SuperSonics fire Westphal

SEATTLE (AP) _ Paul Westphal was fired Monday as coach of the struggling Seattle SuperSonics after disagreements with some of his star players. <br><br>The SuperSonics were expected to be a power this

Monday, November 27th 2000, 12:00 am

By: News On 6

SEATTLE (AP) _ Paul Westphal was fired Monday as coach of the struggling Seattle SuperSonics after disagreements with some of his star players.

The SuperSonics were expected to be a power this season with the acquisition of Patrick Ewing, but the team is 6-9 and looking nothing like a contender. The dismissal comes days after an on-court shouting match between Westphal and guard Gary Payton during a game in Dallas.

Nate McMillan, an assistant under Westphal and well liked by the players, was made interim head coach. McMillan, a former Seattle guard, coaches his first game Tuesday night at Portland.

Westphal, in his third year with the team, is the first NBA coach to be fired this season. He was in the final year of his contract.

``The Sonics are a much better team than their current record,'' team owner Barry Ackerley said. ``We are committed to helping this team achieve its true potential this year as the Sonics have some of the best talent in the NBA.

``Paul Westphal is a good person and a fine coach. But we felt that a change was necessary to help the Sonics achieve their goals for the season.''

Ackerley said team president and general manager Wally Walker made the decision to fire Westphal. Westphal thanked Ackerley for hiring him.

``They have been great people for whom to work,'' he said. ``I would also like to thank Wally Walker, my staff and the players who gave it their all.''

On Nov. 6, after a game with Orlando, Payton, Vin Baker and Ewing reportedly shouted at their teammates about their poor effort.

Some players questioned Westphal's ability. Westphal, who was in an office within earshot, reportedly came into the locker room and said he would step down if that was what they wanted. The dispute came just four days into the season.

Walker said Westphal was frustrated by his team's bickering and insubordination.

Payton reportedly told Westphal in the huddle during the Mavericks game that he didn't care ``about this game anymore. You all can suspend me for the rest of my career.''

The next day, Walker announced he was suspending Payton for at least one game ``for conduct detrimental to the team.'' Hours later, Walker lifted the suspension, saying Payton had apologized.

Westphal also has had differences with forward Vin Baker, Payton's teammate on the Olympic team. The coach criticized Baker for being overweight and out of shape last season and, in the off-season, was part of an effort to trade Baker to the New York Knicks in a four-team deal.

The addition of Ewing was supposed to make the Sonics one of the top teams in the Western Conference. Instead, Seattle has been far from consistent through 15 games.

Ewing is Seattle's first legitimate center since Jack Sikma left after the 1986 season. In his 16th season, Ewing is averaging 31.3 minutes, 10.3 points and 8.9 rebounds. He averaged 15.0 points and 9.7 rebounds for the Knicks last season.

Besides the big threesome of Ewing, Payton and Baker, the Sonics have young-and-improving Rashard Lewis, top draft choice Desmond Mason, Ruben Patterson and Brent Barry.

McMillan played 12 seasons with the Sonics and has been an assistant coach the past two years. He is the team's career leader in assists and steals.

Westphal had a 76-71 record with the Sonics. He inherited a team that won 61 games in 1997-98 under George Karl, but the Sonics failed to make the playoffs in the lockout-shortened 1999 season. They made the playoffs last year but were eliminated in the first round by Utah.

In 1993, Westphal coached Phoenix to the NBA Finals. Three years later, after 33 games that season, he was fired by the Suns.