SONICS WIN! SONICS WIN!

After losing to Philadelphia, Phoenix, Washington, Cleveland, New Jersey, Dallas, the Lakers, New Orleans, Memphis, Dallas (again), Houston, Houston (again), Atlanta and Sacramento, the Sonics finally broke through in 2008 with a win against the defending champion San Antonio Spurs. Kevin Durant was terrific scoring 26 points, including what turned out to be the winning basket with 32 seconds left in the game to put the Sonics ahead by 1. After Fabrice Oberto (Duncan and Ginobili and this guy is taking pressure shots?) couldn't convert a layup on the other end, Luke Ridnour padded the lead with two clutch free throws. Manu Ginobili then missed a 3-pointer and that was all she wrote for the Sonics long, long, long losing streak.

Durant's 26 points came on 9-19 shooting, which he complemented with a perfect 7-7 night from the free throw line. To top it off, Durant stuffed the stat sheet with 7 rebounds and his second consecutive 5-assist game to go along with a steal, a block and only 1 turnover. The Sonics' big men stepped it up bigtime against the Spurs with Chris Wilcox leading the way with 16 points and 10 boards. Not to be outdone, Nick Collison scored 14 and added 10 boards of his own, and Kurt Thomas put up 10 and 6, including two absolutely crucial jumpers with less than 2 minutes which allowed the Sonics to convert possessions down the stretch. As big as Durant's shot was, the Sonics wouldn't have won this game without the big veteran knocking down clutch shots in the halfcourt offense.

With Tony Parker sitting out the game tonight, you might think that this is one game where the Sonics actualy have an advantage at point guard with the Spurs starting career backup Jacque Vaughn. You'd be wrong. Earl Watson went a remarkable 0-8 from the field scoring his only 2 points on a pair of free throws. Luke Ridnour was almost as bad going just 1-6 from the field, but taking advangtage of the oppurtunity for redemption by hitting the clutch free throws with under a minute left.

Long term, what does this do for the team? Not much in terms of overall record, as the damage has been done. But I promise you, this is a big monkey off of the team's back. Losing leads to more losing, and the Sonic's need their core to learn how to win together. It's a good thing I'm not a GM. I'd be resigning Kurt Thomas to a 10-year $75 million deal right now if I was GM.

Next Target: The Cleveland Cavs on Thursday night. You're next Lebron.