Second-year center Al Horford believes that the Hawks are a stronger team this season.

"I look around [the locker room] and see what we?ve got, I think we?re in pretty good shape," Horford said. "I feel there?s no question that guys did some major work in the summer to get ready for this season. Now we have to get more solid all the way around. We?ve got things we need to improve upon like any other team."

"But if you look at us as a whole, I don?t think that anyone can argue that we?re not improved from where we were a year ago."

Horford averaged 10.1 points and 9.7 rebounds per game for Atlanta in his rookie season.