Welcome to opening night of the 2002-03 Sonics season and another exciting schedule of action-packed matchups at the Key!

With our Sonics roster finalized and our regular season underway tonight, this year’s team is determined to build on the success of last season.

As the youngest club in the 2002 Western Conference Playoffs, we established ourselves as a difficult team for opponents to match up against a force to contend with in the NBA. This season, under the veteran leadership of Gary Payton, we have again assembled one of the league’s most athletic and promising squads.

When we traded Vin Baker to the Celtics over the summer, we reinforced our backcourt by acquiring Boston’s Kenny Anderson and Joseph Forte. They join Gary, Brent Barry and Desmond Mason to provide solid depth in our corps of guards.

Coach McMillan in the heat of battle. William Sallaz/NBAE

With Rashard Lewis back to continue his rise among the best young forwards in the league, second-team all-rookie Vladimir Radmanovic, newcomer Reggie Evans and former-Celtic Vitaly Potapenko will be on hand to enhance our strength in the frontcourt. Also on the baseline, Jerome James, Calvin Booth and Predrag Drobnjak will be the presence we need to counter the West’s great post players.

In addition to the quality performances and all-out hustle you’ll see from these players on the court this season, you’ll again see them continue their work with Sonics fans, especially kids, in the community.

The excitement around this team is building around our region and, thanks to you, that enthusiasm will once again make KeyArena one of the NBA’s loudest and most intimidating places for opponents to play.

I look forward to sharing opening night at the Key with you this evening, and to the success we’ll experience together in 2002-03!

Go Sonics!

Sincerely,





Nate McMillan
Sonics Head Coach