Defining moments don't generally present themselves as such at the time of their appearance. But upon reflection, their very presence seems so obvious it's a wonder nobody noticed at the time.

For the Seattle SuperSonics, one came during a recent practice, when the team was turning over the ball too many times during a drill that emphasized precise execution.

Sonics coach Nate McMillan had been keeping track of the turnovers in his head, not telling anybody. But after yet another gaffe, an irked McMillan stopped the drill and called the team aside. He reminded them of what would happen if the turnovers came later, against a Kevin Garnett, Shaquille O'Neal or Kobe Bryant.

Then, he emphasized his point by having the team run grueling wind sprints, one for each turnover.

In any other season, point guard Gary Payton likely would have been sitting on the side as his teammates ran, or already in the locker room, resting his sore back.