<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE </div><div class='quotemain'><span class="template"><span class="body"> Having played on championship-caliber teams in the past, Hawks veteran Anthony Johnson knows the importance of practices such as the one the Hawks had Saturday.</p> When the competitive tone reaches an uncomfortably irritating level for the starters, as it did Saturday at Philips Arena, the starters have to match that or risk being run off the floor by the backups.</p> "We do a lot of competing on a day-to-day basis," said Johnson, who guided the white team (the backups) Saturday. "And we always take pride in challenging those guys and trying to beat them in whatever we do. All we were doing was trying to get up in them and make them work hard for whatever they got.</p> "And in the preseason, it's important that everybody is working hard because there are minutes up for grabs and everything. When your subs can compete with the starters, hopefully that's a good indicator that there won't be a dropoff when the subs are in the game. That's what makes the good teams better and the better teams elite."</p> The Hawks would settle simply for being one of the good teams this year, and their 5-1 record in exhibition games is the best indicator of what might be. With their deepest roster in Mike Woodson's four training camps at the helm, the competitive fires of both sides will be stoked at every turn.</p> "Some guys might be a little salty in there today," said Woodson, who deserves Oscar consideration for playing the role of instigator to perfection. "But I thought we had a great practice. I got in everything I wanted to get accomplished. I felt good about it all the way around.</div></p> The Atlanta Journal-Constitution</p> </span></span></p>
There better be competition. Besides Joe Johnson and Josh Smith, every spot in the starting lineup should be up for grabs.</p>
not really. Marvin has earned his starting spot. Josh has been earn one. The spots up for grabs are C and PG, and it looks like the two rookies will get those spots. Maybe not in the beginning but eventually they will.</p>
Marvin earned it, but even when the season starts, I still want competition for that spot. PG is up to grabs, but I really think Acie has it on lock. I still think Childress can make a run to start at the SF spot. I mean, Marvin or Childress off the bench is great.</p>
