After a disappointing performance on Friday night against a Los Angeles Laker squad that was without Shaquille O'Neal most of the game, Seattle Supersonic head coach Nate McMillan gave his troups a fiery speach on Saturday.

Coaches throughout the league may be requesting a copy, because whatever McMillan said, it clearly worked.

A day later, the Sonics played their most complete game of the season in sending the reeling Milwaukee Bucks and former Seattle coach George Karl home with an 0-4 road trip and a 97-83 loss at KeyArena.

The Sonics never trailed in the game, opening up the first quarter by holding the Bucks to just five points in the first six minutes. This enabled them to sprint out to an early 17-7 lead. Rookie Peja Drobnjak, seeing time due to a sprained ankle keeping Calvin Booth from dressing and Desmond Mason being forced to go to the lockerroom after a nasty spill, had 8 points for the Sonics in the quarter, after which they led 25-19.

It was more of the same in the second quarter. The Sonics opened with an 8-0 run as Gary Payton set the tone for his solid second quarter play with three consecutive baskets. Payton's 10 points in the period and a Brent Barry three from the corner helped the Sonics extend their lead to 17, 57-40, at the half.

In the third quarter, it was the (Desmond) Mason show as the Sonics extended their lead to as much as 24 points. Mason, back onto the court, obviously did not have his shooting affected. For the game, he finished 8 of 9 from the field, with six of those buckets coming in the third quarter. Though Milwaukee rallied behind the strong play of forward Tim Thomas, the Sonics held a nearly insurmountable 19 point lead going to the final period.

The Seattle offense went largely stagnant down the stretch, but it was not enough to allow Milwaukee a chance to get back into the game. A Vin Baker turnaround with 1:34 remaining gave the Sonics a 20 point lead, and catalyzed substitution on each side. Ray Allen continued fighting for the Bucks, scoring their last 11 points, including 3 triples, but it was simply too little, too late, as the Sonics held on to a 14 point final margin.

Milwaukee was largely done in during the second half by turnovers, most of the unforced variety, as on several ocassions they simply threw the ball away or stepped out of bounds. The Bucks finished with 21 turnovers, as each starter -- and seven Bucks in total -- had at least 2.

Payton finished as the Sonics' leading scorer despite backing off and slumping offensively in the second half. For the game, he had 21 points and 8 assists. Baker, playing against his old team, had 19 points on 7 of 12 shooting, 7 boards, and an inexcusable 6 turnovers. Mason had 16 points on his 8 of 9 effort from the field. Barry was, as usual, cooly efficient, hitting 3-7 from three point range to make up most of his 13 points, while adding 10 assists. Rashard Lewis struggled offensively, scoring 11 points on just 4 of 11 shooting. He added 7 boards.

While rookies Earl Watson and Vladimir Radmanovic were not statistically outstanding, their effort in 40 combined minutes was critical. Both played solid defense, and neither turned the ball over as they take steps to solidly establish themselves in Coach McMillan's rotation.

The Bucks were led by the 26 points on 9 of 18 shooting -- with 5 of 11 from beyond the arc -- of Allen, though, as noted, many of his points came after the outcome was all but decided. Thomas, starting due to an injury to Buck All-Star Glenn Robinson, which kept him out of the game, also shot 9 of 18 and finished with 25 points and 6 boards. Sam Cassell, with 14, was the only other Milwaukee player in double figures.

Notes:
The Bucks provided a number of interesting stat lines ... in 32 minutes, starting forward Anthony Mason was 0 for 2 from the field and scored only 1 point ... the Bucks were led in turnovers by starting forward Darvin Ham, who somehow managed to amass 5 in only 24 minutes of play ... while Mason was reluctant to shoot, second year reserve guard Michael Redd fired up 11 shots, making 3 for 7 points, in his 24 minutes ... in a return to his first NBA home, Milwaukee center Ervin Johnson's effectiveness was limited by early foul trouble and the Sonics' small lineup. He played just 15 minutes, shot 2 of 4, grabbed 2 offensive boards, scored 4 points, and had 3 fouls ... Art Long was 2 of 2 for the Sonics from the field, but his rebounding continues to wane; he had just 1 board in 9 minutes of play ... Karl received a long, loud ovation prior to the game from fans who still favor him in a spat with former Sonic GM and current President Wally Walker.

SC.com Player of the Game: Tonight's pick -- Vladimir Radmanovic. Why?. Because we can! In all seriousness, Radman had perhaps his best game of the season, playing within himself and letting the game come to him. Good things are in store ....