Sonics Begin Preseason Play

The Sonics lost their first preseason game last night, 82-75 to Nate McMillan's Portland Trail Blazers. McMillan, you will recall, played 12 years for the Sonics and coached the team for 5. But, after his contract expired last season, he made the admirable decision to test new waters as the coach of the notoriously uncoachable Blazers.

McMillan's move elevates the Sonics-Blazers rivalry to one of the NBA's most compelling.

To draw an analogy for those readers who came of age in New York in the late 1940's, it's like when Leo Durocher went from managing the Brooklyn Dodgers to managing the New York Giants.

To draw an analogy for those readers who came of age in South Carolina in the 1960's, it's like when Strom Thurmond switched from the Democratic Party to the Republican Party.

To draw an analogy for those readers who came of age in Seattlest Dave's basement, it's like when the elf Hanspar gave all his constitution points to Father Time and joined forces with Euell the Druid.

The four regular season games with the Trailblazers will be the most interesting of the season. This one was just practice.

The Sonics play their first home preseason game Friday night against the Suns. Buy tickets.