The Sonics yesterday made their first cuts of the 2001 training camp, as guard Eddie Gill and forward Eddie Elisma were sent home following the team's second pre-season game at Denver, a 94-92 loss.

The decision to cut Elisma came as a major surprise. This year marked his third straight trip to Sonic training camp, and last season the 6-9 forward who was the Sonics' second round pick out of Georgia Tech all the way back in 1997 very nearly made the team. This year, Elisma came to camp a heavy favorite to win a job as a backup forward, with even Coach Nate McMillan labeling him the leader prior to the beginning of practice. However, Elisma's play in two-a-days was lackluster, and not even an 8 point, 7 rebound performance during the game at Denver was enough to survive these first cuts.

Gill's release was much less of a surprise. Though there were initial whispers that Gill might push Shammond Williams for the backup point role, these proved unfounded. Gill was overmatched against his competitors for the third point role, veteran Anthony Johnson and rookie Earl Watson, and was expected to be one of the first two players cut.

The other cut was expected by most to be forward Jamal Kendrick, a fourth year pro out of Midwestern State who has never been on an NBA roster and struggled last season in the IBL. Kendrick's performance against Denver, with 13 points on 6 of 6 shooting, was apparently enough to give him another week or so to prove himself.

The Sonics are now left with 17 players on their roster, and for all intensive purposes, six fighting for two spots. Without further ado, our second round of predictions on who will stick:

The Favorite:
Antonio Harvey - With Elisma gone, Harvey seems most likely to claim the role as sixth Sonic big man. He hasn't particularly shined during practices or games, but hasn't needed to ... yet.
Odds: 66%

The Contenders:
Earl Watson - The diminutive second round draft pick returned from a heel injury to practice yesterday. At this time, he and fellow point Anthony Johnson seem to be running neck and neck for the third point guard spot.
Odds: 50% each

Art Long - Sonic color man Billy McKinney was effusive in his praise of Long during the Denver game. That really means something in this case, since McKinney is also a key member of the decision making group in the front office.
Odds: 25%

Likely next cuts:
JaRon Rush - Rush hasn't particularly stood out thus far, positively or negatively. Unfortunately, with Wally Walker still apparently leaning towards a 13-man roster, no news is bad news, as he'll have to shine to win a spot.
Odds: 5%

Jamal Kendrick - Don't put too much stock in Kendrick's Denver peformance or the fact that he has stayed in camp this long. He still remains an extreme longshot to make the roster -- though not nearly as long a shot as a week ago. Odds: 4%