The mood is one of optimism and hope.

The new hands-on owner bounces around, wanting to make sure his franchise is fan-friendly, checking on every aspect of basketball operations.

The coach conducts each practice, wearing what one team official calls an "intense, battlefield look," absorbing information, conveying instructions to his players.

The perennial All-Star point guard is trying to shred his bad-boy image, helping younger teammates, appearing to have changed.

Even the power forward looks better, skinnier than ever, ready to produce. Or so it seems.

Yet all of the preseason publications forecast a mostly cloudy season for the Sonics, with only brief periods of partial clearing.