We all know that inflation is persistent, but who knew its effect was so great? For approximately $9.5 million, the 2002-03 edition of the Seattle SuperSonics has, through three exhibition contests, received this sum total of production from its two-headed center platoon, Calvin Booth and Jerome James:

92 minutes played (30.7 average), 5 of 16 shooting (31.3%), 7 of 10 from the free throw line (70%), five offensive rebounds and 22 total (7.3 average), two assists (0.7), three steals (1.0), five blocks (1.7), 12 turnovers (4.0), and 17 points (5.7 average).

Little wonder, then, that Sonics coach Nate McMillan opted to use Peja Drobnjak, he of the $526,413 salary, at center instead of either Booth or James down the stretch on Friday night as the Sonics lost 119-116 to the Clippers in two overtimes. Thus far, Drobnjak has outscored Booth and James combined, 24-17.

What's the problem with the Sonics' projected center duo?

Well, to be fair to Booth, he has been limited more in his playing time than his performance. Wishing to reintegrate him slowly into the lineup after Booth missed 67 games last season with lingering ankle problems that eventually required surgery, McMillan has played Booth no more than 14 minutes in any one game thus far. Booth scored 10 points on five of five shooting Tuesday against Golden State and, while he's been held scoreless in the other two outings, he hasn't been that bad.

Far more troublesome is James' lack of production, especially after the center reported to camp, in the description of McMillan and radio broadcasters Kevin Calabro and Billy McKinney, out of shape. Though James made his target weight as required by a bonus portion of his new three-year, $15 million contract, signed this summer, he has hardly impressed so far in camp. Once regarded as a certainty to start at center on opening night, James came off the bench (Booth started) on Friday night against the Clippers.

Saying he did little to regain his starting role would be a charitable act worthy of the Red Cross; in 16 minutes, James was responsible for four turnovers and also committed four personal fouls. Many were on the same play, as James was called twice for offensive fouls on moving picks. These inexcusably unintelligent mistakes, which James struggled with last season, are emblematic of James' low basketball IQ. Off the court, James is a personable and intelligent person to talk to, but between the lines he is the type of player who gives his coaches frown lines.

James has a ready-made excuse for his limited basketball knowledge, at least relative to his peers; after not playing organized ball during high school, only three years in college, and then having an entire year wiped out by a knee injury, James hasn't played nearly as much basketball as, say, Drobnjak. However, that would only be a valid line of thinking if James' decision-making seemed to be improving; it hasn't. James, like the Sonics as a whole, played his best basketball last season during late February and early March, when he looked like the answer to the Sonics' nearly two decade quest to find a force in the middle.

Later in the season, however, James looked like he might be better suited over in Europe than in the NBA. During the playoffs, James was utterly useless against the San Antonio Spurs and Tim Duncan. In 70 minutes, James put together one mediocre game for Duncan -- 18 points and 12 rebounds. As a result, McMillan lost faith in him, barely using James during the final two games of the series.

Because of that series, amongst other struggles, I entered the off-season with the expectation that James wouldn’t get more than about $10 million over three seasons as a free agent -- about all I thought he deserved. As usual, I underestimated the market demand for 7-footers. With almost all the top centers restricted free agents (Michael Olowokandi, Raef LaFrentz, and Rasho Nesterovic), the market for James escalated to the full median exception -- we think. In truth, it’s tough to say whether anybody else would have signed James to such an offer sheet had the Sonics not sealed the deal by offering $15 million over three years just after the start of free agency. The New York Knicks, James’ most ardent suitor for much of June, seemed to have backed off their pursuit, believing the price tag too high. That left the Memphis Grizzlies, and it’s tough to say precisely they would have offered.

Anyways, that’s all in the past, and the present is that James is Sonic property -- for better or for worse. On the one hand, there can be no question that James has the talent to be the best Sonic center since Sam Perkins, if not further back. His work with Kareem Abdul-Jabbar was evident in yesterday’s open practice, with James demonstrating nifty footwork in the post that led to a couple of impressive scores. He is, perhaps sadly, probably the Sonics’ best post threat following the departure of Vin Baker. As well, James’ shot blocking prowess is evident.

The two biggest questions with James remain the same ones that he brought with him to Seattle as a free agent pickup last fall: Fouls and consistency. When James will stop setting moving screens is a question that I am unfortunately unqualified to answer. Ever since the Sonics began moving to a pick-and-roll based offense last February, James has consistently committed these unnecessary fouls. On defense, he is frequently too aggressive in looking for a block, meaning not only that he picks up fouls but also that he is often out of position defensively.

The consistency often ties in with the fouls; when James’ minutes are sporadic because foul trouble has forced him to the bench, it’s difficult for him to get into the grove he needs to find to be successful. It’s worth noting that several of his best performances last season came in games where he played the most minutes; which is the cause and which the effect is left to you, the reader.

I don’t mean to get too terribly pessimistic after one week’s worth of exhibition games. I still believe that together, James and Booth can form a center tandem that is at least average compared to their NBA peers. Aside from shot blocking, they manage to bring neatly contrasting skills to the table. James is all about power, from his thunderous two-hand jams that bring the crowd to its feet and have earned him the moniker “Freight Train”, as bestowed in the P-I’s message boards to his ability to fill the lane and seal it off from those who would threaten it. Booth’s game, meanwhile, is predicated on finesse; a silky smooth jumpshot from the top of the key; a well-timed pass to a teammate cutting to the hoop; coming over from the weak side to perfectly time a shot attempt and send it into the hands of a waiting teammate to start a fast break in the other direction.

As disappointing as the centers’ performance might have been in the first three games, they were impressive during yesterday’s scrimmage, Booth in particular. He displayed all of his talents, dropping in several scores from the perimeter and also blocking several shots. Nothing flashy, nothing that drew a loud cheer from the crowd -- just good solid fundamental basketball.

James was less consistent, but had his moments in the post where he looked like a far better scorer down low than Vin Baker ever was (and isn’t it remarkable how much his skill in this area has improved following his trade to Boston?).

As they seemingly always are, the Sonics are loaded with talent on the perimeter. If, like me, you believe in Vladimir Radmanovic’s ability to have a breakout sophomore season, they’ll be just fine at the four as well. The question mark remains in the middle. The Sonics have paid a good deal of money to answer this question, and now is the time for them to see results. The Sonics will only go as far this season as their combined 14 feet and 503 pounds of center take them. Only time will tell how far that is.

Kevin Pelton has served as beat writer, columnist, editor, copy editor, and webmaster for SonicsCentral.com since its inception. He also writes a weekly column for Hoopsworld.com and is a student at the University of Washington in his spare time. The Candid Corner is updated every Monday. Kevin can be reached at kpelton@sonicscentral.com. All opinions expressed in this column are solely the views of the author and do not necessarily reflect the opinions of other columnists or the SonicsCentral.com staff.

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