Notebook | Ridnour starts at point guard as Carlesimo tests his lineup

Sonics coach P.J. Carlesimo made good on his promise to alter the starting lineup Sunday, inserting Luke Ridnour at point guard in place of Earl Watson, who started the previous six games and was ranked eighth in the league in assists at 7.7 a game.

Carlesimo shied away from starting Ridnour to open the season because the fourth-year veteran broke his nose in an exhibition matchup Oct. 9 and appeared to be playing hesitantly with a protective facemask. Ridnour came in averaging 1.5 points and 2.5 assists in 11.1 minutes in just four games. He had four points and seven assists in 30 minutes Sunday.

Ridnour practiced without the facemask Saturday and said he felt like his normal self.

"It feels good to feel the wind in my face again," Ridnour said. "And to see where you run is kind of nice."

But the swap didn't garner the Sonics a victory. Seattle trailed 28-12 when Ridnour was replaced by Delonte West with 4:31 left in the opening quarter. West will be Ridnour's primary backup as Carlesimo tests the lineup. Watson becomes the third option.

Carlesimo said the change has nothing to do with Watson's play, even complimenting the guard on his showing against Utah. Watson finished with a season-high 11 assists in 23 minutes as the Sonics lost by two points.

"It's what we had planned to do," Carlesimo said of the timing of the change. "[Earl] is coming off one of his best games. In general, in the six games, I thought he was one of our better players."

West, a starter for three seasons in Boston before being traded in the Ray Allen deal, might get an opportunity to start in the future, but for now Carlesimo likes him as a reserve. The Sonics reserves have outscored the opponents' bench three times this season with West contributing 7.2 points and 2.8 assists, typically playing the shooting-guard role.

"He had missed a lot of practice early, that's the reason we went with Earl to begin with and Delonte has played well for us in this role," Carlesimo said.

Watson, who has spoken out about his role in past seasons, preferred to keep mum on the topic. He did not play at all Sunday. Others have commented about the unpredictability and don't expect things to settle any time soon with a new regime.

"It's a unique situation, that's the best way to put it," Watson said. "I'm all about this team and what they expect in the game. I'm not going to let my role become a monster within itself."

NOTES

• Veteran center Kurt Thomas made his Sonics debut, entering the game with 6:07 left in the first quarter and not scoring his first basket until the third. Carlesimo said Thomas would probably be held to 18 minutes. He played 19.

• Sonics center Robert Swift started but left the game in the third quarter with tendinitis in his surgically repaired right knee.