CAN SONICS BOOM AGAIN? : UPSET GRABBED BULLS' ATTENTION.

Byline: Chris Sheridan Associated Press 

The historical comparisons leaped 45 years into the past Thursday.

Suddenly, following a 21-point loss to the Seattle SuperSonics in Game 4 of the NBA Finals, the Chicago Bulls weren't being mentioned in the same breath as the 1972 Lakers, 1986 Boston Celtics or 1967 Philadelphia 76ers.

The comparison was being made to the 1951 Rochester Royals, the last team to take a 3-0 lead in the championship round only to lose a Game 4. Six subsequent teams each completed sweeps.

The Sonics' only hope was for a comeback that at least matched that of the New York Knicks, who won Games 4, 5 and 6 in 1951 before dropping Game 7 to Rochester.

``Do we think we can beat them? Yes, we think we can beat them,'' Seattle coach George Karl said. ``Do we respect them? Yes, we respect them. Do we like where our priorities are? Yes.''

``We are capable, with the home court, with the emotions and with the adjustments, to win (tonight),'' Karl said. ``We think we can win and we think we will win.''

The Bulls tried to shake off the loss as an aberration, much as they did after their 11 previous defeats. Chicago lost two straight games only once all season, in early February when they played Phoenix and Denver during a six-game road trip.

One of their other losses was to the Sonics in late November, and coach Phil Jackson said the only common denominator in that loss and Wednesday's was too many turnovers by the Bulls.

``We're still comfortable,'' Dennis Rodman said. ``Sometimes we just get a little bored. There's no panic in this team. We haven't panicked all season long.''

The Sonics controlled Game 3 almost from the outset, turning the ball over only once in the first quarter and starting the second period with an 11-0 run.

Chicago pulled within 13 points in the third quarter, but Seattle responded with its most impressive stretch of the night and built its lead to 27 points early in the fourth quarter.

``There's a happiness that comes with overcoming the frustration and problems, but I think we know our backs are still against the wall,'' Karl said. ``We know we have to play like we played, with a little more craziness and aloofness and more fearlessness than concern.''

Shawn Kemp finished with 27 points on 12-of-17 shooting, including four emphatic dunks that fired up the crowd. Gary Payton got his shooting touch back, making three 3-pointers among his 21 points, and handing off 11 assists.

Nate McMillan also gave the Sonics a lift, coming back unexpectedly from a painful nerve injury and finishing with eight points, three rebounds and three assists in 14 minutes.

The Sonics shot 63 percent and forced 18 turnovers, and they also benefited from a flagrant foul and technical foul on Michael Jordan.

One of the only complaints Seattle had was that Jordan didn't draw a second technical for repeatedly yelling at the officials after he got his first.

``Michael did enough to get thrown out of the game, and if he wasn't Michael Jordan he would have been thrown out,'' Karl said. ``But I have no problem giving that hypocrisy respect because I think Michael has earned that respect.

``We all know that refereeing is not a pure science and will never be a pure science, but it is a part of the game and it's something that Michael has an ability to abuse.''

To a man, the Sonics said they expected to see a much more focused Bulls team tonight.

Some of the Chicago players admitted they were affected by the distraction of recording public-service announcements asking the people of Chicago to stay calm.

CAPTION(S):

Photo, Box

PHOTO Seattle's David Wingate, left, and Steve Scheffl er had plenty to smile about Wednesday night.

Associated Press

Box: Schedule