"I've always had to prove people wrong," Randolph said. "I want to win. I haven't won since Portland so I'm willing to do whatever it takes. Sacrifices are going to have to be made and I'm willing to do that. I think we can surprise a lot of people."

--Second-year C Marc Gasol not only got a clean shave and a short haircut this summer, but he's in the best shape of his life after losing 25 to 30 pounds. Gasol ran up a mountain named Collseroz by Tibidabo in his native Spain. It was usually an eight-mile daily run.

"It was great because when you get to the top you can see all of Barcelona," Gasol said, "but it's not easy getting there."

The price Gasol paid was steep, but it has been worth it. He's flying up and down the court in training camp.

"He's running the court really well," Hollins said. "That's something he labored with last year."

Hollins told Gasol after last season to drop weight so he could run the court better. Gasol took his coach's advice to heart.

"I knew if I was in better shape I could move much easier," Gasol said. "I took what the coaches said very seriously. Our season ended in April and May 1, I was already running and working out in the gym every day for three hours."

MEDICAL WATCH:

--C Hamed Haddadi has a sprained ankle.

--F Darrell Arthur has a strained pectoral muscle.

DRAFT PICKS:

Hasheem Thabeet, C, 7-3, Connecticut (first round) -- Blocked 417 shots in three seasons at UConn. Still raw offensively, but can do enough on the offensive boards to contribute points to the lineup.

DeMarre Carroll, F, 6-8, Missouri (first round) -- Averaged 16.6 points as a first-team All-Big 12 selection. A sheer blood, guts and sweat guy who simply outworks a lot of his opponents.

Sam Young, F, 6-7, Pittsburgh (second round) -- Could be underrated second round steal. Not only played in a a school-record 143 consecutive games and finished as Pitt's fourth all-time leading scorer (1,884 points), but can score inside and out.