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It doesn't take an astrologer to figure out that October is not Vitaly Potapenko's month. A year ago, Potapenko had secured the Seattle SuperSonics starting center job before breaking a bone in his right hand in the Sonics final preseason game. This year, Potapenko never even got on the court for the preseason, straining his left hamstring early in training camp. Wishing to avoid any long-term ramifications, the Sonics played it conservative with Potapenko, who only recently resumed running.

"Vitaly's got experience, he is a good defender, can make the open shot, so I like him as a starter." Chris Covatta/NBAE/Getty

Potapenko's injury purgatory is almost up, however, with Sonics Coach Bob Weiss telling reporters recently that he expects Potapenko to return to practice tomorrow when the Sonics are back from finishing their preseason schedule tonight in Spokane against the Portland Trail Blazers (7:00 p.m., KJR 950 AM). That would potentially give Potapenko four practices before Opening Night, when the Sonics host the Los Angeles Clippers Wednesday (7:00 p.m., FSN, ).

When he returns to health, Potapenko will be the Sonics starting center, as Weiss confirmed when asked about his starter earlier in the week.

"If we were injury free? I imagine it would just be Vitaly," Weiss said. "He'd be your starting center. He's got experience, he is a good defender, can make the open shot, so I like him as a starter."

Forgotten in the wake of last season, when Potapenko saw only limited minutes after a new rotation without him was solidified while he was on the injured list, was that Potapenko had much success as the Sonics starter during the second half of the 2003-04 season. Potapenko averaged 9.3 points and 5.8 rebounds on 50.2% shooting as a starter that season.

Potapenko is the Sonics best offensive option at center. A 47.8% career shooter, he hit a career-best 51.7% a year ago, following up on the improvement he showed in the second half of the 2003-04 season. Potapenko is at his best in the pick-and-pop game, setting a powerful screen for a guard and then settling down near the top of the key or the elbow for an open jumper.

Though Potapenko's rebounding is not regarded as a strength, he has been a solid rebounder on a per-minute basis over most of his career, averaging better than 10 rebounds per 40 minutes throughout his three-plus-year stint with the Boston Celtics. That number dropped off when Potapenko joined the Sonics, partially because of the presence of rebounder extraordinaire Reggie Evans and partially because Potapenko was coming back from a torn ACL. Last year, Potapenko grabbed 9.3 rebounds per 40 minutes, better than the mark of the man he replaces in the starting lineup, Jerome James (7.2).

"Petro is a lot further along than I thought he'd be." Rocky Widner/NBAE/Getty

On defense, Potapenko's size is both a strength and a weakness. He has enough bulk to bang with the NBA's top low-post scorers and has had success defensively against players like Shaquille O'Neal. However, Potapenko is not a shot-blocking presence and is ineffective when forced out on to the perimeter by a switch. That's a large reason why Weiss has paired Potapenko with the more mobile Evans in the pairs he's constructed in the frontcourt.

The Sonics depth at center allows Weiss to throw out a number of different looks. Rookie Johan Petro, who has had an impressive preseason, is the Sonics best defensive presence. Petro has rejected a team-high six shots thus far while continuing to master the team's defensive schemes. Petro's athleticism and strong basketball instincts mean he's usually around the play, and his potential is immense. Petro has started the last two preseason games alongside Vladimir Radmanovic, and has the opportunity to start if Potapenko can't go at the start of the regular season.

While Weiss and his coaching staff are still trying to figure out how to use Petro, look for him to be given a chance to be part of the rotation, if only in a limited role, until he shows he cannot handle that responsibility.

"He is a lot further along than I thought he'd be," Weiss said last week. "I didn't think he had a chance of being on the floor this year, but the way he's played the last couple of days, nothing is in stone. If he keeps improving like this, he will be on the floor a little bit."

Fortson

Danny Fortson isn't in the mix to start, but he will be a part of the rotation. Weiss likes Fortson coming off the bench in concert with forward Nick Collison (who will also see his share of action in the middle), and it was as a reserve that Fortson had a major impact last season. Fortson led the NBA in True Shooting Percentage (68.2%), which is the best measure of shooting efficiency. He also averaged 13.3 rebounds per 40 minutes, putting him in the NBA's top ten.

Fortson has battled painful turf toe throughout training camp, and seen action in only four preseason games. He looked ready for the regular season to begin last night against the L.A. Clippers, however, pulling down a team-high 13 rebounds in just 15 minutes of action.

Swift

19-year-old Robert Swift opened preseason as the Sonics starting center, but he was slowed early in preseason by a hip injury. Swift played through the injury, but was not impressive, scoring two points and grabbing five rebounds in 40 minutes over the first four games he played. Healthy again, Swift almost matched that performance last night in L.A., posting five points and four rebounds in 10 minutes, easily his best preseason effort.

Even a hampered Swift has been the Sonics best shot-blocker, swatting four attempts in just 50 minutes of action - approximately the same rate at which he blocked shots during limited action as a rookie. But Swift still needs more experience, as the pace of the NBA game occasionally seems too quick for him. Nerves may also be an issue, as Swift has been much more impressive in practice settings, including Tuesday's open practice.

Moore

Veteran Mikki Moore has also been hampered by injuries during camp. Chondromalacia in Moore's left knee forced him to miss five preseason games and almost two weeks of practice and games. After having his knee drained earlier this week, Moore was able to return to practice Wednesday and the court Thursday. While his conditioning is not a worry, Moore is behind on actual game time with his new teammates, which posed a problem against his former Clippers squad.

The Sonics most athletic big man, Moore is not a big-time shot blocker but does challenge shots and gives the Sonics length in the middle. His averages of 5.4 points and 3.3 rebounds per game last season with the Clippers were similar to James' performance in about the same amount of playing time.