Northwest Passages

What papers in the Seattle area are saying about the series:

RON C. JUDD, THE SEATTLE TIMES

On television, it’s one of the grand showcases for NBA basketball: All glitz, twinkle-dust eye shadow, waify Laker girls and movie stars. But one hard look around the home of Laker ‘Showtime’ reminds you why they call it the Forum.

This place is older than Plato. And a lot less hip. Don’t tell the commissioner; it’s one of the better kept secrets in the NBA: the Great Western Forum, home of Magic, Sweetness and Light, is a d-u-m-p.

The public-address announcer sounds as if he’s coming to you live from inside a five-gallon, white plastic bucket. The food makes the Kingdome seem like Canlis.

Ever notice that the Lakers are one of the few NBA teams that chooses not to turn down the lights while introducing home players?

It’s because they can’t. Just like in your old high-school gym, it’d take the Edison-era bulbs half an hour to crank back up again.

GLENN NELSON, THE SEATTLE TIMES

We’re going to admit something.

After watching Game 3, we thought the Sonics were fileted, flambeed, any kind of aid you want to put on it. We thought they were a done deed.

The Lakers have the bounce. You can feel it. They’re like the Sonics were three years ago--a light has gone on, and they’ve figured out how to be as good a team as they and everyone else thought they were.

Whether you believe in the Sonics’ ability to come back and turn this second-round series is a matter of faith. In Gary Payton.

We’ve run with G.P. all season. He figured out the leadership thing and the passing thing. And, after listening to him yesterday, we think he has the winning thing hooked up too.