Consider Sonics Unkempt

Shawn Kemp will have to watch the Seattle SuperSonics’ playoff opener on TV.

Because Rod Thorn thought Kemp’s skirmish with Tom Hammonds in Denver was too serious to overlook, the Sonics’ leading scorer and rebounder won’t be allowed in the Key Arena for Game 1 against the Sacramento Kings tonight.

“I’m looking forward to Sunday,” Kemp said of the second game.

With Kemp out of the lineup serving a one-game suspension, the Sonics open a best-of-five Western Conference first-round playoff series in their home arena, where they were 38-3 during the regular season.

Could the Sonics, a team that had a best-in-the-West 64-18 record, possibly lose to the Kings, a club with only 39 regular-season victories? If they did, would it be Kemp’s fault? “We can’t think in negative ways and stuff like that,” Kemp said on Thursday. “We’ve got a good team and the team’s played without me before. I think they’ll respond well.”

Kemp, a four-time All-Star forward who had career bests of 19.6 points and 11.4 rebounds this season, is being punished for fighting with Hammonds Sunday. Thorn, NBA senior vice president, fined Kemp $7,500.

Upset in the opening round of the playoffs in each of the past two seasons, Seattle faces a lot of pressure. But the Sonics were 4-0 against the Kings this year.

“Every game is important for us to win,” said Seattle’s Gary Payton. “We don’t figure just because Shawn is out that we’re supposed to win this one. We’re supposed to win every one.”

“The last thing we want to do is give them the homecourt advantage,” Sonics coach George Karl said of the first game’s importance.

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