Rick Sund
Rick Sund
Rick Sundis an NBA executive who is the former GM of the Atlanta Hawks, replacing Billy Knight in 2008...
believe coaches core due earned ethic expect improved player remember respect rookie season talented trend work
Due to his outstanding work ethic in his rookie season, Damien earned the respect of our players, coaches and fans, ... He improved as much in one season as any player we can remember and we expect that trend to continue. We believe Damien will be a part of our young, talented core for years to come.
dialogue far players private season trades
I've told the players every season that any dialogue that a player has with me is private. And any dialogue as far as trades is private because it's just too much of a distraction during the season.
bobby coach four open power spot
Bobby Weiss is the new coach and he'll open up the four spot (power forward) to everybody.
above athletic fresh looking player plus run start
We were looking for an athletic player that can play above the rim. His athleticism is a big plus for us, and he can run and can finish. He's looking for a place to be where he can get a fresh start as well.
best both change felt interest last might talked trying weeks word
We've epitomized the word 'inconsistent' for professional basketball. We talked a lot in the last two weeks trying to (figure out) 'How can we get more consistent?' ... We talked, and we both kind of felt that a change might be in the best interest of the club.
basketball word
We've epitomized the word 'inconsistent' for professional basketball.
competitor definitely glad help liked lose rookie
He's a competitor defensively and we can definitely use the help there. We really liked him as a rookie and didn't want to lose him. We're glad to have him back.
good guy heals hopefully last quarter starting tough year
We were so good last year being injury-free. Nick's starting to play pretty good, a really good first quarter (on Sunday). He's a tough guy and hopefully it heals and he will be back.
game good
Brunson had a lot of good things to say, said his feel for the game is very good.
ability complement good luke nice point size skills true
Rick's playmaking ability, ball-handling skills and size make him a nice complement for our team. He is a true point guard, and I think he and Luke Ridnour will give us a good tandem at that position.
again depth five four last strengths year
One of the strengths of the Sonics, last year and again this year, is depth at the four and five spots.
ability bulk center concerns depth guy last length match nick position robert running strength talent teams toughness unless youth
One of our concerns has been, and probably always will be - unless you have a (Tim) Duncan or a Shaq (O'Neal) - having enough depth at the center position with enough flexibility so you can match up with all the different teams, because teams give you different looks, ... That was a strength last year, and it will be another strength for us this year. We have the strength with Vitaly, versatility and talent with a guy like Nick Collison, a low-post game. You have some length now and running ability in Mikki and some youth in Petro and Robert and some toughness and bulk in Danny.
bob change felt losses surprising
We've had some surprising and disappointing losses and we've got to find wins. Bob tried. He really did. But I just felt like a change was necessary.
body certain comfort somebody type zone
We like that bulky type of center. It was important for us to get somebody with that type of body. And there is a certain comfort zone with Vitaly.