Sonics fall 40 games under .500 with 120-107 loss to Kings

It's widely believed that years from now, Jeff Green will play the role of Robin to Kevin Durant's Batman. But Ron Artest offered a dissenting opinion.

"Green is talented and raw," the Sacramento Kings forward said Sunday. "I wasn't as talented when I first came into the league. I didn't have a three-pointer like he does, and he has a hook shot. I didn't have that. But what sets him apart is his body. He has an NBA body right now.

"He has to train his body to be tough this summer. If he keeps working, he and Durant could be neck and neck. Heck, he could be better than Durant because in five years he'll be able to do more things if he starts working right now."

Artest was impressed with Green's offensive skills during the Sonics' 120-107 loss in front of 10,862 at KeyArena, but believed the 6-foot-9, 235-pound rookie was soft defensively.

"He's so big and so strong that he should be using his strength every second of the game," Artest said.

For a half, the two small forwards had similar statistics — Artest had 16 points at halftime, and Green had 15. But Artest scored seven in the decisive third quarter, while Green was scoreless in the period.

The Sonics also tired in the third quarter, when they were outscored 32-18. Seattle failed to score in the final three minutes of the period, allowing an 11-0 run that unlocked an 83-83 tie and proved to be the difference in the game.

With Nick Collison sitting because of foul trouble, Sacramento took advantage of an unusual lineup that consisted of Durant and reserves Luke Ridnour, Donyell Marshall, Damien Wilkins and Francisco Elson. The quintet spent most of the time waiting for Ridnour to find a crease in the defense, but with the lane clogged, he passed to Durant, who hurried a couple of long shots with the clock winding down.

"When Nick's not on the floor it's a very different situation for us," coach P.J. Carlesimo said.

While the Sonics searched in vain for points, Sacramento turned to guard Kevin Martin — who finished with a game-high 31 points on 11-for-19 shooting — Brad Miller (10 points), John Salmons (eight) and Artest, who scored all of the points during the Kings' decisive spurt.

Francisco Garcia scored 21 and former Sonic Mikki Moore chipped in 14 for the Kings (33-40), who had lost four of their previous five games.

The Sonics (17-57) countered with Durant (25 points) and Green (21). Earl Watson (20 points and 12 rebounds) finished with his fourth double-double of the season, Wilkins had 18 points and Johan Petro 10.

Green said he could learn a lot from Artest, who also had four steals, three assists and blocked two shots.

"He's somebody that I admired and looked up to as a role model because he's a guy on the floor who can do everything," Green said. "He's a guy who I want to build my game like defensively. He can overpower guys in the post or hit an open jump shot.

"If you ask around the league who is the guy on defense that scares you, it's Ron Artest. He doesn't care who you are. He's going to foul you hard. He's going to be in your face for 48 minutes of the game. That's what I'm trying to be."

Green is sometimes criticized for trying to be too versatile and not focusing on improving one part of his game. However, Artest said Green should continue developing an all-around game.

"That comes in five years," he said. "It's not going to come right away. People kept telling me I needed to work on my ball handling or work on my shot, but I just worked on my entire game. And in five years, I had a complete game.

"So leave him alone. Just tell him to work on his body. He's got a good body, he's strong, but he's not using it the right way. A lot of rookies don't know how hard they have to play. They're a little soft to begin with, and then they toughen up. He'll toughen up."

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