Hawks stress improved interior play By ANDRE' L. SHANNON The Atlanta Journal-Constitution Published on: 07/13/06 It is said the NBA isn't a big man's game anymore. Maybe Kobe Bryant, LeBron James, Dwyane Wade and Steve Nash have a hand in that argument. But Mike Woodson and the rest of his Atlanta Hawks coaching staff think otherwise. The staff is spending plenty of time focusing on the "bigs" during this week's camp in preparation for summer-league play. Emphasizing defense, Esteban Batista, John Edwards, Solomon Jones, Marvin Williams and Shelden Williams are getting plenty of work. During Wednesday's practice, Woodson stressed interior play and rebounding. "If they make a 3-point shot, we'll have to live with that," he told the team during a drill. "This little red area [the key] here is what we have to always protect." "We were in the top five last year in points allowed in the paint, and I truly believe that's where Solomon and Shelden will help," he said. "We didn't have enough big guys to cover up our paint, and we really need committed guys that can protect that area." Shelden Williams (6 feet 9) and Jones (6-10) will join a frontcourt of Zaza Pachulia (6-11), Batista, Marvin Williams (6-9) and Edwards (7-0). Pachulia was the team's starting center last season. The third-year player averaged nearly 12 points and eight rebounds. "I thought Zaza did an adequate job for us last year," Woodson said. "Shelden is a little more mobile. Solomon is surely a lot more mobile, and John Edwards is getting better." The three players, along with Batista, will see time at center this season. Edwards, who played limited minutes last year, will get a chance to show how much he has improved during the Rocky Mountain Revue in Salt Lake City starting Friday. Woodson said he is not looking for scoring out of Edwards, just a strong showing on defense. "That's fine; he told me that after last season," Edwards said. "If it's defense he's keying on, then that's what I've been working on." Edwards said he has been working on his offense but understands what the coaches want. "I know coming into the season we need a stronger interior presence, and I'm just trying to work on that every day," he said. "It's all about being big and clogging up the paint." Edwards' position coach, Greg Ballard, agrees. "As a big man in this league, you have to play well inside, block shots and rebound the basketball," Ballard said. "If you look at the teams that are successful in this league, those are the key statistic categories they do well in." The Hawks averaged 40 rebounds and nearly five blocks per game last season. Both statistics were near the bottom of the league. The team will hold one final practice Thursday before heading to Utah. The first game is Friday against the Jazz. 資料來源 http://www.ajc.com/hawks/content/sports/hawks/stories/0713hawkscamp.html --

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