Starters:

Guard Gary Payton
Is there any question whatsoever? Despite the fact that two of the Sonics' four retired jerseys are of point guards, Payton is after 11 seasons almost inarguably the best player in team history. He became the Sonics' all-time leading scorer last season, and also holds the team records for steals, assists, minutes, field goals, and three pointers. He ranks in the top 10 in virtually every other category as well.

Guard Fred Brown
One of four Sonics with their numbers retired, 'Downtown' was the hero of the Sonics' championship run and Finals loss in the '70's. Who did Payton pass for the all-time lead in points? Brown, of course. He does still hold the team lead in games played, and would likely hold it for triples if not for the fact that they didn't come about until late in his career.

Center Jack Sikma
There are some teams who seem to be cursed at one position, most often attributed to letting a star player at the position go. For the Sonics over the last decade and a half, that position has been center. And who did they let go? Sikma, dealt to Milwaukee after nine seasons anchoring the Sonic front line. Another player with his #43 retired.

Forward Shawn Kemp
We're mostly considering time with the Sonics, so Kemp's downfall in Cleveland in Portland can be excused. For eight seasons, he was the Sonics 'manchild', growing from a raw player who had not played college ball to a legitimate star who made second team All-NBA three straight seasons. Kemp ranks as the team's all time leader in blocked shots.

Forward Spencer Haywood
Okay, we know, Haywood, like Kemp, was a power forward, but we've taken the liberty of sliding him out to the wing to put the best five players on the court. The similarities with Kemp don't end at position. Haywood too jumped to the NBA early at the tender age of 21, but adjusted well, as the team's leading scorer in four of his first five years. He remains one of only three Sonics to make first team all-NBA.

Bench:

Guard/Assistant Coach Lenny Wilkens
Wilkens' on-court career in Seattle may have been short, but four years, yet he still made quite an impression on Sonics fans and had his #19 retired. Wilkens was the Sonics' first true superstar, putting the recent expansion team from the Pacific Northwest on the map when he came over from Atlanta. In his second career as a coach, Wilkens brought the team its only championship. I think he should be able to handle playing and coaching.

Guard/Assistant Coach Nate McMillan
Sure, he never made an All-Star team. Heck, for half his career, McMillan came off the bench. Despite playing 12 years in Sonic green and gold (and briefly some red as well), he doesn't rank in the team's top 10 in scoring. But numbers and accolades have never defined the man known as Mr. Sonic. His conistent, heady play is enough to make him arguably the most popular player in team history. He proved he can coach a little too last year.

Guard Gus Williams
Gus may not be the first guy who comes to mind when thinking back to the Sonics' championship runs, but there's no denying his remarkably effective play over a seven year period interrupted only by his holdout during the 80-81 season. During the run, Williams never averaged less than 18 points per ballgame and made first team all-NBA during the 81-82 season.

Guard/Forward Dale Ellis
Ellis is unique in that his Sonic career had two seperate and completely different incarnations. From 1986 to 1991, he was the high-scoring gunner who led the Sonics' offensive attack and averaged at least 23 points per game in each season. He returned in 1997 for a two year stint as the Sonics' designated instant offense off the bench, leading the NBA in three point percentage in 97-98. He also repaired his image, wounded at the end of his first Sonic run.

Forward Detlef Schrempf
The only homegrown player on the All-Star team, Schrempf went from Centralia High School and the University of Washington to becoming a two-time all-star during his six year Sonic career. Schrempf wasn't a star during his NBA career with the Sonics, but he was arguably the best third option in basketball as the Sonics hit the peak of their run with Det.

Forward Tom Chambers
In what has to rank as one of the best trades in team history, the Sonics got Chambers from the San Diego Clippers in 1983 in exchange for center James Donaldson, little used Greg Kelser, and a future first round pick. Over just five years, Chambers entered the Sonics' all-time top 10 in both scoring and rebounds, and was named All-Star MVP in 1986 when the game was played at the Kingdome.

Center Bob Rule
Rule was the bright spot on the inagural Sonic roster after being the Sonics' second round pick in their first ever draft. In his second season, Rule lead the club in scoring, which he would do the next two seasons before injuries cut his effectiveness and he was traded to Philadelphia. Despite his short Sonic tenure, Rule still ranks top 10 in all-time rebounds.

Injured Reserve:

Forward Xavier McDaniel
Okay, this is a copout. We really couldn't leave the X-Man off the roster, now could we? McDaniel spent six seasons in Seattle, and also finished in the top 10 in both points and rebounds, as well as steals.

Head Coach George Karl
This is certainly far from a unanimous selection, and you might get some argument from Wally Walker, but it's hard to argue with facts, and the fact is that the Sonics made the playoffs all seven seasons Coach Karl was in Seattle. Despite some postseason failure, the Sonics made the NBA Finals once and the Western Conference Finals another time under Karl, and that ain't too shabby.