SuperSonics Are Pleased With Their New Look

The new look has been pleasing to the eye.

Sedale Threatt might never be mistaken for Dale Ellis, but the Seattle SuperSonics (18-16) enter their 7:30 game Wednesday night against the Los Angeles Lakers (26-8) in the Forum with a three-game winning streak. And certainly Threatt, who has averaged 15.3 points during this recent run, has played a vital role.

“It’s a natural move for him,” Sonics assistant K.C. Jones said. “Sedale doesn’t have the same range as Dale, but he can shoot off picks, and he’s a natural two-guard, anyway.”

Threatt, always the selfless, quiet one when it comes to discussing his role on the team, won’t bite. Ellis, expected to be out for a couple of months with three broken ribs following a car accident Friday morning, is perhaps his best friend on the team and misses him terribly.

“It’s still a role,” Threatt said after starting the past two games in Ellis’ absence. “Now I’m the backup filling in for Dale. I can’t replace Dale. Nobody can. But our defense and offense have opened up. When we pressure more, we’re able to get out on the break and find open shots.”

And therein lies the difference. With Ellis in the lineup, the Sonics work around getting him his shots on offense. With Threatt playing instead, they lose the individual explosiveness of Ellis, but their defensive pressure is a lot more consistent and the ballhandling far more effective. Whether it’s Avery Johnson, Dana Barros, or Nate McMillan next to Threatt, there is better quickness, dribbling and passing than with Ellis.

“We are moving the ball a lot better,” Sonics point guard Nate McMillan said. “When Dale is in there, he’s a great shooter, so we concentrate on getting him shots. Now we don’t have the great long-range shooter, so we have to work the ball better to get our shots. Therefore, we have a guy (Threatt) who can shoot and penetrate with the ball a lot.

“With Sedale and Avery in there at the same time in the starting lineup, it’s like having two guys who can do the 40 in 4.2 on the floor who can handle the ball.”

Ellis’ accident has forced the Sonics to do what Coach Bernie Bickerstaff has been pleading for them to do all season -- concentrate on defense and ball movement -- so that the easy shots will come more often.

“Coach has wanted us to move the ball more,” McMillan said. “Now we’re focused. We know we have to do those extra things to make up for Dale not being here. Now it’s working.”

SuperSonic Notes

Dale Ellis was released from Seattle’s Harborview Medical Center Tuesday afternoon after a CAT scan disclosed no tears in his lower trunk as initially feared. So he went home. The King County Prosecutor Wednesday is expected to issue charges against Ellis for reckless driving and perhaps driving under the influence of alcohol.

Look for Magic Johnson to be playing a lot of forward tonight for the Lakers. When Larry Drew moves in at point guard, Johnson has been effective at the small forward. . . . The Sonics have not won in the Forum since the final game of the 1986-87 season.