Not on Flip's Side

After playing poorly in the Sonics' first two games, fourth-year guard Ronald "Flip" Murray is going to be getting considerably more pine time.

But, with Rick Brunson out with what could be a chronic injury, the Sonics need a point guard to spell Luke Ridnour. Friday, coach Bob Weiss plumbed the depths of his bench and brought Mateen Cleaves into the game during prime time.

Yes, that's the same Mateen Cleaves that led Michigan State University to the NCAA title. Not one of the other Mateen Cleaves's you may know. The Sonics' Cleaves has logged time with four different NBA teams since leaving college, playing in 140 games but starting only 10. Last year, he saw action only in garbage time.

Not on Friday night, though. Cleaves entered the game in the fourth quarter, and had a couple of nice drives to the basket. As Marques Johnson would say, "twine time."