Sonics hope new coach can heal wounds, fix defense

SEATTLE (AP) _ Nate McMillan, who earned a reputation a fierce defender in the NBA, expects his players to follow his example. <br><br>``Defense will be the emphasis,'' said McMillan, who replaced

Tuesday, November 28th 2000, 12:00 am

By: News On 6

SEATTLE (AP) _ Nate McMillan, who earned a reputation a fierce defender in the NBA, expects his players to follow his example.

``Defense will be the emphasis,'' said McMillan, who replaced Paul Westphal as coach of the Seattle SuperSonics on Monday. ``We're going to work together to change this thing.''

McMillan will make his head coaching debut Tuesday night in Portland. McMillan's Sonics play the defending champion Los Angeles Lakers on Thursday night in Seattle.

The Sonics fired Westphal and promoted McMillan from assistant coach to interim head coach after a 24-point loss Saturday night in Sacramento.

Wally Walker, the team's president and general manager, and owner Barry Ackerley didn't really have much choice. The Sonics were in turmoil on the court and off.

They were playing little defense, making too many turnovers and not getting along with Westphal.

``The cumulative was that something had to give,'' Walker said.

Besides being one of the top defensive players in Sonics history, McMillan was one of the team's most popular players. He will try to heal the wounds that caused Westphal's demise.

``The guys respect him,'' said Sonics assistant coach Dwane Casey, who was also considered for the head job. ``Right now, we don't like the reputation as a soft team.''

With a 6-9 record, the Sonics gave up an average of 99.5 points and committed 18.1 turnovers per game.

McMillan played 12 seasons in Seattle and became known as ``Mr. Sonic.'' His No. 10 hangs in the rafters of Key Arena with the numbers of past stars Fred Brown, Jack Sikma and Lenny Wilkens.

``I'm the head man in charge,'' McMillan said. ``I have the opportunity to change some things. Interim head coach? That's an opportunity. I have the opportunity to carry this thing for years to come.''

McMillan led the league in steals with a career-high 2.96 per game during the 1993-94 season. He was selected for the NBA's all-defensive second team in 1994 and 1995.

``I think we have to focus on the defensive end of the floor,'' the 36-year-old McMillan said. ``I believe defense wins games.''

In Westphal's third season in Seattle, the expectations were high because of the addition of veteran center Patrick Ewing. Ewing, in his 16th season, has been unable to provide much help for Olympians Gary Payton and Vin Baker, and young Rashard Lewis.

Conflicts between Westphal and Payton didn't help.

``I don't think you control Gary,'' McMillan said. ``I've always approached Gary with respect. I don't see any problems with Gary.''

The first month of the Sonics' season has been a soap opera, with Westphal offering to quit and Walker suspending Payton and then changing his mind.

On Nov. 6, after a game in Orlando, Payton, Ewing and Baker reportedly shouted at their teammates about the poor effort.

Some players questioned Westphal's ability. Westphal, who was in an office within earshot, reportedly came into the locker room and said he would step down if that was what they wanted. The dispute came just four days into the season.

Besides Payton, Westphal also has had differences with Baker. Westphal criticized Baker for being overweight and out of shape last season and, in the offseason, was part of an effort to trade him.

Westphal left Seattle with a 76-71 record and one trip to the playoffs. The Sonics went 45-37 last season before losing to Utah in five games in the first round.

Westphal replaced George Karl following Seattle's 61-victory season in 1998.

In 1993, Westphal coached Phoenix to the NBA Finals. Three years later, he was fired by the Suns.