When the Seattle Supersonics traded All-Star Gary Payton two weeks ago most of those faithful with the team believed they had made a mistake.  Gone was the icon of the franchise, it's leader in every sense of the word, the NBA's assist leader and one of the league's most feared guards.

In return the Sonics were getting a player rumored to be able to shoot with the best of them but couldn't lead a blind man across an empty room.  He didn't make his teammates better they said, didn't rebound nor did he pass the ball.  Ray Allen, his Bucks struggling once again despite obvious talent, was meant to be one dimensional.

But now this one dimensional superstar has the Sonics talking playoffs again.  This time two weeks ago they were viewed as a lottery team, but behind Allen the Sonics have found a new lease of life with number 34 leading the way from the front.

So impressive has Allen been since being traded for Payton that he is averaging 27.8 points, 7.8 assists and 7.4 rebounds in his five games as a Sonic, and more importantly Seattle is 4-1 (including four in a row) during this span.  Not bad for a non-leading, one dimensional ballhog.

"Ray is a very confident and mature player. He knows his game, and his ability to create opportunities for others is great," Sonics coach Nate McMillan said after Allen scored 40 points in the Sonics' 109-101 victory over the Clippers Saturday night in Los Angeles. "He makes decisions like a point guard, and he runs the whole floor."

According to the Seattle Post-Intelligencer a more impressive figure on Allen's statline has been his turnover count - 2.2 in 39 minutes of action per contest, and this figure includes five in his Sonics debut (in which he almost recorded a triple double).

"They're running things a lot better right now," Clippers center Melvin Ely said. "Ray fits in perfectly with their scheme. He doesn't do anything out of character. He helps his team in every aspect, so he's a great addition to their team."

"The guys and the coaching staff have done a great job of allowing me to prosper in this system," Allen said. "Every time down the floor, Brent Barry is telling me what the play is, and where I need to go. We're playing well together, passing the ball and getting good shots."

Allen and the Sonics now trail the Phoenix Suns by only 3 1/2 games for the eighth and final playoff berth, with the two sides due to meet twice over Seattle's final 24 games, which includes the season finale.