Last Updated on September 13, 2026 by Mat Diekhake

League Search Page > NBA > Seattle SuperSonics > Roster & Statistics

The Seattle SuperSonics 1992–93 paired one of the NBA’s most efficient offenses with elite defense, led by Gary Payton’s emergence as the team’s primary playmaker and Shawn Kemp’s interior scoring and rebounding. Ricky Pierce and Eddie Johnson strengthened the scoring depth, while Derrick McKey and Sam Perkins provided versatile two-way production. The statistics reflect a balanced, deep roster that excelled through efficient scoring, strong defense, rebounding, and unselfish ball movement.


Roster

NO. PLAYER NAME POS HT WT DATE OF BIRTH COLLEGE
00 Benoit Benjamin C 7-0 250 November 22, 1964 Creighton
3 Dana Barros PG 5-11 163 April 13, 1967 Boston College
8 Eddie Johnson SF 6-7 215 May 1, 1959 Illinois
10 Nate McMillan PG 6-5 195 August 3, 1964 NC State
14 Sam Perkins PF 6-9 235 June 14, 1961 UNC
17 Vincent Askew SG 6-6 210 February 28, 1966 Memphis
20 Gary Payton PG 6-4 180 July 23, 1968 Oregon State
21 Gerald Paddio SF 6-7 205 April 21, 1965 UNLV
22 Ricky Pierce SG 6-4 205 August 19, 1959 Walla Walla Community College, Rice University
25 Rich King C 7-2 260 April 4, 1969 Nebraska
31 Derrick McKey SF 6-10 241 October 10, 1966 Alabama
40 Shawn Kemp PF 6-10 230 November 26, 1969 Trinity Valley CC, Kentucky
44 Michael Cage C 6-9 224 January 28, 1962 San Diego State
55 Steve Scheffler C 6-9 250 September 3, 1967 Purdue


 Regular Season Per Game

Player Pos Age GP GS MPG PPG RPG APG SPG BPG TPG FGA FGM FG% 3PA 3PM 3P% FTA FTM FT%
Ricky Pierce SG 33 77 72 28.8 18.2 2.5 2.9 1.3 0.1 2.1 13.9 6.8 .489 1.5 0.5 .372 4.6 4.1 .889
Shawn Kemp PF 23 78 68 33.1 17.8 10.7 2.0 1.5 1.9 2.8 13.4 6.6 .492 0.1 0.0 .000 6.4 4.6 .712
Eddie Johnson SF 33 82 0 22.8 14.4 3.3 1.6 0.4 0.0 1.6 12.1 5.6 .467 0.7 0.2 .304 3.1 2.9 .911
Gary Payton PG 24 82 78 31.1 13.5 3.4 4.9 2.2 0.3 1.8 11.7 5.8 .494 0.4 0.1 .206 2.4 1.8 .770
Derrick McKey SF 26 77 68 31.7 13.4 4.2 2.6 1.4 0.8 2.0 10.1 5.0 .496 1.5 0.5 .357 3.9 2.9 .741
Nate McMillan PG 28 73 25 27.1 7.5 4.2 5.3 2.4 0.5 1.9 6.3 2.9 .464 0.9 0.3 .385 1.8 1.3 .709
Dana Barros PG 25 69 2 18.0 7.8 1.6 2.2 0.9 0.0 0.8 6.9 3.1 .451 2.4 0.9 .379 0.9 0.7 .831
Michael Cage C 31 82 66 26.3 6.1 8.0 0.8 0.9 0.6 0.7 5.1 2.7 .526 0.0 0.0 .000 1.6 0.7 .469
Vincent Askew SG 26 64 4 16.5 6.0 2.3 1.8 0.6 0.3 1.0 4.6 2.3 .493 0.1 0.0 .333 2.1 1.5 .701
Sam Perkins PF 31 30 13 25.4 12.1 4.8 0.9 0.7 1.0 1.1 9.1 4.6 .511 1.4 0.6 .452 2.8 2.2 .795
Benoit Benjamin C 28 31 6 14.5 6.7 3.6 0.4 0.5 1.1 1.4 5.3 2.6 .497 0.0 0.0   2.2 1.5 .701
Gerald Paddio SF 27 41 3 7.5 3.9 1.2 0.8 0.3 0.1 0.4 3.9 1.7 .447 0.2 0.0 .250 0.5 0.3 .667
Steve Scheffler C 25 29 5 5.7 2.3 1.2 0.2 0.2 0.0 0.2 1.7 0.9 .521 0.0 0.0   0.8 0.6 .667
Rich King C 23 3 0 4.0 2.0 1.7 0.3 0.0 0.0 1.0 1.7 0.7 .400 0.0 0.0   0.7 0.7 1.000
Team Totals     82 82 241.2 108.3 42.4 23.2 11.5 5.0 15.5 87.1 42.4 .486 7.4 2.7 .357 27.5 21.0 .761

Playoff Per Game

Player Pos Age GP GS MPG PPG RPG APG SPG BPG TPG FGA FGM FG% 3PA 3PM 3P% FTA FTM FT%
Ricky Pierce SG 33 19 19 30.4 17.7 2.4 2.2 0.6 0.2 1.5 14.2 6.5 .456 1.6 0.6 .400 4.6 4.2 .898
Shawn Kemp PF 23 19 19 34.9 16.5 10.0 2.6 1.5 2.1 2.8 11.3 5.8 .512 0.0 0.0   6.1 4.9 .809
Sam Perkins PF 31 19 17 32.9 14.4 7.0 1.9 1.0 1.3 1.1 11.8 5.2 .436 4.2 1.6 .380 2.9 2.5 .873
Gary Payton PG 24 19 19 31.8 12.3 3.3 3.7 1.8 0.2 1.8 12.4 5.5 .443 0.3 0.1 .167 1.9 1.3 .676
Derrick McKey SF 26 19 17 34.1 11.3 5.2 3.7 0.6 0.9 1.9 8.3 4.4 .525 0.3 0.1 .400 3.6 2.4 .667
Eddie Johnson SF 33 19 0 20.1 10.8 2.4 0.9 0.2 0.1 1.0 11.1 4.3 .390 1.9 0.6 .333 1.6 1.5 .935
Nate McMillan PG 28 19 2 21.8 4.8 3.5 5.4 2.1 0.6 1.3 5.4 1.8 .340 1.3 0.3 .208 1.6 0.8 .533
Michael Cage C 31 19 2 19.9 4.8 5.8 0.5 0.7 0.4 0.8 4.2 2.2 .525 0.0 0.0   0.9 0.4 .389
Vincent Askew SG 26 12 0 8.6 5.2 1.6 0.8 0.1 0.1 0.6 3.4 1.9 .561 0.0 0.0   1.9 1.3 .696
Dana Barros PG 25 16 0 8.5 3.4 0.8 0.8 0.3 0.0 0.5 2.9 1.4 .468 1.0 0.3 .313 0.5 0.4 .750
Gerald Paddio SF 27 9 0 3.3 1.6 0.3 0.4 0.2 0.1 0.2 1.6 0.8 .500 0.1 0.0 .000 0.0 0.0  
Steve Scheffler C 25 9 0 2.4 1.6 1.1 0.1 0.2 0.0 0.0 1.1 0.6 .500 0.0 0.0   0.4 0.4 1.000
Team Totals     19 19 241.3 100.2 41.9 22.4 9.1 5.8 13.8 84.6 38.6 .456 10.4 3.5 .340 25.2 19.4 .772

Regular Season Per 36 Mins

Player Pos Age GP GS Min PTS TRB AST STL BLK TOV FGA FGM FG% 3PA 3PM 3P% FTA FTM FT%
Ricky Pierce SG 33 77 72 2218 22.8 3.1 3.6 1.6 0.1 2.6 17.4 8.5 .489 1.8 0.7 .372 5.7 5.1 .889
Shawn Kemp PF 23 78 68 2582 19.4 11.6 2.2 1.7 2.0 3.0 14.6 7.2 .492 0.1 0.0 .000 7.0 5.0 .712
Eddie Johnson SF 33 82 0 1869 22.7 5.2 2.6 0.7 0.1 2.6 19.1 8.9 .467 1.1 0.3 .304 5.0 4.5 .911
Gary Payton PG 24 82 78 2548 15.7 4.0 5.6 2.5 0.3 2.1 13.6 6.7 .494 0.5 0.1 .206 2.8 2.1 .770
Derrick McKey SF 26 77 68 2439 15.3 4.8 2.9 1.5 0.9 2.2 11.5 5.7 .496 1.7 0.6 .357 4.4 3.2 .741
Nate McMillan PG 28 73 25 1977 9.9 5.6 7.0 3.2 0.6 2.5 8.4 3.9 .464 1.2 0.5 .385 2.4 1.7 .709
Dana Barros PG 25 69 2 1243 15.7 3.1 4.4 1.8 0.1 1.7 13.7 6.2 .451 4.9 1.9 .379 1.7 1.4 .831
Michael Cage C 31 82 66 2156 8.3 11.0 1.2 1.3 0.8 1.0 6.9 3.7 .526 0.0 0.0 .000 2.2 1.0 .469
Vincent Askew SG 26 64 4 1053 13.1 5.1 4.0 1.3 0.6 2.1 10.0 4.9 .493 0.2 0.1 .333 4.6 3.2 .701
Sam Perkins PF 31 30 13 762 17.1 6.9 1.3 0.9 1.5 1.5 12.9 6.6 .511 2.0 0.9 .452 3.9 3.1 .795
Benoit Benjamin C 28 31 6 448 16.8 9.1 1.0 1.4 2.8 3.4 13.1 6.5 .497 0.0 0.0   5.4 3.8 .701
Gerald Paddio SF 27 41 3 307 18.5 5.9 3.9 1.6 0.7 1.9 18.6 8.3 .447 0.9 0.2 .250 2.5 1.6 .667
Steve Scheffler C 25 29 5 166 14.3 7.8 1.1 1.3 0.2 1.1 10.4 5.4 .521 0.0 0.0   5.2 3.5 .667
Rich King C 23 3 0 12 18.0 15.0 3.0 0.0 0.0 9.0 15.0 6.0 .400 0.0 0.0   6.0 6.0 1.000

Playoff Per 36 Mins

Player Pos Age GP GS Min PTS TRB AST STL BLK TOV FGA FGM FG% 3PA 3PM 3P% FTA FTM FT%
Ricky Pierce SG 33 19 19 578 21.0 2.9 2.6 0.7 0.2 1.7 16.8 7.7 .456 1.9 0.7 .400 5.5 4.9 .898
Eddie Johnson SF 33 19 0 382 19.3 4.2 1.6 0.3 0.1 1.8 19.8 7.7 .390 3.4 1.1 .333 2.9 2.7 .935
Shawn Kemp PF 23 19 19 663 17.0 10.3 2.7 1.6 2.2 2.9 11.7 6.0 .512 0.0 0.0   6.2 5.0 .809
Sam Perkins PF 31 19 17 626 15.8 7.6 2.1 1.1 1.4 1.2 12.9 5.6 .436 4.5 1.7 .380 3.2 2.8 .873
Gary Payton PG 24 19 19 605 13.9 3.7 4.2 2.0 0.2 2.0 14.0 6.2 .443 0.4 0.1 .167 2.2 1.5 .676
Vincent Askew SG 26 12 0 103 21.7 6.6 3.1 0.3 0.3 2.4 14.3 8.0 .561 0.0 0.0   8.0 5.6 .696
Dana Barros PG 25 16 0 136 14.6 3.2 3.2 1.3 0.0 2.1 12.4 5.8 .468 4.2 1.3 .313 2.1 1.6 .750
Derrick McKey SF 26 19 17 647 11.9 5.5 4.0 0.7 0.9 2.0 8.8 4.6 .525 0.3 0.1 .400 3.8 2.6 .667
Steve Scheffler C 25 9 0 22 22.9 16.4 1.6 3.3 0.0 0.0 16.4 8.2 .500 0.0 0.0   6.5 6.5 1.000
Michael Cage C 31 19 2 378 8.7 10.6 1.0 1.2 0.7 1.5 7.6 4.0 .525 0.0 0.0   1.7 0.7 .389
Gerald Paddio SF 27 9 0 30 16.8 3.6 4.8 2.4 1.2 2.4 16.8 8.4 .500 1.2 0.0 .000 0.0 0.0  
Nate McMillan PG 28 19 2 415 7.9 5.8 8.9 3.5 1.0 2.2 8.9 3.0 .340 2.1 0.4 .208 2.6 1.4 .533

Regular Season Totals

Player Pos Age GP GS Min PTS TRB AST STL BLK TOV FGA FGM FG% 3PA 3PM 3P% FTA FTM FT%
Ricky Pierce SG 33 77 72 2218 1403 192 220 100 7 160 1071 524 .489 113 42 .372 352 313 .889
Shawn Kemp PF 23 78 68 2582 1388 833 155 119 146 217 1047 515 .492 4 0 .000 503 358 .712
Eddie Johnson SF 33 82 0 1869 1177 272 135 36 4 134 991 463 .467 56 17 .304 257 234 .911
Gary Payton PG 24 82 78 2548 1110 281 399 177 21 148 963 476 .494 34 7 .206 196 151 .770
Derrick McKey SF 26 77 68 2439 1034 327 197 105 58 152 780 387 .496 112 40 .357 297 220 .741
Nate McMillan PG 28 73 25 1977 546 306 384 173 33 139 459 213 .464 65 25 .385 134 95 .709
Dana Barros PG 25 69 2 1243 541 107 151 63 3 58 474 214 .451 169 64 .379 59 49 .831
Michael Cage C 31 82 66 2156 499 659 69 76 46 59 416 219 .526 1 0 .000 130 61 .469
Vincent Askew SG 26 64 4 1053 384 150 117 38 18 61 292 144 .493 6 2 .333 134 94 .701
Sam Perkins PF 31 30 13 762 363 145 28 20 31 32 272 139 .511 42 19 .452 83 66 .795
Benoit Benjamin C 28 31 6 448 209 113 12 17 35 42 163 81 .497 0 0   67 47 .701
Gerald Paddio SF 27 41 3 307 158 50 33 14 6 16 159 71 .447 8 2 .250 21 14 .667
Steve Scheffler C 25 29 5 166 66 36 5 6 1 5 48 25 .521 0 0   24 16 .667
Rich King C 23 3 0 12 6 5 1 0 0 3 5 2 .400 0 0   2 2 1.000
Team Totals     82 82 19780 8884 3476 1906 944 409 1226 7140 3473 .486 610 218 .357 2259 1720 .761

Playoff Totals

Player Pos Age GP GS Min PTS TRB AST STL BLK TOV FGA FGM FG% 3PA 3PM 3P% FTA FTM FT%
Ricky Pierce SG 33 19 19 578 337 46 42 12 4 28 270 123 .456 30 12 .400 88 79 .898
Shawn Kemp PF 23 19 19 663 313 190 49 29 40 54 215 110 .512 0 0   115 93 .809
Sam Perkins PF 31 19 17 626 274 133 37 19 25 21 225 98 .436 79 30 .380 55 48 .873
Gary Payton PG 24 19 19 605 234 63 70 34 3 34 235 104 .443 6 1 .167 37 25 .676
Derrick McKey SF 26 19 17 647 214 98 71 12 17 36 158 83 .525 5 2 .400 69 46 .667
Eddie Johnson SF 33 19 0 382 205 45 17 3 1 19 210 82 .390 36 12 .333 31 29 .935
Nate McMillan PG 28 19 2 415 91 67 103 40 11 25 103 35 .340 24 5 .208 30 16 .533
Michael Cage C 31 19 2 378 91 111 10 13 7 16 80 42 .525 0 0   18 7 .389
Vincent Askew SG 26 12 0 103 62 19 9 1 1 7 41 23 .561 0 0   23 16 .696
Dana Barros PG 25 16 0 136 55 12 12 5 0 8 47 22 .468 16 5 .313 8 6 .750
Gerald Paddio SF 27 9 0 30 14 3 4 2 1 2 14 7 .500 1 0 .000 0 0  
Steve Scheffler C 25 9 0 22 14 10 1 2 0 0 10 5 .500 0 0   4 4 1.000
Team Totals     19 19 4585 1904 797 425 172 110 250 1608 734 .456 197 67 .340 478 369 .772

HeatingUp Impact Index: Regular Season Team Impact Spotlight

Player Name Role Tier MPG Usage Tier PPG RPG APG STK (SPG + BPG) Impact Index Notes Awards
Shawn Kemp Emerging Interior Superstar (1.1) 33.1 High (1.2) 17.8 10.7 2.0 3.4 89.50 Explosive interior force, Kemp made the leap from exciting athlete to Seattle’s most important frontcourt weapon. Contemporary Los Angeles Times coverage described him as being on the verge of becoming one of the league’s elite, with his relentless work in the gym and imagined late-game situations reflecting a growing confidence. His 146 blocks also showed that the athleticism was translating into real defensive influence. MVP voting 10th; All-Star
Gary Payton Starting Two-Way Point Guard (1.1) 31.1 High (1.2) 13.5 3.4 4.9 2.5 64.15 Two-way lead guard, Payton was becoming the connective piece between Seattle’s pressure defense and its fast offensive attack. Early-season coverage highlighted his sudden scoring growth, including consecutive career highs before he reached 31 points against Dallas. He was still primarily a distributor and defensive pest, but the improved scoring aggression hinted at the larger offensive responsibility he would soon assume.
Ricky Pierce Veteran Sixth-Man Scorer (1.05) 28.8 High (1.2) 18.2 2.5 2.9 1.4 63.00 Veteran scoring specialist, Pierce remained one of Seattle’s most dependable half-court shot-makers and could swing a game without needing extended possession time. He scored 25 against Phoenix in February and later became a major postseason weapon, including 24 points against Houston in Game 5 of the conference semifinals. His ability to generate offense from the wing gave Seattle a valuable counter when its transition game stalled.
Derrick McKey Starting Two-Way Forward (1.05) 31.7 Medium (1.1) 13.4 4.2 2.6 2.2 51.74 Starting two-way forward, McKey provided Seattle with one of its steadier all-around pieces without demanding the offense run through him. His length allowed him to defend across the frontcourt, while his efficient mid-range scoring fit naturally beside Kemp. He also showed a knack for timely offense, scoring 20 points against Phoenix in the playoffs and hitting a game-winning layup over Dan Majerle during the regular season.
Nate McMillan Defensive Quarterback (1.05) 27.1 Medium (1.1) 7.5 4.2 5.3 2.9 45.97 Defensive quarterback and veteran organizer, McMillan was the stabilizing force behind Seattle’s aggressive perimeter pressure. He routinely handled the difficult defensive assignments while keeping the offense moving with low-turnover decision-making. Contemporary reporting repeatedly showed his value in tense games, and his ability to contribute without dominating possessions made him an unusually important piece of George Karl’s rotation.
Sam Perkins Stretch Frontcourt Spacer (1.05) 25.4 Medium (1.1) 12.1 4.8 0.9 1.7 40.95 Stretch frontcourt spacer, Perkins gave Seattle an unusual offensive dimension for a power forward by pulling opposing bigs away from the paint. His three-point shooting became particularly important in the playoffs, when he hit the decisive three-pointer against Phoenix in Game 2 of the Western Conference finals. His veteran ability to score from outside and rebound inside made him an ideal complement to Kemp.
Eddie Johnson Veteran Bench Shot Creator (1.0) 22.8 Medium (1.1) 14.4 3.3 1.6 0.4 39.40 Veteran bench shot creator, Johnson supplied instant perimeter scoring from the second unit and could punish defenses that overcommitted to Seattle’s starters. He scored 20 points against Houston in the opening game of the conference semifinals, helping the Sonics’ bench outscore the Rockets’ reserves 29-12. That kind of scoring burst explains why Seattle could keep its pace and pressure high even when its starters rested.
Michael Cage Rebounding Interior Specialist (1.05) 26.3 Medium (1.0) 6.1 8.0 0.8 1.5 34.44 Rebounding interior specialist, Cage did the dirty work around the basket while Seattle’s athletic forwards handled most of the scoring. His relentless rebounding was specifically highlighted in preseason reporting, where he was described as a relentless rebounder, and that role remained important against larger Western Conference frontcourts. He rarely needed touches to affect possessions.
Dana Barros Backup Pace-Setting Guard (1.0) 18.0 Medium (1.0) 7.8 1.6 2.2 0.9 25.00 Backup pace-setting guard, Barros gave Seattle another small, quick ball-handler who could push tempo and knock down perimeter shots. He erupted for 26 points against Dallas during an 8-3 start, showing the scoring upside that made him useful even though his regular role was behind Payton and McMillan. His ability to change the pace was a natural fit for Karl’s running attack.
Benoit Benjamin Low-Post Interior Reserve (1.0) 14.5 Low (1.0) 6.7 3.6 0.4 1.6 24.60 Low-post interior reserve, Benjamin provided traditional center size and some shot-blocking behind Seattle’s more mobile frontcourt combinations. His role had become considerably smaller than the one he occupied earlier in his career, and the limited minutes reflected a roster increasingly built around Kemp’s athleticism and Perkins’ versatility. Independent season-specific reporting on his reduced role is limited.
Vincent Askew Defensive Wing Utility Piece (1.0) 16.5 Low (1.0) 6.0 2.3 1.8 0.9 22.00 Defensive wing utility piece, Askew was used to add size and athleticism around Seattle’s primary creators rather than to manufacture his own offense. His low-volume role allowed him to concentrate on perimeter defense, transition running and keeping the ball moving. Contemporary coverage of Seattle’s deep rotation regularly emphasized the difficulty opponents had matching the team’s athletic depth.
Gerald Paddio Defensive Perimeter Reserve (1.0) 7.5 Low (1.0) 3.9 1.2 0.8 0.4 12.60 Defensive perimeter reserve, Paddio operated at the edge of a deep Seattle rotation and was mainly asked to provide competent wing minutes when the primary players needed rest. His limited offensive responsibility suited a team that already had Pierce, Johnson, McKey and Payton handling most of the creation. Independent reporting focused little on his individual role during the season.
Rich King Emergency Size Reserve (1.0) 4.0 Low (1.0) 2.0 1.7 0.3 0.0 8.00 Emergency size reserve, King appeared in only three games and had no established rotation responsibility. Seattle’s frontcourt depth and Kemp’s emergence left little room for a developmental center to receive meaningful minutes. Contemporary independent reporting on his specific role is limited.
Steve Scheffler Deep-Rotation Interior Reserve (1.0) 5.7 Low (1.0) 2.3 1.2 0.2 0.2 7.80 Deep-rotation interior reserve, Scheffler provided occasional size behind Seattle’s principal frontcourt players. His 29 appearances came in a narrowly defined depth role, with little offensive responsibility beyond finishing opportunities near the basket. Independent season-specific reporting on his individual contribution is limited.
Team Totals 241.2 108.3 42.4 23.2 16.5 Seattle’s 55-27 regular season established the SuperSonics as one of the West’s strongest teams. George Karl’s group combined athletic pressure defense with a deep scoring rotation, while Kemp’s emergence gave the team a young interior centerpiece. The Sonics ultimately reached the Western Conference Finals, where Phoenix eliminated them in seven games. 55-27; Western Conference Finals (1993)

HeatingUp Impact Index: Playoff Team Impact Spotlight

Player Name Role Tier MPG Usage Tier PPG RPG APG STK (SPG + BPG) Impact Index Notes Awards
Shawn Kemp Emerging Interior Superstar (1.1) 34.9 High (1.2) 16.5 10.0 2.6 3.6 86.33 Explosive interior force, Kemp became one of Seattle’s defining postseason weapons as his finishing and defensive activity translated against three different opponents. He was particularly effective attacking the glass and playing above the rim, while his 2.1 blocks per game gave the Sonics a real back-line presence. Against Houston, he repeatedly went at Hakeem Olajuwon instead of avoiding the matchup, saying he attacked aggressively because it gave him chances to draw fouls. (Los Angeles Times) All-Star; MVP voting 10th
Sam Perkins Stretch Frontcourt Creator (1.1) 32.9 High (1.1) 14.4 7.0 1.9 2.3 59.14 Stretch big and veteran half-court stabilizer, Perkins was one of Seattle’s most important postseason shot-makers after arriving from the Lakers late in the season. George Karl moved him into the starting lineup during the Utah series, calling him a player who could almost be mistaken for a point guard because of his skill level. Against Houston he repeatedly punished defensive rotations from outside, then delivered a decisive jumper late in the clinching overtime game against the Rockets. (Los Angeles Times)
Ricky Pierce Sixth Man Scoring Catalyst (1.05) 30.4 High (1.2) 17.7 2.4 2.2 0.8 58.21 Veteran scoring catalyst, Pierce was Seattle’s most reliable source of self-created offense when possessions became difficult. He erupted for 23 points in the opening game against Houston and 24 in Game 5, repeatedly attacking the Rockets’ perimeter defense rather than waiting for spot-up chances. His 34-point explosion against Phoenix in Game 2 of the conference finals was even more revealing: Seattle needed a late-game scorer, and Pierce repeatedly took the matchup into his own hands. (Los Angeles Times)
Gary Payton Lead Two-Way Floor General (1.1) 31.8 High (1.2) 12.3 3.3 3.7 2.0 56.23 Lead two-way floor general, Payton was still learning how much offensive responsibility he could shoulder alongside Seattle’s veteran scorers. He became more aggressive as the Houston series progressed, scoring a playoff career-high 23 in Game 5 after saying he wanted to establish himself early by pushing the ball. His defensive pressure remained just as important, particularly when Seattle needed to disrupt opposing lead guards. (Los Angeles Times)
Derrick McKey Two-Way Forward Connector (1.05) 34.1 Medium (1.1) 11.3 5.2 3.7 1.5 50.13 Two-way forward connector, McKey handled a little of everything without monopolizing possessions. His length gave Seattle another defensive matchup option, while his passing and efficient mid-range game helped keep the offense from becoming overly dependent on Kemp or Pierce. He scored 15 in Game 2 against Houston and later attacked Phoenix from the forward spot, making a key free throw in Game 3 of the conference finals. (Los Angeles Times)
Nate McMillan Defensive Backcourt Quarterback (1.05) 21.8 Medium (1.1) 4.8 3.5 5.4 2.7 37.88 Defensive backcourt quarterback, McMillan remained the veteran who could organize Seattle’s pressure defense and settle possessions when Payton moved into a scoring role. His offensive numbers were modest, but the 5.4 assists and 2.1 steals reflected a useful secondary playmaking function. He also remained a willing physical defender, although his postseason intensity occasionally crossed the line; the NBA fined him after an incident with Houston’s Scott Brooks. (Los Angeles Times)
Eddie Johnson Veteran Bench Shot Maker (1.0) 20.1 Medium (1.1) 10.8 2.4 0.9 0.3 31.68 Veteran bench shot maker, Johnson gave Seattle a second-unit scoring punch that opponents could not simply ignore. He scored 20 points in the opening Houston game and his bench production helped Seattle win the reserve battle 29-12. His biggest postseason moment came later against Phoenix, when he caught fire for 34 points in Game 7 and briefly dragged Seattle back into contention almost single-handedly. (Los Angeles Times)
Michael Cage Rebounding Interior Specialist (1.05) 19.9 Medium (1.0) 4.8 5.8 0.5 1.1 25.62 Rebounding interior specialist, Cage absorbed the physical center assignments so Seattle’s more athletic forwards could operate elsewhere. His defensive work against Hakeem Olajuwon was especially important in the Houston series; Cage and Perkins helped hold Olajuwon to eight makes on 22 attempts in Game 1. Cage also grabbed 14 rebounds in Game 2, showing why his value extended well beyond his modest scoring role.
Vincent Askew Physical Wing Reserve (1.0) 8.6 Low (1.0) 5.2 1.6 0.8 0.2 15.60 Physical wing reserve, Askew was used in short bursts to add athleticism and defensive size around Seattle’s primary creators. His role was largely connective rather than offensive, although he could still attack a closeout; earlier-season coverage showed him finishing a driving layup during a decisive Seattle run against the Clippers. With the playoff rotation tightening, his minutes became much more situational. (Los Angeles Times)
Dana Barros Change-of-Pace Guard (1.0) 8.5 Low (1.0) 3.4 0.8 0.8 0.3 10.60 Change-of-pace guard, Barros supplied quickness and perimeter shooting in brief stretches rather than running a sustained playoff role. His value was most apparent when Seattle wanted to increase tempo or add another small ball-handler; earlier playoff coverage showed him hitting a three-pointer during a key run against Utah. The veteran backcourt ahead of him, however, kept his postseason minutes tightly controlled. (Los Angeles Times)
Steve Scheffler Emergency Interior Reserve (1.0) 2.4 Low (1.0) 1.6 1.1 0.1 0.2 6.00 Emergency interior reserve, Scheffler received only scattered minutes as Seattle shortened its rotation for the postseason. His responsibility was essentially to provide size and absorb a few frontcourt possessions when needed, with no designed offensive role. Independent contemporary reporting on his individual playoff contribution is limited.
Gerald Paddio Deep-Rotation Wing (1.0) 3.3 Low (1.0) 1.6 0.3 0.4 0.3 5.20 Deep-rotation wing, Paddio sat outside Seattle’s principal postseason rotation and was used only for brief stretches. His limited minutes left little room for a distinct offensive assignment, while the established perimeter group handled the major defensive and scoring responsibilities. Independent contemporary reporting on his specific playoff role is limited.
Team Totals 241.3 100.2 41.9 22.4 14.9 Seattle’s postseason identity was built around athletic defense, multiple veteran scorers and the emerging interior dominance of Kemp. The Sonics survived Utah and Houston before pushing Phoenix to seven games in the Western Conference Finals. Sam Perkins delivered the defining Game 2 shot against the Suns, while Seattle ultimately fell in Game 7 after Phoenix’s third-quarter surge. (Los Angeles Times) Western Conference Finals (1993)