Designs On New Season -- Tattoo For Schrempf Offers Strength, Peace

Whenever things don't go right for SuperSonic forward Detlef Schrempf and he's searching for answers, he looks at himself in the mirror.

All the reassurance he needs is right there under his nose. What he sees, along with that distinctive brush cut, are the mountains, the sun, the water and a wind-swept eagle.

It's a finely etched tattoo on his chest, just over his heart. The 3-inch-by-3-inch design shows an eagle spreading its wings above two mountain peaks, a forest and a lake. Behind the mountain, the sun is setting (rising if he's facing west) in a glorious blaze of pink skin.

Respect from self and others

This is not a stick-on, wash-off tattoo. He went through elaborate planning and a degree of discomfort to have it incised this summer.

"Each (symbol) stands for something," Schrempf said, not wishing to detail what he sees in it. "It's something I wanted to keep for the rest of my life.

"It's shows some things that I believe in. It has more to do with inner strength. If I do have some doubt about certain things, I can look at myself and get the reassurance of what I believe in."

It is, perhaps, a visible manifestation of the new Detlef Schrempf, more confident, more in control. He may not be the captain of this team, but he's a ranking officer.

"It's been a little more than a year now since I came here," said Schrempf, who was traded to Seattle just over a year ago. "So I know the attitudes on the team, the way they play and I think my position on the team has grown to more respect.

"When you're a new guy to a team already good, you don't want to mess with it. You have to earn respect and the right to be understood so people will listen to you. I think I have more of that now than last year."

Getting more involved this season

He also will have more responsibility. Coach George Karl has designed schemes to involve Schrempf more in the offense.

"He's one who relies more on getting his shots out of offense and execution," Karl said. "We want to put him in the options and want him more involved in the decisions on the offensive end.

"It doesn't mean necessarily he's going to have an increase statistically. We just want him more involved with the ball than he was last year."

In the opening game Saturday against Utah, Schrempf touched the ball at least longer than anyone else. He marched to the foul line 20 times, making 18, providing the winning difference.

He did not make more than 13 nor take more than 18 free throws in any game last season.

"The new rules (no hand-checking) have helped. Last year I didn't get any of those calls," he said.

Schrempf, 31, had a game-high 26 points along with 12 rebounds, four assists and two steals. But what he did, more than anything, was provide a steadying influence on a jittery opening night. That seems to be the type of leadership role he's taking, on and off the court.

Shawn Kemp has said how he appreciated Schrempf's phone call this summer when he was moping about his contract and trade rumors.

"I called him right before he signed his contract,' Schrempf said. "I've known him a long time and I know what he went through. But he has to live with it. He's a young player and he's going to get mentioned in trades sooner or later.

"I know he was disappointed. I just wanted to voice my support."

He's also trying to re-direct another voice. He's stressing to guard Gary Payton that trash talking can be counter-productive.

"I'm not a trash-talker. It's important for us not to have that label. Trash-talking can only hurt you. It can never help you, with the referees, the crowd, anything," he said.

"You can't take the vocal part of his game away. But there is a positive way of doing it. Instead of directing it toward the opposing bench, he can talk to himself or his teammates."

It's something, Schrempf believes, is worth reflection.

Notes

-- Karl said he was generally pleased with the first game at the Tacoma Dome on Saturday. "For one year, it can be a very positive arena. I think we'll be more comfortable there than opposing teams."

-- Karl said the victory over the Jazz was "sloppy" but added "they'll be different types of wins all season."

-- The club continues to search for an assistant coach to replace Tim Grgurich. Karl has asked permission and received clearance to talk to some current NBA assistants. He said a decision probably will be made when the team returns from its first East Coast swing Nov. 20.