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Sunday, February 11, 2001
Rim: Young Sonics take the stage
By Eric Karabell
ESPN.com
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FROM THE BASELINE
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WHO TO WATCH
PART I
Everybody should stop complaining about the dunk contest. Baron Davis of the Hornets has everything in hand. He's also having a pretty nice season. |
Baron |
| MIN |
REB |
AST |
STL |
PTS |
| 39.4 |
5.3 | 7.3 |
2.3 | 13.4 |
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WHO TO WATCH
PART II
A 7-footer who might win the shootout? You betcha. Dirk Nowitzki has great range and can also get inside, as his numbers show. |
Dirk |
| MIN |
REB |
BLK |
3pt |
PTS |
| 37.6 |
9.2 | 1.1 |
36.4 | 21.2 |
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Number on our mind
Monetary figure, in thousands, that Kobe was fined for blowing off the interview sessions here on Friday. |
10 |
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They said it
"Slim to none. I don't think there's a way they're gong to beat us."
-- Elton Brand on the chance the sophomores will lose to the rookies on Saturday.
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Brand |
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Sat., Feb. 10
WASHINGTON, D.C. --On Saturday night Desmond Mason will fly high in the slam dunk contest. And in the last few weeks he's become more of a factor as the once-disappointing Sonics have turned their season around. But that doesn't mean the last few weeks have been easy for the Seattle rookie.
Mason played four years at Oklahoma State before turning pro, and the news of the plane crash that killed 10 members of the OSU family, including two players, hit him hard.
"To have something like that tragedy happen, I was very hurt," Mason said. "I had the chance to go back to Oklahoma State and spend time with the families, get some closure for myself. I knew all 10 of the guys personally, and Dan (Lawson) was like a brother to me. Nate (Fleming) was a really great guy. To lose them this way is just really bad."
Mason returned to the Sonics after missing one game and has continued his fine play. While he will compete in the slam dunk contest, teammate Rashard Lewis will be on display in the three-point shootout. Both discussed their seasons on a personal and team level Friday.
It hasn't been the easiest season for the Sonics, a team that has undergone a coaching change, two suspensions (one which was overturned) to the star point guard and what is regarded as a disappointing season after a supposed legitimate center was acquired over the summer. Nevertheless, Mason and Lewis talk about everything as a learning experience and point to the excitement of being a participant in Saturday's events.
"This is a great opportunity for young guys to make a name for themselves in the dunk contest," says Mason, who is averaging 5.5 points a game. "This was the most exciting thing growing up, guys defying gravity, and I'll have adrenaline flowing for it."
Lewis, in his third season but two years younger than Mason because he skipped college, is the baby of the shooting contest. He earned his way into the event by being among league leaders in threes made and percentage, and he's often mentioned as a future star and building block for an otherwise veteran Sonics team.
"I just hope I have a lot of fun in the contest, and hope I win," Lewis said. "If I get tired I'll just keep firing it up there. I never expected this, but my work has paid off."
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| Lewis |
Mason and Lewis have been up close for the firing of coach Paul Westphal and promotion of assistant Nate McMillan, have seen the repeated blowups of Gary Payton and the subpar play of future Hall of Famer Patrick Ewing. But both are contributing and after a miserable start the Sonics are 28-24, a mere two games behind Phoenix for the final West playoff spot. Only four East teams have a better record. So things aren't that bad, and should improve as their young players do.
"A lot of the things that happened in Seattle, that's between the veterans and the coaches," Mason said. "I'm just trying to learn from the older players, so is Rashard. Gary (Payton) is always helping the young guys out every day."
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| Hamilton |
He Said, She Said
Last year in Oakland, Calif., the home fans at All-Star weekend didn't have anything to cheer about. With no hope of an actual All-Star, Antawn Jamison's appearance in the slam dunk contest was the only thing to watch. And then Jamison had to pull out with an injury.
This year the hometown Wizards will get something to watch, as second-year man Richard Hamilton and the WNBA's Nikki McCray of the Mystics will team up on the 2ball competition. Both are hoping to give the home fans a show.
"This is our city, so we have no excuses," Hamilton said.
Last year Hamilton and Chamique Holdsclaw teamed up in the event, but things didn't go so well. Hamilton had a shot hit the rim and jump over the backboard, which wasted precious seconds, and them the shots stopped falling. The Washington duo ended up finishing last. This year McCray is the new partner and says it's all up to Hamilton.
"He's just gotta make some shots, because I know I'm gonna make mine," a smiling McCray boasted while pointing across the table at her NBA teammate. "I think this is something for the fans, something they need. We have a beautiful city, great fans. Now all Rip has to do is make some shots."
Hamilton countered that he would. McCray outlined a strategy which she says is sure to work. Players get a certain amount of points for hitting shots on different spots on the floor. McCray says she'll start things off with a pass to Hamilton, and he'll hit an 8-point shot. She'll grab the rebound and hit a 2-pointer, then pass to Hamilton for another 8 points. After that the duo will go back and forth hitting shots for 6 (Hamilton) and 7 points (McCray) while rebounding for the other. McCray figures that could deliver 90 or so points. Note: The record is in the 60s.
"If she would just make her shots then all I have to do is make layups," Hamilton said. "It's gonna be crazy, but I think we will have fun. Last year was fun. This year it will be more fun, especially to perform on the home court."
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