McMillan is looking for better conditioning from his charges. Mitchell Layton/NBAE/Getty

That explained why, at the conclusion of practice, McMillan had his players run some of the most extensive sprints of training camp, a total of more than 10 times down and back for each player with brief rest in between as McMillan alternated between perimeter players and post players running.

"I don't think we are in the condition we need to be in for the opener, and I think that is having an effect on our execution," McMillan said afterwards. "In the next few days, we've got to condition, we've got to get in better shape."

McMillan later added he feels that conditioning is a problem throughout the NBA because of the new rules regarding training camps throughout the league this season. Teams were limited to no more than five two-a-day practices and a total of three hours of contract drills daily.

McMillan agreed when a reporter wondered whether the fatigue problems might have been responsible for a rash of fouls as the Sonics worked on full-court pressing and their offense during today's practice, drawing the ire of McMillan, who has emphasized playing defense without fouling throughout camp.

"That's normally what happens," McMillan said. "If you fatigue, you grab and you hold as opposed to moving your feet, moving your body. If you're fatigued, you forget where you're supposed to be and what you're supposed to be doing."

The Sonics have committed 195 fouls in seven preseason games, an average of 27.8 per game. Last year, the Sonics averaged 22.3 fouls during the preseason. However, this increase is almost certainly attributable to an emphasis by NBA officials on eliminating off-the-ball contact between the free-throw line extended and halfcourt, as well as along the baseline. In an under-reported story, NBA teams are averaging a remarkable 28.4 fouls per game thus far this season, a dramatic increase from the 21.5 whistled last year during the regular season.

The Sonics depth - technically, 11 players were in the running to be in the starting lineup - can be an asset if fatigue is still a problem when the regular season tips off.

"That should help, if you're going that deep," McMillan said. "You can run guys in and rotate them in and out."

Two Sonics players who were unable to work on their conditioning were guard Ronald "Flip" Murray and forward Rashard Lewis, who again sat out of practice because of a left quad strain and plantar fasciitis, respectively. However, guard Ray Allen did make his return to the court after missing two preseason games because of back spasms.

"Shard and Ronald are doubtful for tomorrow," McMillan said. "I think Ray is too, even though he practiced today. He didn't look like he was 100 percent, so we'll probably end up holding these guys again tomorrow."

Allen said after practice that his back was still a little tight, but that he would have to work through it.

"I'll just get in the weight room a little more and try to strengthen around it and hopefully it dissipates," Allen said.

Looking at Tomorrow

McMillan had the Sonics working on full-court pressure partially because the Blazers were able to use it successfully at times in the teams' first preseason meeting on Oct. 13 in Portland. Portland's second unit in particular has pressed, and McMillan welcomes the challenge while also taking the opportunity to work on a press the Sonics can use themselves.

"Not just offensively, but defensively, we want to pick up," McMillan said. "We want to get up on the ball and work the ball, so it's an opportunity to review that and work offensively on what they'll see tomorrow night going against Portland."

In the final preseason outing, just five days before starting the season, McMillan has to balance making sure his players are ready to go and keeping them healthy.

"You play those guys for conditioning, but it depends on the game," said McMillan. "You have to be careful tomorrow night - you don't want to lose any more guys. You also don't want to see sloppy execution, sloppy performance. You should be pretty sharp in your last preseason game, and we're looking for that tomorrow night."

Sonics Make Cuts

After practice, the Sonics waived guard Mateen Cleaves and forward Galen Young, reducing the roster to 14 players - probably the group that will start the season, though the Sonics will scour the waiver wire as other teams make final cuts of their own.

McMillan told the media that, because Lewis and Murray are still bothered by injury, the Sonics were likely to keep 14 players on the active roster. He emphasized that the cuts were difficult to make.

"I think all three of these guys we have left have played well and they bring something different to the team," McMillan said. "I would like to keep all of them, but we can't."

Forward/guard Damien Wilkins is the remaining training-camp invitee with the team, and has likely claimed the final spot on the roster. While McMillan has been hesitant to tab Wilkins the leader for the 14th roster spot, he clearly seemed to position himself ahead of Cleaves and Young by averaging 9.7 points and 2.7 rebounds per game during exhibition play. Wilkins started at shooting guard against Phoenix on Wednesday and may do so again tomorrow night if Allen is unable to play.