11:55 / 03.01.2004
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Glove Story: A timeline
Saturday, January 3, 2004
SEATTLE POST-INTELLIGENCER STAFF
10:45 a.m.: The Lakers arrived at KeyArena for their shootaround. Gary Payton was third-to-last off the bus, wearing a gray sweat suit and yellow Lakers stocking cap. He walked past the four cameras courtside without looking at any of them.
10:55 a.m.: The Sonics' shootaround ended, and coach Nate McMillan gave the same answers to the same questions he was asked on Thursday. Afterward, he admitted that he was ready for basketball, not more build-up. "There has been a lot leading up to this," McMillan said. "I'm certainly wanting to get this game going, and move on."
11:40 a.m.: When the Lakers' shootaround concluded, Payton left without answering questions from reporters and coach Phil Jackson called Sonics principal owner Howard Schultz by the wrong first name.
"This is a city whose eyes are on Gary Payton tonight," Jackson said. "And Harold and Gary had their own differences for reasons that in this game of basketball in the present day ... there are all kinds of reasons that things happen like this. Some of them are not always favorable."
11:43 a.m.: Jackson reflected upon Spencer Haywood's return to Seattle as a Knick, his first game in Seattle in anything other than a Sonics' uniform. Jackson said Haywood scored six points, maybe eight.
"He was overly excited to play in the game," Jackson said. "And they were just as excited to try and stop him and make an effort to try and make everything go wrong for him that night. I think (owner,0) Sam Schulman bought a round of drinks at 13 Coins that night, and commemorated it with a plaque, and I think it's still there if I'm not mistaken. That's the rumor I heard. It was tough between those two, also."
A phone-call check of 13 Coins turned up no plaque.
5:55 p.m.: The Lakers' bus arrived at KeyArena. Jackson walked off first, already in a three-piece suit. Payton was again the third-to-last player off the bus, this time wearing an oversized denim jacket and matching pants.
6:10 p.m.: In the Lakers locker room, Payton was de facto judge in height measurement between Bryon Russell and Kobe Bryant. Russell is 6 feet 6 1/2 without shoes. After seeing them side-by-side, Payton shouted to Bryant "You're 6-4." Bryant is listed at 6-6. "Then you're 5-11," said Bryant. Payton is listed at 6-4.
6:35 p.m.: In a Sonics locker room almost entirely devoid of reporters, Ray Allen said that in an 82-game season players must search for different ways of motivation. "Gary doesn't need to search tonight," he said.
6:50 p.m.: Fan Lorin Sandretzky finished writing his sign, which said, "I Love My Mittens, But I Miss My Glove." Sandretzky has the shoes Payton wore in his final game as a Sonic, Feb. 19 against the Knicks.
7:05 p.m.: David Kronfield stood at an intersection across the street from KeyArena, handing out signs that said "Trade Wally" on one side, "Go Sonics" on the other. Kronfield and a friend paid to have the signs made. Kronfield had 800 of the signs printed and gave out about 500. Kronfield said he thinks team president Wally Walker should focus on the financial aspects of the team, leaving final say of personnel to general manager Rick Sund.
7:15 p.m.: Schultz waved off an approaching reporter before any questions were asked. He said he just wanted to enjoy the game.
7:20 p.m.: "Ladies and gentleman, a warm welcome for the visiting Los Angeles Lakers." Payton's first shot in the layup line was a right-handed layup.
7:30 p.m.: A commemorative highlight from the 1990 draft played on the overhead scoreboard, showing a skinnier Payton after he was picked with the No. 2 overall choice.
7:40 p.m.: Payton was the first player introduced, and received a standing ovation that lasted more than a minute. He turned to all sides of the court, raising his hand in acknowledgement. Schultz and Walker, seated courtside, stood and clapped.
7:44 p.m.: Payton walked to the Sonics bench before tipoff, giving McMillan a one-armed hug before taking the floor. He retrieved the opening tip.
7:55 p.m.: Payton made his first shot, a right-handed driving layup. He missed his next two shots, which were jumpers. He scored eight points in the first quarter, making two free throws, another layup and a baseline jump shot.
-- Danny O'Neil |
