When you think of dominant big men on the Sacramento Kings, you think of Chris Webber, right? And if the 'experts' are to be believed, the Kings need a true post player, right?

Forget it.

With Webber out with a sprained ankle, Sacramento center Vlade Divac took command of tonight's game with the Seattle Sonics, leading the way with 27 points, 8 assists, and 8 rebounds as the Kings held on to defeat the Sonics, 101-95. Fellow countryman Peja Stojakovic was also critical to the Sacramento attack, scoring 26 points and grabbing 9 boards.

The Kings looked like they might run the Sonics out of the building, as they jumped out to an early 16-8 advantage and the Sonics appeared discombobulated. However, well-timed substitutions of rookie Vladimir Radmanovic and ex-King Jerome James upped the Sonics' tempo and allowed them to stay close. In the second quarter, the Sonics briefly held the lead before a late Sacramento run allowed them to take a four-point adavantage to the locker room.

In the third quarter, Seattle rallied behind the play of big men Calvin Booth and Vin Baker. Booth, a much maligned signing this off-season, scored 8 of his 10 in the quarter, hitting from the top of the key. Baker took advantage of Webber's replacement, Scot Pollard, en reute to an impressive 20 point effort.

However, the Kings again finished the quarter strong, and a 14-4 run gave them a nine point lead prior to the final period.

The Sonics rallied again at the start of the fourth quarter, scoring the first six points, and after back to back Baker buckets tied the game at 84 with nine minutes left. Then Seattle's offense went ice cold, and the Kings used an 11-2 run to lead by 9 with just under four minutes to play. The Sonics could never quite make up that difference, though they got as close as down five with possesion in the final minute. On that posession, a pair of free throw misses by Radmanovic sealed the Sonics' fate.

In addition to Divac and Stojakovic, the Kings got an impressive debut from Mike Bibby, who finished with 15 points, 8 rebounds, and 6 assists. Second year forward Hedo Turkoglu was the only other Sacramento player in double figures, with 11 points, and Pollard added nine rebounds.

Despite the loss, the Sonics can point to a number of positives in the game. Baker's play is definitely foremost amongst them. After a tenative first half, the erstwhile All-Star heated up in the second half, hitting from outside and also getting to the basket against Pollard. The center position, a source of much concern for fans entering the season, proved to be a strong point, as Booth and James combined for 21 points and 9 boards. Gary Payton struggled with his shot, but still finished with 18 points and an impressive 13 assists. Backcourt-mate Brent Barry, coming off a pheomenal pre-season, finished with 16 points, 9 boards, and 6 assists. Desmond Mason added 8 boards.

The Sonics played most of the second half without forward Rashard Lewis, who suffered a bruised clavicle when he was elbowed in the neck by Pollard. Lewis reappeared later in the third quarter on the bench with an icepack applied to the area, but did not return to the game. His status for Thursday's home opener against San Antonio is not known. Baker and Booth both started despite missing practice time lately due to injuries. Baker showed no ill effects of his sore back, but Booth did struggle with a sprained ankle in the first quarter. In the second half, however, Booth played extensively and did not appear to be affected.