Superb Sonics Chemistry Has Been The Key To Seattle’s 11-Game Streak
The Seattle Supersonics still have moments when players yell at coaches, when coaches yell at players and when a team leader like Shawn Kemp complains about his contract.
Yet, the emotional and talented Sonics may have the best chance of any team to dethrone the Chicago Bulls. After outclassing the New York Knicks 102-92 Sunday night, the Sonics are 12-2 and riding an 11-game winning streak. And the defending Western Conference champions have yet to play their best basketball.
Losing to the Bulls (4-2) in last season’s championship series gave the Sonics a taste of playing in the finals. They are determined to go back, and this year’s team is more mature and more confident. The thought of playing the Bulls hardly scares the Sonics.
“We want to play them,” said George Karl, Seattle’s coach, when asked about the Bulls. “It would be fine with us if we played them four times. If the league wants to add two more games, we’ll play them. They’re special in many, many ways. But when Nate McMillan has been on the court when we’ve played, I think it has been pretty even.”
While the Houston Rockets, Los Angeles Lakers and Utah Jazz should be formidable challengers in the West, there are many reasons to like the Sonics. The addition of Jim McIlvaine at center has made Seattle a better defensive team. Gary Payton and Kemp are All-Stars in their primes, while Detlef Schrempf, Hersey Hawkins, Sam Perkins, Craig Ehlo and McMillan are superb role players.
Two years ago, the Sonics considered breaking up their nucleus. They had been upset in the first round of the playoffs in two consecutive seasons. People wanted Karl to be fired, and the Sonics discussed trading Kemp for Scottie Pippen.
Instead, the Sonics fine-tuned their roster, shipping out Kendall Gill, Sarunas Marciulionis and Ricky Pierce. Kemp and Payton were clearly established as the offensive leaders, and Seattle has played great basketball since.
“A lot of the problem in the NBA today is chemistry, managing egos and developing an attitude of playing hard,” Karl said. “Two or three years ago, I had my Kendall Gill problems. I had my other problems. There wasn’t a total commitment. If you look at my history, the players I’ve had problems with are players who don’t play hard, or who have a selfish nature to their game. I’m always going to have problems with those guys.”
This season the Sonics faced another delicate moment when Kemp held out during training camp, unhappy with his $3.3 million salary. But since his return, he’s played better than ever.
Meanwhile, Karl has continued to drive the Sonics, despite their winning streak. He screamed at the team for 10 minutes during halftime of a game against Phoenix, and last week at Boston, Karl screamed at Payton during a timeout.
“In basketball, communication is very important. We have a good relationship,” Karl said.
How did Payton, one of the league’s best players, respond to being chastised?
“Payton said, ‘Why don’t you get out there if you think it’s so easy?”’ recalled Karl, shaking his head with a smile. “That’s Payton.”
That’s the Sonics. They are emotional, but they are good. Unfortunately, Seattle and Chicago do not meet in the regular season until February. But the Sonics and Bulls could very well meet again in June.