Was this the scenario that any of the principles involved were envisioning seven months ago, when the Sonics were selecting Vladimir Radmanovic in the first round of the NBA Draft?

It was already winning time; 160 seconds remaining in the fourth quarter when Vin Baker was called for a foul for kneeing Vlade Divac as they battled in the Sacramento post. Because just thirty seconds earlier Baker had committed an ill-advised slap across the wrists of Divac, the questionable call was Baker's sixth personal foul, and he was forced to leave the game.

With the Sonics' other big men ineffective, Coach Nate McMillan was forced to turn to Radmanovic, who had rebounded from poor play of late with six points on three of four shooting, but remained a 6-10 rookie small forward playing the stretch as the Sonics' 'center'

After Divac hit both free throws, the move paid immediate dividends. Gary Payton drew a double team, and kicked the ball to Radmanovic beyond the three point lead. With no hesitation, Radmanovic released and made a three to take a one point lead, 92-91.

Sacramento's new All-Star, Peja Stojakovic, taking the role of first offensive option with Chris Webber suspended by the league, missed from the right baseline. The Sonics quickly transitioned to offense, and Payton worked his way past All-Defense first teamer Doug Christie to the basket for a contested running banker which came high off glass and caught rim before stealing the hearts of Sonic fans by rolling off.

The Kings' Mike Bibby was forced into a difficult runner in the lane which rattled off. Radmanovic had Divac sealed off for the rebound, but was unable to get a solid handle on the ball. Divac came up with it, but the Kings nearly turned the ball over again, leading to a scramble in which Divac was fouled by Payton.

At the line for the third time in four possessions, Divac split two attempts to tie the game. Seattle took possession with another chance to take the lead, and ran essentially the same iso play with Payton. Again, Radmanovic was left open, this time on the right side. Payton feed, Radmanovic shot, but this time no dice.

Sacramento countered by again looking to the post, leading to a double-team which inexcusably left open Stojakovic. He buried a three to give the Kings back the lead with 36 seconds left, as the Sonics called timeout to regroup and the sellout crowd (aside from a small but vocal King contingent) was deflated.

Again, the Sonics turned to Payton to provide them an offensive spark, and again the Kings sent a double at him. Sacramento coach Rick Adelman continued to double off Radmanovic, leaving him open in the left corner. Things played out as they had on two of the previous three possessions; there was no choice for Radmanovic to be either the goat or the hero. His shot was up and off in what only seemed like an eternity; Sacramento recovered and needed only a score to ice the game. Stojakovic was left open again, this time on the right baseline, and with icewater in his veins he sunk the jumper to send fans scurrying for the exits.

Rashard Lewis provided some measure of drama by hitting a three pointer with 13 seconds left, but King guard Bobby Jackson dashed any home hopes of comeback by making both free throws to close the scoring at 99-95 Sacramento.

The Sonics started out well in an up and down first quarter. Behind the 12 points of Vin Baker, who would end the half with 20 and the game just 22, the Sonics led 32-29 after one. That lead was extended as far as seven the next period before the Kings rallied before halftime; a Baker layup at the buzzer gave the Sonics a three point lead heading to the lockerroom.

However, they played a disasterous third quarter, turning the ball over 10 times in a 12 minute span. Despite a nominally impressive line of 25 points (albeit on just 9 of 25 shooting) and 13 assists, Payton struggled to provide the team energy in the third quarter for the second straight game. He was charged with just three turnovers for the game, but poor passing led to several of the turnovers which allowed Sacramento to quiet the crowd and get back into the game. The team scored just one point in seven minutes during the middle of the quarter, as the Kings gained 10 points.

That set up a tense, back and forth fourth quarter where neither side could gain a significant advantage before a raw rookie was given his first chance with the game on the line and, like his shot, came up just short.