‘Total collapse’ in Jersey sends Sonics reeling

  • FRANK HUGHES / The News Tribune
  • Saturday, November 11, 2000 9:00pm
  • Sports

By FRANK HUGHES

The News Tribune

EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. – It’s one thing for the Seattle SuperSonics to look in disarray because they are not familiar with one another.

But it’s entirely another thing to appear completely lethargic, stunned, disconsolate and clueless, as they did in a 126-91 waxing by the New Jersey Nets Saturday afternoon at Continental Airlines Arena.

This was more than turnovers, although there were plenty – a season-high 31 – which didn’t help matters. Point guard Gary Payton had nine by himself.

The Sonics had a look of disinterest Saturday, allowing the Nets so many layups the crew at the arena may need to check the backboard for dents.

“It couldn’t be any worse,” Sonics coach Paul Westphal said. “Horrible basketball by the Sonics. There is no excuse for us falling apart like that. That was a total collapse. Take your pick, there is not much you can find that was any good on our side.”

This was supposed to be a homecoming of sorts for Patrick Ewing, the first time he returned to the New York metropolitan area since he was traded from the Knicks to the Sonics over the summer.

Instead, it was a celebration of talent for Stephon Marbury, who scored a season-high 41 points – one shy of his career high – often scoring so easily it made one wonder if the Sonics weren’t transparent mirages.

Payton was the unfortunate recipient of many of Marbury’s shots and moves, but Westphal said his teammates completely disregarded the game plan, which called to double-team Marbury in the same fashion that the Nets doubled Payton.

For his part, Payton said somebody – anybody – needed to take the initiative to knock Marbury on his rear.

“He kept getting layup after layup,” Payton said. “We (weren’t) doing nothing. Shoot, if he keeps getting layup after layup, I’d keep going to the (darn) basket, too. You can’t let a guy of his caliber keep going to the basket. You’ve got to knock him on his butt or something. He felt free to go in there, hey, you might as well go in and get your money.”

The loss was Seattle’s fourth in the past five games and leaves the Sonics at 2-5. The Sonics will close out this five-game road trip today at Detroit, and it still is possible to salvage a somewhat respectable 2-3 record.

But that will not erase some of the memories of losses in Orlando and Miami, but particularly against the Nets.

Ewing must not have the following he once held here. While his return has been promoted by the New York papers for more than a week, the arena was more than half empty.

“It’s not the way I would have liked to come back here,” Ewing said.

The Sonics had hoped to get a lift from the return of Brent Barry, who flew to New York from Seattle on Friday to join the team after missing the first six games of the season with a sprained left ankle. But it would not have mattered if it was Rick Barry who flew to join the team.

This was a Nets team that had averaged just 91 points a game, shooting only 42 percent, both sixth-worst in the NBA. But against the Sonics, New Jersey dropped 65 percent of its shots through the first three quarters, when the game was decided.

New Jersey reached its scoring average before the end of the third quarter. In that quarter, the Nets opened with a 17-3 run, with many of New Jersey’s points barely being defended. Of their 17 third-quarter field goals, 11 were layups. Of New Jersey’s 467 field goals to that point, 26 were layups or dunks.

For the game, the Nets had 29 dunks or layups. After every layup that forced a timeout, Marbury – who has dubbed himself Starbury – ran around the arena waving his arms in the air while the Sonics retired to their bench wondering what, exactly, they were doing.

“We should have played defense,” Westphal said. “Instead, we threw the ball to them and didn’t get back. This was the worst performance we’ve had, by far. It was a total and complete horrible performance by us in every way.”

Talk to us

> Give us your news tips.

> Send us a letter to the editor.

> More Herald contact information.

More in Sports

Lake Stevens’ Kamryn Mason attempts to flip Glacier Peak’s Kyla Brown onto her back during 110-pound match at the 4A girls wrestling district tournament on Friday, Feb. 7, 2025 in Mill Creek, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Vikings girls wrestling conquers 4A District 1 Tournament

Lake Stevens dominated with champions in six weight classes and 18 total state-qualifiers

Kamiak’s Kai Burgess has her arm raised in the air after beating Arlington’s Jaymari O’Neal in the 125-pound match at the 4A girls wrestling district tournament on Friday, Feb. 7, 2025 in Mill Creek, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Rebuilding Kamiak girls wrestling steps forward at District Tournament

Ki Burgess and Eden Cole each won their weight class in Friday’s WIAA District 1 Girls’ 4A Tournament

Meadowdale’s Kyairra Roussin takes the ball to the hoop during the game against Archbishop Murphy on Thursday, Jan. 30, 2025 in Everett, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Prep girls basketball roundup for Friday, Feb. 7

Kyairra Roussin’s deep buzzer-beater lifts Meadowdale over Stanwood.

Prep boys basketball roundup for Friday, Feb. 7

Lake Stevens passes Mariner in league standings to take final district slot.

Seattle head coach Mike Holmgren watches his team against Washington Sunday, November 9, 2003. (George Bridges / KRT / Tribune News Services)
No Holmgren in Hall is a travesty

The Former Seahawks coach carries a resume superior to many already in the HOF.

A Snohomish School District truck clears the parking lot at Glacier Peak High School on Wednesday, Feb. 5, 2025. (Aaron Coe / The Herald)
Inclement weather cancellations strain high school sports calendar

With state tournaments on the horizon, ADs from Wesco, Northwest and Kingco must be flexible

Gonzaga overcomes stagnant start to beat LMU

Bulldogs get ‘best of best’ play down the stretch in 73-53 win.

Seahawks defensive end Leonard Williams (99) celebrates during a stop of the Arizona Cardinals at Lumen Field on Nov. 24, 2024 (Photo courtesy of Rod Mar / Seattle Seahawks)
Leonard Williams restructures Seahawks deal

More moves may be coming as Seattle deals with salary cap.

Former Archbishop Murphy High School stars, Bears cornerback Kyler Gordon (6) and Seahawks right tackle Abraham Lucas (72), prepare for play at Soldier Field in Chicago on Dec. 26, 2024. Though Lucas is likely to return as a starter, Seattle's interior line needs offseason upgrades. (Photo courtesy of Edwin Hooper / Seattle Seahawks)
The Seahawks offensive line needs work

A mix free agency and draft could lead to upgraded interior.

UW men stumble in second half, fall to Nebraska

The three-pointers that fell so frequently — and from a… Continue reading

Edmonds-Woodway’s William Alseth dribbles the ball down the court during the game against Shorewood on Tuesday, Feb. 4, 2025 in Shoreline, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Edmonds-Woodway boys basketball enters playoffs on high note

The Warriors never let up in 63-43 win vs. Shorewood on Tuesday to secure Wesco South 3A/2A title

Prep basketball roundup for Tuesday, Feb. 4

Parker powers Seagulls to district berth.

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.