"It's beautiful having so many guys out here like this," Pachulia said. "I've been around here for a long time, so to see it like this puts a smile on my face. I feel like a young guy again with veterans like Joe and Jason Collins on the team. And I can't stress how important it is for guys like Al and Josh to listen to what Joe has to say, because he's seen so much on and off the court."

--G Joe Johnson will be hard-pressed to reduce his minutes this season if his attitude can't be adjusted. Johnson said even when asked if he needs a breather, he says no.

"When I'm out there I don't want to come out," Johnson said. "I just pay the price later. In the heat of the battle, I don't ever want to come out. I can't put a lot of that on coach. You have to put it on me, because even when he asks me if I want a break or if I'm tired, I always say no. Even if I'm tired and I can't breathe, I still tell him no. That's not me being selfish. I'm just a competitor to the point that I feel like I can really do something to help my team win."

--F Josh Smith is playing with eight fingers during training camp. He has two that are still wrapped up, the same two he damaged two weeks ago blocking a shot in a pickup game. With half of the stitches still in his left hand, Smith said he'll just deal with it until he can get all the stitches out. So much for taking it easy on his stitched-up fingers.

"I've got a pad on there and my fingers are separated with tape to keep it all safe and secure," Smith said. "I did some conditioning on the treadmill while they did the five-minute (scrimmage) drill but other than that, I feel great. My body is in great shape and nobody needs to be worried about anything. This was just a minor setback."

DRAFT PICKS:

Jeff Teague, G, 6-1, Wake Forest (first round) -- The Hawks had to have a young point guard added to the mix with the loss of Acie Law IV. And in a draft dripping with point guard talent, Teague could prove to be a steal at 19.

Sergiy Gladyr, G, 6-5, Ukraine (second round) -- Hawks fans will have to search YouTube for clips of Gladyr the next couple of years, because the sweet shooting guard is likely to remain in Europe to develop.