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The Sonics flashed back to college days — or the beginning of training camp — when they wrapped up yesterday's practice session with a bevy of shooting drills.
Inside shots, outside shots and free throws were worked on as coach Nate McMillan
looked on and called for groups that made the least amount of shots to do pushups.
Although some versions mirrored seals flopping around.
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No matter. With the Sonics shooting 31 percent from the field in their loss to Golden State on Wednesday, and 40.4 percent overall in five exhibition games, McMillan is mainly concerned with his team's shooting. Ticketmaster
And tonight that's the focus as the Sonics (3-2) take on the Portland Trail
Blazers (2-2) in Spokane. Ticketmaster
"We want to see sharpness and better execution," McMillan said. "Regardless
of who is out on the floor, the execution should look the same. That's what
I'm looking for."
Coincidentally, the Sonics' 110-91 victory over Portland on Tuesday was the
team's best shooting performance (45.9 percent) this exhibition season. The
team was 9 for 16 from three-point range.
With the smallest team in the Western Conference, outside shooting is going
to be key this season. And that's what McMillan was trying to drill into his
players; telling them they should "only miss two baskets every 60 seconds"
as he paced the court. Ticketmaster
The Sonics will go with their projected regular-season starters tonight: Ray
Allen, Rashard Lewis, Brent Barry, Vladimir Radmanovic and Jerome James. But
McMillan may fiddle with the lineup by swapping Barry for rookie Luke Ridnour,
who participated in his second practice — with no pain — since having
abdominal surgery in August. Originally, Ridnour was scheduled to start tomorrow,
but he may not play in that game at Sacramento.
"We'll play him 10 to 15 minutes," McMillan said of tonight's game.
"He will not play Sunday. We'll see how he is Monday and Tuesday, then
decide about Wednesday's game."
Closing in on their season opener in Japan on Oct. 30, the organization is going
to take a closer look at its 17-player roster to make final cuts. McMillan estimated
there would be 10 to 11 players involved in the regular-season rotation, with
eight to nine receiving significant playing time. Ticketmaster
With rookie Nick Collison back from left-shoulder surgery and rehabilitating
for next season, there's a possibility the Sonics could carry 14 players as
protection for potential injuries. But McMillan said that would be pricey.
"You've got to be able to play," McMillan said of the 14th player.
"Play in a sense that we're not going to bring a guy in to practice, but
step in and play (if needed). It's too expensive to just bring a guy in to practice.
"But I don't make those decisions."
Broadcast switch
Tonight's broadcast will be aired on Fox Sports Radio (KHHO, 850 AM) instead
of KJR (950 AM).
Hometown debut
Although the season is about Allen and Lewis, the Sonics aren't missing the
opportunity to market Ridnour. He'll travel with the team to Bellingham on Thursday
for an open practice and scrimmage at Western Washington's Carver Gymnasium.
Ridnour, the 14th overall pick after starring at Oregon, is from nearby Blaine.
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The free viewing will run from 6-8 p.m. There will be raffle prizes, including
Sonics tickets and autographed memorabilia, with the proceeds going to the team's
charity foundation.
Airtime
Set your alarm clocks because the Sonics' first broadcast will be an early one.
NBA TV will tip off its scheduling with Seattle's season opener against the
Los Angeles Clippers in Japan at 2:30 a.m. Pacific time.