Seattle ? Seattle’s Jerome James had plenty to say after his 7-for-7 shooting effort in Game 3, stripping away San Antonio’s veneer by suggesting the Spurs weren’t worthy of respect.

When it was time Friday to explain what he meant, the chatty center wanted some help before putting his tongue in gear.

“Lord Jesus, please work my mouth for me,” James said.

He scored 15 points in a 92-91 victory Thursday that trimmed the Sonics’ series deficit to 2-1 going into Game 4 Sunday in Seattle. He feasted on a pick-and-roll that left the lane open, throwing down dunk after dunk.

The big man showed up ready to play, all right, and ready to yap.

During pregame interviews, James used salty language to express his feelings about the Spurs. He also promised to get tough: “Someone’s going to hit the floor tonight,” he said.

Sure enough, things got physical. Manu Ginobili absorbed elbows to the face from Danny Fortson and Antonio Daniels, and Seattle starting forwards Rashard Lewis (toe) and Reggie Evans (back) had minor injuries.

James, meanwhile, played a respectable game against Tim Duncan despite fouling out with 1:46 to go. Coming off the floor afterward, James expressed himself during a live television interview.

“We have no respect for them now — none,” he said.

What he meant, James explained, wasn’t how it came out.

He never intended to sound defiant, insisting he considers the Spurs a great team and Duncan “the most fundamentally sound post player in the world.” He simply felt the Sonics needed more fire than they showed during double-digit losses in Games 1 and 2.

“It was merely a statement made in passion, that we have to play disrespectfully,” James explained. “We have to play like we’re the better team. We have to believe that. We have to come out with that attitude.”