Once an underdog the Sonics are now showing signs that they are indeed the real deal. Seattle looked very impressive tonight, easily handling Kevin Garnett and the Timberwolves en route to a 103-92 victory.
"We were written off before the season started," Lewis said. "We're trying to earn some respect. I think I like it that way. I'd rather be the underdog."
Rashard Lewis scored 27 and Ray Allen 24 as the Sonics again reined 3-bombs hitting 10 of 19, putting their season 3-point percentage at over 40%.
Seattle led by double digits for all but 25 seconds of the second half, against a team that went to the Western Conference Finals last year.
The Sonics recent play and fast start have drawn comparisons to European style basketball. "They play a lot like a European team," Szczerbiak said. "They play for the 3-point shot, and when they hit them, they're tough to beat."
Perhaps one NBA team has learned a thing or two from the 2004 Summer Games in Athens, an event that saw the United States team helpless against the pure shooters of the European countries and Argentina.
The true test of the Sonics will be when the 3?s no longer fall as frequently. If they can win games under these inevitable conditions, they will cement themselves as a team to beat in the West.