(My Sportsbook) - The Seattle SuperSonics have been a middle-of-the-road club the last four seasons, which is not a plus for a Western Conference team.

Last year, Seattle compiled a 45-37 record in the regular season and lost in five games in the first round of the playoffs to San Antonio. The lack of an inside game hurt the Sonics last season and is likely to take its toll on the team again this year.

Seattle will hope to implement good ball movement and strong shooting from the backcourt tandem of Gary Payton and Brent Barry to carry the team. The Sonics topped the NBA in field-goal percentage last year, but that was in response to excellent perimeter shooting.

The Sonics were one of several teams to make a trade in the offseason. They dealt power forward Vin Baker to the Celtics and shipped guard Shammond Williams to Boston in return for guards Kenny Anderson and Joe Forte, and forward/center Vitaly Potapenko. Forte was Boston's first-round pick in 2001.

"I have to be patient with this young club because they are playing a different role this season than they have ever had to play," said Sonics head coach Nate McMillan. "I have to allow them to further develop into these new roles because expectations are going to be different than they have been in the past for all of the players. This is an exciting time, but it is also a time that I, as a coach, have to let things develop at the pace that is right for these guys and their roles."

FRONTCOURT

The Sonics have a pair of future stars in Rashard Lewis and Desmond Mason at the forward positions, but both have to improve their post play in order for Seattle to rise to a new level this season.

Lewis, who recently signed a seven-year, $60 million contract with the Sonics, has a left shoulder injury that may slow him for the start of the season. He dislocated the same shoulder during last season's playoff series against San Antonio.

While Lewis needs some work on his defensive skills, Mason should provide some spark on the offensive side with his quick moves.

Another positive for the Sonics is the sharp-shooting Yugoslavian Vladimir Radmanovic, who connected on 42 percent from three-point range last season. He could receive more playing time than his average of 20 minutes per game from a season ago.

Predrag Drobnjak, Baker's replacement, is also from Yugoslavia. He is coming off a season in which he averaged 6.8 points and 3.4 rebounds per game.

Potapenko tore his ACL in Boston's last regular-season game and is not supposed to return to the lineup until at least January.

Calvin Booth and Jerome James will battle for the starting role at center. Booth was supposed to start last year, but hurt his ankle just before the season began. James has the inside track on landing the starting job.

GUARDS

The backcourt is the strong point of the team. Payton and Barry combined to average 36.5 points per contest last season. Barry is coming off his best year as he consistently hit the long-range shot, most notably the three-pointer.

At 34-years-old Payton remains the best point guard in the game and can dictate the rest of the offense as well as the defensive strategy for McMillan's team.

According to McMillan, Payton is going to need a lot of help on the offensive side.

"That is going to be a process of being patient as well," said McMillan. "I don't know which one of these guys will fill the 'go-to' guy role. I know Desmond has been working extremely hard to improve his overall game. But I don't know which one or ones will step up and become that 'next guy.' Will it be Mason, Lewis, Radmanovic, James or Barry? For so long, they have played in the shadows of Gary and another All-Star player. So what we have is almost like a 'wait and see' approach to this group, for the fans and for myself."

BENCH

Payton has the ability to change a game in a flash, but will need some support from new acquisitions Kenny Anderson and Forte. Ansu Sesay will provide some help in the frontcourt.

OUTLOOK

The Western Conference is littered with power teams, something Seattle lacks. For the Sonics to be competitive, they will have to rely on the perimeter game. Another middle-of-the road finish seems likely this season. They playoffs are almost certain, but advancing far will continue to be a problem until the club addresses the need for a true bona fide center.