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Robert Swift

"No pain," Swift summarized at Monday's Media Day. "No swelling after working out. Strength and everything has come back quick: No problems, no setbacks."

"He's going to be a very good player, there's no doubt in my mind. He's got to be given the room and the time for it happen." Lisa Blumenfeld/Getty Images

Sonics Head Coach P.J. Carlesimo told reporters he will be careful with Swift in the early part of camp, but only to err on the side of caution. Doctors have not limited his activity.

Swift is different than he was when he last took the court for the Sonics. He put in intense work in the weight room while rehabilitating his knee and is up to 280 pounds, 40 pounds heavier than he was a year ago. Swift is still learning to play with the additional weight and isn't sure how it will affect his game, though he has seen a benefit during his summer activity.

"So far, the weight has helped," he explained. "I've been able to do a few more things that I haven't been able to do in previous years just because I'd get knocked around before. But it's different playing pick-up games than it is actual games."

Carlesimo expressed his excitement about Swift's future Monday while also being conservative in projecting his comeback from the torn ACL.

"I expect Robert to be good," said Carlesimo. "I don't know whether that's going to be in November or January or next year.

"He's going to be a very good player, there's no doubt in my mind. He's got to be given the room and the time for it happen. I think his biggest problem right now is he's been hurt and hasn't played. He may not play like somebody who's been out of basketball for a year and he may hit the floor running, or he may very well do what usually happens to young players when they don't play for a year and they're coming back from a major injury, he may have to go very slowly in the beginning. If he's ready to play, he's going to get big minutes right from the beginning. If not, then other guys are going to get a chance and later on Robert will catch up."

USA Basketball Camp Proves Beneficial

When USA Basketball gathered in Las Vegas in August to prepare for the FIBA Americas Championship, four Sonics were there. Nick Collison and Kevin Durant were part of the Senior National Team before being cut prior to the tournament, while Carlesimo coached and Jeff Green played for a Select Team of young players that helped the U.S. prepare for the tournament. The consensus at Media Day was that the time together before training camp was very valuable.

"When they told me that (Carlesimo would be coaching), I was happy that I had a chance to get a glimpse of what I was going to be expecting coming into the season," said Green. "I think it was a good thing for me. It was kinda hard because we weren't coming in and doing what he wanted - we had to become that international team to help the U.S. team out - but I got a good feel for his personality, him as a person. Being able to go out to lunch one or two times and just talking to him to get his background and who he is. I feel like it was a good opportunity for me to get closer to him."

"It was a great experience for me," added Durant. "I was just going out there and having fun, not playing scared. I know those are the best players in the world. I just have to play my game. I think I showed that in the first two camps. I think Coach being there relaxed me a bit. It was fun getting to know him a little bit - him, Nick and Jeff as well. The whole experience was fun."

Carlesimo, who has a long relationship with USA Basketball, was impressed by he saw from the two Sonics rookies.

"When I got a chance to see them play with USA Basketball, first Kevin in the mini-camp and then the two of them in the training session before the FIBA Americas Championship," Carlesimo said, "(I was impressed by) the fact that they were very comfortable playing with and competing against the best players in this league."

Despite being younger than every player on the Select Team, Durant made a strong push for a spot on the Senior Team roster for the FIBA Americas Championship with his performance. He was quickly able to put some early jitters behind him.

"I was nervous the first practice," he recalled. "We were running through plays and scrimmaging and I got a wide-open shot and knocked it down. All the nerves kind of went out of my body. I started playing hard, laughing and joking around. I think that just got me loose. I think I blocked a shot, made a good pass and after that everything fell in line in a positive direction."

MEDIA DAY AUDIO

Hear several Sonics offer their thoughts at Media Day: P.J. Carlesimo Kevin Durant Jeff Green Robert Swift Wally Szczerbiak Delonte West

Sonics newcomer Wally Szczerbiak is, like Swift, coming off of season-ending surgery. Szczerbiak had left ankle stabilization surgery in March after playing 32 games for Boston. He is ready to go for camp after returning to play in a summer league in his native New York over the summer.

"I feel great, knock on wood," Szczerbiak said. "I've had a couple of tough years with surgeries the last two seasons [Szczerbiak had knee surgery in the summer of 2006]. That's something I've got to do - just stay healthy. When I stay healthy, I can be a pretty good player in this league. That's my focus this year."

Szczerbiak's goal is to play in all 82 games this season, something he has done twice in his career. Szczerbiak played in 81 games for Minnesota in 2004-05.

Damien Wilkins has changed his jersey number from 12 to 21, which was previously worn by Danny Fortson. Both Wilkins' father Gerald and his uncle Dominique wore 21 the majority of their NBA careers.

"My dad's happy about it and I'm happy about it," Wilkins said.

The swingman slightly countered Swift bulking up by dropping six pounds over the summer to 217 from the 223 he played at last season.