Sonics
Coach McMillan uses a hands-on approach

By Percy Allen
Seattle Times staff reporter

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MIAMI — His animated speech had nothing to do with his AWOL center or his team's dismal record or tonight's opponent, which plays the type of aggressive small-ball that has given the Sonics fits all season.

Coach Nate McMillan just had a feeling that his squad needed to not only hear yet another sermon on the virtues of defense, but they needed to see it as well.

So the coach added a hands-on element to his usual post-practice preaching. He showed them the kind of attitude he wants them to play with. He yelled a little and shouted at times, but more than anything he demonstrated how technique and tenacity might end their five-game losing streak.

"Whether they got the message or not, I don't know," McMillan said. "Sometimes when I say nothing at all or very little we'll go out and get a W, and when I think I said some good (stuff), they don't get it."

McMillan normally speaks with the media after addressing his players, but yesterday he needed a few minutes to compose himself. He left the court at American Airlines Arena, the site of tonight's game against the Miami Heat, and was still visibly upset when he returned.

"Man, sometimes these guys just don't get it," McMillan said. "You have to want to play defense. Go after loose balls. Get yourself dirty. Do the little things that win games. ... We act like we don't understand that."

McMillan's anger wasn't directed at Vitaly Potapenko, who missed yesterday morning's practice and failed to inform the team why he wasn't on the 10:30 a.m. bus that departed the hotel for the arena.

Skipping the workout appears to be out of character for the mild-mannered eight-year veteran who has started the past 22 games. He was tardy for at least one shoot-around session this season, however.

McMillan would not reveal what punishment would be levied against Potapenko, who did finally resurface. It's unlikely the 6-foot-10 center will start against the 28-37 Heat, and he could be fined or suspended.

"You just don't miss practice," McMillan said. "I need to talk to him. I need to see why he missed practice. Is it something serious? And if so, we'll go from there."
 
Center Jerome James worked with the first unit at yesterday's practice and forward Reggie Evans, who did not play in the Sonics' last game, is expected to be inserted into the starting lineup in place of Calvin Booth.

Whether Potapenko's absence is the first sign that the Sonics are unraveling or is an omen of what's to come on this five-game trip remains to be seen.

McMillan had the Sonics fly to Miami a day early to get his team acclimated to the time change, a tactic he used before a 108-88 defeat at New York on Jan. 16.

The coach didn't waver when asked if his travel plans were sound, but he acknowledged that the extra time in one of the NBA's most glamorous cities and the Sonics' 27-37 record may cause some players to get distracted.

"I played this game so I know what these guys are going through, what they're thinking," McMillan said. "Don't cheat the game. ... Don't cheat yourself.

"So I'm on them. Today I didn't say any of that. Today was more about something I saw in film or in practice, but I know their minds might be on other things, and it can't be."

Percy Allen: 206-464-2278 or pallen@seattletimes.com

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