As the news spread, the reactions varied.
Vernon Maxwell was left off Seattle's playoff roster for its first-round Western Conference playoff series against Utah that starts today at the Delta Center, and most Jazz players did not find out until a media interview session held Friday morning.
"Did they really?" Jazz guard Bryon Russell said when told Maxwell was made a no-go. "Oh, wow.
"I don't think it's going to affect us at all."
Not at all?
"Just one less crazy person we've got to worry about," Russell conceded.
Maxwell — a.k.a. "Mad Max" — was dropped along with guard Fred Vinson, making room for the Sonics to activate veteran forward Chuck Person and guard Emanual Davis from the injured list.
The surprise absence of Maxwell, who averaged 15 points in three games against the Jazz this season, leaves Utah with one less scoring threat with which to concern itself.
"Obviously, with the way he can penetrate, we would probably have to take a look at how we were going to play him a little bit more (if he were active), pay more attention to him," Jazz guard Jeff Hornacek said of Maxwell, who while playing for Sacramento last season scored 22 points in the Kings' last playoff game against Utah. "But there are other guys that play well for them. We just have to worry about those guys."
Of course, none of the others comes close to doing as much trash-talking for the Sonics, except, of course, star point guard Gary Payton.
Asked if it will be a little quieter on the floor without Maxwell, Jazz star Karl Malone said, "Nope, because you've still got Gary. Gary will pick up the slack.
"Gary's a great competitor," Malone added, "but you're not going to outtalk him, either."
Malone did admit the complexion of the series may be altered, at least somewhat, with Maxwell on the sideline.
"It still don't change how dangerous they are as a team," he said. "Of course . . . a guy like Vernon has been in the playoffs, been in big games, don't mind taking big shots. I still don't think they have a problem with other players doing those same things, so it may change it, but I don't think it changes it drastically."
Jazz coach Jerry Sloan agrees: "I can't worry about him," he said. "I'm more concerned if they put somebody out there they know is better, that's going to affect us a lot."
Don't be surprised, Malone added, if someone steps up from deep on the Seattle bench.
"A lot of times you look at a situation and see a guy like Chuck Person say, 'You know what? If I have a big playoff, I might could sign a new contract,' " Malone said. "We had a guy here — Mike Brown (with the Jazz from 1988-93). He played OK during the season, but every year during the playoffs he picked it up, and he got a new contract — I want to say twice — for that. So, this is that time of year for guys who want to step up and do that. . . . You can't overlook anybody right now."
WON'T BITE: Though he played for the Sonics last season and left in a bit of a huff, Jazz center Olden Polynice is trying not to get suckered into something that might wind up on a Seattle bulletin board.
Polynice admits he has some thoughts on the Sonics; he just doesn't plan to share them anytime soon. The closest he has come to saying anything remotely suggestive is this: "I know them. I know what they will do before the game; I know where they'll be before the game."
CAREFUL THERE: It seems like everyone in Utah has the Jazz's best interest in mind these days.
Natalie Williams of the Utah Starzz was shooting some hoops with a couple of her WNBA teammates at the Jazz's practice facility when Jazz center Greg Ostertag strolled toward the floor.
A loose ball rolled Ostertag's way.
"Want me to get that?" he asked.
"No," Williams cracked back. "You're in the playoffs. Just rest."