Wow, it's getting late ... stupid Madden 2002 ... need a column idea ... wait, what's this? A crystal ball? Interesting, let's see what it reveals ....

An Optimistic Look Ahead

October:
30 - the Sonics open with a 117-88 victory over the Sacramento Kings, who are helpless without star forward Chris Webber. Gary Payton leads the way with 28 points and 12 assists, and after the game gives credit for the win to Coach Nate McMillan, who he calls, "The best coach in Sonic history."

November:
1 - Facing David Robinson and Tim Duncan, the Sonics unleash a big man duo of their own, as centers Calvin Booth and Jerome James combine to score 30 points, grab 18 rebounds, and block 10 shots. After the game, message boards throughout cyberspace are flooded by users saying they, "Never doubted Booth for a minute."

11 - The Sonics complete a 4-1 road trip with a Veteran's Day victory over Michael Jordan and the Chicago Bulls. Vin Baker, who once upon a time was part of the Jordan clothing family, beats up on his old friend, as he dominates Christian Laettner to the tune of 26 points and 12 boards.

21 - After a disappointing blowout loss to San Antonio, Sonic teammates fear Payton's lockerroom reaction after he is pulled by McMillan with 11 minutes left and the Sonics trailing by 22. However, Payton goes around hugging his teammates, and tells them that togetherness will get them through their tough times. He praises McMillan's decision, noting that he's not getting any younger and, "Can use all the rest [he] can get."

30 - On the anniversary of McMillan's home debut as Sonic coach, the Sonics remember and celebrate by again blowing out an overmatched Laker team. Shaq calls James the toughest sob he's ever faced and Booth the trickiest defender he's had to work against. The Sonics close the opening month with a record of 13-5.

December:
2 - A shocker as George Karl and the Milwaukee Bucks come to town. In a tearful press conference, Karl announces that he and Wally Walker have reconciled their past differences, and stuns the crowd by adding that Walker will be selling his stock in the Sonics and replacing Ernie Grunfeld as the Bucks' GM. Sonics fans celebrate both the news and an easy win for the team.

8 - Ruben Patterson and the Portland Trailblazers come to town. Surprisingly, no criminal charges are filed.

12 - Playing his old team, the reeling LA Clippers, Brent Barry has the finest game of his career, recording a triple double with 33 points, 13 assists, and 11 boards. Barry gives credit for his performance to Payton, noting his willingness to get Barry the ball when he was on a hot streak.

29 - Vince Carter and the Toronto Raptors come to town in the final 2001 home game. The KeyArena is sold out, but surprisingly there is no Carter contingent, and the Raptors' offense disintegrates amidst a raucous pro-Sonic crowd. The victory lifts the Sonics record after two months to 22-9, and they sit a half-game back of surprising Portland in the Pacific Division.

January:
26 - A week after the Sonics lose back to back games to Denver in disappointing fashion, the Sonics complete a 4-0 East Coast swing with a victory over Indiana. To a man, the team credits Payton, who had called a team meeting the next day to exhort his teammates to play harder.

30 - The Western Conference All-Star team is named, and the Sonics reap the benefits of their early success. Payton starts; Vin Baker and Rashard Lewis are both named reserves.

February:
5 - A victory over the Warriors in Oakland means that the Sonics will have the best record in the Western Conference at the All-Star break. Nate McMillan will coach the West's All-Stars in only his second year as a head coach (and first full season).

6 - The Sonics defeat Phoenix to close the first half of the season with a remarkable 36-12 record.

9 - All-Star Saturday Night sees an unprecedented Sonic sweep of the skills challenges. Desmond Mason successfully defends his dunk title, just after Brent Barry wins the Three-Point Shootout, besting teammate Lewis in the Finals.

10 - The West wins the All-Star game, 136-121. Despite taking only two shots -- making both -- and scoring just 8 points, Payton is named MVP on the stength of his 14 assists. He leads the NBA in the category at the break.

26 - In an otherwise uneventful victory at Cleveland, Rashard Lewis scores 55 points, becoming only the second player in the NBA (after Michael Jordan) to top 50 this season. SonicsKevin notes that he "Never doubted whatsoever Lewis' ability to become a star." The game pushes Lewis' season average over 20 points per game. Following, a humble Lewis gives credit to Payton, noting his season-high 22 assists, most on Lewis baskets.

March:
1 - A Sonic blowout in Madison Square Garden precipitates the firing of Knick coach Jeff Van Gundy, who has been on the hot seat. In an exclusive interview with SonicsCentral.com, Van Gundy joins deposed Sonic head man Paul Westphal in blaming Sonic forward Baker for his demise. Baker can't disagree -- against a thin Knick front line, he scores a season-high 38 points on 12 of 19 shooting, and grabs 16 boards. Knick fans wonder why the team didn't trade for Baker two summers ago as his season average for rebounds creeps up to 10.8.

19 - Payton sits out a game against Golden State for precautionary reasons after suffering a sprained wrist in practice. Finally given a chance to shine, Shammond Williams explodes for 45 points, including 10-17 shooting from long distance. Though the deadline is past, as many as five teams immediately make offers to bring in Williams.

25 - The Sonics crush a rapidly aging Utah Jazz team at home, winning 122-85 behind a packed KeyArena. The defeat signals the end of the Jazz' run. The next day, coach Jerry Sloan becomes the second head coach in a month to fall prey to the Sonics, and Jazz stars John Stockton and Karl Malone announce their retirements, effective at the end of the season.

30 - The Sonics' league best 58-15 record finally convinces NBC to televise one of their games. Despite coming off a hard-fought overtime victory over San Antonio the night before, the Sonics still upend the Trailblazers, their main competion for the top spot in the West, by a final of 99-95. The Sonics capitalize off 8 turnovers and 3 of 17 shooting from former teammate Patterson, who was reportedly encouraged by Blazer point guard Damon Stoudamire to have free reign on the court, dribble the ball upcourt, and shoot whenever he felt like it. Patterson promptly exits the Blazer rotation.

April:
8 - Rookie forward Vladimir Radmanovic, who has seen spotty playing time all season, breaks out with 22 points and 8 boards against the Clippers. He also nails a game-winning triple with three seconds left as the Sonics defeat the Clippers for their 62nd victory, guaranteeing them the top seed in the Western Conference and homecourt throughout the playoffs. SonicJoe writes in his next column that, "The kid has ice water in his veins. I knew it from the first time he stepped onto the court in pre-season. He does need to learn how to shave, however." Sonic Fan Since is too emotional to write a column for the next day.

17 - Despite not playing any starter more than 10 minutes and giving extensive playing time to rookie Earl Watson and deep reserves Antonio Harvey, Olumide Oyedeji, and Art Long, the Sonics narrowly upend the Memphis Grizzlies, by a final of 101-98. The next day, Sidney Lowe is fired, becoming the third Sonic victim of the season. Coach McMillan notes that he's glad his players are getting other coaches fired and not him.

22 - The Sonics run out to a 2-0 lead in their first round playoff series against Minnesota. Baker dominates Garnett on both ends and finishes with 46 points and 19 rebounds in the two games. Payton and Lewis both outplay opponents that were once rumored to be coming to Seattle -- guard Terrell Brandon, narrowly hanging onto his starting role, and forward Wally Szczerbiak, who does not record a rebound in either game.

26 - The T-Wolves hang on in overtime, 102-101, to even the series at two headed back to Seattle for a decisive game 5. Seattle fans, remembering last October's Mariners and the '94 Sonics, are wary, but optimistic.

28 - The Sonics come out quickly and bury the T-Wolves. Payton finally decides to go crazy on offense and scores 44 points on 35 shots. Nary a soul complains about his agressiveness after the game. Sonic fans announce on SC.com that they never doubted for a minute that the team would win the series.

May:
5 - On the one year anniversary of their community forums, the Sonics take the second straight from the Lakers, by a final of 108-101. James holds Shaq in check and Rashard Lewis (who SonicsKevin continues to note would be 'perfect' for the Lakers offense) scores 29. Payton has 26 and 12 assists.

13 - In a boisterous KeyArena, the Sonics dispose of the Lakers in game five, earning them a trip to the Western Conference Finals against the hated Portland Trailblazers, for whom ex-Sonic forward Ruben Patterson is now again starting, along with fellow former Sonic Shawn Kemp.

26 - The Sonics win in Portland to finish a four-two defeat of the Blazers. For the series, Baker dominates Kemp, outscoring him 131-67 in similar minutes. However, nobody praises Wally Walker for trading for and re-signing Vin. Payton is still named MVP of the series by SC.com for his all-around play.

31 - For the fouth time in their history, the Sonics play in the NBA Finals. For the third time, their opponent is from the 'other' Washington, and for the second time it's led by Michael Jordan. The Wizards disposed of the Toronto Raptors and Vince Carter in seven to advance to the Finals.

June:
12 - Sonic fans rejoice as the team celebrates their second championship in their history, following a 105-102 defeat of the Wizards. Jordan had a chance to win the game for Washington with 10 seconds left, but, while working to create an opening, he was stripped by Payton, who laid the ball in as time expired to close out the Series. For the six games, Payton averaged 28 points, 11 assists, 5 boards, and 2 steals. As a reward, he is named MVP of the playoffs. Somewhere in Wisconsin, Walker, whose relationship with Karl has already grown contentious, sheds a silent tear.

25 - On the eve of the draft, the Sonics announce that they have exercised Payton's option for the 2002-03 season and also extended his contract three years. Despite his fine play in the past season, Payton asks for only five million dollars per season so as to save the Sonics cap room. He is given a full no-trade clause, ensuring that he will finish his career in green and gold. SonicsKevin is present at the signing, and afterwards announces the official dissolution of the KGP, noting that it is no longer needed.

July:
17 - On the first day on which free agents may sign with new teams, Lewis rebukes the overtures of Jordan to play for the Wiz on a seven year max deal. Instead, he signs a six-year deal with Seattle. Like Payton, Lewis accepts a low salary, just under six million per season.

18 - Sonics fans on the SC.com message boards fret that the Sonics will blow their newfound cap room on, "Another [Jim] McIlvaine." Some things never change, do they?