Ahhhh. Basketball in late April. It is great to be back isn’t it guys (and EJ)? A franchise as relatively successful over the last 20 or so years like the Seattle Supersonics have been, belong playing this time of year. And though the opponent and the odds seem formidable, just playing makes it all worth while. Or does it?

My friend Woody and I were chatting the other day, and both agreed that this is a great opportunity. A chance to get the plethora of young solid players the Supes have some experience in the postseason. A chance to possibly win a game, and extend the series. A chance to evaluate these guys and see what they are made of, and who you want to continue to build this franchise with. And most importantly, a chance for us fans to watch playoff basketball, and all of the post-game shows on the various cable networks and hear what they have to say about our beloved SuperSonics.

But then it hit me. And Woody did too. If this were the case, then why on god’s green earth would Nate choose to sit one of these youngsters who may have a future with this franchise in Earl Watson, for an NBA journeyman like Randy Livingston? Why go with the veteran instead of the possible building block? Especially when this youngster could have an equal match-up with the 19 year-old Tony Parker? Could Nate actually believe we have a chance?

The positive conspiracy theorist in me then began thinking if the young coach that is Nate McMillan could possibly have enough guile to be playing a game of possum with Gregg Popovich, who, by the way, must have had a hell of a bout with acne as an teenager. Is Rashard possibly ready to go? How come Woody didn’t hear that RadMan was hurt the other night? Why was Vin playing and starting during the last week? Was all of this, accompanied with the Watson omission all part of the game? Hmmm . . . .

Assuming that Rashard and RadMan are out for one game, I believe the Sonics have a chance at this thing. Why? Well in short, the Spurs are one-dimensional. Period. It is all Tim Duncan all the time, and rightfully so. He is superb. But for as dominant as the Duncan match-up is in favor of the Spurs, the GP vs. 19-year-old matchup is every bit as in favor of the Sonics. Perhaps even more so. This is a Hall of Fame player, whose desire is unquestioned, effort unmatched, and taste for the playoffs starving. Keep the women and children away from the tube, because the Glove is going to abuse the young Parker something fierce. That, is a guarantee.

What this series comes down to, in my eyes (again, assuming that Rashard and Rad are back soon), is the matchup between the role players. GP is gonna dominate, and so is the Duncan. But who gets more out of the others?

Brent Barry, Randy Livingston, and Desmond Mason must convincingly win the battle with Bruce Bowen, Steve Smith, Antonio Daniels, and Terry Porter. Vin Baker, Drob and JJ must battle Robinson, Rose, and Ferry to a standoff. Granted, the frontcourt battle is a bit tougher, but with RadMan and Lewis, perhaps not as difficult as first thought.

The Sonics just need a little spark. Something to fire them up, and get them on a roll. A Jerome James rejection of the Admiral, followed up with a stare down, ala Sam Perkins on Utah’s Mike Brown back in the day. A GP and Steve Smith smack talking-battle resulting in the Glove getting a few steals, and jumpers from the left baseline. A couple of Desmond poster dunks. Something, anything to inject life and a belief that they can do it. Or how about a RadMan and/or Rashard type cameo in game 4 at the Key ala Willis Reed in the Garden? Howie may have a heart attack if that were to occur.

I have stood by this team long and hard this year. Mainly because I believe in what is taking place. I believe in the veteran, I believe in the youngsters, I believe in the coach, and like most of you who I polled, I believe in our ownership. They have gone from a team that seemed handcuffed by having to go to the most worthless, overpaid player in the league to a team that no longer needs him, and plays with a passion. They resemble their coach in so many ways, and are fun to watch again. And call it a hunch, but I don’t see this season ending with a thud. They may lose, but I do believe that the Spurs will have a good sweat this week. I play the percentages as well, and considering the Spurs' interior D is tough, we will be forced into a lot of perimeter shots. The Sonics are a great outside shooting team, and are LONG overdue for a hot stretch of shooting the basketball.

Along with our injuries, what scares me most is the veterans that the Spurs have. Perhaps they would be tired if this were the second or third round. But Porter, Ferry, and Smith should have enough in the tanks to be effective in this first round. But like I said when breaking down why the Spurs were my second choice to face in the first round, they are 1 dimensional and have a 19-year old running the show. Let Duncan get his, D-up and take it too the rest.

Some may remember a bold “guarantee” I made a few weeks back prior to the Blazer game in Portland. I guaranteed a first round win prior to that game, if they won. And they did. Do I THINK they will win this playoff series? No, but as a man of my word, I had to explore the positives, and what has to go right in order for the Sonics to make a solid showing. I may sound crazy, no, I do sound crazy, but I had to try to convince myself it could happen. After all, I am the fool who guaranteed it.

And don’t forget, most of this BS I’ve written is null and void if the Special One and Rashard are completely ineffective for the entire series. Sonics in 5.