Vladimir Radmanovic 14.7 ppg, 3.3 rpg, 55.6% fgs (15-27), 8-13 3s
The Sonics top reserve found his shooting touch last week, dropping 40 points in consecutive games against New York and Utah while attempting just 21 shots. The efficient offensive performance was fueled by eight 3-pointers, pushing his percentage over the course of the season to 42.7%, the best of his career. Did you know? Radmanovic leads the NBA in 3-pointers per 40 minutes (3.4).
When the New York Knicks visited Seattle Tuesday, it was a homecoming for Knicks guards Jamal Crawford and Nate Robinson and former Sonics center Jerome James' first return back. The Sonics led 50-41 at the half and by as many as 13 points in the third quarter, but then Crawford took over. He scored all 31 of his points after halftime, 19 in the fourth quarter. But it was not Crawford but Stephon Marbury who scored the key bucket for the Knicks, hitting a jumper with 26 seconds left to put them up four. Thanks to Radmanovic's 3-point barrage (he finished with 23 points), the Sonics still had a chance to tie, but Ray Allen missed a 3 in the final seconds.
Friday, the Sonics traveled to Utah, looking to steal one from the Jazz after suffering a 93-87 defeat to Utah in Seattle last month. The Jazz scored almost at will in the first quarter, but the Sonics kept pace and actually led 31-29. In the second quarter, the Sonics switched to a zone and stifled the Jazz, holding Utah to 61 points over the final three quarters and cruising to a 106-90 victory. Rashard Lewis led the Sonics with 26 points, while Radmanovic (17) and Ronald "Flip" Murray (12) were strong off the bench and Reggie Evans pulled down a season-high 18 rebounds.
With the Sacramento Kings in town Saturday, the Sonics were done in by a dismal third quarter. Leading going to the last two minutes of the first half, the Sonics allowed a 9-1 run the rest of the way. That carried over after halftime, as Sacramento opened the second half with a 13-4 run. His team struggling, Bob Weiss line shifted, but the reserves did no better against an unstoppable Kings onslaught that pushed the lead to 22 by quarter's end. Sacramento ran to a 123-104 victory, getting a combined 110 points, including a season-high 31 from Bonzi Wells. Allen led the Sonics with 24 points.
DEC. 5-11
Record for the week: 1-2 Overall Record: 9-10 Standing: Third, Northwest Division
PHOTO OF THE WEEK
Ronald "Flip" Murray and his Sonics teammates turned back the clock Tuesday. Visit the Photo Galleries page for more photos.
Jeff Reinking/NBAE/Getty
THE WEEK AHEAD
Tuesday, Dec. 13, 7:00 p.m.
Sonics vs. Golden State
(FSN/KJR AM - )
Thursday, Dec. 15, 7:00 p.m.
Sonics vs. Houston
(TNT/KJR AM - )
Friday, Dec. 16, 7:00 p.m.
Sonics at Portland
(FSN/KJR AM)
WEEKLY NEWS/NOTES
Three games, three different jerseys for the Sonics last week. On Tuesday, the Sonics turned back to clock to their inaugural 1967-68 season by donning the team's first jerseys, which are white with Sonics in cursive and a lightning bolt on the front. Friday's win saw the Sonics unveil their gold alternate road jerseys for the first time this season. With the win, the Sonics are now 11-3 all-time in gold.
Four different Sonics reserves scored double-figures in at least one game last week (Danny Fortson, Murray, Radmanovic, Damien Wilkins).
Fortson was suspended by the NBA for Saturday's game against the Kings after being ejected on Friday.
Vladimir Radmanovic
Ray Allen
Ronald "Flip" Murray
Reggie Evans
Danny Fortson
Damien Wilkins