It's going to be interesting to see how quickly they can adapt to it, I'll say that much. They are definitely still in the learning stages. It's funny, you'd think that playing faster would be easier, since it requires more of the natural athleticism that most NBA athletes possess, but it's actually pretty difficult to do it well. Still, there is no doubt that the up tempo pace suits many of the Hawks players better than a slower, half-court game, so it's definitely worth a shot to see how much they can push it.

I spoke to Josh Childress about it after practice, as he figures to benefit from the new playing style more than most of his teammates. As a guy who gets a lot of his baskets off lay-ups in transition and by flying around the basket in general, I can see Chills adding several points to his average just by beating his man down the court or being a trailer on the break.

Don't forget tomorrow is your chance to get your first look at the Hawks with the open practice at Philips Arena. Doors open at 11:45 am, so make sure to come by and check it out. I won't be able to make it as I will be out of town at a wedding, but if anyone is there and wants to provide their commentary, feel free to email your thoughts to me at hawks.mailbag@atlantaspirit.com  I may even post your comments (or photos)!

Here are some pictures from today, and you will hopefully notice a jump in quality over previous pics as I was using a much better camera today. Once I learn how to use it better, they should get even better...

Another day of practice, and another three-plus hour marathon for the Hawks. I saw most of the same stuff today as I saw on Tuesday, with more up-tempo work to get the team accustomed to that style of play.

Continuing on another thread from yesterday, Joe Johnson was once again very vocal. I spoke with him after practice about increasing his leadership within the team, and he definitely sounds like someone who is intent on asserting himself within the locker room for the coming season.

In watching them run today, I saw another thing that interested me: Josh Smith shooting (and making) a turnaround jumper from the baseline. I don't know that I've seen him take (or make) many of those in his career, and I know he spent his summer working out with Hakeen Olajuwon on post moves, so perhaps this is a product of that. Either way, a turnaround J would be a lethal addition to Smoove's offensive repertoire, as there is pretty much no one in the league who would be able to block it.

We'll have to keep an eye on it as the preseason progresses...

 

Catching their breath between drills

Shelden Williams shows off his free throw shooting touch

Hawks video coordinator John Beckett looks on with Tyrone Hill

After Media Day on Monday afternoon at Philips, where the Hawks players spent a couple hours doing interviews, taking photos, and showing off their new duds, the guys got down to official business today with the start of training camp and the team's first practice.

Though they don't allow staff to observe all of practice, they did let us in for about the last half hour or so, and it was enough time for me to form some impressions. To wit:

- It appears the team is serious about getting out and running this season. I know that has been talked about in these parts over the last couple years, and for whatever reason never really implemented, but based on the early signs, this team looks like it is making a commitment this year. During a portion of the time I was in there, the team went through several exercises designed to set them playing in an up tempo style, and afterwards Coach Woodson addressed this aspect specifically, saying the team is planning to run, but that it will take discipline and fitness to do so.

The guys looked fairly ragged doing the up tempo drills, but I attribute that more to beginning camp than anything else. Bottom line, the guys have a month to work on getting in shape and learning to run a truly up tempo offense, and the fact that they are moving in that direction is a very positive sign for those who believe that running gives the Hawks their best opportunity to win.

- Joe Johnson is becoming a more active leader. One of the critiques of the team in the past has been a lack of leadership on the part of Joe Johnson, the team's best player. It's not so much that Joe hasn't been a leader, he has just always been more of the lead-by-example type. Based on today, it appears he is making a much more concerted effort this year to step up vocally as well, as he exhorted his teammates to give more effort on several occasions. This is also, in my opinion, a very positive sign.

- Al Horford looks like a stud. Yes, I realize it was only one practice (and only 1/6th of it at that), but watching him play you can't help but be impressed. In the span of a couple minutes in one full court scrimmage drill, Horford spun on the baseline for a layup, knocked down a 15-foot jumper, and raced back on defense to block a lay-up attempt. It's very early, but count me as someone who thinks this guy can make a meaningful contribution to this team sooner rather than later.

- The team is taking precautions to avoid the injury bug of a year ago. I spoke to Coach Woodson after practice, and he talked about how this year the team is doing one practice a day instead of the two-a-days we've seen in years past. Basically, this is to keep the guys fresh and keep their bodies from breaking down. It will allow the guys to go hard for three or so hours, but then have the rest of the day to rest and recuperate before doing it again the next day. Another smart move by the coaching staff, if you ask me.

After practice I spoke with Acie Law about his first day on the job, and he was predictably excited. He seems pretty excited about the notion of pushing the pace, and if you've seen what he looks like with his shirt off, it's no surprise that conditioning is not one of his main concerns. Law is going to face an uphill battle for minutes out of the gate given his inexperience, but so far he looks comfortable on the court with the rest of his teammates, and that is a start.

Tyronn Lue talks with Acie Law

Josh Smith works on his free throw shooting

Salim Stoudamire works on staying loose