Notebook: Sonics valued at $205 million

For the third consecutive season, Forbes magazine has listed the Los Angeles Lakers ($510 million) as the most valuable NBA team. The Lakers' value increased by 14 percent from...

By Jayda Evans

Seattle Times staff reporter

DALLAS — For the third consecutive season, Forbes magazine has listed the Los Angeles Lakers ($510 million) as the most valuable NBA team.

The Lakers' value increased by 14 percent from last year.

The New York Knicks are second at $494 million, followed by Dallas ($374 million), Houston ($369 million) and Chicago ($368 million).

The Sonics are ranked 28th at $205 million, a 4 percent increase from Forbes' last rating. With the Basketball Club of Seattle, Howard Schultz bought the team for $200 million in 2001.

Portland ($247 million) is the only team that dropped in value.

Nelson on Fortson

The word was that Dallas coach Don Nelson didn't particularly like forward Danny Fortson during the player's stint with the Mavericks last season. But Nelson showered his former player with accolades before the game.

Player of the game: As Dallas tried to take control late in the fourth quarter, Rashard Lewis shoved them back down with big shots and free throws. He scored 13 of his team-high 25 points in the quarter.

Reserve of the game: Forward Vladimir Radmanovic played solid defense and finished with 18 points on 6-of-11 shooting.

Turning point: With the Sonics leading 101-100 with about a minute left, Lewis came through with his three-pointer and two free throws to preserve the win.

Digits: The Sonics scored 62 points in the first half, the second consecutive game they've scored 60 or more in the opening half.

Next: Boston at KeyArena, tomorrow, 7 p.m.

"There was no indication he wasn't good, there's only so many minutes to go around," said Nelson of playing Fortson an average of 11.2 minutes in 56 games.

Fortson's playing time was limited because he was behind Dirk Nowitzki, Antoine Walker and Antawn Jamison on the depth chart.

Fortson was traded to Seattle for Calvin Booth last summer.

Notes

• Coach Nate McMillan isn't expecting much emotion regarding former Sonics guard Gary Payton's return to Seattle tomorrow. This time, Payton will be wearing Boston green instead of the gold and purple of the Los Angeles Lakers he sported last season.

"It's not like it was when he first left," the Sonics coach said. "It's always an emotional game, but he's been back a couple of times now. I think that's over."

• The Mavericks activated Michael Finley (sprained right ankle). The guard started and finished with 19 points. Rookie center D.J. Mbenga (strained right hamstring) was placed on the injured list.

Bloomberg News contributed to this report.

E-mail article Print Share

More Sports

NFL, union resume labor talks at mediator's office

UPDATE - 08:52 AM
Hundreds attend funeral for fallen Mich. player

UPDATE - 09:40 AM
Norway's Tarjei Boe wins men's biathlon at worlds

Crying is OK, but admitting it is apparently not

NEW - 08:46 AM
Tripoli ruled unsafe for international soccer

More Sports headlines...