Will Rashard Lewis continue to play at an All-Star level?

"Last year, Lewis joined an elite group of NBA players by earning a trip to the All-Star Game." Chris Birck/NBAE/Getty

Last year, Lewis joined an elite group of NBA players by earning a trip to the All-Star Game. This year, Lewis faces the more challenging test of staying at that level. Including active players, nearly a third of All-Stars have been selected for the game only once. In Lewis' favor is his age (26) and his steady progression from second-round pick in 1998 to the All-Star Game. 2003-04 was the only season in Lewis' seven-year career where he failed to improve his scoring average, which hit 20.5 points per game last year. A fast pace could help Lewis improve that average, but more important will be Lewis hitting the boards more than he did last season, when his 5.5 rebounds per game were his lowest total as a starter. Lewis has had a promising preseason thus far, averaging 17.3 points - 27.1 per 40 minutes - on 57.4% shooting.

Can the Sonics core stay healthy?

The notion that the Sonics had good luck with injuries last season is probably an exaggeration. Starter Vitaly Potapenko and key reserve Ronald "Flip" Murray spent the first month and a half on the injured list, but the Sonics were deep enough to overcome their absences. Injuries to forwards Lewis and Vladimir Radmanovic proved more problematic late in the regular season and again in the Western Conference Semifinals against San Antonio. Though Lewis missed 11 games, the Sonics were fortunate to have their starting backcourt of Allen and Ridnour together 78 times last year (one of the four games Allen missed was the season finale, when he was resting up for the playoffs). While the Sonics have Murray and Damien Wilkins able to step in on the perimeter, a long-term injury to any of their perimeter starters or Radmanovic would make the Sonics fundamentally a different team, as they were late in the regular season as they battled injuries.

Can Danny Fortson stay on the floor?

Before Wednesday's preseason game, the first played this season by Fortson (bothered by turf toe), Weiss told reporters that he would like to see Fortson cut his rate of fouls per minute. So important for the Sonics the first three months of the season, Fortson averaged less than 10 minutes per game, largely because of fouls. His rate of fouls per minute led the NBA last season.

"One of his main focuses this preseason is to get the target off of his back," said Weiss. "He’s had a problem with flagrant fouls in the past. So we have been talking to him about the attitudes about him, changing the way he plays."

That's important to the Sonics, because while they can win even when referees neutralize Fortson, they are a different team with him going well. Fortson averaged 17.7 points and 13.3 rebounds per 40 minutes and led the NBA in True Shooting Percentage (68.2%).

Who backs up Luke Ridnour and Ray Allen?

While the Sonics entered camp with battles to start at both power forward and center, the most important position battle has probably been amongst several players for backup minutes at guard. While several forwards and centers will see action regardless of who starts, at guard players are fighting for a chance to see the court at all on a regular basis. Murray has gotten the first opportunity to step into the combo guard role played by Daniels a year ago and played well during training camp, but he has been pushed during preseason play by Rick Brunson and Wilkins, who has demonstrated his ability to play shooting guard for stretches. Less than two weeks before the Sonics open the season, this battle remains wide-open.

Who's got next?

Each of the last three seasons, a player invited to Sonics training camp has established themselves as a legitimate NBA player. Reggie Evans (2002), Richie Frahm (2003) and Wilkins (2004) all remain in the league and have played key roles for the Sonics. This year, it's guard Alex Scales and forward Noel Felix - the only two invitees remaining for the Sonics - who have impressed. Weiss has compared Scales to former New York Knicks guard John Starks (who likewise was undrafted and spent time in the CBA), and the Oregon product has demonstrated a rare combination of athleticism and shooting ability, averaging 6.5 points in the preseason - and a cool 20.8 per 40 minutes. Felix (3.3 ppg, 1.0 rpg) has not been as impressive statistically, but his athleticism has stood out in practice. The Sonics are using the 6-9 Felix at both forward positions, and he's shown solid range on his jumper, which would allow him to play on the perimeter. Because of the Sonics deep frontcourt, Felix would be less likely to contribute this season, but with Evans and Radmanovic both unrestricted free agents at year's end, Felix would be an intriguing project. With 15 other players in camp, it is possible that neither Felix nor Scales makes the squad, but Weiss expects both to be in the league in the near future.