FILE - In this May 7, 1994, dejected Gary Payton, center, of the Seattle SuperSonics sits on the bench during the final moments of a playoff game against the Denver Nuggets in Seattle. With the retirement of Michael Jordan prior to the 1993-1994 season, the Sonics were thought by many as a favorite to win the NBA Championship. But, in the first round of the Western Conference playoffs, the Sonics lost the series 2-3 to the Nuggets. (AP Photo/Gary Stewart, File