Sonics
Notebook: Allen calls Stojakovic the NBA's best shooter

By Percy Allen
Seattle Times staff reporter

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SACRAMENTO — Good shooters know good shooting.

So whenever Ray Allen visits Sacramento, he always takes a minute to admire Peja Stojakovic, whom he called the best shooter in the NBA.

"We're totally different," the Sonics' guard said. "Our shots are totally different. He has a very awkward shot where he brings it from the left side of his body and when he shoots it, it always looks like it's going from left to right.

"But he practices. He works hard. And that's where it pays off. He's not blessed to shoot. He's just blessed to work at it."

Combined, they've won the past three three-point shooting contests during All-Star weekend. Allen beat Stojakovic in the finals in 2001 and the Kings' forward claimed the title the next two years.

If asked to compete, Allen said he would participate in the contest for the first time since winning it three years ago and attempt to prevent Stojakovic from claiming a third title.

Rookie Frahm waits for contract to be guaranteed

When your passport has as many stamps as Richie Frahm's, you're always looking for the kind of stability that may arrive Saturday, when player contracts become guaranteed for the remainder of the season.

He has traveled the country and overseas while playing in an assortment of alphabet-soup leagues. Yet the modest wages he has received for his travels are nothing compared to the $366,931 he'll get should he remain on the roster.

"If it happens, it's going to be a little bit of security, to be able to come to work and not look behind me and have to worry about every little thing," Frahm said. "I know this is a big week for me and I've got to play my heart out and have no regrets.

"I don't know if I'll last. This is my first real job in the NBA and I've talked to some people who say that nothing is guaranteed until it's guaranteed. It's a business."

Frahm has made a significant impact during his rookie season. He scored a career-high 31 points in Denver last month and averages 4.8 points.

"I'm confident, I feel that I belong here and want to be here for the rest of year," he said. "Hopefully they will see that, and I'll do anything I can to make that happen."

Frahm said he has no plans for a lavish purchase. He lives in a downtown apartment with his wife and would like to buy a home in Spokane, where he played at Gonzaga University.

Notes

• Sonics F Reggie Evans finished with a career-high 16 points last night.

• Teams can begin signing free agents to 10-day contracts today.

• Sacramento F Chris Webber, sidelined since suffering a knee injury against Dallas in the Western Conference semifinals last spring, is expected to return to practice today. His season-debut date is undetermined.

Game at a glance

Player of the game: Peja Stojakovic made 9 of 17 shots for a game-high 24 points. He also had five assists and five rebounds in 35 minutes.

Turning point: Sacramento turned a 27-20 lead at the end of the first quarter into a 63-43 halftime advantage. Sacramento expanded its lead to 31 midway through the third.

Key statistic: Ray Allen finished with eight points, his second-lowest output with the Sonics. He missed 8 of 12 shots, including all four three-point attempts. Last season, Allen had six points against Houston on April 12.

Key matchup: Sacramento's starting backcourt of Doug Christie, a Rainier Beach High School product, and Mike Bibby outscored Brent Barry and Allen 27-17.

Copyright © 2004 The Seattle Times Company