As Brent Barry left for KeyArena yesterday afternoon, he wondered whether he would be playing his final home game as a Sonic. He didn't overanalyze or worry about it. He simply allowed himself the thought.

"Then I started my car, drove to the arena and played," Barry said after the game.

His tone was matter-of-fact, offering neither a hint of wanting to return to -- nor depart -- the city he has played in for the past five seasons.

But actions can deafen words. And just minutes earlier, after Barry had finished dressing at his locker, he tore his name tag off his stall and flung it into a nearby trash bin.

The gesture likely was precipitated by the Sonics' disheartening loss to a depleted Rockets team last night.

Yet, as the soon-to-be free agent continued to answer questions about his status with the Sonics, he sounded more and more like a player who wanted to return to Seattle, provided some changes are made in the off-season.

"Obviously, we've had great support and there's a great fan base here," Barry said. "I just wish we gave them a little more to cheer about, especially playing against a team tonight that was shorthanded, without their two guys. There's no reason for us to lose a game like this.

"But (the fans have) been there for us all year, and we certainly appreciate their support. I hope they make some things happen for this franchise come this summer to give these people a little more reason to come out."

"I don't think we're too far off," said Barry. "If we were able to find somebody in the power forward position that could command some double-teams, or at the center position, this team would be really deadly because you would have so many shooters available."

Will he be one of them? Said Barry: "I have no idea."