Sonics Update
Published 9:00 pm Friday, April 22, 2005
Opponent: Sacramento Kings
What: Game 1, first-round playoff series
When: 7:30 p.m.
Where: KeyArena, Seattle
TV: FSN (cable), ESPN (cable)
Radio: KJR (950 AM)
Probable starters: For Seattle – forwards Rashard Lewis (6 feet, 10 inches) and Reggie Evans (6-8), center Jerome James (7-1), guards Ray Allen (6-5) and Luke Ridnour (6-2). For Sacramento – forwards Brian Skinner (6-9) and Peja Stojakovic (6-10), center Greg Ostertag (7-2), guards Cuttino Mobley (6-4) and Mike Bibby (6-1).
Next game: Game 2, Sacramento at Seattle, 7:30 p.m. Tuesday.
Second season begins
The game is still four periods, 12 minutes each, a total of 48. Baskets are still two points, except for 3-pointers, and free throws are still worth one.
That much is the same, comparing NBA playoff basketball to the regular season. Other than that, it is very different.
So say two of the Sonics who know.
Antonio Daniels and Ray Allen are two of seven Seattle players who have been to the playoffs before – Danny Fortson, Vitaly Potapenko, Jerome James, Rashard Lewis and Vlade Radmanovic are the others. Among them, Daniels has by far the most postseason experience with 48 games over five seasons, including a league championship ring with San Antonio in 1999.
To Daniels, the playoffs are different enough that he calls it “the second season.”
What is different?
“Everything,” he said. “When the playoffs start, the moment you walk in the arena, you know it’s a playoff game. You know the regular season is over. The atmosphere is different. The environment is just a completely different feel.
“It’s still basketball. Nothing is different in that aspect. But the pressure and the intensity jump up a huge level.”
Allen has been to the playoffs three times previously, all with Milwaukee. In 2001, the Bucks reached Game 7 of the Eastern Conference finals before losing to Philadelphia.
During the playoffs, Allen admitted, his personality changes. He becomes, in his words, “a mean SOB. … There’s a switch that just clicks on. I have more intensity, more fire. Once you notice the difference, it almost seems like you were just practicing during the 82 games of the regular season. Because the playoffs are a whole different story.”
Sonics injuries: For the second straight day, Lewis sat out Seattle’s practice because of persistent tendinitis in his left knee, though his absence was mostly precautionary. Lewis is expected to be in the starting lineup tonight.
“Rashard is OK,” said Sonics coach Nate McMillan. “This was just another day that we wanted to give him some more time (to rest).”
Radmanovic, meanwhile, went through the regular practice, then got in a vigorous game of one-on-one with teammate Mateen Cleaves afterward. After missing the last five weeks and 19 games of the regular season with a stress fracture in his lower right leg, Radmanovic is expected to make his return tonight.
“Each practice it’s been feeling better, and hopefully it’s going to feel good for the game,” Radmanovic said. “But I’m not thinking about it. I’m just happy to be on the court again. The leg is healthy. No pain. That’s what’s making me happy.”
“He’s not experiencing any pain from the running he did (Thursday),” McMillan said. “But we’ll look again (today) and see how he feels. And if he can go, I’m sure his minutes will be limited.”
If he plays, Radmanovic is expected to assume his usual place in Seattle’s rotation. That is, he is usually the first frontcourt player off the bench, replacing either of the starting forwards, Rashard Lewis or Reggie Evans, and even sometimes center Jerome James, all depending on game circumstances.
Kings injuries: The Kings arrived in Seattle on Friday afternoon, still not knowing which players would be available for tonight’s game.
The primary question is the status of starting forward Peja Stojakovic, who missed the last three games of the regular season with a pulled groin muscle, and starting center Brad Miller, who was out the last six weeks with a broken left leg.
Both players practiced on Friday and the report is that Stojakovic will probably play tonight, barring any negative reaction from the workout. Miller is likely doubtful, though he might get in for some spot minutes.
Two other players with minor injuries are expected to be in the opening lineup – point guard Mike Bibby (sprained left ankle) and forward Brian Skinner (sprained right foot).
What’s in a name: The Sacramento media began arriving in Seattle on Friday morning, and several attended the Sonics’ midday workout at the team’s Seattle Center practice facility.
Because they represent a different market, visiting media always ask different questions than the local folks. This is to be expected, and the Sonics coaches and players patiently responded to the queries that will be appear in sound bites and stories back in Sacramento.
One TV type spent much of the session pursuing a curious angle. Thrusting his microphone into someone’s face, he would ask if the player could spell Radmanovic.
Top-notch journalism, this.
Later, he approached Radmanovic and asked if he could spell Stojakovic. Like Radmanovic, Sacramento’s Peja Stojakovic is from Serbia.
(Sigh)
Friendship on hold: Radmanovic, who has a sense of humor, was asked about Stojakovic, his countryman. Specifically, would the two be getting together at all during this playoff series.
“No, we’re big enemies right now,” Radmanovic said with a slight giveaway smile. “We’re from the same country, but I don’t like him anymore.”
Actually, the Kings were due into Seattle on Friday afternoon and Radmanovic was expecting to speak with Stojakovic so they could plan a get-together.
All in the family: Sacramento guard Eddie House is married to the former Charlsie Bibby, the sister of teammate Mike Bibby. They were married in 2001, long before House joined the Kings this season.
Rich Myhre, Herald writer
