Playing on top of a surface newly painted with the team's new logo and colors, the Seattle SuperSonics looked like an entirely different team from a year ago as they dispatched the LA Clippers 96-85 in their pre-season opener at Key Arena this evening.

In a twist from last season, the Sonics took command of the game early in the first quarter, leading by as many as 13 points. After a sluggish second quarter allowed the Clippers back into the game, the Sonics' starting five of Gary Payton, Brent Barry, Rashard Lewis, Vin Baker, and Calvin Booth again extended the lead by outscoring the Clippers 27-13 in the third quarter. The Sonics were able to coast the rest of the way, as a 29-point uprising in the fourth quarter for L.A., lead by young forwards Darius Miles and Corey Maggette, was not enough for them to pull to within single digits while the Sonics played deep reserves.

Vin Baker, in his first game action this season, continued to display that his game has taken a positive turn to match his newfound fitness. Baker was not particularly agressive offensively, scoring 10 points on five of nine shooting. However, he was dominant on the glass and in the paint, recording game-highs of 11 rebounds and 6 blocked shots. Additionally, Baker shut down newly acquired Clipper forward Elton Brand. The former co-Rookie of the Year was shutout in the first half and finished with just three points on 1-for-7 shooting. Baker was given a loud ovation when he left the game for good early in the fourth quarter by a Seattle crowd that had largely been down on the fallen star last season.

The Sonics' intensity on defense and rebounding was critical to their victory. They held the Clippers to just 35% shooting from the field, as the Clippers rarely got an uncontested shot, and also recorded 12 steals and 12 blocked shots. On the glass, the Sonics held a commanding 52-39 advantage, led by the 11 of Baker along with eight apiece from Lewis and reserve guard Desmond Mason, and seven from Calvin Booth.

Several Sonics made their debuts in the green and gold. Yugoslavian rookies Predrag Drobnjak and Vladimir Radmanovic both saw heavy minutes off the bench. Drobnjak was especially impressive, scoring 10 points on 4-of-8 shooting and grabbing five boards during his 16 minutes of play. Radmanovic struggled from the field, shooting just 1-of-6, but made four of six free throws. His four turnovers, however, lead the team en route to their total of 19. New centers Booth and Jerome James scored four and five points respectively, though James picked up five fouls in just 14 minutes of play. Forward Antonio Harvey and guard Anthony Johnson, struggling to win spots on the roster, played as well. Harvey scored 4 points and added 3 rebounds, while Johnson hit his only shot.

The Clippers were led by the 16 of Maggette, who feasted on the defense of Radmanovic and went to the free throw line nine times in his 24 minutes. Fellow reserves Quentin Richardson, with 14, and Miles, with 13, were the only other Clippers in double figures.

The Sonics dressed 14 players for the game, with Eddie Elisma, Jamal Kendrick, Eddie Gill, and Earl Watson (bruised heel) sitting out, and Olumide Oyedeji, Art Long, and JaRon Rush dressing but not seeing any action.

The NBA's new rules were clearly in evidence, as the Sonics were called twice for defensive three-second violations and once for an eight-second backcourt violation. However, the redefinition of incidental contact which was supposed to reduce fouls has apparently not taken effect, as the Sonics were whistled for 32 fouls, a remarkable number for a preseason game. Neither team played any zone during the game.