2000–01 Seattle SuperSonics season

NBA professional basketball team season March 2026 January 2025 Seattle SuperSonics 2001 44 38 Pacific 5 10 Paul Westphal (fired) (6–9) Nate McMillan (38–29) Wally Walker Barry Ackerley KeyArena at Seattle Center Did not qualify SEA KONG Fox Sports Net Northwest KJR The 2000–01 Seattle SuperSonics season was the 34th season for the Seattle SuperSonics in the National Basketball Association. Oklahoma City Thunder Basketball-Reference https://www.basketball-reference.com/teams/OKC/ August 9, 2026 Season summary Off-season The SuperSonics had the 17th overall pick in the 2000 NBA draft, and selected small forward Desmond Mason out of Oklahoma State University. Associated Press NBA Draft 2000: Nets Make Martin the Pick of the Litter ESPN June 29, 2000 https://www.espn.com/nba/draft00/s/2000/0628/608939.html November 9, 2024 White Lonnie Clippers Get Face Lift Los Angeles Times June 29, 2000 https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-2000-jun-29-sp-46205-story.html November 9, 2024 2000 NBA Draft Basketball-Reference https://www.basketball-reference.com/draft/NBA_2000.html November 9, 2024 During the off-season, the team acquired All-Star center Patrick Ewing from the New York Knicks in a four-team trade, Broussard Chris Knicks Send Ewing to Sonics as 4-Team Deal Ends an Era The New York Times September 21, 2000 https://www.nytimes.com/2000/09/21/sports/knicks-send-ewing-to-sonics-as-4-team-deal-ends-an-era.html April 4, 2017 Heisler Mark Lakers Move Forward Los Angeles Times September 21, 2000 https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-2000-sep-21-sp-24481-story.html October 25, 2024 Wyche Steve Done Deal: Ewing Goes to Seattle The Washington Post September 21, 2000 https://www.washingtonpost.com/archive/sports/2000/09/21/done-deal-ewing-goes-to-seattle/fe4710e7-22cf-4a99-997b-1adc4e3f5665/ July 1, 2022 and signed free agent Pervis Ellison, but released him to free agency after nine games. Wise Mike Pro Basketball: West Side Story, the Sequel The New York Times October 30, 2000 https://www.nytimes.com/2000/10/30/sports/pro-basketball-west-side-story-the-sequel.html July 16, 2022 Regular season Despite the addition of Ewing and Mason, the SuperSonics struggled losing seven of their first ten games of the regular season. Head coach Paul Westphal was fired after a 6–9 start to the season, and was replaced with former SuperSonics guard Nate McMillan. Associated Press Pro Basketball: Westphal Is Fired by Sonics After Feuding with Players The New York Times November 28, 2000 https://www.nytimes.com/2000/11/28/sports/pro-basketball-westphal-is-fired-by-sonics-after-feuding-with-players.html January 11, 2022 Heisler Mark A Quick Fall in Seattle for Westphal Los Angeles Times December 3, 2000 https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-2000-dec-03-sp-60746-story.html October 25, 2022 Under McMillan, the SuperSonics played above .500 in winning percentage for the remainder of the season, holding a 28–24 record at the All-Star break, NBA Games Played on February 8, 2001 Basketball-Reference https://www.basketball-reference.com/boxscores/?month=2&day=8&year=2001 September 12, 2022 and finishing in fifth place in the Pacific Division with a 44–38 record. However, the team failed to qualify for the NBA playoffs by finishing in tenth place in the Western Conference. 2000–01 Seattle SuperSonics Schedule and Results Basketball-Reference https://www.basketball-reference.com/teams/SEA/2001_games.html June 26, 2021 Gary Payton averaged 23.1 points, 8.1 assists and 1.6 steals per game, contributed 102 three-point field goals, and was named to the All-NBA Third Team, and to the NBA All-Defensive First Team, while Rashard Lewis showed improvement becoming the team's starting small forward, averaging 14.8 points and 6.9 rebounds per game, and also leading the SuperSonics with 123 three-point field goals, and Ruben Patterson averaged 13.0 points per game. In addition, Vin Baker provided the team with 12.2 points and 5.7 rebounds per game, while Ewing provided with 9.6 points, 7.4 rebounds and 1.2 blocks per game, Brent Barry contributed 8.8 points and 3.4 assists per game along with 109 three-point field goals, while shooting .476 in three-point percentage, Shammond Williams provided with 6.8 points and 2.8 assists per game, and Mason contributed 5.9 points per game off the bench, and was named to the NBA All-Rookie Second Team. 2000–01 Seattle SuperSonics Roster and Stats Basketball-Reference https://www.basketball-reference.com/teams/SEA/2001.html June 26, 2021 During the NBA All-Star weekend at the MCI Center in Washington, D.C., Payton was selected for the 2001 NBA All-Star Game, as a member of the Western Conference All-Star team. Ticker West Expected to Flex Muscle in NBA All-Star Game Sunday ESPN February 10, 2001 https://www.espn.com/gen/newswire/2001/20010210/01074948.html November 7, 2024 NBA.com Staff 2001 NBA All-Star Recap NBA.com September 13, 2021 https://www.nba.com/news/history-all-star-recap-2001 May 14, 2023 2001 NBA All-Star Game: East 111, West 110 Basketball-Reference https://www.basketball-reference.com/allstar/NBA_2001.html November 28, 2021 Meanwhile Lewis participated in the NBA Three-Point Shootout, NBA All-Star Weekend Telegraph Herald February 11, 2001 6C https://books.google.com/books?id=dYleAAAAIBAJ&pg=PA42&dq=2001+NBA+slam+dunk+contest+baron+davis&article_id=3025,2122344&hl=en&sa=X&ved=2ahUKEwjUl_Cip5-QAxU25MkDHe-UFVg4ChDoAXoECA0QAw#v=onepage&q=2001%20NBA%20slam%20dunk%20contest%20baron%20davis&f=false October 16, 2025 NBA & ABA All-Star Game Contest Winners Basketball-Reference https://www.basketball-reference.com/allstar/contest.html October 16, 2025 and Mason won the NBA Slam Dunk Contest. Robbins Liz Basketball: All-Star Notebook: Dunk Contest a Dud The New York Times February 11, 2001 https://www.nytimes.com/2001/02/11/sports/basketball-all-star-notebook-dunk-contest-a-dud.html July 2, 2022 White Lonnie Clippers Enjoy Starring Roles Los Angeles Times February 11, 2001 https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-2001-feb-11-sp-24212-story.html November 26, 2022 The SuperSonics finished 17th in the NBA in home-game attendance, with an attendance of 640,847 at the KeyArena at Seattle Center during the regular season. 2000–01 NBA Season Summary Basketball-Reference https://www.basketball-reference.com/leagues/NBA_2001.html January 25, 2026 Aftermath Following the season, Ewing signed as a free agent with the Orlando Magic after only one season with the SuperSonics, Wise Mike Pro Basketball: Orlando Looks Like Ewing's Next Stop The New York Times July 13, 2001 https://www.nytimes.com/2001/07/13/sports/pro-basketball-orlando-looks-like-ewing-s-next-stop.html September 17, 2021 Povtak Tim Ewing, Magic OK Deal Orlando Sentinel July 13, 2001 https://www.orlandosentinel.com/news/os-xpm-2001-07-13-0107130322-story.html June 3, 2022 Associated Press NBA: Ewing Takes Paycut to Play for Magic ESPN July 18, 2001 https://www.espn.com/nba/news/2001/0718/1227540.html July 2, 2022 and Patterson signed with the Portland Trail Blazers. Blazers Sign Ruben Patterson United Press International July 30, 2001 https://www.upi.com/Archives/2001/07/30/Blazers-sign-Ruben-Patterson/7200996465600/ October 24, 2024 Staff and Wire Reports Patterson Signs an Offer Sheet with Portland Los Angeles Times July 31, 2001 https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-2001-jul-31-sp-28955-story.html October 19, 2022 Associated Press NBA: Patterson Signs with Blazers ESPN August 2, 2001 https://www.espn.com/nba/news/2001/0802/1234505.html January 11, 2022 Draft picks 2000 NBA draft Round Pick Player Position Nationality College/club team 1 17 Desmond Mason SG/SF United States Oklahoma State 2 42 Olumide Oyedeji C DJK Würzburg 2 47 Josip Sesar SG Cibona Zagreb Roster 2000–01 Seattle SuperSonics #18453B #ffc11f #B22222 #FFFFFF 42 Vin Baker F 6 11 232 1971–11–23 Hartford 31 Brent Barry G 6 6 185 1971–12–31 Oregon State 15 Emanual Davis G 6 4 195 1968–08–27 Delaware State 33 Patrick Ewing C 7 0 240 1962–08–05 Georgetown 7 Rashard Lewis F 6 10 235 1979–08–08 Alief Elsik HS (TX) 24 Desmond Mason F 6 7 224 1977–10–11 Oklahoma State 34 Jelani McCoy C 6 10 245 1977–12–06 UCLA yes 00 Olumide Oyedeji C 6 10 240 1981–05–11 Nigeria 21 Ruben Patterson F 6 5 224 1975–07–31 Cincinnati 20 Gary Payton G 6 4 180 1968–07–23 Oregon State 1 Shammond Williams G 6 1 201 1975–04–05 North Carolina 25 David Wingate basketball G 6 5 185 1963–12–15 Georgetown 45 Rubén Wolkowyski F 6 10 270 1973–09–30 Argentina Paul Westphal (fired) Nate McMillan Dwane Casey Dwight Daub Bob Weiss https://www.basketball-reference.com/teams/SEA/2001.html January 18, 2001 Roster Notes Power forward Pervis Ellison was waived on December 16, 2000. Point guard Shammond Williams holds American and Georgian dual citizenship. He was born in the United States, but he played on the Georgian national team. Regular season Standings SEA SEA Game log Player statistics PlayerGPGSMPGFG%3P%FT%RPGAPGSPGBPGPPG Baker, Vin Vin Baker 76 27 28.0 .422 .063 .723 5.7 1.2 0.5 1.0 12.2 Barry, Brent Brent Barry 67 20 26.5 .494 .476 .816 3.1 3.4 1.2 0.2 8.8 Davis, Emanual Emanual Davis 62 39 20.8 .418 .394 .818 2.5 2.2 1.0 0.2 5.8 Ellison, Pervis Pervis Ellison 9 0 4.4 .286 – 1.000 1.3 0.3 0.0 0.2 0.7 Ewing, Patrick Patrick Ewing 79 79 26.7 .430 .000 .685 7.4 1.2 0.7 1.2 9.6 Lewis, Rashard Rashard Lewis 78 78 34.9 .480 .432 .826 6.9 1.6 1.2 0.6 14.8 Mason, Desmond Desmond Mason 78 14 19.5 .431 .269 .736 3.2 0.8 0.5 0.3 5.9 McCoy, Jelani Jelani McCoy 70 44 16.3 .523 – .441 3.6 0.8 0.3 0.7 4.5 Oyedeji, Olumide Olumide Oyedeji 30 1 7.4 .486 – .750 2.2 0.1 0.2 0.3 1.5 Patterson, Ruben Ruben Patterson 76 22 27.1 .494 .056 .681 5.0 2.1 1.4 0.6 13.0 Payton, Gary Gary Payton 79 79 41.1 .456 .375 .766 4.6 8.1 1.6 0.3 23.1 Williams, Shammond Shammond Williams 69 6 17.9 .438 .459 .875 1.9 2.8 0.4 0.1 6.8 Wingate, David David Wingate 1 0 9.0 1.000 – – 0.0 2.0 0.0 0.0 6.0 Wolkowyski, Ruben Rubén Wolkowyski 34 1 9.0 .316 .000 .735 1.4 0.1 0.2 0.5 2.2 Player statistics citation: Awards and records Awards Gary Payton, All-NBA Third Team Gary Payton, NBA All-Defensive First Team Desmond Mason, NBA All-Rookie Team 2nd Team Records Transactions Trades Free agents 52% Additions Player Signed Former team Subtractions Player Left New team See also 2000–01 NBA season References Category:Seattle SuperSonics seasons Seattle