Sonics Insider - Petro a starting center?

Covering the Seattle Sonics and the NBA.

Tuesday, February 12th, 2008

Posted by Eric Williams @ 10:30:08 am

In today’s story I posed this question: Does Johan Petro have a future as Seattle’s starting center?

Just going on a small sampling from Petro’s last 10 games, he makes a case for getting more time at the center spot, averaging eight points, five rebounds and 1.5 blocks a contest, playing about 16 minutes a game.

Petro has provided a nice defensive presence inside for Seattle. He still is not as capable a defensive rebounder as veteran Kurt Thomas, but could be stronger with the ball inside. But in the battle of young centers, including Robert Swift and Mouhamed Sene, Petro seems to have moved out front.

What are your thoughts? Do you think Petro can man the middle for Seattle? Or do you want to see how Swift and Sene play the rest of the season before making a decision?

Mickael Gelabale scored 24 points, shooting 11-of-15 from the floor in his last game with the Idaho Stampede. I’m hoping Gelabale is at practice today so we get a chance to talk to him about his experience in the D-League.

Here’s Gelabale’s final stats in Idaho.

Categories: NBA • 4 comments

COMMENTS:

Comment by Opal @ 12:21 - Tuesday, February 12th, 2008

I like the conversation because he is playing better basketball lately, but I still don't think he is adequate at this level. He is blocking shots but is he playing defense. I've seen him leave his assignment for a potential help defense but the pass usually gets through and the double team is defeated.

Sene must be 4 years or so from being a factor for anyone. Swift, I've yet to see an upside. I hope his injury is past and he can contribute.

Comment by psheehy @ 12:42 - Tuesday, February 12th, 2008

Petro needs more minutes, but I doubt we ever see him as a starter at either position in the NBA. He is a third year player, we expect this kind of growth from an average NBA player by this point.

Comment by docpepsi @ 21:35 - Tuesday, February 12th, 2008

Right now I think the main front court players are Swift at PF, Thomas at Center, and Collison backing up both! If Thomas doesn't resign to play next season then maybe we look at who emerges among our 3 young 7 footers.

Comment by tribfan1 @ 01:23 - Wednesday, February 13th, 2008

Time to trade Thomas. A team like the Spurs could be interested in him especially if they get wind that teams like Dallas or the Lakers might have an interest. He's the only guy who seems to be in Duncan's head. If you want to beat the Spurs in the playoffs get Thomas on your team. Trading him would open up more minutes for the young bigs.

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Sonics Insider

Eric Williams took over the Sonics Insider blog in July 2007. Williams joined The News Tribune in 2006 as the Coordinator for Prep Sports. Previously he spent four years as both a news reporter and sports reporter at the Kitsap Sun in Bremerton, Wash. A Tacoma native, Eric graduated from Mount Tahoma High and the University of Puget Sound.

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