Sonics' forwards stuck in reverse.

No wonder he can't shoot: He's only got 3 fingers!

Going into the preseason, everyone knew the Sonics had a mammoth, Benoit Benjamin-sized hole in their frontcourt. Now, with Rashard Lewis injured, Vladimir Radmanovic missing shots, and newly acquired Danny Fortson on the "too flabby to play" list, that hole has turned into a... well, something bigger than a hole:

SAN DIEGO, Calif. -- Nick Collison and Vladimir Radmanovic were picked at the same number in the draft, chosen No. 12 overall by Seattle, albeit two years apart.

They were both born in 1980, and at times share the number on the floor, playing the "four" which is basketball-coach code for the power-forward position.

Collison and Radmanovic shared one more number this weekend in San Antonio: zero. As in oh-fer since neither made a field goal in Seattle's loss to the Spurs, a less-than-encouraging sign for two players figured to be prominent parts of Seattle's frontcourt rotation. Just where they'll fit into that rotation is a question looming beyond tonight's preseason game against the Lakers at the San Diego Arena.

Read the rest in today's Seattle P.I.

Sonics Put Bad Foot Forward?

Sonics' forward Rashard Lewis has a bum wheel, and he could miss half the season. Ouch.

Rashard Lewis has missed three practices and two preseason games in the week since he was diagnosed with plantar fasciitis in his left foot.

He was out again yesterday and still doesn't know when he might be able to play again. In fact, no one does, which is precisely what makes it such a difficult situation, said Sonics coach Nate McMillan.

"That's exactly what is hard about it," McMillan said. "What I've experienced with that injury is you don't know how long it will take to get better."

Lewis went through a shooting workout on Monday and said his foot was sore and tender afterward. He was told yesterday by Mike Shimensky, the team's trainer, that he probably won't be ready to play on Saturday against San Antonio, and McMillan said it wouldn't be a problem if Lewis missed the remaining four preseason games.

Plantar fasciitis kept Wally Szczerbiak out the first 3 1/2 months last season as he missed 44 games. The injury bothered Mateen Cleaves for half a season in Sacramento, getting so severe he couldn't walk without limping.

Read the rest in the Seattle P.I.

They are the champions, my friend.

"I'm not sure what it is, but we won it!"

A much belated congrats is due to the Seattle Storm, who did something last week no Seattle team has done since 1979: win a championship.

Meanwhile, our beloved Sonics (You know, the other Seattle basketball team?) lost their third straight pre-season game, 100-84, to the Utah Jazz last night.

Hmmm. I wonder what the NBA/WNBA policy is regarding inter-gender trades? Maybe Jerome James for Betty Lennox?