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As preparations are made for the Rashard Lewis era, no one expects Gary Payton to go out quietly

By Phil Taylor

The blossoming Lewis showed so much promise last year that the Sonics are ready to rebuild around him.  Otto Greule Jr./Allsport Enemy Lines An opposing team's scout sizes up the Sonics "Screaming at everyone."So this is what you do to make your team better: go out and get Calvin (Toll) Booth ? There's no way this team isn't going down. ... The only truly positive thing for them is that with the new rules Shammond Williams becomes more effective. He's a great shooter to have on that weak side, with Gary Payton over on the strong side to draw and kick to him. I see those two in the lineup a lot together. ... The word from Payton is that he's going to show it with his actions and not his words. That's the great thing about the off-season -- you can just announce you're a different person, and nobody can say you're wrong. By midseason he'll be the same old Payton, not practicing, screaming at everyone else. That said, he still has all the skills, and with his nemesis, Jason Kidd, gone to the East, he's the elite point guard in the West. ... Vin Baker will be better at a trimmed-down weight, but he's still more of an Eastern Conference player with that pound-it style. Payton can run the pick-and-roll, but Baker has never been the right guy on the other end of it. The only thing that will keep this team from sinking is if Baker has a bust-out season, and I don't see it happening. ... Brent Barry will make some standstill shots and create a little, but he won't defend a lick. He's not a hard worker, and he could get pushed out by Desmond Mason, who's probably their best overall athlete. ... They have a real good player in Rashard Lewis , and I like Vladimir Radmanovic a lot. He's like most of those European guys, who need to bulk up, but he can defend a little."

Their new uniforms are a homage to history, and fans of a certain age may take one look at the green arc and block lettering across the chest of the home jerseys and find themselves yearning for Jack Sikma and Downtown Freddie Brown. The SuperSonics, however, would like to think they're entering a new era. With owner Howard Schultz and coach Nate McMillan beginning their first full season and point guard Gary Payton the only player left from the team that went to the Finals five years ago, Seattle is in the midst of a transition game that has nothing to do with its fast break.

Although Payton, 33, returns for his 12th year in Seattle after a summer of trade rumors that had him headed to Miami, Minnesota, New York and Sacramento, among other places, the Sonics are clearly preparing fourth-year forward Rashard Lewis to replace him as their leading man. The 6'10" Lewis emerged as Seattle's second-best player last season, and McMillan has gone so far as to name him co-captain along with Payton, a heavy title to hang on a quiet 22-year-old who jumped straight from high school to the pros. "He's one of the best young players in the league and an important part of this franchise's future," says McMillan, "and I want him thinking about his responsibility to be one of our leaders."

McMillan is trying mightily to keep Lewis from being overwhelmed by expectations, but it's hard to ignore how similar his growth curve has been to that of Orlando's Tracy McGrady, another 22-year-old who bypassed college. McGrady averaged 15.4 points and 6.3 rebounds two years ago before having a breakout season last year that earned him second-team All-NBA status. Lewis isn't promising such dramatic improvement but thinks he's ready to carry a heavier load. "I'm ready to have a little bit bigger role on the court," he says, "and to speak up a little more off the court."

It can be hard for any Sonic to make himself heard when the loquacious Payton is around. His trash talk is as pointed as ever, but the rest of his game has slipped slightly. He has been as much an irritant as an inspiration during Seattle's last few mediocre years, criticizing teammates and clashing with McMillan's predecessor, Paul Westphal. But Payton arrived at training camp this season showing signs of mellowing, with a kind word for everyone, including Lewis. "He's grown up," Payton says. "He knows we need him to produce, and he has the confidence to do it."

At McMillan's request, Vin Baker relinquished his co-captaincy to Lewis, but neither Baker nor the Sonics have given up hope that the 29-year-old will finally reverse the downward spiral that has taken him from the All-Star team four seasons ago to career lows of 12.2 points and 5.7 rebounds last year. A summer of conditioning trimmed about 15 pounds, leaving him roughly 10 pounds heavier than the 250 he weighed at his peak; last year he came off the bench in 49 of his 76 games, but the plan is for him to return to the starting lineup.

Schultz invited Baker to spend a day with him at his home in the Hamptons this summer, and Baker says he came away feeling reenergized and ready to return to being one of the top big men. He has talked that talk before, though, with little result.

Despite its high hopes for Lewis, Seattle's immediate fortunes depend on Payton and Baker. If the latter can get back to providing double figures in points and rebounds and the former can remain a happy camper, the Sonics will be in the running for a playoff spot. If Baker flames out again, though, Seattle will be overmatched up front, Payton's era of good feeling isn't likely to last, and both players will likely be back on the trading block. That would leave Lewis as the core of the team, and as much as the Sonics are looking forward to their future, they don't want it to arrive quite that fast.

Issue date: October 29, 2001

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