ESPN Network: ESPN.com |  NFL.com |  NBA.com |  NASCAR |  NHL.com |  ESPNdeportes |  ABCSports |  EXPN |  FANTASY

Dr. Jack's Prescription
  Scores/Schedules
  Standings
  Statistics
  Transactions
  Injuries
  Players
  Message Board
  NBA StatSearch
  NBA en espaņol
Clubhouses





Wednesday, November 29, 2000
Sonics: Ewing, Mason just need more time



For every NBA team that is on a roll, there is a team that isn't. That's why we need the doctor -- Dr. Jack Ramsay. Each week in Dr. Jack's Prescription, the Hall of Fame coach will analyze a team in distress, and offer a cure to what ails them.

This week: Seattle SuperSonics
Gary Payton
Gary Payton is playing good ball, but the team has yet to get hot.

The Symptoms
Seattle made offseason changes with hopes of moving to contending status in the tough Western Conference after last season's 47-35 finish. The acquisition of Patrick Ewing presumably gave the Sonics their first legitimate center since Jack Sikma in the late-'70s. General Manager Wally Walker and coach Paul Westphal were also excited about first round draft pick Desmond Mason -- a lean, 6-7 shooting guard from Oklahoma, who lit up summer league competition. Gary Payton and Vin Baker, fresh from Olympic success, appeared geared up for banner seasons; and Rashard Lewis seemed ready for an expanded role in only his third year out of high school.

But the Sonics have failed to boom. Only Payton (25 ppg, 9 apg, 5 rpg) and Lewis (18 ppg, 6.5 rpg) are playing at expected levels. Ewing has struggled -- especially on offense, where he's shooting only 38 percent from the field and 68 percent from the line -- career lows for him in both categories. Mason, thrust into the starting lineup, shot the ball tentatively (35 percent on field goals) and gave his spot up to small forward Ruben Patterson, a catalytic dynamo last season, but shooting only 38 percent this year. Veteran Brent Barry also was given more minutes, but hasn't been able to buy a hoop either (31 percent field goals). Baker has struggled -- shooting only 41 percent and averaging 13 points and 7 rebs.

Team-wise Seattle shoots a modest 43 percent from the field and turns the ball over 19 times a game -- fifth highest in the league. The Sonics are also outrebounded by two boards and outscored by three points a game. That's how a team gets off to a slow start.

The Diagnosis
The Sonics are hurting in three principal areas: shooting accuracy, ball-handling and rebounding. Those factors are interrelated. NBA players are all capable of making shots that come within the flow of the offense; but a low field goal percentage occurs when there's uncertainty of execution ... and that often happens when a team puts several new players together in their starting lineup. The Sonics began the season with three starters different from last season: Ewing, Lewis and Mason. Only Lewis appeared comfortable with the opportunity.

The Sonics seemed overly determined to get Ewing involved in the offense in the early games -- and Patrick didn't respond. Mason simply wasn't up to being an NBA starter yet, and neither Barry nor Patterson appeared ready when minutes came their way. Payton, despite his best efforts, was unable to get the team going and even suffered through a rare nine-turnover game. The result was a tentative offense that yielded poor quality shots, caused turnovers and failed to provide good position for rebounding. Those qualities also combined to allow opponents to get into the open court for fast break scores.

The Sonics lost four out of five games on an Eastern road trip and appeared to be in disarray. Coach Westphal even offered to resign if the players felt he was the cause of their poor play. But Payton spoke up for his coach and the team has responded with a more concerted effort of late.

The Cure
Seattle is capable of playing at a much higher level, and sometimes adversity galvanizes a team into a more determined, cohesive effort. Westphal hopes that will happen. And the schedule, which demands that the Sonics play 11 of their first 16 games on the road, will level out soon and give them more home games -- where they will win more consistently. The rest has to be done on the court.

For that to happen, Ewing needs to concentrate on his defensive strengths -- rebounding, shot-blocking and intimidating in the basket area -- and let offense come to him without forcing it. That will get the Sonics some fast break hoops. Payton must tread the fine line between leading the team and not dominating the game; while Lewis just needs to keep playing like he has.

Baker, Patterson and Barry all must step up their games and play like they did last season -- with energy and team focus. Reserve players Shammond Williams, Jelani McCoy and especially rookies Mason and Ruben Wolkowyski need to relax and concentrate on contributing to the team effort with whatever minutes come their way. And Westphal needs to stay positive and in command.

Offensive execution is the key. It will reduce turnovers, improve the defense by limiting open court scores to opponents, and foster better rebounding. In a recent win over the L.A. Clippers, Seattle had only 12 TOs, forced 30 from the Clips, and won a close game, even though it didn't shoot the ball well. The next time out, it held off the hot Mavericks in the closing seconds to win its second straight -- both road wins -- for the first time this season. The Sonics need to win more games like those. They're not out of the woods yet, but I sense that they are coming together.



ALSO SEE
Glove gets love: Sonics reverse Payton suspension

Hughes: For a few hours, Sonics took a stand

Dr. Jack's Prescription: Bucks

Dr. Jack's Prescription: Raptors




ESPN.com:  HELP |  ADVERTISER INFO |  CONTACT US |  TOOLS |  SITE MAP
Copyright ©2000 ESPN Internet Group. Terms of Use and Privacy Policy and Safety Information are applicable to this site. Employment opportunities at ESPN.com.