Monday, September 27

Kutluay Minutes

Ibrahim Kutluay
Steady... steady...

For the past week, I’ve been trying to figure out where Kutluay is going to play next season. Here’s my reckoning as to the roster for next season (noting that the guy I spent 1,500 words on, David Young, probably won’t make the team):

PG Ridnour, Daniels
SG Allen, Murray, Kutluay
SF Lewis, Radmanovic
PF Collison, Fortson, Evans
C Potapenko, James, Swift

Starters
Ridnour, Allen, Lewis, Collison, Potapenko

Reserves
Daniels, Murray, Radmanovic, Fortson, James, Swift, Kutluay, Evans

And here’s how I see this season shaping up:

Player Minutes 2004
Ridnour 25 16.1
Allen 38 38.4
Lewis 33 36.6
Collison 20 0
P'penko 19 21.8
Daniels 23 21.3
Murray 15 24.6
Radman 20 30.1
Fortson 20 11.1
James 10 15.2
Kutluay 7 0
Swift 3 0
Evans 7 17.1
TOTAL 240 NA

A few observations:

240 is the magic number of 48 minutes times 5 positions.

Four players have to see drastic reductions in minutes this year: Murray (-10), Evans (-10), Radmanovic (-10), James (-5). I’m guessing Murray and, especially, Radmanovic will be less than pleased with this scenario. With Radman entering free agency next season, his agent is going to be pushing for lots of minutes so he can get one of those Brian Cardinal-type contracts after the season.

Ridnour and Daniels will likely share the 48 minutes at PG, so their minutes could switch depending on how frustrated Nate gets with Luke’s proclivity to avoid defense.

I’m guessing Fortson could see more time, at the expense of Jerome James. In fact, if James lasts the season here, I’d be somewhat surprised.

Murray’s minutes from last season are slightly skewed, since his average went from 36 in November to 23 in April.

The intriguing part, though, is where Kutluay fits in. Even taking away tons of minutes for those 4 guys leaves Ibo with all of 7 minutes a game. Will someone tell me where he’s going to get any more? He can only play one position in the NBA, 2 guard, and the Sonics are stocked at that spot. Do you think Ray Allen’s going to offer his minutes with free agency coming? Is Rashard Lewis willing to play 25 minutes a game so some Turkish Cedric Ceballos can get his 7 3-pointers in?

It just doesn’t add up to me.

posted by PN @ 10:10 AM   4 comments

4 Comments:

Maybe Murray will play point guard he has the skills to play it :)
I hope kutulay would play a lot of minutes with the sonics !!!

By Anonymous Anonymous, at 9/29/2004 6:27 AM  

Why would you only have Murray playing 15 minutes a game? Murray will split time between the point and the two this year and if McMillian has any sense (something I question often) Murray should get over 30 minutes a game. There isn't a more talented guard in the league with three years or less experience. All Murray needs is extended minutes and the rest of the NBA will see that he has superstar talent.

By Blogger Iron Shiek, at 10/01/2004 1:14 PM  

i completely agree with this point of view, Murray is a great player as some others, the only problem he hadnt a real time to prove is a famous player!

By Anonymous Anonymous, at 10/01/2004 2:32 PM  

You have to expect the Sonics to give more minutes to Ridnour than last year, and it's highly unlikely that Nate will opt to give Murray time at the point when he's got superior ball-handlers in Daniels and Ridnour. Murray is a very nice player, but he is going to receive the short end of the stick, unless there are injuries. With Lewis out, Murray may wind up playing 2 more with Allen moving to SF. In fact, that may be the best lineup the Sonics have.

By Blogger Pete Nussbaum, at 10/22/2004 4:32 PM  

Post a Comment

<