Westphal Goes Big in Seattle

The man in the middle will be new. So, apparently, will Gary Payton’s backcourt mate.

Paul Westphal, who replaced George Karl as the Seattle SuperSonic coach, probably will go with free-agent addition Billy Owens as his starting shooting guard.

Westphal likes the 6-foot-9 Owens’ size--and versatility. Owens, signed along with former Sacramento teammate Olden Polynice after the NBA lockout, also can play small forward and point guard.

Westphal used what he called his “big” lineup--Owens, Payton, Polynice, Detlef Schrempf and Vin Baker--in Seattle’s victorious exhibition finale Saturday night against the Vancouver Grizzlies.

“With the big lineup, we have tough matchups at every position,” Westphal said. “In the past, teams have tried to put the point guard on Hawk [6-3 Hersey Hawkins] and the big guard on Gary.

“If they try that with Billy, he’ll punish them. You can’t guard him with a point guard.”

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Marcus Camby is off to a shaky start with the New York Knicks. Camby, acquired from the Toronto Raptors in exchange for Charles Oakley before the lockout, has gone from being a prospective starter to deep on the bench. For now, Coach Jeff Van Gundy said, Camby will not be part of the Knicks’ eight-man rotation. Kurt Thomas and Chris Dudley will be. . . . Forward Mario Bennett, who started four games for the Lakers last season, was signed by the Chicago Bulls. Bennett averaged 3.9 points and 2.8 rebounds in 41 games for the Lakers.