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Weiss Gets Nixed by Sonics

As if you didn?t see it coming, Bob Weiss was fired as the Sonics? head coach yesterday afternoon. As far as Seattle?s fans are concerned, Weiss overstayed his welcome for quite some time now. Six months after taking over the head coaching duties for Nate McMillan whom he served under, Weiss was replaced by his current assistant Bob Hill.

Weiss guided last year?s Northwest Division champions to a disappointing 13-17 record. Along the way there were plenty of embarrassments as Seattle limped out of the gates with a 1-4 mark and weathered an early Eastern road swing in which they lost three games by a combined 93 points. It didn?t help matters that the often overwhelmed Weiss transformed the Sonics from a tough-nosed defensive club into the NBA?s version of a matador.

At the time of his dismissal Seattle was allowing 105.2 points per game on 49.8% shooting. Sund?s decision, although difficult, was appropriate. A consummate gentleman, Weiss simply lacked the edge of his predecessor. He was unable to motivate his players to play consistently and he alienated contributors like Vladimir Radmanovic by tinkering with their roles on the team.