Sonics
Payton gave Allen counsel

By Percy Allen
Seattle Times staff reporter

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The honeymoon between the Sonics and Ray Allen is over.

Those who were loyal to Gary Payton and Desmond Mason roundly criticized last year's trade that delivered the All-Star guard and shipped the snarling icon and crowd favorite out of Seattle.

During his first weeks in Seattle, Allen won the favor of his critics while helping the Sonics out of a late-season funk. He led the team to a respectable, albeit disappointing, 40-42 finish.

This season it appears as if Allen's approval rating has dipped among a dwindling fan base that's not accustomed to the recent rash of defeats. The Sonics (27-37) haven't been this bad since 1986.

The blame will begin with the front office, continue on to coach Nate McMillan and finally fall at Allen's feet.

"I know that if we win or lose games, I'm going to have to answer for it," Allen said. "So I expected this. I knew you guys (the media), the fans and everybody would start looking at me and asking what's wrong."

Payton told him this would happen. Payton spoke with Allen in January before the first game between the Sonics and the Los Angeles Lakers.

Payton didn't mince words or hide his contempt for the Sonics.

"That's the way the Sonics are, it's just like when I was there," he said last week. "They want you to carry them, and when it doesn't work out you get blamed. We talked about it.

"He's just going to have to do what he has to do. ... He told me he was feeling the same way that I was feeling. That's just the way it is. That's the team he got traded to and he's going to have to live with it, just like I did."
 
Under former owner Barry Ackerley and George Karl, the coach during the 1990s heyday, Payton got into the habit of winning. So when mediocrity set in and management changed, his abrasive attitude rubbed his new bosses raw.

He advised Allen to take a different approach.

"I think what Gary was trying to tell me, it had a lot to do with our contract situations," said Allen, whose contract ends after the 2004-05 season. "With me on the verge of signing a contract (extension) and him being in that same predicament.

"It was almost him saying be careful, watch your back and make sure you handle your business. We look out for each other. Even though we got traded for each other, we got respect for each other and we're good friends."

Fair or not, Allen is being judged by the lofty standards of Payton, who piloted the Sonics to three 60-win seasons during the 1990s and a '96 Finals appearance.

After scoring 37 points in a defeat to Minnesota on Tuesday, Allen had to answer questions such as this: Would Payton have missed a game because of the flu as Allen did Sunday?

Allen has missed 26 of 103 games as a Sonic. Payton missed four in 12-plus seasons.

Allen also is forced to examine his 32-35 record as a starter, knowing that it doesn't compare to the Sonics' 626-378 mark during Payton's years.

"I would contend that Gary has had a lot more help beside him, even in the last couple of years, than Ray has had," said Brent Barry, who played 3-1/2 seasons with Payton. "He had a lot of veteran guys when I was here. Guys like Horace (Grant), Chuck Person, Vernon Maxwell, Patrick Ewing.

"Even though those teams weren't exemplary teams, there was still a lot more veteran help around. With Ray it's a little bit different situation. There's not enough veteran guys around, especially big guys, to make his job easier."

Payton never let his teams slide this far. He despised losing so much that he'd chastise players and coaches after defeats. He had a brazen attitude that didn't win him friends in the locker room, but did get him victories.

Allen's softer touch had been welcome after Payton's departure, but now many wonder if he needs to adopt a tough-love approach.

"We have different ways of doing things, Gary and I," Allen said. "I can get on guys, my teammates, just like I'll be critical of myself. When I play poorly, I'm the first to say so. ... So if I say something about them, they know where it's coming from."

Lately, Allen has challenged his teammates.

He cautioned the streaky Ronald Murray to shoot less and pass more. He questioned Jerome James' desire and concentration. He doesn't believe Vladimir Radmanovic is suited to play power forward.

"I don't think Gary could do what Ray is doing," McMillan said weeks ago. "Gary, just the way he was, I don't know if he could have bought into what we're doing now. Playing the young guys and giving them chances.

"G (Payton) had a short fuse. He would have gone nuts by now."

Allen speaks regularly with general manager Rick Sund and has a closer relationship with owner Howard Schultz than Payton ever did.

Even though contract-extension talks broke down last year, both sides described the discussions as amicable and will negotiate again this summer.

Five weeks remain in the season, and there are 18 more chances for the Sonics to repeat games like Tuesday's when Allen receives virtually no support and all of the blame.

"Ray's got to just stick with it," Payton said. "You can't really be frustrated with it. You're going to get noticed that you're doing a great job. And then when it's time for you to come and make a decision, then make the right decision."

Percy Allen: 206-464-2278 or pallen@seattletimes.com

Copyright © 2004 The Seattle Times Company