Sonics, Lakers Clash Today’s Winner Will Assume Role Of Team To Reckon With Out West

Even the two oldest members of the Seattle SuperSonics are excited as kids about this game.

“We have a chance to see what we’re made of pretty much,” Dale Ellis said after Friday afternoon’s practice. “It’ll be a playoff atmosphere.”

Said Sam Perkins: “They’re pretty good with Shaq in the middle. But we’re pretty good, too.”

In a showdown at Key Arena today, the Sonics will be out to prove that their NBA-best record of 32-9 isn’t a fluke. They’ll be out prove that point against a Los Angeles Lakers team with the league’s second-best record at 31-9.

It’ll be the first of four games between the two Pacific Division powerhouses.

Ellis (37) and Perkins (36) - as well as their teammates and coach George Karl - wonder how they’ll stack up against the Shaquille O’Neal-led Lakers, who won three of four from Seattle last season.

The Sonics added Vin Baker, subtracted Shawn Kemp and rebuilt their bench during the off-season. Halfway through the season they still feel like they’re having to prove themselves.

“It seems like everybody thinks we’re going to lose,” Perkins said. “Nobody is giving us any hope.”

Since returning after missing 20 consecutive games because of a strained abdominal muscle, O’Neal is averaging 29.4 points, 11.8 rebounds and 2.3 blocked shots in 33.8 minutes in 10 games.

And despite the absence of their All-Star center, the Lakers are off to their best start since 1989-90, including an NBA-best 14-5 road record.

The Sonics are coming off a 107-98 loss in Dallas Tuesday night, their second improbable defeat against the lowly Mavericks this season.

Karl points out that the winner of today’s game will have a psychological edge in the Sonics-Lakers series that includes a Feb. 13 game in Los Angeles, a March 16 game in Seattle and a March 20 game in Los Angeles.

“I think any time you’ve got a chance to play against a team you’re contending with, you’ve got to make some type of statement,” Karl said.