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From the Seattle Times

Sonics
Notebook: Sonics drawing out Daniels' risky side

By Percy Allen
Seattle Times staff reporter

There was Antonio Daniels, pounding the ball and skipping across the court as he poked and probed at the fringes of the defense.

When the slightest opening emerged, he attacked the gap like a Heisman Trophy halfback and blew past a defender before muscling in a layup over center Jerome James.

If Daniels wishes to win the Sonics' starting point-guard position, then he'll need to do more of this. He'll have to betray his conservative basketball instincts and embrace the wilder side of his personality.

"We talked about it," Sonics coach Nate McMillan said. "I want him to be more aggressive with the ball. ... He does a good job of containing, but let's see if I can get some more."

On a team stocked with youthful potential, Daniels seems out of place.

At 29, he is neither young or old. After seven years in the NBA, including stops in Vancouver, San Antonio and Portland, some might suggest that he has already given the best that he has got.

"Oh, no, people haven't seen the best of Antonio Daniels," he said defiantly. "I'm peaking. I'm peaking because I'm stronger. My body is healthy. And I'm more comfortable because I know this team."

Last season, Daniels averaged 8.0 points and 4.2 assists while starting 32 games and leading the NBA in the assist-to-turnover ratio (4.89). He committed just 61 turnovers in 71 games.

His play was steady, but unspectacular. He rarely made mistakes but hardly ever attempted the high-risk, high-reward play.

"That's the thing with Antonio, he takes great pride in not turning the ball over, but sometimes you got to put a little risk in your game," Sonics guard Ray Allen said. "I think he got lulled into a certain style during those years when he played with Tim (Duncan) in San Antonio, but things are different here."

Daniels' style contrasts greatly from that of Luke Ridnour, the leading candidate to fill the point-guard spot. But after a week of training camp, there appears to be little difference in the two guards.

"I'm going to do what the coaches want," Daniels said. "They want me to play defense, then I have no problems with that. Attack the offense? I can do that, too."

http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/s ... oni11.html

Great article!! Being a huge AD fan, anything written about him I will like! I believe Ridnour was the Sonies first-round pick 2 years ago so he does have one season under his belt. If Antonio does step up and become more aggressive like the Sonics seem to want, I could easily see him starting over Luke. Yeah Luke is a great player too, but Antonio has only became better every year and I really think this will be the year he gets an actual "starting" position for the whole year (hopefully no injuries). No matter the starter, the Sonics have some depth at the PG position. With Antonio and Luke, they also have Mateen Cleaves as another option. IMO though, here should be their starting 5...

C - Vitaly Potapenko
PF - Vladimir Radmanovic
SF - Rashard Lewis
SG - Ray Allen
PG - Antonio Daniels

McMetz811 wrote: Yeah Luke is a great player too,

Is he? I just remember at all the predraft camps and stuff reading about how Keith McLeod was lighting him up.

Hopefully AD can hold onto that starting spot!

hammb wrote: Is he? I just remember at all the predraft camps and stuff reading about how Keith McLeod was lighting him up.

That's cause Keith is better! Both him and AD our underrated IMO and this could be a great year for both of them.

Its about time!!! Show em' AD!!!!!

falconboy

I was one of those guys who felt AD was going to make some real noise when he got into the NBA. That's never really happened. He's had some very good games from time to time, but he's never had the breakout season we all know he is and was capable of having. Part of that was the teams and systems he has played for and in. But AD's time at the top of his game is running out. He's really got to do it now or it may never happen.

In Seattle, he's got a decent core of talented and athletic guys to play with, now he's just got to do his thing. I always felt San Antonio was a terrible place for him to play as a player, the Spurs half-court set, pounding the ball into the post never suited AD's style or strengths. In Vancouver, he never had long enough of a chance to develop. In Portland, there we too many players that played like him. In Seattle, he's not on the best of teams, but it's a place where he can flourish if he plays his type of game.

I really was hoping he would eventually land on a team back East. Two years ago, he was rumored to be in a trade with Cleveland that never came about. I so wanted him to be a Cav, going to Gund Arena to watch AD and Lebron would have been awesome! Best of luck to you 'Tone!