--Coach Mike Woodson did mention that the expectations for F Marvin Williams this season have been raised, as they are for all of the players. But Williams in particular is a player Woodson has his eye on (mostly because of the position he plays and how crucial it is with so many of the league's top talents lining up at small forward).

"I think with Marvin, when you're a small forward in this league and average 15 points in your third year, his numbers have to go up for us to be successful," Woodson said. "He and I have talked about it. And I don't think he's the type of player that will shy away from a challenge. I expect that his numbers will rise this year. He needs to be probably somewhere in the neighborhood of 18 or 19 points this year.

"Each year he's grown as a player and has gotten better from an offensive standpoint. But it's not just offense. That's a strong position he's playing, and your opponents are strong offensive players as well, so you've got to take pride in defending and rebounding the ball, too. We're expecting all of those things from Marvin. And I would shortchange him if I didn't expect all those things."

--The battle for what could be the Hawks' 15th and final roster spot could be waged by free agents Mario West, Thomas Gardner and Frank Robinson. All three are athletic, scrappy types hungry to make the NBA. While West has a leg up, having been with the team last season, Gardner is a better shooter and Robinson the most complete player of the trio. None of the three have guaranteed contracts, so they'll be playing for their livelihood from the first whistle.