Opponent: Philadelphia 76ers
When: 7 p.m. Thursday
Where: KeyArena
TV: TNT (cable)
Radio: KJR (950 AM)
Even though he has used 13 different lineups through the first 52 games of the season, Sonics coach Nate McMillan would prefer using the same starting lineup from one game to the next.
Some of those changes, of course, have been because of injuries. Other times, McMillan has shuffled his starters because of matchups with opposing teams or to inject new life into the opening unit.
Before the All-Star break, McMillan announced his goal of having a set lineup the rest of the season. On Tuesday, he said he expects to start Thursday’s game against Philadelphia with guards Ray Allen and Antonio Daniels, center Vitaly Potapenko, and forwards Rashard Lewis and Calvin Booth. McMillan said he expects to stick with that fivesome – at least for the time being.
“I would love to have a set lineup,” he said, “and I think I could if I wanted to. I don’t want it to be (game to game). But certain things have to happen for me to make that decision.”
Specifically, consistency. Which is something the Sonics have lacked this season. Many of McMillan’s different lineups, for instance, have been because of sporadic play by the team’s three centers – Potapenko, Booth and Jerome James. If one of them stepped up and took the job outright, McMillan would gladly stop rotating players at that position.
“I think the guys have adjusted to (the lineup changes),” he said, “but it would be easier for me and our guys if they knew. But right now we don’t have a set lineup that we can go with each night and say it gives us what we need.”
Many NBA teams shuffle lineups, he added, “though maybe not as much as us.”
Back at it: After several days off for the All-Star break, the Sonics went through a vigorous workout on Tuesday, intended to “run some of that weekend off,” McMillan said.
The session closed with a rugged scrimmage. There were several hard fouls, and the best lick was laid on guard Richie Frahm. After making a pass to the wing, Frahm started through the lane and, with his head turned, was blind-sided by Booth. Frahm tumbled to the floor, where he lay dazed for a few moments.
Afterward, McMillan was pleased with the workout. “It was a good practice,” he said. “The guys came back (from vacation) with some energy and focus.”
Cough, cough: Guard Antonio Daniels missed Tuesday’s practice with an apparent bout of the flu.
Daniels showed up at the expected time, “but he wasn’t feeling well,” McMillan said. “It was the flu or something like that. He didn’t look good.”
Daniels was sent to the doctor, then home to rest. It was not known whether he would be able to practice today or be available for Thursday’s game.
A 7-1 swinger: James used the All-Star break to take his family to Southern California. They spent one day at Disneyland, then spent two days in Palm Springs.
“I got away from basketball totally,” he said. “I didn’t watch anything (on TV).”
On Sunday, James got in 36 holes of golf. On a par-70 course, he shot 100 for his first round, then came back with an 89. “That’s good for me,” he said, “because I just started playing.”
James, who has clubs made specially to fit his 7-1 frame, says he has a severe case of golf fever.
“Golf has ignited something in me,” he said. “It’s a challenge and I love a challenge. I’m to the point now where I’m going to keep my golf bag in my car just in case the sun breaks through. I can run to the course and hit a few.”
The goal, he added, is “to play with guys like Ray (Allen) and Brent (Barry), and be competitive.”
Since Allen and Barry are both very good players, it was suggested that James keep his wallet in his pocket.
“I’m not going to bet them,” he said with a laugh. “My best bet is not to take any money to the golf course. I just borrow lemonade money.”
Collison update: Rookie forward Nick Collison underwent successful surgery on his right shoulder last Friday and has returned to his family’s home in Iowa Falls, Iowa, for a few days of recuperation.
Collison had the operation in New York and it was done arthroscopically, “which was real good,” said Seattle general manager Rick Sund. “The intent was to go in with the scope, and if they could do the work with the scope, they would. If it was going to be bigger than they could do with the scope, then they would switch gears in the operating room (and do a full incision). But they did what needed to be done with the scope.”
Collison has now had surgery on both shoulders, which had loose ligaments that were prone to a shoulder dislocation. The left shoulder, in fact, became dislocated during training camp, and Collison had surgery to repair that joint on Oct. 15.
Sund said he spoke with Collison after Friday’s procedure “and he said this one was not nearly as painful. With the other (shoulder), which they couldn’t do with the scope, he was in a lot of pain.”
Collison is expected to return to Seattle by the end of the week to begin his rehabilitation. He will miss the rest of the season, but should be able to participate with the Sonics’ summer league teams.
Rich Myhre
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