Sonics
Notebook: McMillan centers focus on Potapenko, for now

By Jayda Evans
Seattle Times staff reporter

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Sure, the season is only 10 games old.

But the issue of what to do with the Sonics' center position is getting old.

Coach Nate McMillan decided to pull center Jerome James from his spot as Calvin Booth's backup. McMillan played Vitaly Potapenko and said he was going to give the 6-foot-10 center a legitimate chance to show what he can do.

"This is the year I need to see improvement," McMillan said. "And we're seeing similar things at the five spot (center). It's going on two years. I'm not totally going away from Jerome. I just want to take a look at Vitaly."

In eight games this season, James has played 108 minutes and has only 11 rebounds, which is McMillan's main problem with the center they signed to a three-year, $15 million contract in 2001. James has had one rebound in his past 28 minutes.

Potapenko, who rehabilitated from knee surgery last season, brings more experience as an eighth-year pro, plus he was a starter for the Boston Celtics during the 1999-2000 season and played in the playoffs with Cleveland in 1998.

Potapenko had no points and three rebounds in 12 minutes.

James is a fourth-year pro who started with the Sonics the past two seasons, including once in his six playoff appearances.

Meanwhile, Booth, who signed a six-year, $34 million deal in 2001, has shown improvement. Healthy after recovering from ankle surgery, he is averaging 7.2 points and has 64 rebounds in 221 minutes.

"Rebounding is something that's needed," said McMillan, whose leading rebounder is the 6-8 Reggie Evans (6.9). "I'm just looking for some consistency in rebounding and defense. Just to know what you're going to get night in and night out."

Got fans?

Wally Walker wasn't kidding when he said no one was ready to jump on the team's bandwagon yet. The Sonics president and chief executive officer made the statement during training camp, but hoped it wouldn't take this long to draw fans into KeyArena.

The Sonics are averaging 13,964 fans at home — fourth-worst in the 29-team league. And included in the paltry attendance figure is the organization's smallest crowd in 11 years when 10,531 fans were present for the Sonics' 105-98 loss to Miami last week.

Last night's attendance was 12,307.

A team spokesperson said November is typically the league's toughest month. And it's not like dazzling teams such as the Los Angeles Lakers or Sacramento have come to town. Still, a drop is a drop.

The Sonics averaged 15,541 fans at KeyArena last season and had 10 sellouts. The team is expecting sellouts for Saturday's Houston game and the two games it has been pitching in its advertising campaign — the Lakers and Cleveland. Otherwise, they're banking on collectible giveaways, such as a Ray Allen bobblehead bank for the Dec. 5 game against Indiana, to help draw fans.

Note

• Allen, a Sonics guard, said he is leaning toward traveling with the team even though he is rehabilitating his right ankle. His first trip could be Friday's game at Utah.

"I've always thought it better to be with my team than not," said Allen, who had his cast removed last week. "I just need to be able to do the things I need to do while traveling."

Game at a glance

Player of the game: Sonics forward Vladimir Radmanovic wore his stoic expression but bounced around like a popcorn kernel in hot oil after nailing a three-pointer as Seattle regained control of the game late in the fourth quarter. He finished with a season-high 25 points.

Reserve of the game: Wizards guard Juan Dixon helped Washington rally from an 18-point deficit by getting hot in the fourth quarter. He finished with 17 points, 16 in the second half, on 6-of-11 shooting.

Digits: The Wizards scored a franchise-low 24 points in the first half. The previous low was 25 points three times, the last against New York in 1985.

Next: New Jersey, tomorrow at KeyArena, 7 p.m.

Copyright © 2003 The Seattle Times Company