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