Aaron McKie is as aware as anyone that his country is at war. The basketball court, his place of employment, is his crucible, the area where he feels the most comfortable, "where I can block everything out and play a game.''

Only he can't yet do that. McKie still is recovering from arthroscopic surgery on his right shoulder, still doing strengthening drills and non-contact basketball work. He and teammate Allen Iverson (arthroscopic surgery, right shoulder) could only sit and watch last night's season-opening, 83-74 loss to the Minnesota Timberwolves.

"That's where the big child comes out, where you can go out and play a game,'' McKie said, "where you can forget everything else that's going on. It's human nature to be concerned [about world events], but you've got a job to do.''