It's Go Time

The rubber is about to meet the road. The Sonics – and their playoff-thirsty fans – are on the verge of finding out if their early-season successes are a legitimate indication of talent or just that – early-season successes.

For the first 11 games of the year, Sonics opponents were less than stellar, with a cumulative record of 48-52, for a 48% winning percentage.

Contrast that to the next 11 games, when Seattle will go up against teams with a record of 59-46 (56 %).

Utah, Minnesota, Dallas, San Antonio – they all await. Thankfully, the Sonics will meet Eastern power Indiana while the Pacers are still reeling from the Malice at Auburn Hills, but the schedule is nonetheless intimidating. This next fortnight will tell us the truth about the Sonics; if they win less than 5 games, then this team is no different than the ‘02-‘03 version that stormed out of the gate at 8-2 before crashing into the guiderail within a month.

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Some random notes:

According to 82games.com, Seattle’s four best players are Radmanovic, Daniels, Allen, and Fortson. It’s worth noting that the Sonics produce a 73% winning percentage with AD as opposed to Ridnour’s 60% ... Using John Hollinger’s PER rating (15 is considered the league average), Seattle’s 2-guards are at 25.6 per game while opponents’ 2-guards are at 11.6 ... This isn’t about the Sonics, but it’s worth mentioning. After Vince Carter’s iPod debacle last week, Carter happened to notice Tim Duncan using same before their game on Sunday. Air(head) Carter pointed out said fact to a reporter, who ratted out Duncan. Nice work, Vince. Too bad you couldn’t score more than four points against the Spurs, though.

Streaky Sonics stopped by Celitcs, 102-83

Well, I guess winning 80 games this year was a little much to ask:

BOSTON — And on the seventh day they lost.

After enduring a week's worth of late-night airplane flights, unexpected bus trips and hotel food, the Sonics traveled to the fourth city of their six-game, 10-day odyssey yesterday and looked exhausted.

Their crisp shooting, which had been largely responsible for their nine-game winning streak, disappeared for long stretches of last night's 102-83 loss to the Boston Celtics, giving Seattle (9-2) its first loss since the season opener Nov. 3.

Read more at The Seattle Times and Celticsblog .

Now that we've seen (or heard, I guess) Gary play again, does anyone want to bring him back to Seattle? Make sure to take our Payton Poll!

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