Atlanta Hawks: Judging Joe Johnson
It would seem the pressure is on J.J for the playoffs.
He faded during the playoffs last spring and dismissed Hawks booing Hawks fans. J.J. came out of last year’s free agent summer with the most expensive contract in the league, one that limits the team’s financial flexibility going forward. He made his fifth consecutive All-Star game but just finished the least productive and efficient of his six seasons with the Hawks.
J.J. is the Hawks’ lead dog, and lead dogs in the NBA usually are judged by how far they take their squads. But J.J. said he doesn’t feel that burden.
“Not at all,” J.J. said. “In this case, it is not like that. We’ve got equal opportunity around here. We ain’t just depending on one guy. We’ve got two All-Stars. It’s not just going to be all on me. I don’t get all of the glory when we win so I don’t get to take all the [blame] when we lose.”
But as he said during the Orlando series last year, chances are J.J. will “take a lot of heat” if he stumbles and the Hawks fade like in the last two postseasons. Injuries were a factor both times for J.J. This year he had elbow surgery in December and sprained his shooting thumb in March.
Each time he’s queried about those injuries, he’s gone out of his way to say they won’t be an issue.
“It’s not going to affect anything,” he said. “I ain’t worried about it.”
All season J.J. has said he was looking forward to the playoffs so the Hawks could “prove everybody wrong.” And now that the postseason is about to start, I’ve noticed a difference in his mood. He seems more restless, as if he can’t wait to show what the Hawks can do.
J.J. has never been one to provide much clue to what he’s really feeling, but L.D. and his teammates have noticed a difference, too.
“You don’t get a lot of him from an emotional side, but just watching the things that he’s doing I can see that his focus is there,” L.D. said.
“I think he is ‘grind mode,’” Smoove said. “I know he definitely wants this series and definitely wants to play, and it all starts with him. If he looks like he is passionate and really wants it, I think it will trickle down. I think it might be a little bit more emotional for him this postseason.”
Perhaps J.J. feels slighted and disrespected. Maybe that could end up being a good thing.
“That’s the mentality we need him to have, and that’s the mentality we all should have is playing with a chip on our shoulder,” Al said. “That’s important.”
J.J. always has said he doesn’t care about the perception of outsiders. Now that it’s time for the Hawks to prove they are better than the beatdown they took from the Magic last spring and several times this season, he seems to be using the doubts as fuel.
“Speaking for myself, we are all we’ve got in this room,” J.J. said. “So we can care less what anybody else thinks about us. We are going to move forward. We know we are a pretty good team. We have just got to show it.”
Joe’s has played with more of an edge lately, too.
With the No. 5 seed locked up, he said he was using the last four games to “get in a rhythm.” You could see he was playing faster and getting to his sweet spots regardless of how defenses tried to play him. J.J.’s spot-up jumpers still weren’t falling–they haven’t all season, really–but there was purposefulness in his moves to the basket.
He got his post-ups and his floater. He made decisions quicker when the double teams came. It won’t be easy against Dwight and the Magic but J.J. going to the basket can be an an anecdote antidote to Atlanta’s jump-shot happy attack.
“I am really looking for him to get out of shooting slump he has been in,” Drew said. “He has been doing all the other things hard and I can’t really fault him on any of that. He’s doing things hard; he’s doing things with a pace; he’s doing things with energy. That’s where it all begins.
“I’m going to be going to him a lot in this series. He’s played well against Orlando [this season] and I expect him to do it again.”
Michael Cunningham, Hawks beat
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238 comments Add your comment
Sautee
April 15th, 2011
3:02 pm
SteveW,
I do indeed disagree about Sund. You made some good points, BUT:
Giving three years to Bibby when his skills had already visibly begun to wane was idiotic. Two at best would have been more appropriate for a stop gap replacement (which by the time he re-signed was all you would ever get).
Giving Mo a player option for his third year here tied his (Sund’s) hands, making Mo un-tradeable last off season.
In retrospect, the contracts to Marvin and Zaza look awful relative to the production these two players have given us. Remember I said RELATIVE TO THE PRODUCTION. You could throw JJ into that category as well.
But most of all, his view of the team as “elite” when they CLEARLY were not sends the wrong message to the team and is completely disingenuous to the fans and season ticket holders. It tells the team: “You are already there” and obviously the team bought into drinking the Kool-aid.
Steve, do you believe we are an elite team?
This alone is reason for dismissal in my book. Elite my ass.
Give me a proactive GM like Dimitroff any day. Please.
Games
April 15th, 2011
3:34 pm
The Hawks have the emotional and mental strength of a 3 year old. They have no leadership from owners, management, or each other. NONE! All teams have comparable physical skills, but without something between the ears, it’s a waste. Another first round disaster awaits these pathetic losers. They have NO idea how to focus and keep making effort for an ENTIRE game. Sad, sad, sad. Even sadder are the ripped off fans that will fill 3/4 of Philips hoping beyond hope that an ounce of courage and dedication and focus will magically appear. Not gonna happen. The Hawks are losers.
N.D.T.K.A.
April 15th, 2011
3:36 pm
Giving Joe Johnson the contract he got is really a major problem for the Hawks. J.J. continues to try to put the onus on his teammates to shoulder the burden of responsibility and leadership and this is probably why Drew made the co-captains move to relieve the pressure from Mr. Johnson. Of course at the time to maintain the Hawks “position” in the East and the “core” it seemed prudent to resign Joe.
The problem comes when J.J. opens his mouth, his contract is for the best player on the team. J.J. does not understand that his contract deems that best player is not only his talent, but his work ethic, his hustle, his defense, his demeanor, his ability to show emotion on the court. Even if J.J. is not outspoken let your actions prove you out on the court. Lead by example. When J.J. opens his mouth his quiet leadership loses credibility and makes him look like a selfish kid.
Drew needs to limit Hinrich’s minutes. Is it me or does it seem like the longer Hinrich is on the floor the worst his defense gets?
In order to beat Orlando Hinrich and Jamal’s minutes need to be limited and Teague and Damien need decent playing time. Teague should be starting but everyone already knows that.
Can we get a new coach in 2012, please??????
SP
April 15th, 2011
3:38 pm
Find another team willing to take Joe Johnson next season. Also find a new team for Josh Smith and Marvin Williams. Problem solved.
JOEY1
April 15th, 2011
3:41 pm
if they play with all their effort and heart hawks win in 6 games..guaranteed…
Ramon
April 15th, 2011
3:42 pm
Sautee, I agree with you. The disturbing factor of Sund and ASG is, they’ve never seemed HUNGRY for a championship caliber team. They’ve always seemed satisfied with status quo, and not verbally demanding more or changes would come. If you remember, they didn’t even fire Billy Knight, he resigned. Jerry Buss said all kinds of things about Mitch K. before they started winning about demanding to turn it around or else. And the Lakers then, were STILL going to the playoffs. If the Hawks make it to the second round and make it to game 6, I’m not confident there will be any major changes, at least not any positive ones. When the Hawks lose ownership, management, and even coaches seem either satisfied or confused. They never come flat out seeming PISSED. That’s what’s missing.
This is why, I would want to see JVG as the next head coach of the Hawks. I know he had Yao and McGrady (although McGrady was never healthy), and flamed out. But he did demand a certain level of excellence on simple things that would resonate with this team. People talk about Josh’s personality, but JVG coached Oakley and Mason (or LJ) at the same time. Not only that he would be cheaper than Avery, but bring respect.
Speaking of leadership, I think the fact that Josh never had a leader (rather player or coach) on his team during his career, has been the thing that has prevented him from being a great leader. You look at all of the great leaders, they all came from teams that already had great leaders and who could teach. Magic had Kareem, Bird had Parrish. MJ had Cartwright. Wade had Alonzo AND Pat Riley. Shaq had Phil. KG wasn’t a great leader until he got to the Celtics, and did it as a committee. Duncan had Robinson. If nothing else that’s why I wish the Hawks did pursue someone like Ben Wallace who has been a leader on a championship team. Instead, I believe JVG would be a good leader for him. So he could grow to be a great leader.
BIG BOI
April 15th, 2011
3:52 pm
Joe need to earn his dam money, he need to show up in the playoff. He need to be a leader and lead his team to a championship! Be like Mike and be a leader!
drmaryb (*_-)
April 15th, 2011
3:52 pm
Selfish?
“When J.J. opens his mouth his quiet leadership loses credibility and makes him look like a selfish kid.”
______________
Selfish is ………
Beating your chest.
Grabbing the microphone relentlessly.
Beginning every sentence with ME not WE.
Injecting every sentence with “I”.
Self-Promoting.
Drawing ALL the attention to yourself.
Never passing the ball.
Taking every last shot of every game.
Alienating your team mates at every turn.
Taking credit for every win.
Saying this is MY team.
Yelling and pouting with team mates on the bench.
Arguing every call with the refs.
Blaming your team mates after every loss.
______________
I have NEVER seen Mr. Johnson do any of these things – have you?
Has anyone?
___________________
Next LIE please!
Walt"Clyde"Frazier
April 15th, 2011
4:01 pm
The Hinrich trade has turned out to be actually a “himlick maneauver” to resussitate a DYING FRANCHISE. The Hawks made a desparation move in bringing Hinrich in and what it actually did was made the team appreciably WORSE. The Hawks gave up 53 points of nightly scoring in return for 3 points of scoring for Hinrich. That was the most stupid thing the Hawks did since signing JOHN “contract” KONCAK to his lucrative millions for averaging a WHOPPING 2.3 POINTS A GAME. That was a genius bold move by the Hawks back then and immediately Dominique Wilkins insisted that his contract be re-negotiated because Nique was making LESS than Koncak after Koncak received his millions. History has repeated itself with the Hinrich trade because the entire salary infrastructure of the Hawks is completely ruined.
JOEY1
April 15th, 2011
4:06 pm
12
Ramon
April 15th, 2011
4:06 pm
Drmaryb, I agree with you. Joe hasn’t truly done anything selfish. Because someone shies away from being a leader, you can’t call them selfish. Then that would mean every one on a team who’s not the leader is selfish. You can’t call him signing the contract selfish or blame him for it. No one on this blog would turn down a contract like that to stay at the same place and not have to move. There’s not a player on this team who wouldn’t have signed the contract. The main issues with Joe, should be directed at either coaching or management, not really at Joe.
Am I fan of Joe Johnson? Of course I am, he’s lead the Hawks to three straight playoff appearances, when previously they were disposable (he didn’t lead them this season so I don’t count this season). But I will say, people forget that basketball has two sides, offense and defense. Despite whatever he’s missing in jumpers, Joe still remains our best defensive perimeter player by far. Before Teague, he was the best player on the team at guarding PG, SG, and SF. Is he overpaid? Of course he is. But that’s because of Sund not because of Joe.
N.D.T.K.A.
April 15th, 2011
4:18 pm
Selfish is saying that “fan’s don’t matter” as a perennial all-star on an NBA team after being swept at home and quitting in a playoff game and series!!!
Selfish is quitting repeatedly during the season during games that everyone knows you should have won and then saying you don’t know what happened while slyly blaming your younger teammates for the problem!!!
Selfish is not holding other guys on the team accountable, not getting in their grill because you don’t won’t anyone to say something to you about your lack of leadership or performance!!!
This is a team. J.J. is not an independent contractor. It is not enough to sometimes just pull your own weight and fade into the background when things go bad. Pay does matter because leaders are paidd more for the intangibles that they bring. Dont’ get me wrong I think J.J. is an above average ball player and a good guy. But he should not except a contract that puts him under the bullseye. He is the same thing Rashard Lewis was to the Magic, a high-priced role player. His contract makes him problematic for the Hawks because other guys (Al and Josh)want to lead but don’t know how. Joe and his contract are a distraction and sends the wrong message to the younger guys. Team comes first, period.
No, not a lie but truth. Matter of fact the lie was last summer when you stated Avery Johnson or Byron Scott would run this team into the ground. Now we have Drew. There is your lie!!!
gp
April 15th, 2011
4:25 pm
God forbid J.J. feels any pressure.
Joey
April 15th, 2011
4:31 pm
Come on Joe. No reason for you to feel pressure.
Hawks fans expect NOTHING in the playoffs from “Shrinking Joe.”
Ron C
April 15th, 2011
4:32 pm
Nope
Little Fawkers
April 15th, 2011
4:34 pm
Joe Johnson cares about one thing and he got a lot of it during the off$ea$on.
Joey
April 15th, 2011
4:35 pm
Hey, drmaryb (*_-) 3:52pm,
I actually would like to see about half of these things from “Mr Johnson.”
Hell, then we’d know he cares about SOMETHING . . .
phil
April 15th, 2011
4:35 pm
Joe doesn’t care what people think and doesn’t play hard either….the guy stinks….any of you who think differently are delusional….
when he and smith are gone, we’ll have a better TEAM….
phil
April 15th, 2011
4:37 pm
Drmaryb – I’ve told you before not to skip your meds….it induces crazed lists of things you hallucinate that JJ hasn’t done….
now go pop a few and settle on down…
phil
April 15th, 2011
4:38 pm
Heinrich has clearly made things worse, which i didn’t think was possible….i won’t even say why i think it’s this way to avoid the r word….
ChokeArtist
April 15th, 2011
4:40 pm
Joe is a proven 1st ballot hall of famer! Many of you folks have completely forgotten how 3 years ago the Hawks, coached at the time by Mike Woodsen, took the Boston Celtics (the eventualy world champions that year) to seven games in the opening playoff round series. That was largely because of Joe Johnson who single-handedly REFUSED TO LET THE HAWKS GET ELIMINATED until the seventh game. I hope that Joe johnson will go back and review the watch tapes of that series. JOE WAS UNSTOPPLE AND ABSOLUTELY SPECTACULAR IN THAT SERIES AND PROVED HE IS WORTH THE MILLIONS THAT HE SIGNED FOR IN THE OFF-SEASON. Joe used to be the SECOND BEST closer in the game behind the great Kobe Bryant. Joe is still close to that calibre of player. Most people underrate joe because they are clueless as to just how great he is. JOE IS A FIRST-BALLOT FUTURE HALL OF FAME PLAYER AND DONT YOU EVER FORGET IT!
pete
April 15th, 2011
5:27 pm
What a typical comment from Joe Johnson. How many true leaders would ever say they should not get the blame when their team loses? The Hawks won 44 games, are the 5th seed in the East, and have very little chance of advancing past the first round of the playoffs with Joe Johnson. Without Joe Johnson, the Hawks probably win about 42 games, still get the 5th seed, and lose in the first round of the playoffs. Is there anyone out there that really thinks it was a smart decision to pay non leader Joe Johnson and keep him here?
South25
April 15th, 2011
5:40 pm
Guess it is showtime for the Hawks. National game to show what a choke job Joe Johnston will give to the nation. When the going get tough Joe seems to disappear. If someone is paid like a superstar maybe they should play like one. Just remember last year when he threw the fans under the bus during the playoffs. He has more excuses than points. Hard to believe we have five more years of this so called superstar, could not trade him if we wanted.
pete
April 15th, 2011
5:56 pm
Joe only had one real good game, game four, out of the whole 7 game series against the Celtics a few years ago. One good game out of 7 does not get the job done. In the game 6 win over Boston, Joe was 4 for 13. In the game 3 win, he was only 7 for 18. And in the 4 losses, he stunk it up big time, including a 5 for 17, 3 rebound, 1 assist game in the deciding game 7. The next year, he stunk it up in the Cleveland series. Last year, he had games of 4 for 11, 5 for 16, 3 for 15, and 5 for 15 in the 4 game disaster against Orlando. He does not rebound well, gets very few assists, and rarely stops the other team’s best player. He has to go down as one of the worst leaders the NBA has ever seen. What exactly does the guy do well? Thanks to giving that horrible contract to such an average player, the Hawks are stuck and will never do better than what they are now. 44-38 and 5th seed? Yea, you are what you are.
drmaryb (*_-)
April 15th, 2011
5:58 pm
Next LIE!
“Selfish is saying that “fan’s don’t matter”
_________________
Mr. Johnson NEVER said this!
If you have that link? Then, please post it – if not?
Then STOP saying it.
_________________
The interview is on you tube, go back and comprehend his words accurately, not your flawed, baseless interpretation.
hot err
April 15th, 2011
6:06 pm
The Hawks died as a franchise the moment the ink dried on JJ’s contract. JJ signed a max deal but the ASG signed a death sentence. They were fools to pay him more than LBJ. The Hawks will be mediocre for the next decade. Get used to being a lower seed or just missing the playoffs for years to come. Where we are is the worst possible place to be in sports. Not good enough to contend for the title and not sorry enough to rebuild through top picks in the lottery.
joewhite
April 15th, 2011
6:19 pm
from joe white to joe johnson just one word describes you, BOMB
Slimjr
April 15th, 2011
6:22 pm
“his view of the team as “elite” when they CLEARLY were not sends the wrong message to the team and is completely disingenuous to the fans and season ticket holders. It tells the team: “You are already there” and obviously the team bought into drinking the Kool-aid.”
Sund didn’t believe that word “elite”?..He’s not that crazy.is he???? No I believe he said it to generate more interest and ticket sales, to purposely mislead..
Sund run do not walk…………………………………….
MisterEarl
April 15th, 2011
6:25 pm
So long as the Hawks play three men out of position they will be in trouble against elite teams.
Joe Johnson needs to deliver a superstar performance when it counts.
Slimjr
April 15th, 2011
6:26 pm
The experts 3-D and Greg Anthony with NBA TV predict, the Hawks will go 7 games with Orlando and lose….Oh well….
drmaryb (*_-)
April 15th, 2011
7:11 pm
Selfish is NOT the word to describe Mr’ Johnson’s weaknesses:
Get a Thesaurus and find another word that is more accurate.
That’s all I’m saying. I’m not saying the man does not have issues.
Don’t call a turtle fast if it moves slooow. Proper communication is the key to complaining effectively.
drmaryb (*_-)
April 15th, 2011
7:15 pm
“I actually would like to see about half of these things from “Mr Johnson.”
Hell, then we’d know he cares about SOMETHING . . .”
-Joey-
________________
This is true Joey, and I agree with you wholeheartedly!
drmaryb (*_-)
April 15th, 2011
7:32 pm
Reality Check!
” JJ signed a max deal but the ASG signed a death sentence. ”
______________
What is stopping the 8 Orangutans from signing one or two more Max Players? If the 8 couldn’t afford it, then why put it on the table? The CBA Limit is 3 Max contracts, they only have one.
Orlando, New York, Miami (et. al.)has signed three.
Keep signing them, I say. Orlando has a 90M payroll, so does L.A.
Nobody ever said you can’t go into the Luxury Tax, that’s what it is there for. The real question should be:
How bad does the 8 Orangutans want to win? How is this Mr. Johnson’s problem, is he blocking them from doing this? He didn’t hold them at gun point, they offered the money and begged him to sign it.
______________
Get Real!
Don’t get it twisted people: “The 8″Being ain’t broke! They are collectively billionaires. A fan being poor and small minded doesn’t necessarily have to go together. Stop injecting money to make your points, just make your point!
And base it on what you see on the court and in this case, the court room, that has very little to do with how much player earns.
______________
IMHO … I’m just trying to help you strengthen your arguments based on basketball performance and nothing else.
drmaryb (*_-)
April 15th, 2011
7:37 pm
* multiple typos
Slimjr
April 15th, 2011
10:24 pm
“Get Real!
Don’t get it twisted people: “The 8″Being ain’t broke! They are collectively billionaires. A fan being poor and small minded doesn’t necessarily have to go together. Stop injecting money to make your points, just make your point!
And base it on what you see on the court and in this case, the court room, that has very little to do with how much player earns.
______________
IMHO … I’m just trying to help you strengthen your arguments based on basketball performance and nothing else.”
Preach on DRMARYB!!!
Teezo
April 15th, 2011
11:34 pm
Stop talking trash about JJ…We all know this team wouldn’t be nearly as good without him…Whatever happens, I got JJ back..Yeah, he’s no Kobe or LBJ but he gets that kind of respect from opposing teams or he wouldn’t get double and triple teamed…Clearly the opposing teams know what he’s capable of…Go JJ and Go Hawks!!!!!
LetsWinTonight Yeah buddy
April 16th, 2011
8:19 am
Joe sounds like a loooser, he should just STFU.
JOEY1
April 16th, 2011
3:15 pm
what nelson said was a big deal hes already overlooking the hawks to the secound round, when the hawks beat them 3of 4 this years, the hawks can make this series real interesting with their new way of playing d howard one on one and if joe johnson plays with some heart and goes off the magic will lose this series,…bc we havent seen joe johnson go off since the boston series 3years back… hawks in 6 games