Lister Says He Prefers the Challenge of Seattle

Alton Lister says he’s happy replacing unhappy Jack Sikma as the Seattle SuperSonics’ center.

It has nothing to do with wins and losses. It’s a matter of opportunity.

“It feels really good to be here,” the 7-foot Lister told a news conference. “I’m very happy and very pleased about it. I believe I’m coming to Seattle at a good time. It’s a time when Seattle is rebuilding. I feel I can make a contribution to that.”

Lister, 27, a five-year NBA veteran, was acquired by the SuperSonics from Milwaukee in exchange for Sikma. Sikma, 30, a seven-time All-Star, asked to be traded, preferably to a contender.

The SuperSonics missed the playoffs with a 31-51 record for the second straight year last season.

In addition to Lister, the SuperSonics will receive the Bucks’ 1987 and 1989 first-round draft choices. Milwaukee will get the SuperSonics’ 1987 and 1989 second-round picks.

Lister averaged 9.8 points and 7.3 rebounds while alternating with Randy Breuer and Paul Mokeski at center for Milwaukee last season. The 7-foot-3 Breuer started for the Bucks.

“I feel confident that my production will increase as I get more playing time,” said Lister. “Hopefully, I can come into my own and show people the type of player that I want to be.

“I feel that I can run the court with just about any center in the league. If I get the ball consistently inside, I feel that I can do something with it.”

A first-round draft choice of the Bucks in 1981, the former Arizona State player said he didn’t plan to spend a lot of time worrying about replacing the popular Sikma in the hearts of the SuperSonics’ fans.

“I’m mainly concerned about what I can do for the Sonics,” he said. “I just look at this as a great challenge. I don’t take it as pressure.”

He implied he wasn’t entirely happy with the Bucks because of a lack of playing time.

“In Milwaukee, I was happy we were winning but I always felt I could do more,” he said. “But as long as you’re winning, you don’t want to rock the boat.”

Lister will be coming into a losing situation from a winning one. Under Coach and General Manager Don Nelson, Milwaukee has won seven straight division titles--five straight in the Midwest--and has advanced to the Eastern Conference final three of the past four seasons.

In Seattle, Lister will be joining a team that is trying to make it back into the playoffs. Sikma, who helped the SuperSonics capture their only NBA title, in 1979, said he wanted out of Seattle because he wanted to play in a winning situation again before his professional basketball career was finished.

But Lister said playing in Seattle would finally give him a chance to show what he could do in the NBA.

“My attitude will be different now knowing that I have a bigger challenge ahead of me,” he said.

Lister has one season left on his Bucks’ contract at $400,000. He admitted he will be trying to improve his leverage for a new SuperSonics’ contract.

Lister, who has averaged 8.1 points and 6.9 rebounds in his NBA career, was presented a SuperSonics’ jersey with the No. 53 on the back by new Seattle President Bob Whitsitt.