Seattle Times Even now ? several months removed from those frantic final moments in what would be the last game of the season ? it all seems so vivid. Without much prodding, Vitaly Potapenko closes his eyes after yesterday's training camp workout and just like that, the Sonics center is reliving the decisive play in Game 6 of the Western Conference semifinals against the San Antonio Spurs. His voice, a low rumble, gains speed and the words tumble out in a heavy Ukrainian accent. His thick fingers trace circles in the air, diagramming the no-win scenario that tormented him throughout the summer. "Here is [Manu] Ginobili," Potapenko said, using his right index finger. "He's lanky. He can go through cracks. And here is Duncan, my man." Potapenko draws a line with his left index finger as his eyes search for understanding. "I'm in the middle, you see. I'm in the middle with Duncan, but I see Ginobili get through, so I go to cut him off. But maybe I overcommitted a little bit. Maybe I should have just stayed with Duncan and let him [Ginobili] try to make a shot. "But I was thinking about helping. Sometimes I'm helping too much on defense. I don't know. Maybe I should have stayed with Duncan. But then ... yeah. I should have stayed with Duncan." He knows his actions led to Ginobili flipping a brilliant pass to Duncan, who converted it into a winning layup that gave the Spurs a 98-96 win and knocked the Sonics out of the playoffs. He knows how close Seattle was to upsetting NBA champion San Antonio, but that's the thing about Potapenko ? he doesn't second-guess or play the what-if game. To do so is a waste of time, he said. He is 30 years old ? the oldest Sonic on the roster ? and entering his 10th season in the NBA. He has seen it all. During his career, he has been a reserve in Cleveland, a starting center with Boston and played both roles in Seattle. Source
