Grant Is Sonics' Little Big Man -- Horace Grant, A 6-Foot-10 Forward Acquired By Seattle In An Offseason Trade With Orlando, Has Bulked Up In Anticipation Of Facing The West Conference's Big Centers This Season.

Don't expect any rim-rocking dunks or behind-the-back dribbles.

On the court, Horace Grant remains as basic as the two-handed chest pass, a style that helped produce three championships with the Chicago Bulls.

This season, the flashiest part of Grant are his bigger biceps.

And it's only because the former power forward will need them playing center for the Sonics in the Western Conference, which features big men like Shaquille O'Neal and Tim Duncan.

"I wanted to bulk up a little bit more," said Grant, who weighs 250 pounds after gaining 7 pounds over the summer, "because I'm going to be playing center for an entire year. And you have to be a little stronger to bang with the big guys."

Grant, 6 feet 10, has experience playing center. He did it for half a season with the Orlando Magic during the 1997-98 season. But this is the first time in his 13-year career he is expected to start - and finish - as the man in the middle.

Instead of playing basketball during the offseason, Grant undergoes a weightlifting regimen. After being told he would be the Sonics' center, Grant put even more emphasis on gaining muscle.

"It's nothing but muscle," he said, chuckling. "I don't believe in that fat."

Don't expect much brash talk from the 34-year-old Grant.

On a team with several trash-talkative players, Grant stands out for being quiet. Despite being portrayed as a leader with the Magic, Grant mostly keeps to himself in the locker room.

"I'm a very quiet guy, a private guy," Grant said. "A lot of people like to talk. I choose my words carefully. And if I have to say something, I say something. I believe in leading by example."

When it comes to personality, Grant and Vernon Maxwell are like oil and water. But they mixed well after Maxwell signed two 10-day contracts with the Magic during the 1997-98 season.

This summer, Maxwell received better offers from two Eastern Conference teams. He signed with the Sonics partly because of his friendship with Grant.

"He's definitely not as emotional as I am," Maxwell said. "He's a great person. He's one of the better guys I've met in the NBA as far as being a true friend."

The Sonics became a Western Conference power for most of the 1990s without having a star center. Although Grant is a natural power forward, Gary Payton considers him the franchise's best center since Payton joined the Sonics in 1990.

"He's a hard worker with everything he does," Payton said. "He's a lot different (than past Sonic centers). He hustles. He does a lot of things. He's going to stick the open jump shot. He plays within his game. And that's what we like about him so much."

As a center, there is no difference for Grant on offense, where he often plays on the perimeter to exploit his outside touch.

In the first three exhibitions, Grant and Vin Baker have had good symmetry. Grant plays the high post, bringing the opposing center out and freeing teammates to drive while giving Baker room to operate down low.

Defense is where Grant must adjust to a daily diet of human giants. The Sonics intend to trap more so Grant won't defend opposing centers by himself.

In tonight's game against the Trail Blazers at KeyArena, Grant faces one of the league's biggest centers in Arvydas Sabonis. The Sonics played their exhibition opener against Portland last week, and Grant didn't have trouble defending the 7-foot-3, 300-pound center.

"I think (Grant) can hold his own," said Houston center Hakeem Olajuwon. "Sometimes, forwards give you more trouble because they are quicker than the big men. You have a little size advantage, but still they can do a good job.

"They make you work on the other end because they can score. The Sonics can manage really with some team defense."

But Olajuwon added this caveat: "I think if they play a team with a big man in a series, they will have trouble in the long run."

When Grant played with the Bulls, he was overshadowed by Michael Jordan, with whom he clashed. Despite helping the Orlando Magic become an Eastern Conference power, most of the credit went to Shaquille O'Neal and Penny Hardaway.

Now Grant is on Payton's team.

"I learned over the years that if your team wins, everybody wins," Grant said. "So as long as I feel I'm a part of something good, it doesn't matter who gets the attention."

Westphal believes it isn't a coincidence that teams have won wherever Grant played. Grant has brought success with the least flashiest part of the game: defense.

The night before a game, Grant often studies tapes of the player he will defend to pick up offensive nuances.

"In order for me to have a good game, I like to stop my opponent from scoring," Grant said. "That's how I get my high. That's how much pride I take in my defense."

Last season, Grant averaged 1.5 blocks despite playing the fewest minutes per game (33.2) since his rookie season. Because Grant doesn't make highlight films, his defense is often overlooked.

"His defense is sensational," Westphal said. "Not just on his man but his team defense. His judgment of when to help, when to fake help. He just really understands how to play defense."

After the Sonics' 101-88 victory over the Houston Rockets last week, Westphal received the usual questions about the leading scorers. But the coach quickly called Grant the game's MVP.

The power forward-turned-center didn't have any funky dunks or flashy moves. He finished with two points, 10 rebounds, four assists and two steals.

It's the same old Grant, who has always won with the basics.

This time, his biceps are a bit flashier to do the dirty work against opposing centers.