By Sam Amico

SEATTLE COUNTDOWN

As I sit down to write this, no team in the West impresses me more than the Seattle SuperSonics.

I know what some of you are thinking. "Great. The same guy who once spelled Radmanovic with an 'h' on the end is gonna tell us about the Sonics. This ought to be good."

But it's true -- after one week, the Sonics have me believing they could reach the Finals. And, yes, a big reason for that has to do with forward Vladimir Radmanovic.

Here are five more reasons:

5. The passing of Payton. What's better than Gary Payton, The Individual? Well, how about Payton, The Passer? This isn't to say the Sonics' veteran point guard has ever been a selfish player. It's just that, despite all the contract talk and trade rumors, Payton apparently has developed some real trust in his teammates. It's why Payton compiled a career-high 18 assists Nov. 5 against Houston -- and why Reason No. 4 even exists.

4. The ball movement of everyone. The Sonics are starting to remind me of the 1986 Boston Celtics. No, there aren't any Larry Birds or Kevin McHales on this team, and if there is one thing the Sonics sorely lack, it's a consistent low post threat. But the Sonics don't just stand around the three-point line and watch their point guard dribble away the shot clock. Instead, they cut through the lane, move to the open spot, and usually only take the best of shots.

3. The coaching of Nate McMillan. I admit, when Seattle gave the job to McMillan, I thought it was a courtesy hire. I figured management decided it owed him an "interim" tag after his long playing career with the team. Well, I was wrong. Dead wrong. Today, I would say McMillan is one of the league's most underrated minds, and more importantly, someone who can deal with the sometimes fragile psyche of modern day athletes. I like how McMillan lets his players know who's in charge without causing a big scene, how he keeps team issues behind closed doors -- which is exactly where they belong. A lot of folks are calling McMillan a young Lenny Wilkens, and I'm starting to believe them.

2. The defense. After the first four games, the Sonics were forcing close to 19 turnovers per night. They were holding opponents to 41 percent shooting and had limited three of them to less than 100 points. So a quick look inside the numbers proves that the Sonics are willing to bend their knees and shuffle their feet on a regular basis.

1. The other guys. No doubt, Seattle's success begins with Gary Payton. And as a fellow 34-year old, you can only imagine the delight I take in writing that. Anyway, the Sonics are getting contributions from everywhere, as Brent Barry continues to be a dead-eye shooter and Desmond Mason continues to improve his all-around game. Rashard Lewis, Predrag Drobnjak and Radmanovic are all athletic and becoming more fundamentally-sound, and Calvin Booth and Jerome James have been solid in the middle. Heck, even backup guard Kenny Anderson finally seems to be enjoying himself.

So there you have it. Five reasons to really like Seattle. Yes, it's early, but keep in mind that the Sonics can improve on their great start, as this is a young team that's still learning the pro game. In the meantime, some of us had better learn how to spell their names.

MAGICAL BEGINNING

It would only be natural for you to be saying, "Golly, it sure was nice of Sam to tell us who impresses him in the West. But what about the East?"

Well, obviously New Jersey seems to be even better with Dikembe Mutombo at center -- and Richard Jefferson being everything the team hoped for when it traded for him in the 2001 draft. In fact, Jefferson may even be better than that. Also, Jason Kidd is still Jason Kidd, meaning he's arguably the league's best point guard and MVP.

But I've been just as impressed with the Orlando Magic. Tracy McGrady is exactly what NBA types are talking about when they say the league has a bright future. McGrady is ultra-athletic and extremely intelligent, and one of the league's class acts all the way around. And he's only 23.

Grant Hill's ability to play meaningful minutes doesn't hurt either. Also, I've been very impressed with guys like Mike Miller, Pat Garrity, Darrell Armstrong and hustling newcomer Pat Burke. Then there's Shawn Kemp, and while he may no longer be a scorer, he is adding some life to Doc River's bench.

HAWK TALK

I had a feeling Glenn Robinson was going to fit in well with Atlanta, but I had no idea he'd be this good. Consider that Robinson became the first Atlanta Hawk to score at least 30 points on opening night, and at this writing, Robinson the league in scoring (31.3 points per game).

Robinson has been a huge factor, no question -- but let's not forget that the Hawks also have a healthy Theo Ratliff at center. There was a time not too long ago that Ratliff was considered a top three or four center in today's NBA, and he seems to be recovering well from the injuries that have sidelined him for the past season and a half.

How much do I like the Hawks? Well, I'm going to guarantee that they make the playoffs.

In fact, if the Hawks don't make the playoffs, I'm going to give all subscribers a 25 percent discount on the cost of this newsletter. (Sorry, but as long as my mother keeps laughing at my jokes, I'm gonna keep telling 'em).

NUGGET NUGGETS

Say this much for Denver forward Juwan Howard -- the man loves to play. Howard was suspended for the first two games for fighting (he apologized), and missed the third with the stomach flu.

That bugged Howard to no end, and it's easy to see why, as he has played in at least 81 games in five of his eight seasons. In the previous three seasons combined, Howard has missed just three games.

In other Nugget news ... the team deserves a standing ovation for honoring former coach Doug Moe, one of basketball's greatest thinkers and worst dressers. The Nuggets lifted a banner with the number 432 on it to honor Moe. The number indicated Moe's regular season victories while in Denver.

FADING AIR?

Some people who follow the NBA claim there isn't nearly as much interest in what's going to happen in Michael Jordan's second season in Washington.

Those people may have a strong case, and the Minnesota Timberwolves might be willing to act as their expert witness.

In a story by the Minneapolis Star-Tribune, Wolves marketing officer Chris Wright said, "Last year, (the Wizards were) one of the hardest tickets I've ever been involved with. There was a phenomenal amount of emotion around the game. People wondered how Jordan would do."

But this season, 1,800 tickets remained on the day of Jordan's lone appearance at the Target Center. Timberwolves star Kevin Garnett wasn't exactly surprised.

"Nowadays, with snipers and bin Ladens running around, not much surprises me," Garnett told the Star-Tribune. "It's kind of messed up to say, but ..."

At any rate, I'm one dork who's not ashamed to say I anticipate Jordan's next game as much as ever. Also, I think Jordan's biggest impact has been getting the new stars around the league even more recognition.

Last season, everyone showed up to watch Jordan -- and found out there's a lot of other guys worth seeing.

DAZZLING PISTON

You can't help but like what Detroit guard Richard Hamilton has done with his new team. I've always loved watching Hamilton, but I never expected him to be this good this soon, especially in a new setting.

Of course, that's a big reason why I picked Detroit to finish sixth in the Central Division, something for which Piston fans have yet to forgive me.

I'm also a little concerned about an invitation I received from one of the members of the Pistons' front office, who offered to "show me some fun" at a home game this season. My reply? "I may be ugly, but I ain't dumb."

QUESTIONS & ANSWERS

From Mike Turner

Q: I read that former NBA forward Mike Mitchell is playing in Italy this season. Can that possibly be true? The guy must be close to 50.

A: Dear Mike, if you're thinking of the same Mike Mitchell I am, God bless him, because he'll be 47 on Jan. 1. As for actually answering your question, I have no idea if he's playing in Italy this season. But plenty of Italian scouts and coaches receive this newsletter, so hopefully somebody can let us know (that's assuming the scouts and coaches actually read it). For you youngsters, Mitchell was a very good player for Cleveland and San Antonio from 1979-88.

From Shane Blair

Q: From reading your previews, I gathered that you thought Cleveland and Denver would be the NBA's two worst teams. But both teams are playing well enough to possibly avoid getting the No. 1 pick, if not make the playoffs. Anybody else have a shot at LeBron James?

A: Dear Shane, first of all, I'm not so sure the Cavs would draft James, with Ricky Davis, Darius Miles and Dajuan Wagner already on the roster. I mean, where would James fit in? Anyway, I think New York and Miami are probably the two worst teams -- although both have players worth watching and could turn it around at any time. But I wouldn't be the least bit surprised to see James end up in New York.

From Tyler Gill

Q: How much do you get paid to be an NBA cheerleader?

A: Dear Tyler, it's questions like yours that remind me why I write this newsletter. But I consider myself more of a mascot than a cheerleader.

MINOR LEAGUE STUFF

-- Names you may know in the NBDL draft: Bobby Simmons, Corey Benjamin; Geoff Owens; Jeff Trepagnier; Gyasi Cline-Heard; Donald Hand; Teddy Dupay; Lawrence Moten; and drafted in the 14th and final round, Marcus Taylor.

-- Soon to be showing at a CBA arena near you: Willie Burton, Joe Crispin, and Leon Smith (Gary); DeJuan Wheat and Ronnie Fields (Rockford); Korleone Young (Sioux Falls); and Corsley Edwards and Tyson Whitfield (Yakima). Also, Marvin Gay and Jermaine Jackson are teammates for the Great Lakes Storm, and you can insert your singing jokes here.

-- San Antonio signed former USBL standout Devin Brown to fill in for injured backup Speedy Claxton, who's expected to be out for eight-to-12 weeks. Brown became the 137th USBL player to move on to the NBA.

SAM'S SLAMS

I've always said that I like the second week of the regular season better than the first, because after the first week, everyone else goes back to paying attention to football. Basketball psychos such as myself, meanwhile, are just as fired up for week two, and three, and four. ... Is it just me, or has Minnesota guard Troy Hudson been one of the offseason's best acquisitions? ... A lot of Clippers fans chastised me for saying that Quentin Richardson would come off the bench. Well, after two whole games, Richardson is coming off the bench. (Hey, it's my newsletter. I can talk smack if I want). ... On a serious note, thanks for reading, and keep those e-mails, positive or negative, coming.

CONTACT ME

E-mail questions and comments to me at amicoreport@hotmail.com. I will try to answer questions in the newsletter, but you must include your full name.

HAVE A GREAT DAY!