen will have the season-ending procedure April 7 because the operating doctor promised his daughter, a Bruins fan, that he'd take her to the event in Atlanta.

"I'm in a holding pattern right now," Allen joked. "When the game [between UCLA and Kansas] was on the other day, you know who I was rooting against."

Dr. Richard Ferkel will perform the surgery to remove the large bone spurs in Allen's left ankle at the Southern California Orthopedic Institute in Los Angeles. Allen is contemplating also having scar tissue in his right ankle repaired simultaneously because the anesthesia causes nausea.

Via Seattle Times


Allen Won't Bother Lewis About Staying In Seattle

Rashard Lewis is one of Ray Allen's favorite teammates but the sharpshooter will not pester him about remaining in Seattle.

"He has the chance to do something special in Seattle," Allen said. "But I want Rashard to do what he feels is necessary for himself and his family."

Via Seattle Times


Hill Meets With New Sonics Owner

In his first one-on-one meeting with new principal owner Clay Bennett prior to Sunday's game against San Antonio, Sonics coach Bob Hill didn't plead his case. The coach is in the final months of a two-year deal, and vice chairman Lenny Wilkens said a decision regarding Hill's future will be made after the season.

While the Sonics haven't performed well consistently, only point guard Luke Ridnour is not averaging a career best in either points, rebounds, or assists. Hill and his staff have drastically improved five players — Chris Wilcox, Nick Collison, Earl Watson, Johan Petro and Damien Wilkins, and Allen was averaging a career-best 26.4 points on two bum ankles.

Because of the players' development under strenuous situations and the fact that the Sonics have played 31 games that were decided by six points or less, dropping 19, Hill believes he should return next season.

"I think I've earned the right to coach this team healthy," said Hill. "That's how I feel. Based on the improvement of the players, the development, putting them in a style, getting Ray and Rashard having career years — I've earned it. That doesn't mean anything, but that's how I feel."

Via Seattle Post-Intelligencer


Mar 2007 Archive