Atlanta Hawks: Is Joe Johnson simply slumping?
J.J. is forcing some shots but he's missing lots of open looks. (Hyosub Shin/hshin@ajc.com)
As J.J.’s offensive struggles have continued he’s started to force things. He’s still a willing passer but he’s also tended to fall back into his habit of holding the ball, setting up his man and going one-on-one. And it just doesn’t seem like he’s been as good as that as usual, a development that’s in stark contrast to how his teammates have taken to the L.D.’s more balanced offensive approach.
But beyond those issues, my perception is that J.J. simply has missed a lot of good, open shots, particularly spot-up 3-pointers. Those are the kind of shots that tend to have little to do with forcing things. By definition, they don’t require J.J. to create his own shot. A teammate already has already made the play to create space; all J.J. has to do is catch the ball in rhythm, square up and make an open shot.
I think J.J. just hasn’t been able to do it consistently this season, but that’s just my perception. So I turned to the Synergy machine, which smashes false perceptions with the cold facts of shot-type statistics and video evidence*. And the numbers confirmed what I’ve perceived: Joe has attempted 54 spot-up jump shots and made just 11 (20.4 percent), including 9 of 46 on 3-pointers (19.6 percent).
J.J.’s shooting percentage on spot-ups is worse than his shooting percentage on every other type of halfcourt play: isolation (24 of 62, 38.7 percent), pick-and-rolls (14 of 44, 31.8 percent), post-ups (11 of 23, 47.8 percent), off screens (9 of 20, 45 percent), handoffs (7 of 15, 46.7 percent), and cuts (18 of 23, 78.3 percent).
It seems there is some merit to the idea that J.J. is slumping. (He’s questionable to play against the Grizzlies due to a sore elbow that apparently has nothing to do with his shooting slump but developed overnight Monday.)
“He is getting some good looks,” L.D. said. “It’s not a concern. I know his hand is bothering him a little bit. But I am confident he will get on target. The fact [is] that he hasn’t shot it with consistency and we’ve been able to still win some games without him shooting the ball very well. When he does get back on track it will make us that more effective. I am not concerned with that. It’s just a matter of him getting out of that little slump.”
As a team, the Hawks have more shot attempts on spot-ups than any other play and have made 133 of 351 (38 percent). J.J. has been the worst spot-up shooter among the perimeter rotation players; Bibby has been the best (25 of 52, 48 percent, which Synergy says ranks No. 7 in the league ). Jamal has made 17 of 45 (37.8 percent) and Marvin 11 of 30 (36.7 percent). Anyone who has watched Al shouldn’t be surprised that he’s made 16 of 30 (53.3 percent) and even Smoove is 26 of 69 (37.7 percent).
So J.J. has been the worst spot-up shooter on what is the league’s No. 15 ranked team for that type of shot, according to Synergy. There’s not much L.D. or anyone else can do to help J.J. if he can’t make simple, open, shots. Putting the ball in J.J.’s hand risks bogging down what has shown signs of becoming a very potent offensive attack as the team’s turnovers decrease (H/T Hoopinion).
But L.D. keeps doing what he can to get his All-Star guard going.
“I try to put him in situations, some of the usual stuff, the pick-and-pops,” Drew said. “Against the teams that do double team, I try to keep him in the middle of the floor where it’s harder to double team him. He’s missing shots that he normally knocks down. It’s just a matter of time until he finds that groove, that stroke again.”
(*My plan had been to review all of J.J.’s spot-up jumpers to see if nearly all of them have been quality shots, as I suspect. Alas, though I tried all day I couldn’t get Synergy’s video function to work so I’ll have to do that some other time.)
MC
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120 comments Add your comment
theZaZaguy
December 1st, 2010
1:39 am
Surprising stats…I wonder what would happen if they start hitting those shots like Randy Wittman…First I would tell Mark Bradley to S**K it.
Gilk
December 1st, 2010
1:42 am
Excellent analysis! Joe’s shot will come back. He is too good a shooter naturally. I wonder if he is feeling the pressure of this mega contract!
Pls provide analysis of overall team defense for this year versus last year. D is where this team seems to really be lacking. As we all know, you have to be a great team defensively in order to win a championship!
tckr83
December 1st, 2010
2:28 am
Let the game come to JJ…He will come around, his hand injury has alot something to do with those stats. Till then (and even after JJ finds his shot)… Keep feeding Horford, he is shooting at a 60% clip! He needs 12-15 shots a game, defenses will hover closer to the paint… then MAKE the spot-up kickouts! Turn around and play defense, cant win too often by trading off baskets…
Hawks Fan In New Orlesan
December 1st, 2010
2:44 am
I think it is the nagging hand injury coupled with added pressure of having the most lucrative contract in the league that is confounding JJ. He should break out of it eventually. I like LD’s approach to his slump.
MsDee
December 1st, 2010
2:51 am
Wow, didnt realize how bad he was shooting. What he needs to just do is work on in practice decide what he is going to do b4 he gets the ball weither to drive it to the lane or turn and shoot. He is thinking too much out there and that will not help matters when you are already in a slump.
tony
December 1st, 2010
3:34 am
Rather JJ is healthy or not he will never be able to consistently create shots for himself because he’s not creative enough offensively and he is too passive. In order to get the most out of JJ he has to be surrounded with muture players. His personality speaks volume.
When JJ, JS and JC1 are in the game at the same time JJ appears to be distracted for what ever reason. These are professional athletes but they don’t act like it. It’s Sund’s responsibility to put the right combination of players together so this team can be successful.
They invested a lot of money in JJ so they need to surround him with right people in order to get the most out of him so he can start earning that 119 mil.
dmortone
December 1st, 2010
3:36 am
Interesting, hopefully JJ should be able to break out of his slump and really get this offense on track.
Great analysis, keep up the good work MC!
northcyde
December 1st, 2010
4:31 am
Good article MC. And it’s pretty obvious that he was simply missing wide open 3s.
So the solution would be to get him the ball more in the midrange area, and put him more in post up situations.
If Drew posts him up more, he may draw more fouls. And with him being as big as he is over most 2 guards, I’d definitely be calling more post ups for him anyway.
JJ should put himself on a self-imposed “two missed 3s rule”. If he misses his first 2 threes, or if he misses 2 threes in a row, he should simply abandon the shot.
Set up in that 21 foot area like Marvin used to do, and see if he can make the closer shot. Or catch the ball and dribble toward the lane to shoot the 15 footer off the dribble.
MsDee
December 1st, 2010
4:47 am
@northcyde,
“If Drew posts him up more, he may draw more fouls. And with him being as big as he is over most 2 guards, I’d definitely be calling more post ups for him anyway.”
EXCELLENT/GREAT SUGGESTION but now you and I both know JJ, when posted up on the block, NEVER POSTS TO CREATE FOR A SHOT, he immediately waits for a double team to pass out. If he could ONLY post to do exactly what you just said, I WOULD FOREVER BE A JOE JOHNSON FAN, because then he would be using ALL OF HIS OPTIONS to be affective on the court other than high in assists and sub-par on rebounds!
leear1n
December 1st, 2010
5:25 am
It is not a slump JJ shots has been getting worse for the pass 2 years
JC1 took up the slack last year.He has thrown up enough bricks to build a 3 bed room house.
MsDee
December 1st, 2010
5:32 am
lol @leear1n
JoJo the Godfather
December 1st, 2010
6:39 am
Trade ideas:
Joe Johnson, Mo Evans & Jason Collins to Dallas for Caron Butler, Brendan Haywood & Dominique Jones.
Jamal Crawford & Jeff Teague to Washington for Kirk Hinrich & Kevin Seraphin.
New roster:
Hinrich / Bibby
Butler / Jo. Craw & D. Jones
Smith / Williams
Horford / Powell & Seraphin
Haywood / Pachulia
tony
December 1st, 2010
7:10 am
JoJo the Godfather, I like Kirk Hinrich. Now that young man is a true facilitator(pg) who can take a lot of pressure off of JJ. Not just JJ but the whole team. We should try to make a deal with Washington to bring him to Atlanta. He won’t solve all our problems but he will solve a good bit.
P
December 1st, 2010
7:31 am
Sooooo, Jo Jo, you basically want to be the Wiazrds from a couple years ago?… terrible trades. Kirk WAS good but not recently
O'Brien
December 1st, 2010
7:33 am
“JJ should put himself on a self-imposed “two missed 3s rule”. If he misses his first 2 threes, or if he misses 2 threes in a row, he should simply abandon the shot.” northcyde .
You know how shooters (Jamal included) are. If they are hot, the keep shooting. If they are cold, they keep shooting until they get hot.
Lakers lost their third game in a row last night (I wonder how concerned their fans are) to Memphis, so Hawks better be ready for the Grizzlies.
The first Hawks-Memphis game, Memphis was without Gasol and Randolph, which helped ZaZa to go off.
Speaking of ZaZa, what’s up with his game? His last 9 games, he has scored a TOTAL of 22 points in 113 minutes, and grabbed a whopping 24 rebounds. That’s horrible.
http://sports.espn.go.com/nba/players/gamelog?playerId=2016/
dtc
December 1st, 2010
7:43 am
As I said when he signed that blasted contract, “it would not be long before everyone realized he wasn’t worth the money.”
I do not like it that he is having the problems he is having, but it could be that he is trying too hard to justify his own contract, that he knows himself he did not deserve.
dukester
December 1st, 2010
7:45 am
When I look at these players i grade them by the mental capacity. When I looked at Joe’s life story on sports south and his uncle said he “remembered when he had to force Joe as a youngster to play in AAU games” I knew then this guy doesn’t have the passion night in and night out. You need that passion to overcome the ups and downs of a NBA season and career. Joe has made this far on talent alone. If he Kobe Bryant, Allen Iverson, or even the great Michael Jordan’s will power he one go down as one of the greatest. Hell if he had Josh Smith will power he would be great.
Dont get me wrong you can win with Joe but he simply dont have the leadership, aggressive, will power to put him in the elite class. That is why his slumps can last or linger because every one has a bad day but it’s how you rise up from that bad day. The ones with will power overcome the next night out on the court. I am glad ASG resigned Joe the business of basketball required that he get that contract so let it go. What makes me mad at ASG is:
Bibby
Marvin
Zaza
Pape Sy
Jason Collins
Larry Drew – I think he is a smart guy but to me he is just a assistant. He doesnt seem he has the alpha dog mentality to be a head coach. His command seems week, It seems like he think he can draw up a play and that’s it. This play will do it. I have coached sports for a number of years and I found the difference between good coaches and average coaches is the good ones can see things before they happen and prepare his team for it. If is hunch is wrong he has a back up plan that is just as a good. Average coaches reacts all game long. No matter the sport.
dtc
December 1st, 2010
7:47 am
Can you imagine how good this team could be without JJ, and having signed a real center.
Section 303
December 1st, 2010
7:49 am
Sure am glad that dipsh#t makes $24-million a year. I love how these guys sign big deals and then think it is OK not to produce. When you make that kind of jack there are, to quote Mike Tomlin, “no excuses and no explanations”.
Time to just face it, Mr. “I could care less” was not worth the money.
Saabotager
December 1st, 2010
7:49 am
Take the money and run. Joe Johnson is a fraud. The only good thing he has going for him is a helluva agent who got him paid. He will be history in Atlanta after producing a couple mediocre years. What’s the incentive for him to play? He need to take his mumbling bumbling ass back to the chicken farm in Arkansas.
Joe Johnson
December 1st, 2010
7:53 am
No I’m not slumping, I got my money now, I’m going to let someone else earn theirs now………
SWAT Native
December 1st, 2010
8:04 am
LIve others have said, Joe’s hand is hurt. It really was hurt in the playoffs, too (I wonder if it’s still the same injury?). That has to affect a shooter. He’ll be fine.
Bailer
December 1st, 2010
8:04 am
He got the big money so like he said- he dont give a s–t , if you come or not. Now we know what he is thinking and his playing shows it.
Rev in Tampa
December 1st, 2010
8:06 am
I agree with O’Brien. JJ needs to shoot his way out of this slump. But in the meantime he better be in the video room comparing his mechanics to last year. He also needs to sit down with the shooting coach and talk through his mental approach to shooting an open jumpshot. In baseball a hitting slump can be caused by the most minor, imperceptible reason.
What worries me about JJ is that there is truth in dukester’s comments about JJ’s inner dog. He seems so indifferent and detached. I’m afraid that if MC asks him about his shooting slump he’s going to say something like, “It will come around eventually…”
Yikes
December 1st, 2010
8:14 am
Leave it to the Spirit group to give max money to a “good” player who flicked off the home crowd during the playoffs. Doesn’t take a genius to find the errors in this. JJ will never be a superstar like Lebron or Kobe and should never be expected to lead, play that way, or get paid max dollars. Another stupid decision by an ownership group that knows zero about building and managing professional sports teams.
G.Rhone
December 1st, 2010
8:26 am
J.J. chokes the life out of this offense far more times than he uplifts. ASG overpaid for JJ. He insists on doing nothing with the ball in the paint excect wait on the the double/triple team then pass the ball, with 5 secs left on the shot clock.
J.J. is the type of player that can score 30 pts a game, but he’s way too reserved and slothful.
Jamal Crawford is a much better player! JJ and Jamal should trade places and salary!
JoJo the Godfather
December 1st, 2010
8:29 am
“Sooooo, Jo Jo, you basically want to be the Wiazrds from a couple years ago?… terrible trades. Kirk WAS good but not recently”
Not really…I’d let Caron Butler walk at the end of the year…My main goal behind these moves would be to have Haywood, Horford & Smith up front, with Marvin, Seraphin & Za Za backing them up…I like this Seraphin kid as a rebounder, defender at 6′9″ 270+ lbs, with long arms and above avg athleticism…He has the build to be a Kendrick Perkins type…I like those 6 playing together up front for the next few years.
dukester
December 1st, 2010
8:31 am
What scares me is if your gonna throw all the money at Joe go ahead and try to win a championship empty the bank account pay the luxury tax!! Pretty much this team has about 2 more years to try and win a title after that it will be a fire sale. Joe will be 33 making 20 million and we will be trying to trade him. it just kills me how we have 20 million of dead money on this team. The resigning of Marvin, Zaza and Bibby is what killed this team not Joe Johnson. Those players should have been traded when their contracts were expiring for Tyson Chandler.
We could have had Chandler for little or nothing the guy has been traded twice since we figured out we need a center.
Loyal Hawks Fan
December 1st, 2010
8:32 am
Joe is a shooter ; he will be fine !
terrell
December 1st, 2010
8:37 am
dtc, we didnt have the cap space to sign a real center. JJ’s contract didnt have anything to do with that. He was the ONLY person we couldve signed to a lucrative deal. Will someone please explain this to everyone who doesnt understand why that 120 mill couldnt be use on any other player but JJ. Unless he woulda took less $, of course. But what center could’ve enticed Joe into doing that? And I dont think Pau Gasol was available at the time. lol!
darrell starks
December 1st, 2010
8:42 am
Joe should get the ball in the paint more because of his size and strength at the big guard position, basket will become more easier for him.
GO HAWKS!!!!!!!!!!
terrell
December 1st, 2010
8:47 am
Joe’s afraid of the paint. Guess he’s still having flashbacks of the Phoenix incident?
Joey
December 1st, 2010
8:47 am
“So J.J. has been the worst spot-up shooter on what is the league’s No. 15 ranked team for that type of shot”
************************************
So, MC, you’re saying that we’re not getting our money’s worth with JJ?
darrell starks
December 1st, 2010
8:52 am
If the hawks could keep josh, horford and let josh play small forward
perfect trade would be.
JAMAL, MARVIN, ZAZA, AND 1ST
FOR
ELLIS, BIEDRINS, CARNEY.
GO HAWKS!!!!!!!
Mike
December 1st, 2010
8:53 am
Joe Johnson is simply sorry and showing that he’s overpaid like the 5 million people in Atlanta other than the Hawk’s executives knew before they paid him.
darrell starks
December 1st, 2010
8:54 am
STARTER ELLIS, JOE, JOSH, HORFORD, BIEDRINS
BENCH BIBBY, MOE, CARNEY, POWEL, COLLINS
RESERVE TEAGUE, JC2
GO HWKS!!!!!!!!!!!
JeJe
December 1st, 2010
9:20 am
GRIZZ WON GREAT GAME LAST NIGHT. THEY ARE COMING OFF A B2B. WE’VE HAD 3 DAYS REST
IS TONIGHT ANOTHER LOSS AGAINST A TIRED TEAM COMING OFF A B2B?
LOL!
I THINK WE WIN BECAUSE WE ALWAYS DO WELL VS. MEMPH
newkid
December 1st, 2010
9:22 am
MC, good start, but could you say a bit more? What was JJ’s ’spot-up’ shooting percentage last season? What about the past 3 seasons? What about for his entire career? Not sure one can draw many useful conclusions about the extent to which he might be in a spot-up shooting slump without comparison with his longer-term statistics for same. What percentage of his shots this season have been of the spot-up variety? Did he have a significantly lower – or signficantly higher – percentage of spot-up opportunities last year? What about for his career?
Recently Tracy McGrady made the point that some players (e.g., himself, LeBron, etc) are far more comfortable creating their shots with the ball in their hands, as opposed to spotting up or running off screens. McGrady went on to argue that for some of these type cats, it’s a significant adjustment to acclimate to more of a spot-up offensive game when they’re years into their careers. If McGrady’s line of thinking is correct, how then do you account for that possibility when only looking at JJ’s current year shot-up shooting percentage?
Again, a useful line of analysis, but would really appreciate you digging just a tad bit deeper on this. Thx
JeJe
December 1st, 2010
9:30 am
LOL JOE SAID IF SMOOVE PLAYS LIKE HE DOES, WE HAVE A CHANCE OF COMPETING IN THIS LEAGUE
HOW ABOUT JOE? LOL
FAKE SUPERSTAR
IDK IF HE EVEN MAKES THE ALL STAR TEAM THIS YR. COACHES ASSUME HE’S GREAT B/C THEY DOUBLE TEAM HIM.
SO
1) IF THEY DOUBLE TEAM HIM, HE PLAYS AWFUL, MEANING THE ONLY REASON HE PLAYED BAD IS BECAUSE HE WAS DOUBLE- TEAMED
2) WATCH OUT THIS YEAR. BECAUSE THEY ARE PLAYERS ON THE TEAM BETTER THAN HIM. COACHES WILL FINALLY WAKE UP AND REALIZE HE’S NOT AS GOOD AS THEY THINK HE IS
Michael Cunningham
December 1st, 2010
9:32 am
@Rev in Tampa: “What worries me about JJ is that there is truth in dukester’s comments about JJ’s inner dog. He seems so indifferent and detached. I’m afraid that if MC asks him about his shooting slump he’s going to say something like, “It will come around eventually…””
i asked. he said something like that.
drmaryb (*_*)
December 1st, 2010
9:43 am
Dog-Fight!
Mike Vick’s dead dogs still have more fight than these Hawks!
I told yall, Joe seems off and slow – mentally. He looks like a sleep walker in interviews and on the court. But, hey! He got his money so ….
Build around Josh and package Joe. I like Gerald Wallace a lot, get me Melo!
Melo is a head case too, but he does have intestines! Denver may go for it since Melo is not resigning and a change of scenery make spark Joe!
Try something!
dap01
December 1st, 2010
9:43 am
Tracy McGrady is not a good role model in which to compare. What may be good for an individual player is not necessarily good for a team.
JJ’s performance is under a microscope because of the contract. The contract will be a Paul Hewitt sized contract around our neck for years to come. We spend a lot of money on JJ. That money was not to get us better, it was to simply keep a player. Sigh……
Michael Cunningham
December 1st, 2010
9:44 am
@newkid: “MC, good start, but could you say a bit more? What was JJ’s ’spot-up’ shooting percentage last season?”
Synergy has this info for last season but it hasn’t been accessible for some reason. they don’t have it for the years before that. he ranks no. 176 in the league points per play on spot-up jumpers.
but if we are to assume that the vast majority of J.J.’s 3-point shots in Atlanta have come on spot-ups like they have this season (which i think is a safe assumption since we all know how he gets most his 2-point plays) then his 3-point percentages as a Hawks probably roughly correlate with his spot-up shooting.
“What percentage of his shots this season have been of the spot-up variety?”
that info is in the post if you do the math: 16.7 percent spot-ups, 23.8 isos, 15.5 pick-rolls, 8.6 post-ups, 7.1 off screens, 4.5 handoffs, 8 cuts
Scoop
December 1st, 2010
9:45 am
I am not worried about J J’s inner dog. The man is one of the most competitive monsters i’ve ever seen play this game. Ask his teammates about his fire. Up until this season, the man played more minutes then anyone while carrying the load offensively and guarding the best player on defense. He plays through injuries that would sideline most players; ask Marvin.
He is clearly hurt. He is actually settling for jump shots instead of attacking the basket and I think it is his hand. Some time off to heal up would help Joe long term for this season. The long term was something that our former coach never considered at any point in the season but I believe LD is that insightful.
Hawk n the Ham
December 1st, 2010
9:46 am
I think I found who Jamal Crawford is on this blog. Check out ‘G.Rhone’ comment from……
G.Rhone
December 1st, 2010
8:26 am
Greg
December 1st, 2010
9:57 am
He damn well better come around. Those numbers are absolutely horrendous for a guy who is in the first year of a 6 year, $119 million dollar contract. At this point, he’s basically telling the Hawks “you made a huge mistake….now live with it for the next 6 years”. You’d think the Hawks would have learned something from the re-signing’s of the walking corpse, Mike Bibby, and the epic #3 pick bust, Marvin Williams.
To think that any of these guys have what it takes to lead the Hawks past the first round of the playoffs, much less to a championship, is laughable. Horford is the only guy on the team who has what it takes and he’s playing out of position.
Greg
December 1st, 2010
9:58 am
Should have said past the “second” round of the playoffs. They got past the first round last year…barely.
O'Brien
December 1st, 2010
9:59 am
My opinion on JJ? He does not have the fire and passion that some of the elite players have.
Win or lose, playing well or playing bad, he just goes out and does his job to the best of his ability. Bibby and Marvin are somewhat reserved too.
IMO, Our most passionate player is Josh, followed by Al, but they still have some learning to do.
I think LD’s mentality is a soft-spoken one as well, and that is probably one reason why the players embraced him as coach.
Yes, JJ is struggling. But the guy is a 4 time all-star and third team all NBA last year, so I will give him the benefit of the doubt, and time. He will come around eventually.
And for those complaining about his contract, please keep in mind, that if the Hawks did not resign JJ last off-season, they would have had between $6 mil and $8 mil to sign a free agent.
Who were they going to get for that money that would have been an impact player like JJ?
Did the Hawks overpay? Yes. But it’s all about supply and demand, and JJ was in high demand.
Chillin on paradise island.
December 1st, 2010
10:08 am
Joe Johnson simply sucks no other way around it. He is a 2nd or 3rd option forced to be a leader. We would have been the same if we let him walk. Jamal Crawford could have started and Jordan Crawford could have been the back up. We could have had to money to get a center.
drmaryb (*_*)
December 1st, 2010
10:08 am
Scoop said:
“He is clearly hurt. He is actually settling for jump shots instead of attacking the basket and I think it is his hand. Some time off to heal up would help Joe long term for this season. ”
I agree, vehemently. Rest Joe, Start Jamal at SG and bring JC2 off the bench to back up Jamal.
G.Rhone
Is that slick for: Gone-ehr …. A Goner ands Gone? If that is Jamal?
Either way, Coach drew should shake things up if, JJ needs to rest a little and heal. To be fair to Joe, he is sacrificing his game and habitual style to run this new system and we should all expect time for the adjustment.
With all the talent Miami has, there still is a learning curve for all things new!
Scoop
December 1st, 2010
10:08 am
Lol. The Hawks can’t win. Either their too cheap/cash strapped, or they get criticized for keeping their best players.
People keep saying the Hawks roster is imbalanced but this couldn’t be farther from the case. Sure they give up size in the front court but that is more then made up for with the speed and athleticism of Josh and Al. The reverse is found with Joe and Marvin. Night in and out their have the size advantage over their defenders and especially with Marvin. Most nighhts teams place their SF on Joe leaving Marvin with an even smaller defender. That’s why I want Marvin to get more looks offensively. Josh needs to give up some of his looks for Marvin. There’s a reason the team has started to click these past three games and it’s no coincidence Marvin has started to play well.
That’s why I was so looking forward to getting a new coach who would be able utilize our strengths unlike Woodson did. We need to be in transition and moving the ball like LD’s system dictates. The Hawks will be fine and I believe will win the East. What more could you ask for with three all stars on the roster.
Alsandair
December 1st, 2010
10:16 am
I know it was a mistake when they signed him to all that money & now he don’t care.He said it last year.They need to trade him ASAP!!! Get what they can for him.Joe Johnson is one of the highest paid players in the league & he is not a top 25 player in this league.Trade Joe & fire Sund.That the hawks problems.
drmaryb (*_*)
December 1st, 2010
10:21 am
Obrien said:
“Did the Hawks overpay? Yes. But it’s all about supply and demand, and JJ was in high demand.”
I agree! I am not concerned about Joe’s contract at all, the sports world and this team is riddled with overpaid players not producing. JJ is not the reason the Hawks are losing games, there is PLENTY of blame to go around, start with the ASKG, Sund and work your way down the payroll list from there.
This team hasn’t had an effective PG nor C since Mookie and Dikembe, 13 years + 3 years now. Catastrophic misses on PG’s in the past 7 drafts and re-signing bad contracts and failure to build a decent bench.
Joe has made this team legitimate and we still are! We clearly needed help this off season and this franchise did NOTHING but fight against the owners and liked their – “CORE”. Liking this core is fine, but the added NO help!
Joe is NOT the problem, and he will be fine. Jamal does not defend, draw triple teams, nor issue assists. Also, Joe is NOT a cancer to the group and does NOT sulk!
drmaryb (*_*)
December 1st, 2010
10:37 am
Black Knight!
Bring Billy Knight back and let him finish what he started. He will got get that PG, dump salaries and found that serviceable center.
He would have signed Shaq, no doubt! Or at least, Dampieer. Billy was gone too soon, because he stood up to the Owners, starting with “Belkin for Joe” and tried to replace Coach Woodson. He would have signed Avery or Byron Scott, and he would have still accused the ASKG for trying to operate on the “CHEAP”!
Billy was deemed a malcontent for all aforementioned reasons and he was NOT fired! He resigned! Winning starts at the TOP! Winning is a CULTURE!
See: Arthur, Dimitroff and Smith!
See: Laker’s Owner, Jerry Buss and Phil Jackson!
See: Boston’s Owners, Danny Ainge and Doc Rivers!
See: New England’s Owners, GM and Belichik!
See: steinbrenner, GM and joe Torre!
See: “The Men in the Mirror”
They players must be supported and directed. The DeAngelo Halls’, T.O’s and Ocho Cincos MUST be shown the doors!
Rid these Hawks of the useless parts!
Owners win Championships and Players win Games!
drmaryb (*_*)
December 1st, 2010
10:40 am
* massive typos.
Ryan
December 1st, 2010
10:41 am
He simply sucks. What a waste of $119 million.
I.MUS WRITE
December 1st, 2010
10:43 am
To say the man is slumpping is an understatement. Those Numbers are horribble 20% from the field/ 20% from 3……Jeezuz
Well Hawks fans it’s just something to get used to -he is here for 5 more years at 20 per.Thats just wonderful -A 30 year old declining star eating up mucho dollars, which handicaps the team by not being able to sign needed players to improve the team. DAM
All summer we heard “we had to resign him”because we could only take back hafl his salary. Well im sure we could have gotten more production from a 10 mill per year type.
Wish we could have got Sonny Weems for the 10 mil S&T Joe for Kaman
Bibby
Weems
Smoove
Horford
Kaman
Teague
JC!
JC2
ZaZA
Mo
Powell
Marvin
I.MUS WRITE
December 1st, 2010
11:04 am
The only players that we’ve resigned that didnt fall off the next season is Josh and AL….the true corner stones of this franchise. These guys are hungry and continue to get better. Josh is our leader he does everything for us a real stat stuffer and does anyone notice how other teams get to the basket when he’s not in “Layup Line”
Obrien -I would have been cool with Brewer od Dhantay Jones for 8 mill, or even Caron Butler. If he is hurt he should be sat down. I would rather see JC2 get those minutes -Im sure he could shoot over 20% if given the minutes and shots…. Tired of people making excuses for this guy when he has chocked the past 2 years in the post season. If yall think he’s struggling now just wait until May if we actually make the playoffs.
I.MUS WRITE
December 1st, 2010
11:08 am
Is Etan The new Randolph Morris? Why did we spend a cupl mil on Pape Sy when he hasnt logged a minute this season? Will marvin be anything more than a 4th option? Did these guys play harder for Woody than Drew? Things that make you say Hmmmmm……………………………………..
i_am_soulstar
December 1st, 2010
11:26 am
Joe Johnson: Don’t Panic Quite yet
http://www.peachtreehoops.com/2010/12/1/1848501/joe-johnson-dont-panic-quite-yet?ref=yahoo
i_am_soulstar
December 1st, 2010
11:46 am
Al and Josh haven’t even peaked yet and they’re both playing all-star ball.
I’m not worried about Joe. He’ll come around as far as shooting, but the man clearly finds ways to contribute when the shot isn’t falling.
Bibby’s shooting the 3-ball like the Bibby of old.
Marvin’s still Marvin. I just wish he’d be 08-09 Marvin.
dukester
December 1st, 2010
11:49 am
@MC Thanks for the thumbs up about my comment about Joe’s inner strength and fortitude. Do you guys remember when Kobe’s finger was broke. That dude did not care man he went and competed like he didnt have a hand. You remember when Jordan had the flu in Utah that year!! 2 words Willis Reed!! Joe is not that guy.
He is what he is. Bottom line is we are stuck with him and we must find a way to win with him. Now if Larry Drew is smart he will find out what’s wrong with his hand and get it fixed. If he needs a couple days rest you better let him get it now because come march we will need him.
And as always find away to trade Marvin, Bibby and Zaza.
Lets see how bad the 76ers want to get rid of Andre Iguodala
http://games.espn.go.com/nba/tradeMachine?tradeId=yl9afvk
Fundamentals
December 1st, 2010
12:17 pm
It seems Joe needs rest. Somehow he got banged up, then he got sick, now he’s dragging. Give the guy whatever he needs to rest, to work on his shot in the gym on his own and to get 100%. Right now he’s just hurting himself and the team’s future.
Our team is structured so that one guy in a slump doesn’t kill us. Give JC1 a few starts w/ JC2 backing him up. Mo seems ready to log minutes at SG/SF. Give Joe his time. He’ll be back.
If Josh & Al are such great Captains & vocal leaders, why can’t Joe be a quiet assassin, following their lead and helping this team win. Each player was given market value. Get off the contract already. It is what it is. Joe will help this team, he just needs time to get healthy. Right now he’s playing hurt to meet folks expectations who will NEVER be satisfied.
SteveW
December 1st, 2010
12:29 pm
As bad as we feel JJ has been, and I do think he’s hurting more than he’s letting on, he would probably still make the All Star team if selection was held today. Wade has been the only Eastern SG having a better season than JJ, and he’s missed alot with injuries already. Jackson with the Bobcats probably about equal to this point. Iggy is down, but I’d still love to have him on this team.
And I hope Horford and Smith continue the All Star play. Of course Dwight will be the starter at C. Hope Hibbert or a couple of other guys having good years don’t bump them off the roster. Noah is having a monster season to this point also. It would be nice having 3 All Stars from ATL..
Fundamentals
December 1st, 2010
12:34 pm
I know the All Star thing is big for the players and maybe the franchise, but I’d rather our players focus on the real goal – ECF or the NBA finals. All Star is just tied to voting and popularity contests. It’s not a true indication of all the players that deserve to be there each year. Iggy and Captain Jack, please. Hibbert is showing great progress, but I’d be surprised to see him an All Star.
SteveW
December 1st, 2010
12:37 pm
BTW, as much as we like to complain about bad contracts, the Hawks don’t have bad contracts. Check out the Sixers roster, the Bucks, even the Lakers. That PF with the Magic averaging 10 and 4 and making 20+ mill a year. Bibby, Marvin, ZaZa and JJ may be somewhat overpaid, but we don’t have bad contracts. Go look at the Blazers roster.
Oden was not re-upped by Portland – I hope the Hawks will give him a chance on the cheap. He’s still only 22 or something, and could play well and develop behind Josh and Al.
Haywood wants out of Dallas evidently, but talk about a bad contract. He’d fit nicely with the Hawks, except we would have to release Etan to get him. The Brawlers part 4 it would be! Didn’t they have like 3 fight when they both were with the Wiz’s? Hard to believe Etan beat him out for the starters job only 5 years ago.
SteveW
December 1st, 2010
12:41 pm
Fundamentals – I agree totally. Give me championships over All Stars anyday. Being raised in ATL, it seemed we almost always had a good player on bad teams, so we just rooted for All Stars because their was no hope for Championships. John Drew, Dale Murphy, Steve Bartkowski, Willie Andrews etc.
But yes, give me a Championship over All Star teams.
Fundamentals
December 1st, 2010
12:46 pm
Nothing personal, but what are we losing by cutting Etan? Dude will never play a minute for us? What would Haywood command?
You feel bad for Oden. Dude will get a shot somewhere. He just needs to focus on nutrition, rehab and getting healthy again. He is under too much pressure to produce now in Portland.
What about Nique on your list of All-Stars w/ no chance of a Championship.
SteveW
December 1st, 2010
1:08 pm
Fundamentals – I was joking about Etan – just trying to make light of his fights with Haywood over in Washington. As far as I can tell, we would lose nothing by cutting him.
Almost listed ‘Nique, but we at least competed when we got to the 2nd round when he was here. Almost put Smith, Mookie, Mutombo and Rick Mahler in there also.
If the All Star game were today:
SG: Starter Wade Backup(s) between JJ, Jackson, and Ray Allen
PF: Starter Stoudamire Back up Josh Smith with Bosh maybe 3rd, then Blatchey, Brand, and Garnett also a little in the mix.
C: Starter Dwight Back up Noah 3rd C between Al, Bargnani, Brook Lopez, and Hibbert
Right now I would say we have 3 All Stars, but the process can be finicky. Bargnani averaging 20.8 on a bad team might get the nod over Al. Hibbert might also because he seems to have buzz in the League right now.
J from the A
December 1st, 2010
1:10 pm
Why does everyone confuse a laid-back, reserved personality as having no inner dog?
The analogy misses a little, but these confused comments remind me of my wayward youth.
Take for example, two of your neighborhood “thugs” (I am hesitant to use this analogy, especially in the context in which a bunch of racists confuse our good-hearted basketball players with thugs simply because they are black, but for lack of a better analogy, it will have to do): One is a boisterous, rowdy guy who is always vocal. He wears his “inner dog” on his sleeve for everyone to see. The other is very quiet and reserved. For people that don’t know him, he may come across as somewhat timid, lacking that true “inner dog.” But truth be told, to people that know both of them well, perfectly understand that the one is partial flash — perhaps someone you still don’t want to F*-with — while the other is 100% OG, silent but a real MFer that you would never ever want to cross.
Joe is like the latter. To people that don’t know him well, his laid back, reserved personality may give the impression that he is lacking an inner dog, but to those that know him well, know that he is 100% OG. The dog is there; he just doesn’t wear the dog on his sleeve.
darrell starks
December 1st, 2010
1:10 pm
dukester 11:49 a.m cosign i have always like igg but the hawks biggest problem is big man, us fan have been screaming for years about a big man and 2 move horford over 2 his natural position, there is no way the hawks can even come close 2 a championship with out atleast getting a center who can defend the paint and rebound.
GO HAWKS!!!!!!!!!!
G.Rhone
December 1st, 2010
1:19 pm
drmaryb (*_*)
I’ve seen Joe be “Killer Joe” once maybe twice i.e., Playoffs vs. Boston…that’s basically it. JJ doesn’t even make free throws anymore. I’m not sure what game or habitual style he is sacrificing because JJ is still doing the same thing; Waiting for the double team and dribbling out the shot clock…it’s sad to see. ASG should’ve seen it coming….. : (
darrell starks
December 1st, 2010
1:20 pm
One of the trade scenario that could bring the hawks a big and a star player is biedrins and ellis, if the hawks could bring in ellis along with biedrins and keep horford and josh it would automatically make the hawks contenders in the east.
GO HAWKS!!!!!!!!!!
darrell starks
December 1st, 2010
1:24 pm
Monta would be the 3rd best point guard in east.
1.ROSE
2.RONDO
3.ELLIS
GO HAWKS!!!!!!!
darrell starks
December 1st, 2010
1:30 pm
Warriors have 2 make a move, no way they continue 2 keep MONTA, STEPHEN IF THE ORGANZATION WANT’S 2 IMPROVE.
GO HAWKS!!!!!!!!
Slumping?
December 1st, 2010
1:32 pm
If U ask me Johnson is not Slumping because he wasn’t too good to begin with!
sam'l
December 1st, 2010
1:33 pm
Just for about 10 minutes I saw it clearly…..trade Joe Johnson for a quality center. Then, I thought, on another team, Joe would have to prove himself and he’d immediately start putting up 30 points a game at 45% and the other team would become a contender.
Joe will be okay. He is a tremendous telent. He’s got to get out of some bad habits after several years of iso.
.
darrell starks
December 1st, 2010
1:33 pm
MARVIN, JAMAL, ZAZA AND 1ST
FOR
ELLIS, BIEDRINS
GO HAWKS!!!!!!!
darrell starks
December 1st, 2010
1:36 pm
AND RODNEY CARNEY IN THE TRADE, good trade for both team.
GO HAWKS!!!!!!!!!
dukester
December 1st, 2010
1:51 pm
@ J from the A I agree with the whole inner dog thing except from the childhood aspect. I think your speaking of a bully more so a person who has strong mind fortitude and or will power.
@Darrell I agree we need a big man but the problem is the Hawks think they have a center in Al Horford so we are wasting time asking for a center. My main goal is to rid this team of:
Marvin
Bibby
Zaza
Pape Sy
Jason Collins
I think replacing these guys with the right veterans and younger guys will have a nice team in play for us. I will just about about take anybody for Marvin Williams
JeJe
December 1st, 2010
2:31 pm
I agree with dukester’s list, except for ZaZa and Collins. ZaZa sucks, but his contract is not bad – we will not get a better backup Center for the same salary.
Collins makes nothing and is in okay shape. If anything, he should be getting 8-10 mpg. He can shoot FTs and has a bit of a jumper. That is not bad for a 2nd or 3rd Big off bench
JeJe
December 1st, 2010
2:31 pm
People need to look at the Lakers’ backup Bigs. Ratliff and Bynum are out- they have 6″9 scrubs no one has heard of getting minutes at Center
Big Ump
December 1st, 2010
2:34 pm
Ms Dee your 2:51 am post was right on the money. By the way how you been doing?
northcyde
December 1st, 2010
2:44 pm
testing . . 1 . . 2 . . 3
northcyde
December 1st, 2010
2:51 pm
LOL . . good Lord. The AJC needs to do something about the blog. I guess I have a cussword embedded in a word, or a group of words, that won’t allow my post to be seen. Now I have to go through the entire thing.
northcyde
December 1st, 2010
2:57 pm
All the dude needs to do is stop launching threes. Just because he’s open from deep, doesn’t mean that he should keep shooting.
When you look at JJ’s shot location percentages on Hoopdata, it’s pretty obvious. I’ll compare last year’s shooting to this year’s, and the number of attempts he’s taking from that range:
AT RIM: 52.1 ( 3.7 att ) . . . . 58.3 ( 3.3 att )
< 10 FT: 51.1 ( 3.4 att ) . . . . 52.5 ( 2.2 att )
10 – 15FT: 47.7 ( 1.7 att ) . . . . 46.4 ( 1.6 att )
16 – 23FT: 40.0 ( 4.8 att ) . . . . 35.0 ( 3.8 att )
3 POINT: 55.4 ( 4.6 att ) . . . . . 38.4 ( 4.6 att )
guesswhosthis
December 1st, 2010
3:02 pm
I think the problem is that jj has gotten too comfortable with woodsons offense. when jj was with the suns, he was not the star on the team and was set up by nash for a lot of spot up threes, and he would drain them.but when he came to the hawks, they made him the starand he had to create his own shot.so I think he kind of forgot how to play without the ball.kind of like the same problem lebron and wade has.so I think being that he was a very good spot up shooter in phoenix,I think if you give him some time to adjust, he’ll figure it out.
dukester
December 1st, 2010
3:04 pm
@JeJe you know what I really dont have a problem with ZaZa either except he cant block shots!! I was so disappointed when we resigned Marvin Bibby and Zaza I almost puked. I mean Bibby is cool for what we have as far as a veteran. If he can continue to hit the open 3 we cool. But man we have 70 million in the life of those contracts and between the 3 we could have got better for that money.
Mike is back
December 1st, 2010
3:09 pm
MC, I’m not worried about JJ’s shooting slump…it will come around once he fully recovers from his injuries. Dude has a propensity for playing hurt…that concerns me. I know JJ feels obligated to play through his injuries…However, when the injury is clearly impacting his performance…SOME TIME YOU GOTTA SHUT IT DOWN…I know playing through injuries is a part of the game…so that’s a hard call.
I would also add that part of his slump is attributed to his adjustment to the motion offense…IT’s still a work in progress…I didn’t think he would struggle as much as has…I thought JJ would thrive in LD’s new offense…clearly that hasn’t been the case.
I don’t think JJ can change his persona…that’s just who he is…however he can work on re-inventing himself…and re-inventing his game…all the super stars do it…they are constantly working ways to improve their game…in order to remain amongst the elite in the league…you keep saying to yourself…if JJ would add some explosion to his game…dude would be a totally different player…thus far in his tenure with the Hawks…it hasn’t happen.
Show us some new facet to your game JJ…the ASG has invested a heck of a lot of cash in you…that the lease you can do…step out box and dunk on some of these cats…when you are going to the rack…let folk know what time is daaaaaaaaaaaaawg. lol
GO HAWK!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
ant banks
December 1st, 2010
3:10 pm
what is the one difference this year, than has been in previous years as it relates to jj? dude signed this crazy azz contract then he has a waitress pregnant!! i do know that pregnant women, especially if they are not your wife and they may be comin after your money, can put pressure on a brother
Grandad
December 1st, 2010
3:32 pm
Once again………………………….
MC wants our comments on Joe………………….
Joe Johnson is the greatest ever!
Grandad
December 1st, 2010
3:34 pm
Well that one got through.
hmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmm
Joe Johnson made a mistake “once”.
Grandad
December 1st, 2010
3:41 pm
Bloginator @ it again!
Can’t be critical of Joe I guess?
ASHCAN.
December 1st, 2010
3:52 pm
Man bump all the crap about jj shot and game will come back,with all the $$$ he’s making(highest paid player)he suppose to be dominating on most nights.I think he should give some of the dollars back so we can get another player in a trade or trade him(jj).
DAChef
December 1st, 2010
4:20 pm
Time to cut Etan Thomas and go get Earl Clark from Phoenix before the Lakers beat you to him..The kid will immdly bring rebounding and perimeter defense that’s lacking from the second unit…
Hawkfan Ant
December 1st, 2010
4:24 pm
Joe will be fine. He`s just pressing too hard.
On the other hand we need better Point Guard play!
Teague needs to play with Confidence and Speed or Bust!
But here`s a thought for next season(Greg Oden)and a darn good
trainer to go with him!
Ramon
December 1st, 2010
4:39 pm
Wow, where’s my comments?
Rev in Tampa
December 1st, 2010
4:43 pm
drmaryb (*_*),
I seem to remember that you discussed the nature and prognosis of Oden’s injury at some point. Am I remembering correctly? If so, could you remind us of the chances of his return to the NBA and the possibilities of him regaining his status as an top prospect?
Rev in Tampa
December 1st, 2010
4:46 pm
Grandad,
Keep trying to post. I am eager to hear your thoughts on JJ’s shooting woes. I was impressed how you ‘prophesied’ Josh’s shooting improvement by simply watching a video of him in a preseason practice.
Sautee
December 1st, 2010
5:34 pm
I guess I’ve posted this a dozen times, but somehow people KEEP getting it confused.
Listen folks! Joe Johnson signed the highest contract of any Free Agent during the off season. He is NOT, I repeat IS NOT the highest paid player in the league.
He is 16th. Here is the link: http://hoopshype.com/salaries.htm
Geez, it’s like Dick Cheney and the lie about Iraq and WMDs. The lie just won’t go away.
ag
December 1st, 2010
5:48 pm
There have been several comments about our attendance, players not listing to coaches and bad ownership and front office. This is a very interesting article about our Hawks in the 70’s
http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/vault/article/magazine/MAG1093017/index.htm
JeJe
December 1st, 2010
5:59 pm
LOL @ people acting like Joe doesn’t not have heart.
The dude averaged like 10 ppg in the playoffs the last 2 years in the 2nd round
GTFOH
The guy would be the 2nd or 3rd best player on any other contender in the NBA
northcyde
December 1st, 2010
6:03 pm
And Sautee . . to add to that . . people know good and well that JJ isn’t a top 10 player in the league, despite the contract he got. Everyone knows why he got that deal, but want to act like he’s supposed to turn into Kobe because he got Kobe type money.
It’s funny though. People want JJ to play up to that contract and put up big “nimbers”, but they don’t want him to be a “ball hog”.
I hate to tell people this, but ALL superstar players are “ball hogs” that have usage % numbers above 25%. Your mega scoring stars like Kobe, Melo, Durant, and Lebron, have usage % numbers above 30%.
JJ is averaging 15.5 shots a game, almost 3 full shots less than he did last year. He understands that when he is cold, he shouldn’t be looking to shoot more.
With JJ struggling with his outside shooting, Drew can call more ISO plays for JJ either out on the perimeter or in the post.
A lot of people trip out over ISO, but the only thing that matters is if the possession is profitable or not. I’d much rather see him go ISO, than him taking a wide open 3. At least until he gets his shot back.
JeJe
December 1st, 2010
6:05 pm
LOL @ Joe with this “hand” injury, and now it’s the elbow which we heard nothing about.
and LOL @ ASG for offering this guy the MAX CONTRACT AT MIDNIGHT ON JULY 1. THEY DIDN’T EVEN TRY NEGOTIATE OR SEE IF HE’D TAKE LESS
WORST OWNERSHIP IN SPORTS
WORST GM IN SPORTS
FIRE SUND
Rev in Tampa
December 1st, 2010
6:05 pm
Enter your comments here
DTC
December 1st, 2010
6:06 pm
Terrell, ever heard of the draft? We passed on at least 3 of them. If I am not mistaken, we drafted one and then traded him. We needed and still need a center much more than we needed Joe. And by the way, any center in the NBA that was worth the same money that Joe was making the previous year, would have been an improvement over Joe, I say this because I realize they can increase the players contract, if he signs with the same team.
DTC
December 1st, 2010
6:09 pm
Also, JOE JOHNSON IS NOT AND NEVER WASS WORTH THE KIND OF MONEY THEY SIGNED HIM FOR. They would have been better letting him go. Period. Now the money they could have used in a future year, this year for example, is tied up with JOE JOHNSON. He is not and never was worth this kind of money. His contract hurts this team more than it helped it. Improper way of using the money.
ag
December 1st, 2010
6:32 pm
DTC okay waht center do we need? Who should we trade for? What center is more productive than Hortford..not named Howard. What team will trade a center?
ag
December 1st, 2010
6:58 pm
The only impact centers drafted since 2005 are Channing Frye and Jakim Noah (we could have drafted him instead of Hortford: Andrea Bargnani and Adrew Bogut (1st pick overall), This year we could have drafted Solomon Alabi. My point is since 2005, we were not in position to draft them and everyone we could have got, sucks. So stop acting like Hortford is Sheldon Williams!
L-QUE
December 1st, 2010
7:12 pm
I have not read so much bulls**t since you ran Vick out of town . Atlanta, like D.Justice said is not a sports town.You have to be dumb as a turnip not to take the money.The Hawks wasnt nothing until JJ got there. He has carried them on HIS back to where they are now. ATLANTA HAD TO PAY HIM to keep the team from falling back to where a lot games I didnt know if the HAWKS would win 10 games. FOR years. HINRICH cant break the lineup on a 20 win team.ELLIS is not a point,he’s having a good first half ,you would say the same thing about him if he missed a shot next year. Cant you see Atlanta dont have a fan base .THE only sport in town will always be Bulldogs football and you want to get rid of that coach. ITS sicking for our players to have always go thur this hateful fan base. One week Josh’ Marvin ,Joe , I have been a fan for a long time thur thick &thin from SWEET LOU to BIBBY. We all want them to win show some love we have been worst with less. Enough with these dump ass trade ideal . it clearly show a lack of basketball knowledge .MSDEE&SCOOP you made some good am posts help hold the fort
bonquesha
December 1st, 2010
7:18 pm
Wow. Joe is out 4 to 6 weeks. I guess we’ll get to see what these Hawks are made of.
Rev in Tampa
December 1st, 2010
7:25 pm
ESPN is only saying JJ is out for Wednesday’s game. Where are you getting this bonquesha?
bonquesha
December 1st, 2010
7:35 pm
I’m watching the game. He went to see a doctor in Birmingham and made it to the game about 10 minutes before tip-off. He is scheduled to have surgery on his right elbow (shooting arm) on Thursday. Apparently, he is having problems bending it and they have to remove some type of “growth”. So, 6 to 8 weeks says Jerome Jeronovich.
jlewis
December 1st, 2010
7:48 pm
Interesting, no one gave the guy any credit for playing hurt, he’s always played hurt, sick or whatever, thats why the Spirit paid him. Joe doesnt cry or whine, so its said he has no heart, just pitiful.
tom
December 1st, 2010
9:53 pm
get well soon joe!
J-bone
December 2nd, 2010
9:17 am
I guess the answer is no, he’s not simply slumping.
DTC
December 2nd, 2010
10:36 am
AG and Terrell, we passed on three centers in the draft. No, I do not remember any of their names, but the only way we are going to get a center, is to draft one, that is the only way anybody gets a good center. As you say, who in the world would trade a good center. NO ONE. So we should have drafted one, I watched every draft spot they had and there was a good enough center available to draft each time. Even in a later round. Why did we not draft a center and develop him. Again, that is the only way we are going to get one. To get one, you have to draft one – and then develop him. I remember the commentators ask “Why is no one drafting this guy?” He was a center.
By the way, I have said nothing against Horford (not Hortford). I totally agree that Horford is great, he is one of the most phenominal players I have seen in a long time. I am so glad we do not have Noah, Horford was the star of those Florida teams. Noah was good, but he is no Horford. Horford is probably the best single individual player drafted by the Hawks since Wilkins. However, can you imagine how good he could be, and the team could be, at his natural position, forward, and then playing center only as backup, if needed? He is that skilled of a player. I had no problem with signing Joe, for less money, but my argument is we paid too much for him. Your argument is we had to sign him, because he was the only player available worth giving that kind of money to. We paid too much for Joe. Now, if after he has his surgery, and he comes back and I need to eat my words, I will gladly take them back. But, I said when he signed that blasted contract, “it will not be long before we realize we paid way too much for this guy, because the cap money we paid him, keeps us from getting a quality gut to come here.” My problem is with the domino effect, it keeps roling over to the next year. We do not have the money to sign this particular player, that the Hawks need. Bottom line, Joe was paid way too much money, He is nowhere of the quality of a player as Lebron James and Kobe Bryant, and the others who are paid the kind of money Johnson is being paid. Again, I am not against Horford. That is not my argument. My argument is the money issue. Your turn.
ant banks
December 2nd, 2010
10:51 am
the problem that i have wit’ joe is that he was sooo dam greedy that he would not leave money on the table so that the hawks could remain competitive by signing free agents. is their really a diff between 119 mil or 109 mil? i mean really.
this says a lot about jj character to me. leave some change on the table so that we can field a championship team.
DTC
December 2nd, 2010
1:10 pm
I agree ant banks. That is the point I have been trying to make. He is way overpaid.
ant banks
December 2nd, 2010
4:58 pm
ok, i am convinced that dan gilbert, owner of the cavs has gone MAD!! LE BRICK was a free agent and had every right to sign with whateva team he wanted. how was there tamperin’? anyway, gilbert is willin’ to throw millions at lawyers to see if they come up with anything
http://sports.espn.go.com/nba/truehoop/miamiheat/news/story?id=5872747