LAS VEGAS – Of course he belongs in the starting lineup. This is Spencer Hawes. You expected the precocious 7-footer to suddenly shrink because Brad Miller is suspended for the five first games of the 2008-09 season? Come on. This is Spencer, leaner and lighter, and no longer a teenager. His only concession to youth is an occasional grumble about being sequestered at the NBA Summer League in Las Vegas, where at age 20, he is banned from the bars and the gaming tables and the girlie shows, and all those other activities reserved for the so-called adults.

"One more season to get through," he says, with a grin.

Now that he's here, Hawes is determined to establish – at the very least – that he deserves significant playing time in his upcoming second season. And while some might find it hard to believe, he is playing with even more of an edge and is increasingly demonstrative on the court.

He throws casual passes, then frowns when when they become turnovers.

He releases jumpers, then shakes his head when they glance off the rim.

He maneuvers in the low post, utilizing his right hand, then his left, and shrugs angrily when defenders converge and disrupt his rhythm.

That was the first half of Friday night's victory over Golden State. In the second half, Hawes combined with Quincy Douby and Jason Thompson to initiate an impressive, entertaining comeback. Utilizing his length, he stretched for rebounds, relied more often on his jump-hook (the preferred go-to move, according to Geoff Petrie and Reggie Theus), rejected and consistently altered shots, and was more selective with his outlet and entry passes.

"Offensively, I don't worry about Spencer too much because he's so skillful," said Petrie. "We're trying to get him to go into the middle more, so he can draw fouls. That will come. But at his position, he has to rebound, and he did that yesterday (14 boards). Some of this is about getting stronger, which he's doing."

Left unspoken is this: For Hawes to emerge as anything more than just another finesse, slick-shooting 7-footer, he needs to develop an intimidating, inhibiting presence around the basket. If he doesn't block the shot, alter the arc. If he doesn't control the rebound, tap the ball to a teammate, much as he did in the exhibition against the Warriors.

Hawes, who is engaging and opinionated, and very well could have a kindred spirit in the rookie Thompson, nods his head, says he agrees. Since returning to his native Seattle in late April, he has been working with a conditioning coach to strengthen his core, improve his balance and continue reshaping his physique. He has dropped his body fat below 10 percent and toned his upper body, all without sacrificing balance and flexibility.

The change is most apparent in his muscled, once ill-defined upper arms; he's no Karl Malone, but he's no Vlade Divac, either.

"Last year wasn't anything to write home about," said Hawes, "but as it went on, it improved. I started getting more minutes, and that not only gave me more confidence, it gave the organization a little more confidence so I could slide in there if necessary and not lose too much without Brad (Miller)."

And yes, he feels badly for Miller. And yes, he wants to start. As Petrie added, laughing, "I think it (temporary starting job) will serve as a motivating factor. Spencer's ready to go."

Meantime, Hawes, who is almost two years younger than Thompson, will resume an interesting, eventful offseason in Seattle. Until the past few weeks, he was actively involved in the city's failed attempts to retain the SuperSonics franchise.

His most immediate undertaking will occur in the classroom. Enrolled in summer courses at Washington, he is expected back on campus Monday morning.

He says he'll show up, take notes, continue growing.

He says he still has a lot to learn.

Call The Bee's Ailene Voisin, (916) 321-1208.