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Sonics Set Playoff Roster
Watson Surprise Odd Man Out
By SonicsKevin
It was a surprise to many fans when guard Earl Watson, left, was left off the Sonics' playoff roster, set today.
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The Sonics mildly surprised their fans today when setting their active roster for the playoffs, leaving
popular backup guard Earl Watson off the roster. Watson, a rookie out of UCLA, had served as the Sonics'
backup to Gary Payton and Brent Barry for most of the season, including the month of April, averaging
3.6 points, 2.0 assists, and nearly one steal per game. With three steals per 48 minutes, Watson led the team
and was amongst the NBA's leaders. He was expected to make the final roster because of coach Nate
McMillan's repeated comments about the importance of using the playoff series as a learning experience for
his team's young players, as well as questions about whether Watson, who signed a one-year deal last
summer as a second-round draft pick, will re-sign with the team this summer.
In Watson's place, the Sonics selected guard Randy Livingston, signed from the CBA's Sioux Falls Skyforce on March 8. Over the next month before going on the injured list April 8 with a sprained ankle, Livingston endeared himself to the team's brass and fans with his steady hands at the point. In 176 NBA minutes, Livingston committed just two turnovers and recorded a 13.0 assist/turnover ratio. However, he shot just 27% from the field and is not believed to be a key part of the team's future. The Sonics' third backup point guard, Shammond Williams, also made the team despite not playing regularly as a backup in over a month. Williams lost the job to Livingston after Watson suffered a sprained ankle early in March. The other two selections for Seattle's inactive roster were not surprises. Center Calvin Booth remains sidelined after having ankle surgery in March. Forward Art Long might be ready to play after tearing his hamstring late in March, but the team does not wish to risk him re-injuring himself and leaving them down one player, as the playoff roster cannot be changed after today. Fans, who have rallied behind Watson this season, were disappointed by the news. "I can't believe they would do that!" wrote one fan in the SonicsCentral.com message board, with another commenting that, ". . . [The] Sonics really screwed up here."
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