Luke Ridnour was the last player to leave the Sonics' practice court yesterday because soon he'll have to make a shot that matters in Seattle's first-round playoff series. Floating up an air ball like he did in the second quarter in Game 1 won't cut it.

So when everyone else retreated to the locker room after a 90-minute workout, the Sonics point guard shuffled along the three-point arc and fired away.

He studied each shot as it left his fingertips, but never altered his delivery, which still appears mechanical and unorthodox. Still, he said, at this point in the season "you either trust your shot or you don't."

Soon the series against Sacramento will fall into Ridnour's hands, which is why he's trying desperately to forget parts of the previous game.

Just as unheralded center Jerome James was the star in the series opener, Ridnour could be the difference tonight at KeyArena as Seattle attempts to retain home-court advantage in the best-of-seven series.

MARK HARRISON / THE SEATTLE TIMES Sonics guard Luke Ridnour, center, flanked on his left by Danny Fortson, missed all six shots in Game 1 against the Kings.

"This is the first playoffs for him, and whatever happens, I'm going to be behind him," coach Nate McMillan said. "I want him to be aggressive. He'll learn from this whether he has success or not."

The Sonics have put their faith in their second-year point guard, and he gave them an unsteady performance in the series opener.

He failed to score a point after missing all six field-goal attempts and doled out just four assists. But he still received rave reviews because his counterpart played far worse.

The initial reaction after Kings point guard Mike Bibby converted just 1 of 16 shots was to look at Ridnour and credit him for his defensive prowess.

But that assessment would be only partially correct.

Ridnour did play a large role in Bibby's worst playoff performance, but so did reserves Antonio Daniels and Damien Wilkins, who each took turns pestering Bibby.

Still, when Seattle's 87-82 victory ended, Ridnour was heralded as the Bibby stopper, which has made him uncomfortable.

His smile said it all after practice.

Shut down Bibby?

The mere suggestion made him blush. He will never admit to such a thing. He said he did what his coaches told him to, which was hound the Sacramento point guard all over the court if it meant fighting through screens, running relentlessly from baseline to baseline and sacrificing his offense.

"I haven't took credit for that," Ridnour said. "He's one of the best guards in the league. He's going to make those shots. It's one of those games. Everyone has them. I didn't make a shot. I was 0 for 6. You just have them. You've just got to be ready and know he's going to come out aggressive.

"I'll do whatever it takes, whatever I can."

The work of a pest is tireless and thankless. In Ridnour's case, it requires quick feet, a steely resolve and steadfast determination.

He is fully aware of Bibby's impressive playoff résumé.

He knows about the big shots the Sacramento guard hit against the Los Angeles Lakers in the 2002 Western Conference Finals, about the NCAA national championship Bibby won at Arizona and about expectations that Bibby will dominate their matchup.

But Ridnour is undeterred.

"I didn't see any nervousness in Luke whatsoever," Sonics guard Ray Allen said. "You're so caught up in the moment that sometimes you forget other guys are playing their first playoff game. ... But he didn't look like it."

The first playoff game is said to be special.

McMillan recalls facing Dallas in the first round, then losing to the Lakers in the semifinals. Daniels remembers a championship drive with the San Antonio Spurs.

For Ridnour, the memories are a blur.

"I was excited; I wouldn't say nervous," Ridnour said. "It's a different ballgame. The atmosphere is different, and just the stakes are different."

Ridnour knows Saturday's victory was only the first move in a series of countermoves. He expects there will be adjustments in Game 2 tonight. He knows Bibby won't struggle with his shooting like he did in Game 1.

And when the Sonics need him to make a big shot, he hopes he won't rush up an air ball as he did before.

"I'm excited about it," Ridnour said. "My job is to take whatever they give me, and I have to run the offense first. And if that's shooting five times, then that's shooting five times.

"If I have the opportunity to shoot more and they are forcing me, then I will and try to make the most of it."

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