Q & A With Marvin Williams
by Micah Hart

Marvin Williams had a positive first year in the NBA, improving with each month and playing well enough to earn Second Team All-Rookie honors. Still, some were disappointed in his achievements, given his status as the #2 overall pick in the 2005 NBA Draft.

Williams is out to prove his doubters wrong in the coming season, and if his performance with the Hawks summer league team at the Rocky Mountain Revue is any indication, he is on track to have a potentially breakout season.

We caught up with Marvin after his work in the RMR earned him League MVP honors to find out about his experiences in summer league and what he has planned for the rest of his summer.

Hawks.com: What was the biggest difference in summer league for you from your rookie season to this year?

Marvin Williams: The biggest difference is experience. Going into the league with a year under my belt, having a better understanding of what to expect and what the play will be like, it makes all the difference. My confidence going into this season was much higher than where it was at this time last year.

Hawks.com: Was it different preparing for this year’s league than last year?

MW: Oh definitely. Your rookie summer is the worst. You come off your college season, fly all over the place getting ready for the draft, it’s hard to stay in shape, then you have to come in and learn new terminology, new plays, plus get used to a game that goes much faster than what you have been used to. That’s why your first summer is so difficult.

Hawks.com: What were your goals going into the Rocky Mountain Revue?

MW: I just wanted to get out there and play and have fun. Coach Woodson told me that’s what he wanted me to do out there, and when I heard that my eyes lit up.

Hawks.com: You were named MVP of the RMR. Does that mean anything to you?

MW: Not really. I mean, it’s nice to be recognized for my play, it’s certainly an honor. But I am focused on the season, and once that starts how we did in summer league won’t really mean that much.

Hawks.com: One of the major things you showed in summer league play was aggressiveness driving towards the basket and more of a post-up game. Is that something you’ve been working on a lot in the offseason?

MW: Most definitely. I’ve been working with Fiz (Hawks assistant coach David Fizdale) on my post moves, trying to improve in those areas a lot. I tried to use them in the games, and hopefully I am gaining enough confidence in them I can continue doing more of that once the season starts.

Hawks.com: You were getting to the free throw line a tone in Utah. How is your body holding up to all the punishment?

MW: Well, I definitely was sorer after games (laughing). I just have to keep my body in shape, work on my weight training to keep getting bigger, and I should be fine. If I am going to go inside more I’m going to have to get used to more physical play, but as long as I am working on my conditioning, I should be alright.

Hawks.com: How do you rate the team’s performance in Utah?

MW: I thought we did very well. Salim (Stoudamire) was playing great until he hurt his elbow. That worries me, because we really need his shooting and intensity. But hopefully he’ll be ready to go when the season gets closer. I thought Shelden played well too, he got better as the games went on.

Hawks.com: What did you think of the new ball?

MW: I like it a lot. The grip is a lot easier, so it helps with ball-handling and shooting for sure. The only thing is when it gets wet, it gets really slippery.

Hawks.com: You were taking summer school classes in Chapel Hill earlier this summer. Was it weird to be back in a school setting?

MW: No, not really. It was nice to see a bunch of my friends again, get to hang out with them again. I like Chapel Hill a lot, so it was nice to be back there on campus for some time.

Hawks.com: What are your plans the rest of the summer?

MW: I am on my way right now to a mini-camp in Las Vegas, and then I am going to San Diego to work some more with Coach Fizdale. After that, I am heading back to Chapel Hill to work out for the rest of the summer till its time to come back and start the season.

Micah Hart is the Manager of Websites for the Atlanta Hawks