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SuperSonics Information |
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| Seattle Sonics Reviews and Information |
In spite of introduce seven new players to the mix, the Seattle Supersonics found themselves in a recognizable position in 1997-98: atop the Pacific Division for the fourth time in five seasons after a 61-21 season. The Sonics turn into only the third team ever to win 55 or more games for six successive seasons, even though most of the talk throughout the off-season centered on Shawn Kemp's looming departure and a probable letdown.
Much of that chat subside when Sonics President Wally Walker talk a three-way trade with Milwaukee and Cleveland that bring Vin Baker to Seattle. Baker, himself a three-time All-Star, right away keyed up the permit with his affectionate character and his knack for rhythm the game-winning shot.
Three times Baker delivered when the clock was zigzag down, appealing him to the city, his teammates and most highly, his coach. Baker averaged 19.2 ppg and 8.0 rpg for the season, and finished fifth in the NBA in field goal proportion.
Though the gaining of Baker was the most exposed off-season move, fairly a few smaller moves by Walker gave Karl his genuine team in years. Jerome Kersey, Greg Anthony, Aaron Williams and Dale Ellis every made significant contributions to Seattle's achievement. Ellis, in particular, display the shooting touch reminiscent of his first tenure in Seattle. He over fourth on the team in score (11.8 ppg), was third in NBA Sixth Man balloting, and was the NBA's manager in three-point percentage (46.4 percent).
Payton, who had a game-high 13 assists in the All-Star Game, sustained his growth under Karl into debatably the game's finest point guard. He had his best year transitory the ball (8.3 apg, 6th in the NBA), finished in the middle of the league's top 20 in scoring (19.2 ppg, 19th in the NBA) and for the primary time was a reliable three-point shooting threat, despite the longer distance. On the suspicious end of the floor, he solidified his standing as the league's best on-the-ball defender, and over second in Defensive Player of the Year balloting.
Throughout Seattle's first-round series with Minnesota, Payton also prove to be one of the NBA's best clutch performer. After Seattle had fallen behind 2-1 in the series alongside Minnesota, Payton averaged 26.5 ppg on 20-of-35 gunfire to help Seattle move forward. In the series-clincher, he played the whole 48 minutes.
In the second round, Seattle battle the LA Lakers, who had over with an identical 61-21 record during the usual season. Seattle won the regular-season series, but was besieged in the postseason by the phenomenal play of Shaquille O'Neal, for whom they had no answer. Los Angeles won the series in five games.
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