In the early to mid-90s, the Seattle Supersonics were one of the more powerful franchises in the NBA.
Gary Payton was the league's best defensive point guard. Ricky Pierce, Sam Perkins and Detlef Schrempf were some of the top shooters in the NBA. Current Sonics head coach Nate McMillan was the team leader every other team coveted. Shawn Kemp was, well, thin. Since then, the Sonics have been average at best.
Until this year.
Entering the season, experts picked the Sonics to win between 20 and 25 games and be at the bottom of the Western Conference.
The starting five had fatal flaws that would keep them from winning. Luke Ridnour was a deadly shooter who takes breathers on defense. Rashard Lewis had all the potential in the world, but was never able to take his game to the next level. Reggie Evans and Jerome James were unproven post players who lacked the skills other big men in the West possessed.
Then there was Ray Allen. Allen, one of the league's best offensive players, has suffered from bad knees the past few seasons and had begun to feel the heat from the front office to win. The same pressure Payton felt before he was traded away for Allen in 2002.
In the final year of his contract in Seattle, Allen didn't decide to give in to poor expectations. Rather, he united the team into one of the closest units that in the NBA. The Detroit Pistons are said to be the closest team around. The Sonics aren't that far behind. Whether it's late night card games on the bus or the plane, or voluntary team dinners just to bond. Whatever it is they're doing, it's working.
When Allen joined the Sonics after almost seven seasons in Milwaukee, he had been part of a team that thrived on egos. Now he is the lone leader of the franchise that is turning heads all over the country. Even after turning his left ankle in Memphis Nov. 24, his leadership has helped the team play at a level that has exceeded any pre-season expectations.
After a 30-point loss to the Clippers on opening night, it seemed that it would be a long season for Seattle. The Sonics have since won 15 of their last 17 games and are tied with the Spurs for the best record in the NBA. Wednesday night in San Antonio, the teams will face off and we will all see if the Sonics can continue their unexpected hot start.
It is unknown whether Allen and the Sonics will be able to play this well for 82 games, but a playoff spot isn't out of the question. Judging by the players' faces, you would think it was expected.
This article appeared in The Marquette Tribune on Dec. 7 2004.