Potapenko to work out today

[ducks]

Potapenko to work out today
Percy Allen, Seattle Times staff reporter

Vitaly Potapenko has been cleared to practice after missing the past five weeks because of a broken bone in his right hand and will resume workouts today.

The 6-foot-10 Sonics center will wear a protective glove and said the injury no longer causes him pain.

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Coach Nate McMillan isn't sure when Potapenko will be activated and said he wants to get a long look at him and guard Ronald Murray (strained left quadriceps) in practice before playing them in games.

"My thing is, it's working," McMillan said. "We know that they are a part of this team and they've done a lot of things for the team, but I don't think you mess with something that's working.

"The opportunity, I think, will come. I'll slowly find or a way will make itself available, but I don't foresee changing what we're doing. We have a rotation that's going, and the bottom line is what's best with this team."

Potapenko had been slated to be the starter this season, but Jerome James has filled in admirably. James' scoring (5.0 to 3.3) and rebounding (3.5 to 2.4) are down from last season, but McMillan has praised the 7-1 center for the defensive job he has done on opposing post players.

Notes

• F Danny Fortson has four points on the NBA's flagrant-foul list and will be suspended if he receives two more. Yesterday, it was incorrectly reported that he'd be suspended if he received another point. Suspensions are administered after a player ac ulates six points.

• F Vladimir Radmanovic will rejoin the cast of Pacific Northwest Ballet's "Nutcracker" tonight and reprise his role as the grandfather in the party scene. He'll also work the fly rail with PNB stagehands to make snow fall.

Percy Allen: 206-464-2278 or [email protected]

[Marcus Bryant]

Compare and contrast:

• F Danny Fortson has four points on the NBA's flagrant-foul list and will be suspended if he receives two more. Yesterday, it was incorrectly reported that he'd be suspended if he received another point. Suspensions are administered after a player ac ulates six points.

• F Vladimir Radmanovic will rejoin the cast of Pacific Northwest Ballet's "Nutcracker" tonight and reprise his role as the grandfather in the party scene. He'll also work the fly rail with PNB stagehands to make snow fall.