Rashard Lewis and Vladimir Radmanovic may be an unconventional frontcourt, but currently, the team is playing a lot quicker, if not a lot better brand of basketball with it.

The buzz now is if we are a better team without power forward Vin Baker, by inserting Vladimir Radmanovic into the starting lineup. But thanks in large part to three dislocated toes, the Sonics aren't likely to be in the position to make the decision this year to discard Vin Baker for useless players.

But if the frontcourt of Rashard Lewis-Vladimir Radmanovic doesn't roll off the tongue now, we have to admit it certainly rolls like hell on the floor. Tonight against the Portland Trailblazers should be another test of the pair's efficiency and to better gauge if they're really "better without Baker". Thus far, the Sonics have failed to topple the Blazers and a win tonight would be testament to whether this lineup change should be permanent.

That would mean sliding Vin Baker to the bench. It should mean sliding Vin Baker to the bench.

This frontcourt of Lewis and Radmanovic transcends a different style of play to the rest of the lineup, definitely giving the Sonics a quickness and a bounce they hasn't had before. The advantages are three, four, and even five fold, as it gives the starting lineup more speed, another passer, another ball handler, and a better rebounder. One of the other more beneficial side effects is that it forces the Sonics to play with five options instead of three.

To make an even more convincing argument that this team is better off now; these three impressive wins have even come before Baker's replacement, Radmanovic, has been able to find his offensive groove in the starting lineup.

The rookie power forward convert on defense also has had problems, been plagued with foul trouble guarding tough assignments like all-star forwards Antoine Walker and Chris Webber. He saw his first break in last night's win over Phoenix, having to "only" guard Bo Outlaw.

Despite Radmanovic's statistical shooting shortcomings and paper mismatch on defense, the Sonics offense and defense has run at a gear it rarely ran before. Both points and steals are up, turnovers down, and Radmanovic has looked reasonable guarding elite assignments, even appearing to limit and bother what the forwards were able to do with the ball.

Part of the reason why McMillan may have to keep Baker on the bench even when he returns is that this new look gives us more bite defensively. This is in large part due to Radmanovic being much more active on defense then average power forwards (including Baker), and an unusual style of defense that is more akin to a guard then a power forwards. Despite defending much like a guard, Radmanovic relies on his strong frame to resist simply being "bogarted" inside -- something that will be tested tonight versus Portland against Rasheed Wallace.

Another crucial element this frontcourt adds that Baker does not is more passing. This new starting unit is allowing both Payton and Barry (the Sonics' two best slashers without the ball) to run plays simultaneously while still leaving a player available to deliver the pass (or create for themselves). Radmanovic, an exceptional passer, has been gathering close to five assists in limited action, helping the Sonics dish out over 30 per night. Additionally, no matter where Lewis or Radmanovic are out on the floor, they obviously have to be guarded, making the defense extend out of a lax zone.

The real irony of going small is that it has improved our rebounding. Even if you do not see Baker's replacements' rebounding ascend to double figures, it is interesting that the Sonics are still outrebounding their opponents with this lineup.

Part of the reason is that Radmanovic is one of the few Sonics who actually boxes out consistently, and if he, often times, is laying a body on the opposition's power forward, denying him the rebound (something Baker doesn't do so well), It follows logic that the Sonics rebounding would improve, if not his own individually.

Another part of it is due to a challenged mentality that all players have to step up and rebound, and play power forward collectively. The Sonics have responded.

What the Sonics lost in post offense, they are gaining from increased points off running and gunning, points off opponents' turnovers, 3-pointers, and Lewis on the blocks.

Correction: What the Sonics lost in post offense, they are MORE THEN GAINING back from points off running and gunning, points off turnovers, etc?

The other major component of this frontcourt, Rashard Lewis, is THE factor in whether the Sonics survive without Baker long term.

Lewis continues to shift my opinion from hot and cold, because I am very close to declaring Lewis a young player who is worthy of a maximum contract based on potential. As an aside, I don't think the Sonics should take on another max deal while Baker is on the books, but if the Sonics could jettison Vin -- we absolutely must do what we have to do to resign Rashard.

Without Baker, Lewis has been able to unearth some of the inert confidence in his floor game and aggression in general that has paid off enormously. The increased energy in his offensive game has also transcended to his defense. For the first time in a long time, Rashard Lewis ran the break and FINISHED consistently; even gathering steals and finishing without fumbling the dribble.

The increased speed of the game also has brought out the best in Rashard Lewis (not to mention Peja Drobnjak and everyone else), without question, on both ends of the floor.

I say, never mind what Lewis' and Radmanovic's expected shortcomings are on paper or what kind of salary we have on the bench. In three outings, all Sonic wins of 10 or more, the Sonics have improved in all phases of the game using these two youngsters together. On Sunday, they posted their most impressive win and perhaps the NBA's most impressive win given the circumstances, this season.

This new unit really seems to be able to implement much better McMillan's schemes and what he wants to do.

And although not mentioned before in this column, if the success continues, I count another starter that should be replaced on a permanent basis without regard to salary.

The often-injured excuse for a center, Calvin Booth, when expected to make his return, comes back two spots behind the final component of this impressive frontcourt, Jerome James.

Back to the Far Corner Archive

All opinions expressed in this column are solely the views of the author and do not necessarily reflect those of other columnists or staff of Sonicscentral.com