Galen Young, shown during the 2003 preseason, is one of five invitees trying to make the Sonics roster. Garrett Ellwood/NBAE/Getty

While Seattle SuperSonics Coach Nate McMillan maintains he's doing things "not much" differently in this training camp as opposed to years past, differences continue to be clear. Typically, McMillan conducts his session with the media after practice while sitting on the counter that runs along the wall between the Sonics practice court and the weight room. Today, he came to the writers instead of having them come to him, forming a circle sitting on the ground kindergarten storytime-style.

McMillan noticeably interrupted the Sonics scrimmage more than he usually does, either to teach players when they made mistakes or reinforce things he saw being done correctly.

"I felt myself doing that," McMillan said, explaining that last year he allowed players to learn from their own mistakes as part of the development process.

"This year, you've got to know it. We'll stop you when we see something wrong or when you do something good." "What I want to do this year is really focus on us. We'll prepare for other teams, but I'm really more concerned about what we do as opposed to being really concerned about what the other team is doing. I want to get it to the point where it doesn't make a difference what you do, we're going to pretty much be doing the same thing."

Mixing and Matching

McMillan took advantage of the versatility and depth he has on the roster this season, particularly in the frontcourt, to mix up the lineups on the court during the scrimmage. Nick Collison played at center and small forward as well as his natural power forward, while Rashard Lewis and Vladimir Radmanovic both saw time at shooting guard, small forward and power forward.

"The reason for that is to make sure they have the opportunity and to look at different combinations, play different guys," McMillan explained. "I'll get a better feel for if they can play that way."

Lasting Invitation

The Sonics have had a player invited to training camp make the final roster and eventually play a major role each of the last three years, with Richie Frahm (2003) seeing key action and Art Long (2001) and Reggie Evans (2002) both starting regularly. According to McMillan, despite the Sonics having 13 guaranteed contracts on the roster, that may happen again this year.

"We may look at 14 this season, because we have some money" he said. "We may look at 14, depending on if one of these guys makes us go upstairs and talk about them."

If that does happen, McMillan hinted he'd prefer to keep a perimeter defensive specialist. That's good news for Galen Young, in camp with the Sonics for the second straight season after he impressed with his defensive ability last year. Young had an excellent, physical battle with Ray Allen when the two matched up during the scrimmage, though he eventually drew a pair of fouls. Second-round pick David Young and rookie free agent Damien Wilkins might also fit McMillan's mold.