Sonic Notebook -- Insomnia Put Moochie's Game In Sudden Slumber

Moochie Norris is probably the first player in NBA history to be placed on the injured list with insomnia. The speedy point guard has been afflicted with the sleeping disorder since his mother died in 1991.

However, the main reason Norris was deactivated Thursday is because his game has been in a slumber since the first week of the season.

Norris had only about three hours of sleep before his magical game against the Portland Trail Blazers on Feb. 7, when he swished all four three-pointers to give Seattle a 91-88 victory.

Seattle didn't expect Norris to lead the league in three-point accuracy, which he did after the first week of the season. However, the Sonics never thought Norris' game would suddenly shut down either.

Norris could no longer finish his quick drives, and he missed open jumpers and struggled from the free-throw line. Before Norris was placed on the injured list, he was shooting 32.5 percent from the field and 37.5 percent from the foul line while averaging 11.7 minutes.

Playing behind Gary Payton is the worst experience for a slumping point guard trying to make it in the league.

"I think he needs time," Westphal said. "If he knew he was going to be out there for 30 to 35 minutes a night, he would produce."

Part of the reason Seattle didn't push hard for Kevin Johnson is because he would require more time behind Payton.

Drew Barry is now Payton's backup point guard, after playing well in practice. Seattle is trying to deal for a backup point guard, but that's unlikely to happen. If Barry struggles and Norris plays well in practice, the former CBA player should get another shot at being Payton's backup.

Norris declined an interview because he's "taking a breather from the media."

Norris has as much talent as many backup point guards in the league: He is an excellent passer and ballhandler and penetrates well.

"I think Moochie can play in this league," Westphal said. "We know he can play in this league a lot of years."

But for now, Seattle will wait for his game to awaken from its slumber.

Payton eating his Wheaties

Payton had his best game of the season Friday against the Lakers, with 34 points (on 14-for-23 shooting) and 11 assists. But the statistic that Seattle should be concerned about is the 42 minutes he played, especially in this cramped season.

Payton, 30, is among the league leaders in minutes per game at 40.2. Last season, Payton was a front-runner for MVP during the first half of the year. But he slowed toward the end of the 82-game season.

The point guard doesn't see that happening, he said jokingly, because of a good breakfast and a good night's rest.

"That's why you go to bed at night and eat your Wheaties," Payton said. "I'll be all right. I'll be just fine."

Trade watch

The trading deadline is only five days away, and Seattle apparently isn't close to finalizing any deals. The Sonics desire a physical big man and a backup point guard.

Because of the lockout, teams are prohibited from trading players who entered the season as free agents. That means the only players General Manager Wally Walker can trade are: Payton, Hersey Hawkins, Detlef Schrempf, Baker, Aaron Williams and Don MacLean.

It's no secret that Seattle is shopping MacLean and his $2.5 million-a-year contract.

"We're really limited by what we can do by this new six-month rule," Walker said. "That eliminates half of our guys. There's some dialogue, but there's nothing going on right now. If we can help our club, we'll do it, but it's going to be difficult."

Westphal sticks with lineup

After starting for seven seasons, Schrempf described coming off the bench as "a demotion." But the move seems to have lit a fire under the small forward. He has been more aggressive offensively in the two games since the move. And Westphal doesn't plan on changing, even if Schrempf's feelings are hurt.

"I don't necessarily expect him to like it," said Westphal, who admitted that he wouldn't have liked coming off the bench after being an All-Star with Phoenix. "But I do expect him to embrace it, and I believe he will."