Hawks coach Terry Stotts will begin his first NBA training camp as head coach today, something he has been waiting to do for many years.

And what has Stotts been asked to do? Wait some more --- for his veterans to arrive, and for a full roster.

"We have eight guys under contract who will not be there. It'll be different," Stotts said after playing a round at the Hawks Foundation golf event at Bear's Best in Suwanee. "You'd like to have a full team. You make the best of it."

Under an agreement between the league and the players union in February, players with four years or more experience don't have to show up until Thursday. Veterans aren't even allowed on the premises unless they are rehabbing injuries, so Stotts won't even have enough players for five-on-five the first two days.

Joining draft picks Boris Diaw and Travis Hansen in camp today will be free agents Tierre Brown, William "Smush" Parker, Obinna Ekezie, Jerry Holman and Lee Nailon, who spent last season with the New York Knicks after spending his first two seasons with the Hornets.

But second-year point guard Dan Dickau said he will be "limited" because of the right heel injury he suffered in summer league play. Stotts couldn't say when Dickau will be ready to go full strength.

"I don't know if it's going to be two, three or four weeks," Stotts said.

At least Stotts knows he will have a full staff. The Hawks Monday hired former longtime Houston Rockets assistant Larry Smith, former Phoenix Suns and Vancouver Grizzlies assistant Jim Boylan, former Hawks guard and Columbia University head coach Armond Hill and Mike McNeive as assistants. McNeive, who has worked with Stotts in Milwaukee and Seattle, will also serve as an advance scout.

"It's a blend of experience, diversity --- quality people with good work ethic," Stotts said. "I'm just very excited to have those guys on my staff."