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By Riko Adamson

Minus the small handful of superstars that play in the East like Jason Kidd, Allen Iverson, Tracy McGrady and Vince Carter (when he returns to form), the rest of the top-notch talent that the universe has to offer remains in the dog-eat-dog Western conference. Which is why it will be super hard for the less-than-super Sonics to rise to the top.

The most that Sonics fans can hope for is that their team keeps playing entertaining ball and does not forget the way The Glove showed them how to compete every night. Participating in the playoffs could be an expectation, but should not be a demand.

The high energy play of Ray Allen, Brent Barry and Rashard Lewis, teamed side-by-side with Coach Nate McMillian’s fiery competitiveness and watchful eye, is what keeps the Sonics an entertaining team to watch, but once again their huge problem will be their blundering low-post productivity.

The lack of inside play is a problem. Old-man Payton (pun intended) got more rebounds than these clowns put together. In fact, Barry, Payton and Desmond Mason used to out-rebound the team's big stiffs routinely on a nightly basis. It got so bad that even when the big clogs were all healthy (which wasn’t often enough), Coach McMillian still didn’t know if anyone deserved any decent playing time.

On a positive note, the organization hired ex Sonic great Jack Sikma to regenerate some much needed game back into the big men. But unless Captain Jack’s been touched by an angel lately, I don’t see him being able to pull off this miraculous task any time soon.

The heart, talent and guts of the team is out on the perimeter, and it’s a shame that these talented guys do not have better low-post personnel to work with. Allen, Barry and Lewis is as potent as any outside duo or trio in the league.

Thank goodness the rumored summer trade that involved shipping PG-SG Barry to Indiana, for WWE head-case Ron Artest did not come into fruition. I’m sure on a 3-on-2 fastbreak in the late stretch of a close contest, Coach McMillian would rather have the ball in the artful and skillful hands of Barry, instead of the over-demonstrative, "let me show everybody how tough I am" Ron Artest.

The sour taste still lingers in the mouths of some loyal fans in the aftermath of the Gary Payton situation, and others remain perplexed as to why up-and-coming standout Desmond Mason had to be included in the deal, but overall the scenario has resided a lot sooner than Wally Walker and the rest of the Sonic (cough...cough) brain trust could ever have prayed for, and most of the Sonic fans remain supportive.

Much kudos should go to Ray Allen for this positive development. Bearing witness to watching this talented athlete play on an everyday basis, instead of only on sportscenter highlights, gives you a better appreciation for this player’s awesome game. A truly, classy professional on and off the floor. Whatever problem George Karl had with Allen, must have been about Karl’s own problems, which is probably why he’s not coaching in the league anymore.

While most of the Seattle newspaper columnists up here (bitter, bitter, bitter) still remain thankless about the Glove’s services, mostly everyone in Seattle still loves Payton and are happy that he and the Mailman will finally ride high in the limelight and get their long-overdue rings.

A funny thing: at the end of Payton’s contract, when it was time for Sonics management to put up or shut up, they kept suggesting how Gary’s getting older (laugh). Will anyone be shocked or surprised when this old guy is the best point-guard in the league this year? I won’t. Those un-insightful words will come back and bite them in the ass next June.

A player that could help the formidable trio, provided he gets the increased playing time he so richly deserves, could be the young Radmanovic. And against the grain of wishful thinking, perhaps one of the big guys, either the inconsistent Jerome James or much-injured Calvin Booth can step up their games (sure would be long overdue).

But barring any courtroom brouhaha or any injury of Shaq-tacular proponent, it’s already a foregone conclusion who the newly crowned NBA Champions will be, but the road that leads there will definitely make for an entertaining season, and that’s the only reason that the Sonics fans need to tune in.