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QUOTABLE ... “I’m trying now to develop that kind of game. Be more creative, do something more with the ball, try to make some shots, try to find open guys.” - Radmanovic

Position: Forward
Height: 6-10
Weight: 234

2002-03 Stats
G	MPG	PPG	RPG	APG	FG%	FT%	3P%
72	26.5	10.1	4.5	1.3	.410	.706	.355

Role:
Starting power forward. For the first time in his short career, Vladimir Radmanovic enters the season as the unquestioned starter. "We want to give him the opportunity," Coach Nate McMillan told media about Radmanovic earlier this week. "He's played well, he's showed some improvement, and now it's time to roll him out there and let him play." While most of his minutes will come at power forward, Radmanovic will likely shift to small forward when Rashard Lewis is out of the game.

Outlook:
Radmanovic’s 2003-04 season will be a critical one in his development. After a strong rookie season, Radmanovic was expected to be the Sonics starting power forward last year. Injuries and inconsistency, as well as the surprising play of rookie Reggie Evans, made Radmanovic a reserve. And while his numbers were up through the middle of March, an end-of-season swoon meant that Radmanovic showed little statistical improvement. Radmanovic was a better player, most notably increasing his two-point percentage by nearly 50 points. Still, he enters this season needing to improve in his decision-making and defense.

So far, so good. The season-ending shoulder injury suffered by rookie Nick Collison allowed Radmanovic to claim the starting power forward role, and he has done nothing to relinquish it. Radmanovic particularly shined against the Sacramento Kings last Sunday. 10 of his 20 points came in the fourth quarter, and Radmanovic made a pair of jumpers in the final minute to tie the game and give the Sonics a lead they held on to. Radmanovic entered yesterday's preseason finale third on the team with 12 three-pointers, making them at a 36.4% clip. While Radmanovic is one of the league's best shooting power forwards, the Sonics also want to see him develop his ability to create his own offense and get to the basket.

Defense is another important area for Radmanovic this season. He did a quality job defending power forwards during his rookie year when he replaced an injured Vin Baker in the starting lineup, but was not as effective last season either in the post or on the perimeter. Radmanovic has the ability to be one of the Sonics top defenders if he focuses on this goal.