Sonics Update

  • Thursday, November 15, 2001 9:00pm
  • Sports

TODAY’S GAME

Opponent: Golden State Warriors

When: 7 p.m.

Where: KeyArena, Seattle

TV: None

Radio: KJR (950 AM)

Probable starters: For Seattle – forwards Desmond Mason (6 feet, 5 inches) and Rashard Lewis (6-10), center Jerome James (7-1), guards Brent Barry (6-6) and Gary Payton (6-4). For Golden State – forwards Antawn Jamison (6-9) and Danny Fortson (6-8), center Erick Dampier (6-11), guards Jason Richardson (6-6) and Larry Hughes 6-5).

Next game: Denver at Seattle, 7 p.m. Saturday.

Injury update: Injured center Calvin Booth tried to practice on Thursday, but ended up sitting out the last half of the workout. He seems doubtful to play tonight.

“I’m just trying to keep from taking a step backward,” said Booth, who has played sparingly since spraining an ankle in the team’s last exhibition game. “I just want to keep getting better. But it’s tough to go through the preseason and then get to the regular season and get hurt, especially on a new team.”

Predrag Drobnjak (whose nickname is Peja, pronounced PAY-ja) is also recovering from an ankle sprain, and has been on the injured list all season. The 6-11, 270-pound Yugoslavian center (whose rights were acquired by the Sonics in exchange for Bobby Simmons, one of Seattle’s two 2001 second-round draft picks) practiced on Thursday for the first time since his injury.

“His ankle is still very sore,” said Sonics coach Nate McMillan. “We’ll want to see him on the floor practicing some more, so I don’t assume he’ll be with us these next two games (tonight and Saturday).”

Scouting report: The Sonics should remember the last two visits by the Warriors to KeyArena. At the very least, Seattle should remember Antawn Jamison.

A year ago, the Golden State forward had two brilliant games against the Sonics in Seattle. He scored 51 points in a Dec. 3 game (the top total for a Sonics opponent last season and tied for the fifth-best in franchise history), and followed that with a 38-point effort on April 11.

“He played well in those two games,” McMillan said. “It wasn’t so much what we did, he just had a hot night. He was knocking down 3s with (defenders’) hands in his face. If he’s going to shoot the ball as well as he did from the perimeter, you have to live with that.”

Tonight, McMillan added, “we won’t go and just send our whole defense to stop him. If he gets hot, then we’ll make some adjustments. But you have to play that whole team.”

Aside from Jamison, one of McMillan’s top concerns is Golden State’s rebounding prowess. The Warriors lead the league with a 51.2 average (Seattle is 11th at 43.7), led by 6-8 forward Danny Fortson, who is tops in the NBA at 13.9 per game.

” (Fortson) has a knack for knowing where the ball is coming off the rim,” McMillan said. “He’s committed to going and getting the ball. That’s his strength.”

The Sonics have 11 straight victories against Golden State and have won 17 of the last 18 games in Seattle, a stretch that includes nine seasons.

Righty, lefty: Ever wonder why guard Gary Payton is so good dribbling and shooting layins with his left hand? He is ambidextrous, sort of. Payton, a natural right-hander, writes with his left hand.

Rich Myhre

Talk to us

> Give us your news tips.

> Send us a letter to the editor.

> More Herald contact information.

More in Sports

Monroe's Halle Keller drives past Meadowdale's Payton Fleishman during a Feb. 14, 2025 3A District 1 playoff game at Meadowdale High School. (Qasim Ali / The Herald)
Last-second layup powers Monroe past Mavs in districts

The Bearcats staged a 50-49 road upset in a district clash.

Shorecrest’s Cassie Chesnut leaps in the air to block a shot by Shorewood’s Bridget Cox during the 3A district playoff game on Friday, Feb. 14, 2025 in Shoreline, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Shorecrest girls win rubber match against Shorewood

Cassie Chesnut’s 28 points, 18 rebounds pushes the Scots to District 1 3A semifinals with 53-38 win.

Snohomish’s Kendall Hammer yells in celebration with teammate Snohomish’s Sienna Capelli after she makes a shot and is fouled during the game on Thursday, Jan. 9, 2025 in Snohomish, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Prep basketball roundup for Friday, Feb. 14

Snohomish, Stanwood girls cruise into district semis.

Mountlake Terrace’s Svayjeet Singh leaps in the air after the basketball during the 3A district loser-out playoff game against Snohomish on Thursday, Feb. 13, 2025 in Mountlake Terrace, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Snohomish upsets Mountlake Terrace for first playoff win in 11 years

Bryson Wheat scored 25 in Panthers’ 49-43 win to advance to the District 1 Boys 3A quarterfinals

Vote for The Herald’s Prep Athlete of the Week for Feb. 2-8

The Athlete of the Week nominees for Feb. 2-8. Voting closes at… Continue reading

Julio Rodríguez (left) and manager Dan Wilson (right) of the Seattle Mariners react after the game against the Oakland Athletics at T-Mobile Park on Sept. 27, 2024, in Seattle, Washington. (Steph Chambers / Getty Images / Tribune News Services)
Dan Wilson begins first spring training as M’s manager

An anxious eagerness to get through the first of… Continue reading

Marysville Getchell junior Bubba Palocol reverses directions while dribbling against Arlington during a playoff matchup at Arlington High School on Saturday, Feb. 24, 2024, in Arlington, Washington. (Ryan Berry / The Herald)
Prep basketball roundup for Thursday, Feb. 13

Marysville Getchell, Lakewood boys each earn district wins

Kenneth Walker III runs with against the New York Jets at MetLife Stadium on Dec. 1, 2024. (Photo courtesy of the Seattle Seahawks)
Seahawks hire run game coach

Justin Outten added to staff as Mike Macdonald continues attempts to bolster rushing attack.

Balanced scoring attack leads Gonzaga

Zags take over second place in WCC with 88-77 win over USF.

Shorewood senior Bridget Cox (11) elevates to get a shot over Everett senior Aimelie Hovde-Girard (21) in Shorewood's 41-30 win in the opening round of the District 1 3A Girls Tournament on Wednesday, Feb. 12, 2025 in Shoreline, Washington. (Joe Pohoryles / The Herald)
Shorewood girls basketball avoids Everett upset bid in 41-30 win

Glasser’s ‘dagger’ 3 caps second-half run, pushes No. 5 Stormrays to 3A District 1 Quarterfinals

Prep roundup for Wednesday, Feb. 12

Terrace, Monroe girls advance in district hoops tournament.

Kimberly Beard, a Mukilteo resident who attends King's High School, prepares to release a throw during the 20-pound weight competition at George Fox University in Newberg, Ore. on Saturday, Feb. 8, 2025. (Photo courtesy of Donna Beard)
Mukilteo’s Kimberly Beard wins throwing event

The King’s High School junior won the 20-pound weight throw at a George Fox indoor meet.

Support local journalism

If you value local news, make a gift now to support the trusted journalism you get in The Daily Herald. Donations processed in this system are not tax deductible.