Support Group Fills Void In Seattle Reserves Step In For Injured Stars And Keep Sonics On Course

The Seattle SuperSonics literally limped into their hotel Sunday afternoon. Assessing the situation, coach George Karl canceled practice and gave the team the day off, conceding that rest would be more beneficial than a workout.

If they appeared weary and downtrodden with Nate McMillan and Shawn Kemp hobbling, the Sonics are figuratively skipping along after setting a club record with their 13th straight victory Saturday night in New Jersey.

The team that can’t win in the playoffs can’t lose now - at home or on the road, in sickness or in health.

The Sonics, 45-12 overall, are 35-11 when playing without injured members of the rotation. They have become a successful support group, which will be forced to convene for more meetings this week.

Kemp, who sprained his left foot Friday night in Boston, won’t play in tonight’s game against Cleveland and might be sidelined the rest of the week, which would take him out of games at Washington on Wednesday, Minnesota on Friday and, perhaps, Sunday’s return home against San Antonio.

“There is some optimism that he might play before the end of the week, but we don’t know,” Karl said. “The swelling is not severe, but the soreness is.”

McMillan, who has been badgered by various aches this season, landed on the injured list for the second time Saturday night. Suffering from tendinitis in his right knee, McMillan needs rest to recuperate. He won’t be eligible to return until March 13 when the Orlando Magic make their only Seattle stop of the season, and it probably will be the night that Kemp reappears, too.

The Sonics don’t need to rush either one of them back. They have compensated all year, finding capable help in the bullpen. In the long-term, these injuries might be rewarding because the Sonics are learning to win in a variety of ways, and this type of versatility can only assist them in the playoffs.

Additionally, players like Ervin Johnson and David Wingate, who wouldn’t be getting platefuls of minutes if there weren’t any injuries, definitely will now. Their development also could be vital in the playoffs, particularly in matchup situations against certain opponents.

Johnson’s confidence is growing with his playing time. Maybe more than any other player, his contributions will be critical in Kemp’s absence. With Kemp, their leader in both departments, the Sonics are a mediocre rebounding and shot-blocking team. Without him, they could be even worse.

But Johnson, when given the playing time, excels in both areas. Playing 33 minutes against the Nets, twice his season average, Johnson supplied 17 points, but more importantly 13 rebounds and three rejections.

Oftentimes tentative, Johnson is becoming more forceful. Teammates are beginning to believe in him.

“Without Shawn, we won’t have the inside game and rebounding,” said Gary Payton. “But Ervin is a substitute for that.”

Johnson hit what Payton called the best dunk of the year against New Jersey, better even than all those thrown down by Kemp, his universally known teammate. Dribbling downcourt, Payton whirled and left the ball for Johnson, who thundered into the lane and slammed over 7-foot-6 Shawn Bradley, sending Bradley scrambling.

Besides using different players for longer stretches, the Sonics have been forced by injuries into different styles. When Detlef Schrempf was sidelined for 19 games with a leg fracture, they used quicker, smaller lineups and ran and pressed teams into submission. Now they rely more on defense, slower tempo and the halfcourt game, going with a grind-it-out mentality.

“There is a very good likelihood we’ll be playing 90-point games without Shawn and Nate,” Karl said.

Karl prefers to experiment and, like many of his role players, will get the opportunity now. He started 12th-man Steve Scheffler at power forward against the Nets, not wanting to alter his substitution pattern. In McMillan’s place, Vince Askew played point guard for a while, allowing Payton more freedom on offense.

Karl also wants to get more looks at the basket for Hersey Hawkins, but said: “Our options are pretty basic. Gary and Det are going to be our guys most of the time.”

Schrempf is ready for the added responsibility.

“We’re giving up 20 points and 10 rebounds (Kemp), so we have to find other ways to score,” he said. “I had my chance to sit back and watch Shawn and Gary score points, then I’d pick my spots. Now I know I have to be more aggressive.”

In the past three games, Schrempf has responded with an average of 22 points. Saturday night he grabbed 10 rebounds, double his usual output.

“We’re not worried about who goes out,” Payton said. “We’ve got guys off the bench who will step up. That’s what they’re supposed to do. … We’ll get through this.”

Notes

In three straight games, the Sonics have jumped on opponents in the third quarter, outscoring them by an average of 13.7 points while limiting them to 15 points. “We’re getting a wake-up call at halftime,” Karl said. “I’m not sure it’s the way I like it, but it’s a pretty positive thing when a team can make adjustments and take control of the game.” Defense has been the key. … To fill McMillan’s spot, the Sonics are expected to activate rookie Sherell Ford, who also was on the injured list with knee tendinitis, before totight’s game. … The Sonics are 18-1 since Schrempf returned from his injury, 19-1 in their past 20 games and are on a pace to win 65 games, which would break the club record (63-19 in 1993-94) by two games.