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Mikki Moore

Moore is one of the league's most vocal players on the court, constantly directing traffic while his team is on defense. To Coach Bob Weiss, that's a major positive.

"On offense, the point guard can see everything, he's got everything in front of him, so he directs the offense," said Weiss. "Defense, usually the only guy who can see everything is the center. So when that guy talks, he can help a lot of people if he's vocal on defense."

"Defense, usually the only guy who can see everything is the center. So when that guy talks, he can help a lot of people." Streeter Lecka/Getty Images

Afterwards, Moore explained to the media that he aggravated the knee while dunking.

"I took off on the left leg, one leg - I'm a two-legged jumper, but I'm trying to build up strength in that leg," said Moore. "I tweaked it a little bit when I went up for a two-hand dunk, it swelled a little bit, but it's over."

Moore said he'd previously battled "jumper's knee" - aka tendinitis - but never had any serious knee injuries.

While Sonics big man Danny Fortson was not on the floor by the time the media was allowed into the end of practice, he did participate in most of the session.

"He can go for a while, and then if he hits it wrong, it acts up on him," said Weiss.

The Sonics got worse injury news when forward Rashard Lewis suffered an injury to his right ring finger during the team's scrimmage. After practice, he was scheduled to have the finger X-rayed.

"He was either knocking the ball out of Vlade (Radmanovic)'s hands or Vlade knocked it out of his hands," Weiss said. "I don't know how that went. I didn't realize it happened; I didn't see it."

Weiss Pleased With Progress

On day three of Sonics training camp, Weiss was pleased with the progress his team has made.

"Practice was great today," said Weiss. "I thought we got a lot done again. The intensity level was terrific. The focus on defense has really been good. It was a little bit disruptive when Reggie's getting fouled on every other play when he comes back in.

"He (Reggie) did a great job today. He hadn't been here for some of the things we were discussing on defense, but he picked up on it pretty quickly. He'll be fine."

Weiss moved into a topic that he's looking to focus on during camp, transition defense, which was a weakness for the Sonics last season.

"A lot of review on defense, but the new topic that we hadn't really taught was transition defense - we hit that big today," he said. "Then just expanding the offense and continuing to develop it. We had been talking about running and making something happen and then getting into a motion offense. I want them to continue to run, but look to get the ball inside. Just because of the way we were learning it, we were not getting the ball inside much and then coming out. We were ending up with a lot of perimeter shots. Today, we're emphasizing how to get the ball inside to different players."

The Sonics split into three teams for brief scrimmages to five points. The Blue team, which featured Rick Brunson, Alex Scales, Damien Wilkins, Moore and Vitaly Potapenko, emerged victorious, a win that was strenuously celebrated.

Forwards Lewis, Radmanovic and Wilkins were impressive taking the ball to the basket, with Lewis sidestepping a defender on one play before finishing with a short bank shot off glass and in.

Youngsters Continue to Impress

Weiss wouldn't name any names, but he continues to be pleased with the talent level of the five non-roster invitees the Sonics have in camp - Scales, Noel Felix, Roger Powell, Tre Simmons and Ezra Williams.

"We have some very impressive rookies," said Weiss. "It's going to be tough to make the last cut. We just have some NBA-caliber people we're going to have to let go."

There's still no guarantee, however, that the Sonics will keep any of the players. Guard Mateen Cleaves is also in the mix for the 15th spot on the roster. Weiss indicated injuries could play a role in the final decision. He also said a cut could be in the offing "fairly soon," possibly before the Sonics open preseason play next Wednesday in Portland.

"We've got 20 people now, and that's getting a little unruly to handle," Weiss explained.

After practice, the Sonics announced that they have exercised the fourth-year options on the contracts of guard Luke Ridnour and forward Nick Collison, extending their deals through the 2006-07 season. There was no doubt the Sonics would exercise the option for either player.