Kevin Pelton, SUPERSONICS.COM | October 16, 2006
For the first time since the opening day of Seattle SuperSonics training camp, invitee
Kareem Rush was able to fully participate in Monday's practice. Rush suffered a groin injury, eventually diagnosed as a partial tear, during one of the team's first drills. It cost him nearly two weeks of practice time, but that might not have been a difficult loss as anticipated.
"Not that much, actually," Rush said when asked if he felt behind. "I pick up things quick. The offense that we're running, everybody runs in the league. It's just a matter of learning the calls and knowing where you are."
"He knew the plays better than I thought he would," confirmed Sonics Coach 
Bob Hill.
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"If you're trying to make a team and you go down on the first day of training camp, it kinda sucks. Luckily, I made it back in 10 days."
Gregory Shamus/NBAE/Getty
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From a physical standpoint, Rush felt good in his return to the court.
"The rehab went well," said Rush. "I was able to keep my wind up to where it needed to be, so when I came out and played today, I wasn't too tired. I played well today. I've still got room for improvement - I'm still catching up to the speed of the game, learning the offense, how guys play, but I feel I did pretty well today."
The most important observer, Hill, was impressed with how Rush performed.
"Kareem looked good today," Hill said. "He shot the ball well. He's running well. He's athletic, he's real athletic. I'm excited about seeing him tomorrow too."
The Sonics will scrimmage in their annual free Community Practice Tuesday night at Hazen High School at 6:30 p.m. Rush will be one of the players Hill watches with the most careful eye. On Monday, during the 12-minute scrimmage open to the media, Rush played shooting guard in place of 
Ray Allen with the Sonics starting lineup.
For Rush, the injury wouldn't be a concern except for the fact that he's fighting for a spot on the roster. If the Sonics opt to keep a third shooting guard, Rush is competing for that spot with rookies 
Denham Brown and 
Desmon Farmer. Rush's experience in the league - four years with the L.A. Lakers and Charlotte, including 47 starts the last two seasons - gives him an advantage on Brown and Farmer, but his injury allowed them to show off their skills.
"If I had a contract, it wouldn't have been so bad," said Rush, "but if you're trying to make a team and you go down on the first day of training camp, it kinda sucks. Luckily, I made it back in 10 days, which is pretty great for having a torn groin. I feel no pain, so hopefully I can finish out the preseason, show the coaching staff what I'm able to do and find a spot."
Change at Center
After three games, Hill is expecting to make a change in his starting lineup at center, where 
Johan Petro has struggled thus far during the preseason. 
Robert Swift has not been outstanding, but he's been more effective and consistent than Petro.
"I'm leaning towards, right now, starting Robert and bringing Johan off the bench," said Hill. "That's what I'm leaning towards. I think 
Luke (Ridnour) and Robert and 
Earl (Watson) and Johan (are good pairs). I've still got some games, but I'm leaning that way."
During the first three games, Swift totaled nine points, 18 rebounds and four blocked shots. Petro has combined for 10 points and five rebounds without a block. Neither player has been as effective as Hill was hoping, leading him to challenge both at halftime of Sunday's game in Lawrence, Kan. They appear to be responding.
"Johan's practice was the best he's had all year," said Hill. "He was really good. I thought in the last half of the fourth quarter and overtime, that's the most aggressive I've seen Robert go after rebounds. Maybe the light's gone off for them.
"Robert's been practicing a little better than Johan, probably playing a little better than Johan, but today Johan was very good."
After watching film for about an hour, the Sonics practiced for more than two and a half hours in a lengthy session.
"This is still training camp," said Hill. "Practice was organized like training camp. We're still breaking things down, we're still teaching stuff. This was one of the best practices we've had. The enthusiasm was good, the concentration was good, the effort was excellent."
Hill said the team will look at potential cuts after tomorrow night's scrimmage. The Sonics have 18 players still in camp. The only cut so far has been Noel Felix, who requested his release to sign with Maccabi Tel Aviv.
Hill continues to be impressed with rookie swingman 
Mickaël Gelabale.
"I put him today at the point position with Earl as the off guard on a couple possessions because he's such a good ballhandler and he's long and he's a playmaker," Hill said. "He was really good yesterday. He turned it over a couple of times - two of them weren't his fault, the other two were."
When Hill begins using a relatively regular rotation with Saturday's preseason game in L.A. against the Clippers, he indicated Gelabale will be a part of the rotation.
Veteran former NBA referee Mike Mathis returned to practice. He previously worked with the Sonics during the first week of training camp.
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