Sonics
Sonics' board work needs better effort

By Jayda Evans
Seattle Times staff reporter

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Even his mama knew it was bad.

"My mama asked me what was I thinking about," said Sonics center Jerome James of Tuesday's performance in Seattle's loss to Miami in which he had one rebound in 20 minutes.

Guard Brent Barry, who is 6 feet 6, was the leading rebounder with six, and starting center Calvin Booth had three in 23 minutes.

"I'm totally ashamed of my last effort," James said. "A guy as big as me, 7 foot 1, 285 pounds, should be able to get more than one rebound. A guy just trying to make the team can get one rebound."

The talk since Tuesday has been about rebounding. Sonics coach Nate McMillan stressed it and even pulled the center aside after practice yesterday to reiterate what he needs from James: Rebounds.

And James is not alone.

The Sonics have been outrebounded in seven of their nine games. Seattle hasn't broken the 50-rebound barrier since March of last season, their best performance this season being 47 against the Los Angeles Clippers in the season opener in Japan.

"It's definitely the bigs' fault," James said. "It's terrible. (Tonight) the main focus is going to be rebounding.

"The goal is 10 rebounds," James said of what he hopes to achieve against the Memphis Grizzlies tonight at KeyArena. "But I'm not going to stop at 10. We don't need 20 points from Jerome, we need 10 (rebounds)."

However, the issue isn't new and "the bigs" have yet to correct what they say has been their fault the past three seasons. The Sonics are averaging 40.0 rebounds — tied with Memphis for 25th in the 29-team NBA — and are giving up 45.0 per game.

"I know it's been an issue with the Sonics before," said James, who is averaging 1.6 rebounds in 14 minutes. "That's part of the reason why I was brought in here, Calvin Booth was brought in and Reggie Evans. But we haven't been getting our job done."

McMillan said the problem doesn't stem from lack of talent or even schemes used against his team. He said it's more of a mental desire. And even though the Sonics have posted a 6-3 record, the lack of rebounding has limited fast-break opportunities, which they rely on for easy baskets.

The Sonics may get a break tonight, though. The Grizzlies' opponents have been averaging 46.9 rebounds, 28th in the league.

"It's about wanting the ball and going to get the ball," McMillan said. "Sometimes we get distracted, but Reggie Evans goes and gets the ball because he thinks that way.

"I want my bigs to defend and rebound. Any points we get is a bonus. If they want to play, that's what they'll do."

The Sonics host a Memphis team that McMillan said he'd like his squad to play like soon. Under legendary coach Hubie Brown, the youthful Grizzlies have collected wins over the Los Angeles Lakers, Dallas Mavericks and San Antonio Spurs. But at 5-5, they are at the bottom of the Midwest Division.

Memphis, which plays an aggressive, up-tempo style that can give the Sonics fits, is on a three-game trip with games against the Lakers and Sacramento Kings after tonight's matchup.

Allen fine

Sonics guard Ray Allen traveled to Los Angeles yesterday to have his right ankle re-evaluated after having surgery to remove a "loose body" three weeks ago.

Dr. Richard Ferkel, who performed the procedure, said Allen is "fine" but the doctor won't have an exact date for Allen's return for another two weeks, according to general manager Rick Sund.

Allen, who was wearing a boot and hasn't put pressure on the ankle until recently, is expected to attend tonight's game.

Rookie over vet?

McMillan is waffling on how he will cut his rotation, but he is leaning toward having rookie Luke Ridnour in a three-guard rotation with Brent Barry and Ronald Murray while veteran Antonio Daniels sits.

McMillan said tonight's game should demonstrate the changes in his substitution strategy.

Copyright © 2003 The Seattle Times Company