BRAMA, Dec 10, 2003, 9:00 am ET
'The Ukraine Train' in Motion
— by Max Pyziur
On Tuesday December 9th centers Vitaly "Ukraine Train" Potapenko of the Seattle Supersonics and
Aaron "A Train" Williams of the New Jersey Nets got a head of steam going
and collided at the Continental Arena in New Jersey. Unfortunately, some
of the Sonics players couldn't get out of the station while the Nets -
especially the trio of Kenyon Martin, Richard Jefferson and Jason Kidd
powered forward and overran the Supes 101 - 88.
Vitaly Potapenko (9) guards Nets' Jason
Collins (35) while Kenyon Martin (8) tries to make a nuisance of himself
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In spite of the loss, this game marked one more step in Vitaly Potapenko's
return to playing a vital rather than peripheral role since incurring a
major debilitating knee injury near the end of the 2001-2002 regular
season. Tonight marked his first game as a starter this season, the first
since January 10th of the previous one, a playing season in which he
participated minimally while still rehabilitating his knee.
This progression from marginal to central role was unexpected. At the
start of the season Sonics coach Nate McMillan expressed his desire to
give the majority of playing time to his other two centers - Jerome James
and Calvin Booth - and give Vitaly little chance of any sort of
production. Things have changed.
Sonics coach Nate McMillan during
afternoon practice
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James' contributions have fallen in terms of points and rebounds while his
turnovers and fouls have increased. Defensively he doesn't have the heart
and hustle of the "Ukraine Train". Starting in late November, Vitaly's
minutes per game started to increase as did his points and percentage of
attempts, … as did his rebounds. During the third period in this
evening's game he kept New Jersey's starting center Jason Collins from
having any sort of meaningful possession, not to mention scoreless. Along
with his solid defensive work -- there has been some flair. Tonight he
scored Seattle's first two points; Sunday in Toronto against the Raptors
at the end of the third period he made a buzzer-beating shot to put the
Sonics ahead 73-70.
Looking forward to seeing the Ukraine Train power ahead.
Vitaly Potapenko along with other
Supersonics practicing free throws
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Vitaly Potapenko in a blur as he rushes
the basket
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