Just what his NBA regular-season role will be may not be known for a while. And Bogues is unhappy about it as the team awaits its fifth exhibition, today at 8:30 p.m. against Indiana at the Nashville Coliseum.

The issue has more to do with playing time than the magnetic resonance imaging exam the Hornets required Bogues have on his left knee before he was allowed in camp.

Bogues said he needs to play more to get himself and his game in shape; coach Dave Cowens said he hasn't settled on a rotation and wants to get a look at free agents before doing so.

Bogues played 17 minutes, his most of the preseason, in a 106-102 loss to Minnesota on Sunday night in Roanoke, Va. Afterward, he told reporters he wasn't happy and wasn't going to lie about it.

He was critical of the media's reporting of his status, apparently a reference to coverage of Cowens' comments related to use of point guards.

``I find it ironic that you guys are putting out the stuff you're putting out,'' Bogues said Sunday. ``But I'm fine with that. That's all right. . . .

``I've got to get my rhythm down. I don't have that same feel and flow on the court right now. That comes from not being out there.

``I'll just try to continue on. I'm at peace with it. I'm just dealing with the situation. I'm ready to deal with it. We'll see what happens.''

Of his role Sunday night, which produced appearances in the second, third and fourth quarters and six assists, two steals, two turnovers and two points, Bogues said: ``It was surprising, the number of minutes and going back in in the second half.''

The Hornets have four point guards in camp: starter David Wesley, signed as a free agent during the summer; Bogues, a 10-year veteran whose career was interrupted during parts of the past two seasons by a damaged knee; Tony Delk, a second-year pro making a transition from wing guard, and free agent Corey Beck.

Wesley has played in all four exhibitions with a total of 127 minutes. Beck has played in three with 37 minutes, Bogues in three with 36 minutes, and Delk in two with 27 minutes. Delk has played sparingly because of a sore foot.

Cowens said he was aware Bogues was unhappy. He said Bogues' larger role Sunday night came because ``I just wanted to see him play. . . . I put Muggsy in to get him some time and get him in shape. . . .

``He's doing all right. . . . He doesn't have the greatest body language.

``I'm using him judiciously and looking at other players. I've spent a year with Muggsy so I know what he can do. I want to get some time for David Wesley to play in game conditions and I want to see Corey Beck because he's a decision I have to make in the near future.''

He also needs time for wing guard Darnell Mee, another free agent.

``I want to look and see who we want to keep. That's why I've got to play Beck and Mee,'' Cowens said.

The Hornets have 14 players in camp. The regular-season maximum is 12.

Cowens, who last season frequently made personnel decisions on a game-by-game basis, depending on matchups, said starters' minutes would increase in the final exhibitions. He was less certain about a prescribed rotation of starters and reserves who will split the major minutes.

``My guess is the way we start out may not even stay in effect the whole regular season,'' he said. ``We'll try some combinations based on who we're playing against.''

NOTES: Power forward Anthony Mason, out the past two games with a strained hamstring, practiced Monday and will likely play today. . . . The Hornets play the second of two Charlotte Coliseum exhibitions at 7:30 p.m. Wednesday, against Utah.

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