Seattle Reborn

[DrBuckets]

In the years following the Seattle Speed’s controversial relocation to Oklahoma City, numerous efforts had been put forth by the community to bring professional basketball back to the city. None were greater than an exhausting public campaign that eventually convinced the Regional Basketball Association to award Seattle with a blank slate during its league expansion in 2012.

Headquartered in Burdette Gardens, a repurposed stadium tucked away in a remote subdivision of the city’s metropolitan area, Andre Arline assumed his role as the team’s primary owner and quickly hired in his top choice for general manager, a controversial move that saw an unknown athletic director from a local community college at the helm of a professional sports franchise. Arline was also heavily criticized for rejecting a clause in the agreement made during the relocation of the team’s original incarnation, a stipulation that gave any future franchise in Seattle the option of sharing its original team history with Oklahoma City. Arline had agreed to adapt the original team’s pictography and color scheme but outright refused to share any of its history with Oklahoma City. The official history of professional basketball in Seattle was to begin completely anew.

In conjunction with the newly founded Las Vegas Aces, the Seattle Speed participated in an expansion draft that allowed the team to flesh out a very basic and untalented roster, the ashes from which Arline hoped a phoenix would soon rise.

[DrBuckets]

Roster v1.1
Total Salary: $39,171,800
Team Salary: $19,451,800
Cut Salary: $19,720,000
Cap Status: +$18,828,200

#11 PG Earl Watson (32)[$2,000,000](2.0/2.0)
#24 PG Nolan Smith (23)[$1,404,960](1.5/2.0)
#25 PG Chris Duhon (29)[$3,680,000](1.5/1.5)

#13 SG Corey Brewer (26)[$3,243,000](2.5/2.5)
#04 SG Xavier Henry (22)[$2,323,200](2.0/2.5)

#15 SF Tobias Harris (20)[$1,524,480](2.0/3.0)
#31 SF Chris Singleton (22)[$1,596,480](2.0/3.0)
#20 SF Quincy Pondexter (25)[$1,234,320](1.5/2.5)

#45 C Cole Aldrich (24)[$2,445,480](1.5/2.0)

The pickings during the expansion draft were slim at best; it was important to keep the team relatively young and cheap and allow myself a lot of flexibility. There may be a few good bench players in there but basically everyone is on the trading block moving forward.

[DrBuckets]

Coaching Staff

Head Coach: Isiah Thomas (3yr, $1,364,580/yr)
He has exceptional offensive skills and his experience as a guard complements my small-ball tendencies

First Assistant: Frank Hamblen (3yr, $652,967/yr)
Strong defensive coach that maintains balance with Thomas’s offensive expertise

Second Assistant: T. R. Dunn (3yr, $337,960/yr)
Emphasizes player development

Third Assistant: Shareef Abdur-Rahim (3yr, $291,412/yr)
Basically average, but has time to grow with the team

[DrBuckets]

2012 Regional Basketball Association Draft

1. New Orleans Wasps – PF Anthony Davis
2. Charlotte Wildcats – SF Michael Kidd-Gilchrist
3. Washington Americans – PF Thomas Robinson
4. Seattle Speed - SG Bradley Beal

SEA: PG Earl Watson <> POR: 2012 R2P12
When Portland approached me with this offer I felt like Watson was probably worth a little more, but he was also the oldest player on the roster and I had no real future plans for him.

SEA: SG Corey Brewer <> GSS: 2012 R1P32
Brewer was one of the most talented players in the expansion draft, but his value dropped considerably once we drafted Beal and a late first round pick was too good to pass up.

5. Las Vegas Aces – SG Dion Waiters
6. Cleveland Knights – C Andre Drummond
7. Sacramento Royals – PF John Henson

SEA: 2012 R2P2, R2P12; PG Chris Duhon <> POR: 2012 R1P13
SEA: 2012 R1P32; SG Xavier Henry; SF Quincy Pondexter <> HOU: 2012 R1P18
Duhon was relatively old and definitely overpaid while both Henry and Pondexter were expendable; meanwhile I was able to secure two additional first round picks in the draft

8. Portland Pioneers – C Tyler Zeller
9. Golden State Spartans – SF Harrison Barnes
10. Toronto Dinos – SF Perry Jones III
11. Detroit Gears – C Meyers Leonard
12. New Orleans Wasps – SG Terrence Jones
13. Seattle Speed - PG Damian Lillard
14. Houston Blast – PF Jared Sullinger
15. Phoenix Beams – SG Austin Rivers
16. Milwaukee Moose – SG Terrence Ross
17. Philadelphia Freedom – PF Arnette Moultrie
18. Seattle Speed - SF Moe Harkless
19. Dallas Rangers – C Fab Melo
20. Houston Blast – PG Kendall Marshall
21. Orlando Mystics – PG Marquis Teague
22. Denver Peaks – PG Troy Wroten
23. Boston Irish – SF Royce White
24. Boston Irish – PF Andrew Nicholson
25. Atlanta Eagles – SF Quincy Miller
26. Cleveland Knights – SG Jeremy Lamb
27. Memphis Roar – PF Draymond Green
28. Indiana Racers – PG Maalik Wayns
29. Miami Burn – PF Furkan Aldemir
30. Oklahoma City Twisters – PF Mike Scott
31. Chicago Bison – PF Quincy Acy
32. Houston Blast – SF Jeffrey Taylor

Draft Analysis:
Bradley Beal is the obvious choice at fourth overall – he has the potential to develop into an extremely productive scorer and could be a centerpiece of our franchise for years to come. Picking up Damian Lillard at thirteenth overall feels like an absolute steal – he is easily the best point guard available in the draft and was expected to be a top ten pick. Moe Harkless is a very talented defender with some questionable offensive habits but he should be an important part of our rotation at small forward throughout the season. Picking up two immediate starters and a solid sixth-man type was huge for this team, even if it meant losing some of our most valuable bargaining chips in the process.

Roster v1.2
Total Salary: $32,819,280
Team Salary: $13,099,280
Cut Salary: $19,720,000
Cap Status: +$25,180,720

#02 PG Damian Lillard (21)[$1,649,300](3.0/3.5)*
#24 PG Nolan Smith (23)[$1,404,960](1.5/2.0)

#07 SG Bradley Beal (19)[$3,202,500](3.0/4.5)*

#21 SF Moe Harkless (19)[$1,276,200](2.5/3.0)*
#15 SF Tobias Harris (20)[$1,524,480](2.0/3.0)
#31 SF Chris Singleton (22)[$1,596,480](2.0/3.0)

#45 C Cole Aldrich (24)[$2,445,480](1.5/2.0)

[DrBuckets]

Summer League Roster:
#02 PG Damian Lillard*
#24 PG Nolan Smith*

#07 SG Bradley Beal*
#55 SG Terrence Williams

#21 SF Moe Harkless*
#15 SF Tobias Harris*
#31 SF Chris Singleton*

#20 PF Jordan Williams
#33 PF Trey Thompkins

#45 C Cole Aldrich*
#32 C Hasheem Thabeet

Seattle Speed @ Dallas Rangers
SEA 115, DAL 82
SF Tobias Harris – 16 PTS, 4 REB
C Cole Aldrich – 12 PTS, 6 REB, 4 STL
SG Bradley Beal – 10 PTS, 3 REB

Los Angeles Riders @ Seattle Speed
LA(R) 93, SEA 113
SG Bradley Beal – 16 PTS, 6 AST, 3 REB
PG Damian Lillard – 14 PTS, 10 AST
SF Moe Harkless – 18 PTS, 6 REB

Indiana Racers @ Seattle Speed
IND 104, SEA 119
PG Damian Lillard – 26 PTS, 5 AST
SF Tobias Harris – 19 PTS, 4 REB
SG Bradley Beal – 13 PTS, 4 AST, 7 REB

Seattle Speed @ Detroit Gears
SEA 88, DET 114
SG Bradley Beal – 20 PTS, 7 REB
PG Damian Lillard – 11 PTS, 8 AST
SF Tobias Harris – 10 PTS, 6 REB

Seattle Speed @ Golden State Spartans
SEA 96, GS 84
SG Bradley Beal – 31 PTS, 5 AST, 5 REB
PG Damian Lillard – 16 PTS, 5 AST, 7 REB

Analysis:
It is very telling that every single one of our players was eligible for the summer league roster – our team is young and very rough around the edges and owner Andre Arline is becoming audibly uncomfortable with the lack of veteran leadership on the squad. Lillard and Beal seem to have the potential to develop into the one-two knockout in the back court that I hope they will become, while Harkless and Harris should prove to be a solid rotation at the small forward position. Moving forward it is important that we address our non-existent front court and secure some kind of veteran leadership on the team to help develop our young core of players.

[DrBuckets]

Free Agency

PG Allen Iverson (2yr/$4,767,318)
Iverson is considered by many to be one of the greatest point guards in recent memory. He has maintained a very impressive level of production throughout his career that seems to have secured his future-hall-of-fame status. Of course at the age of thirty-six he is hardly a third of the player that he once was, but he is invaluable to us as a mentor that can help develop our rookie guards (interestingly enough, Bradley Beal has often listed Iverson among his favorite players).

SG Tracy McGrady (1yr/$2,998,000)
Much like Iverson, McGrady has long been on the decline after finding much popularity and success in his prime. His leadership will be valuable to Beal of course, but also to the sea of young talent at the small forward position.

SG Aubrey Coleman (1yr/$995,500)
I usually rely on the shooting guard position a lot so I like to make sure that I have a solid third-string option. Coleman is a good value as an undrafted rookie and can probably develop into what would be considered a decent second-string option on most teams, and right now that is good enough for me.

SF Chris Douglas-Roberts (2yr/$4,272,255)
With three solid starting options at the small forward position I am hoping that Douglas-Roberts will develop into a good second-string type, otherwise he could develop into trade bait.

SF Stanley Robinson (2yr/$2,258,335)
It is just difficult to pass up on a young, undrafted rookie who has the potential to develop into a solid bench player.

PF Marreese Speights (2yr/$8,595,100)
Speights has all of the potential to be a very solid starter – which is good considering that he is literally the only power forward on the team at the moment. Good rebounding and defensive skills; very high durability.

C Josh Harrellson (1yr/$2,115,000)
Harrellson is probably a couple of years away from being a really good starting option, but as of now he is the best center on a team with a weak front court.

C Jeremy Tyler (1yr/$2,115,000)
Good bench player who can also play at the power forward position

[DrBuckets]

Roster v1.3 (includes results from training camp)
Total Salary: $50,918,630
Team Salary: $31,198,630
Cut Salary: $19,720,000
Cap Status: +$7,081,370


#02 PG Damian Lillard (21)[$1,649,300](3.5/3.5)*
#03 PG Allen Iverson (36)[$2,371,800](2.0/2.0)
#24 PG Nolan Smith (23)[$1,404,960](1.5/2.0)

#07 SG Bradley Beal (19)[$3,202,500](3.0/4.5)*
#01 SG Tracy McGrady (32)[$2,998,000](2.0/2.0)
#12 Aubrey Coleman (25)[$995,500](1.5/2.0)*

#31 SF Chris Singleton (22)[$1,596,480](2.5/3.0)
#21 SF Moe Harkless (19)[$1,276,200](2.5/3.0)*
#15 SF Tobias Harris (20)[$1,524,480](2.0/3.0)
#20 SF Stanley Robinson (24)[$1,123,550](2.0/2.5)*
#17 SF Chris Douglas-Roberts (25)[$2,125,500](2.0/2.0)

#16 PF Marreese Speights (24)[$4,255,00](3.0/3.5)

#55 C Josh Harrellson (23)[$2,115,000](2.5/3.0)
#04 C Jeremy Tyler (21)[$2,115,000](2.0/2.5)
#45 C Cole Aldrich (24)[$2,445,480](2.0/2.0)

Roster Analysis
Lillard and Beal (which sounds like the name of a hilarious eighties sitcom) have the potential to develop into an excellent back court while the veteran guidance of Iverson and McGrady should do more than enough to appease Arline’s previous concerns. We have a deep rotation at small forward but nothing immediately spectacular; in fact our front court is pretty weak in general (although Speights could turn out to be a reliable starter). Overall we have a pretty decent foundation going into the regular season but it will be a long time and at least one more draft until we can develop into a consistently competitive team.

[DrBuckets]

Seattle Speed (0-0) @ Oklahoma City Twisters (0-0)
SEA 89, OKC 115
SG Bradley Beal – 16 PTS, 4 AST, 4 REB
PG Damian Lillard – 16 PTS, 5 AST
PF Marreese Speights – 11 PTS, 10 REB

Phoenix Beams (1-0) @ Seattle Speed (0-1)
PHX 139, SEA 129 (OT)
SG Bradley Beal – 43 PTS, 9 REB
PG Damian Lillard – 28 PTS, 11 AST
SF Moe Harkless – 12 PTS, 3 AST, 9 REB

Philadelphia Freedom (1-0) @ Seattle Speed (0-2)
PHI 102, SEA 112
PG Damian Lillard – 21 PTS, 12 AST
SG Bradley Beal – 23 PTS, 3 BLK
SF Tobias Harris – 14 PTS, 2 AST

Houston Blast (1-0) @ Seattle Speed (1-2)
HOU 100, SEA 119
SG Bradley Beal – 35 PTS, 3 REB
SF Tobias Harris – 19 PTS, 3 AST, 5 REB
PF Marreese Speights – 14 PTS, 11 REB

Seattle Speed (2-2) @ Golden State Spartans (1-0)
SEA 100, GSS 117
SG Bradley Beal – 25 PTS
PG Damian Lillard – 12 PTS, 10 AST, 5 REB
PF Marreese Speights – 12 PTS, 11 REB

It was unfortunate that we could not beat Oklahoma City in some Hollywood-esque twist, nor could we secure a win in our home opener against Phoenix, but winning two out of our first five games is probably a lot better than most people could have expected. Damian Lillard (16.4 PPG, 8.6 APG) and Bradley Beal (28.4 PPG) have both been playing at a high level. Marreese Speights (11.6 PPG, 9.0 PPG) is probably our third best player at the moment.

[DrBuckets]

Portland Pioneers (1-2) @ Seattle Speed (2-3)
POR 98, SEA 92
SG Bradley Beal – 29 PTS, 3 AST, 6 REB
PG Damian Lillard – 16 PTS, 7 AST, 8 REB
PF Marreese Speights – 13 PTS, 8 REB

Milwaukee Moose (4-1) @ Seattle Speed (2-4)
MIL 109, SEA 101
PF Marreese Speights – 22 PTS, 11 REB
C Jeremy Tyler – 20 PTS, 8 REB
SG Bradley Beal – 21 PTS

Seattle Speed (2-5) @ Atlanta Eagles (0-2)
SEA 99, ATL 112
SG Bradley Beal – 36 PTS, 3 AST, 8 REB
C Jeremy Tyler – 14 PTS, 8 REB
PF Marreese Speights – 10 PTS, 9 REB

Seattle Speed (2-6) @ Indiana Racers (4-3)
SEA 71, IND 110
SG Bradley Beal – 16 PTS, 4 REB
PF Marreese Speights – 10 PTS, 9 REB

Toronto Dinos (0-6) @ Seattle Speed (2-7)
TOR 113, SEA 106
SG Bradley Beal (26 PTS)
SF Moe Harkless (18 PTS, 10 REB)
C Josh Harrellson (15 PTS, 10 REB)

After a solid 2-2 start, we have lost six games in a row. The good news is that Bradley Beal is still tearing it up offensively – his 27 PPG on the year is currently good for third best in the league. Damian Lillard (12.6 PPG, 8.1 APG) has cooled down some and I am hoping that he goes on a hot streak soon.

[PointGuard]

Good dynasty thread thus far. Rough start, but not surprising for an expansion team. Seattle seems to be giving up a lot of points...who's the weak link defensively?