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Seattle SuperSonics Nostalgia can't hide Sonics' rebuilding mode
By Marty Burns, CNNSI.com The Sonics have new retro-style uniforms that harken back to the team's glory days of the 1970s. No amount of nostalgia, however, can cover for the fact that this team is in rebuilding mode. Even Gary Payton might be traded before long. The first priority for head coach Nate McMillan must be to find a shooting guard. The free-agent losses of Ruben Patterson (Blazers) and Emanual Davis (Hawks) leaves Brent Barry as the only veteran at the position. If Barry comes up flat, the Sonics either will have to rely on second-year pro Desmond Mason or slide Payton to the spot and use Shammond Williams at the point.
McMillan also must light a fire under Vin Baker, since Rashard Lewis is still too frail to battle with all the rugged power forwards in the West. As long as Payton is around to throw a Glove over foes, the Sonics will be decent. With Lewis, Mason, first-round draft pick Vladimir Radmanovic and free-agent signee Calvin Booth, they also have some young horses to get out and run. To avoid missing the playoffs for the third time in four years, however, they need Baker to get nostalgic for his All-Star days. Standout stat: 2 Eastern Conference playoff teams with records below that of the 45-37 Sonics (Orlando, 43-39, and Indiana 41-41).
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