Forward Devean George has increased his conditioning regimen and is expected to start practicing with the team in two weeks.

George, who had surgery on his left ankle in July, has begun running and doing agility exercises to help strengthen muscles in his upper left leg that atrophied while his ankle was immobilized following surgery.

The ankle appears to have stabilized after George had bone spurs and fragments removed and ligaments on the outside of the ankle reconstructed and tightened.

"I feel real good," said George, who started 48 games last season and averaged a career-best 7.4 points. "In about two weeks, I should be ready to go."

It has been a frustrating experience for George, who has inevitably fallen behind in picking up the nuances of Rudy Tomjanovich's offense.

Caron Butler has started in George's spot at small forward, and Jumaine Jones has been effective backing up Butler.

"It's been tough," George said. "I've never been hurt. I've never had to sit out for any amount of time."