Johnson unhappy with limited number of shots
Vivlamore reporting from Philips Arena, the day after the Hawks’ Game 4 loss to the Celtics.
A day later, Joe Johnson was at loss for words about the Hawks’ embarrassing Game 4 loss to the Celtics that has the team on the brink of playoff elimination.
His one-word answer to a question on his number of shot attempts spoke volumes.
Johnson took just eight shots in Sunday’s 101-79 loss to the Celtics, who are up 3-1 in the best-of-seven series heading into Game 5 Tuesday at Philips Arena.
“I don’t think they are doing anything different defensively on me,” Johnson said. “I think it’s just, basically, getting an opportunity to touch the ball. That’s it.”
When asked if he was not happy with his touches, Johnson answered with a simple, but emphatic, “No.”
Here is what some others had to say about Johnson’s lack of shots in Sunday’s game:
Larry Drew: “We run a lot of things through him. He’s got to be more aggressive in working to get his shots and we have to be mindful when he hasn’t had a shot in one or two trips down the floor we’ve got to get him the ball. All the things that we do run, and we do run a lot of things where we do go through him, I give Boston a lot of credit on how they have defended him. Collectively, while they are out there they have to get him the ball more. Just watching the film in flying back last night there were a number of situations where we could have just made one extra pass and the extra pass would have been to him. We’ve just got to be a little bit more mindful to make sure he is getting touches.”
Jeff Teague: “We’ve got him the ball in Game 3. He got a lot of touches. Last night, they took us out of our stuff and made it difficult to get him the ball. We will try to make a conscious effort in Game 5 to get him the ball and make sure he makes plays for us.
“He is our go-to player. Eight shots is not enough, especially in a playoff game for a guy who can play like him. We’ve got to make sure we get him the ball.”
Al Horford: “Joe is our main guy. We go to him. We has to get us going offensively so he needs to go out there and be an enforcer and make his presence felt. I don’t think my shots or Erick Dampier’s shots are affecting him. I think Joe needs to be aggressive. He needs to go out there and score the ball. That’s when we are at our best when he does that.”
This will be the subject of today’s story for the print edition. You can read the entire story online later. However, feel free to leave your comments on Johnson and his thoughts here.
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358 comments Add your comment
tiger woo
May 7th, 2012
4:16 pm
Joe, quit being a selfish wanna-be superstar. Are you more interested in winning or how many touches you get? Get some bloody rebounds – maybe that will help – one rebound ain’t gonna cut it!
The Dirkster
May 7th, 2012
4:18 pm
Joe Johnson = 140 million dollar waste of money. Good luck, Josh, wherever you wind up. Get out of Losersville, USA!
MikeH
May 7th, 2012
4:18 pm
Hey Joe, I want more shots too….More shots of yours going into the basket instead of getting blocked by bench players…
Stone
May 7th, 2012
4:18 pm
Joe, The reason you didn’t get your required touches is because your teammates have no respect for you. You’re supposed to be the team’s captain/leader but you have the leadership ability of a rock. You show no emotions, have no since of urgency,and afraid to take over games. The team know they can’t count on you do, they have to take matters into their own hands. You just don’t posses that killer instinct. It’s not your fault that you make Kobe kind of money (Mgmt fault) because you’re not even close to Kobe’s talent. A 40 yr old Kobe will still be better than a young JJ because of heart. I’m not riding Kobe’s jock, it’s just that he’s getting paid what he’s worth and you’re not. You could have taken a pay cut to get you some help (like LBJ, DWade, CBosh, Stoudemire and Melo) but you chose to take the money and the team stay status quo. You’re Robin but getting paid to be Batman. So, shut the He!! up, grow some balls, earn your teammates respect and kick Boston’s @$$.
dawgforlife
May 7th, 2012
4:19 pm
Joe Johnson is the most overrated player perhaps in the history of the NBA. He needs to touch the ball less. The hawks need to run the other team into the ground. Instead, they isolate Joe and he throws up some crazy shot…hits 2 or 3…misses 10 or 15. The whole thing needs to run through Teague…everytime we get a rebound it needs to outlet to Teague and here we go running. He would either lay it up or pass off to the wing…but, uptempo and moving. This business of Smith and Johnson walking the ball up the floor so they can hoist a 20 footer has got to stop. We are athletic, especially at the point, blazing fast…it is time to let Teague quarterback the team…Smith go to the LOW post..and Joe shoot and open 3 off double teams…no more standing around isolation…let Teague take the game over…Johnson can’t bury his ego enough for that to happen.
atlhawks4lyfe
May 7th, 2012
4:20 pm
LD needs to express utterly distaste for how the team reverted back to old ways! I definitely want to hear J. Smth’s thoughts. Did anyone else notice how many times Smoove took the ball up the court and made most of the initial turnovers to start the game? He was back to his old self!
PMC
May 7th, 2012
4:23 pm
um… take more shots Joe?
I mean geez. You would think from these comments that the Hawks think there is some rule that they have to play as slow as they do in the half court and dribble around until they turn it over.
Take better shots and take more of them…. no kidding.
PMC
May 7th, 2012
4:25 pm
Be more aggressive could be shortened to simply…. Be Agressive.
The guys on that team have the skills to be in the NBA, BE AGRESSIVE start freaking acting like it.
Scoop
May 7th, 2012
4:25 pm
@ Pat O’Gurley
There are few places that would make Smoove look worse than he already does and that would be in LA or NY. I truly hope that happens. The more the better for the Hawks, actually. Just means more value in return when we trade him.
And I bet few things made you feel worse then pale ol LB and those Celtic boys destroying the entire NBA in those hideous green and white unis.
dawgforlife
May 7th, 2012
4:26 pm
as you can see by these answers, the Atlanta fans just love the stuffing out of you Joe
Melvin
May 7th, 2012
4:26 pm
Astro,
Why is Joe even complaining about not getting enough shots after a 30 point beatdown is the problem I have? Are you (and Joe) implying that had he gotten 30 shots, the Hawks would have won or lost better? After tourching them in game 4, do you think maybe Doc and the Celtics did something differently in defending him in game 5? I do recall Pietrus playing in game 4 when Joe was effective.
Djscore
May 7th, 2012
4:27 pm
Joe is a great player but lack the toughness and aggressive. Joe is the go to guy for the the hawks, but he got to develope the leadership as a player who win the big one. You got home court in the first round and the hawks let old boston beating them 3-1. It fall on Joe and his lack of toughness, why won’t more shots and still lose. Joe just got to get down right tough and be a go getter. That’s the only way the hawks will win. He got the talent but his demanding for more shots is up to him.
tiger woo
May 7th, 2012
4:33 pm
Jannero Pargo – 11 shots in 21 minutes.
Al Horford – 10 shots in 20 minutes.
Joe Johnson – 8 shots in 31 minutes
Joe, if you let 2 bench players put up more shots than you in less minutes, honey-baby that’s on you.
Astro Joe
May 7th, 2012
4:33 pm
Melvin, 8 FGAs for Joe is not going to get it done. They lost last night because of poor defense, but I can understand how would think that after averaging 25 in the previous 2 games, that maybe his teammates might want to find him more than 8 times. And from what I could tell, Joe was responding to a question from Chirs V. I kind of doubt that he went looking for the reporter. Maybe if Chris had asked about the Hawks porous defense, we may have received a different quote. I can’t blame the guy for answering the question posed to him… what was he supposed to say, “I’d like to get 8 FGAs for the rest of the series because I’m sure the hurt guys can handle the offensive load?”
MistaGamer
May 7th, 2012
4:33 pm
Oh please Joe.
Saying the team needs to be make a conscious effort to put the ball in your hands more is like saying we need Josh to take more 3’s. People like to talk about this “BB IQ”, when has Joe ever directed the offense like he has a clue… Like he sees the court and knows the double team is coming… Like he puts the team in the best position to succeed.. Like he makes people around him better… Likes he’s an actual LEADER out there on the court.
Man please… i don’t think I need to see Joe dominate and pound the ball for most of the shot clock.
What we need is an offense just like Boston, put the ball in Teague’s hands with Josh and Al running pick and rolls all day long and Al on pick and pops… and, Joe running off of screen’s all day long!
That’s what we need…
Mike
May 7th, 2012
4:33 pm
Okay, you want more shots, when go out there and play defense, get rebounds, pass the freaky ball not dribbing it for 23 seconds, and then you can get your shots.
I think this guy fell and bump his head.
Astro Joe
May 7th, 2012
4:36 pm
Kind of interesting how we have come to a point where we accept PG play that results in poor shot distribution and the opposing PG scoring about 75% above his regular season average.
doc
May 7th, 2012
4:38 pm
it was the defense!
no, it was the same team that almost got beat by their third string a few weeks back.
predictably unpredictable, except in how they handle losses.
lldawg
May 7th, 2012
4:42 pm
seem like someone once again is complaining; first it was money, well you got money, now not enough shots going 3-15 why should you shot the ball ooo my fault you got 120mill thaat’s why playoffs again and he disappears as usual…
niedermeyer
May 7th, 2012
4:43 pm
Tell ‘em Joe! You should be angry! You’re the only Hawk who can hit from outside the arc!
Astro Joe
May 7th, 2012
4:44 pm
lldawg, I don’t think Joe was 3-11 last night, you may want to re-check your stats.
lldawg
May 7th, 2012
4:44 pm
really, can you say 3-15…outside the arc inside the arc 3for 15
lldawg
May 7th, 2012
4:46 pm
ah not last eve agreed now perhaps you may need to check game 2 or three when you were up plenty then relinquished a lead
JDub81
May 7th, 2012
4:48 pm
So go and tell the world that you ain’t getting the ball, Joe! Now all Boston will do is double team your a@# when you do get it and all I can envision is a lot of forced shots….not to mention the misses (and you have been doing that without a double team). Somethings belong in the locker room only….now I see why the Celtics traded your a@#!
lldawg
May 7th, 2012
4:49 pm
Atro Joe no way in game 4 was he 3 for 15…u lost by 40 again my fault 22…can’t shoot from the bench in a blow out dude
OPEN YOUR EYES
May 7th, 2012
5:16 pm
IM ABOUT OFF GUYS
OPEN YOUR EYES
May 7th, 2012
5:17 pm
IF YOU GUYS REALLY THOUGHT THAT ATLANTA WOULDN’T EMBARRASS THEMSELVES IN THE PLAYOFFS, THEN YOU ARE REALLY NAIVE!!! ATLANTA WILL FOREVER BE THE BIGGEST CHOKE CITY IN AMERICA!!! I WOULD RATHER BE IN CLEVELAND WHERE THEY KNOW THE SUCK!!!
OPEN YOUR EYES
May 7th, 2012
5:17 pm
LET ME ANALYZE THE PROBLEM THAT IS WRONG WITH ATLANTA FANS!!! AFTER EVERY SEASON IT SEEMS LIKE EVERY FAN AUTOMATICALLY WIPES OUT ALL THE HEARTBREAK POSTSEASON EMBARRASSMENT THAT WE HAVE GONE THROUGH, AND Y’ALL SOMEHOW THINK THE HAWKS ARE GOOD AGAIN!!! WRONG!!! THE HAWKS WILL ALWAYS BE GARBAGE AND THEY WILL NEVER MAKE IT OUT OF THE SECOND ROUND!!!
OPEN YOUR EYES
May 7th, 2012
5:18 pm
ANALYSIS OF HAWKS ROSTER:
JOE “NOWHERE TO BE FOUND” JOHNSON- LET JUST CUT TO THE CHASE AND SAY THAT THIS MAN IS SINGLE-HANDLEY ROBBED ATL FANS!!! HE IS THE MOST PAYED PLAYER IN THE LEAGUE AND YET TIME AFTER TIME HE ALWAYS FINDS A WAY TO FAIL!! HE IS THE MOST UN-CLUTCH ATHLETE I HAVE EVER SEEN IN MY LIFE!!!
OPEN YOUR EYES
May 7th, 2012
5:19 pm
JOSH “CHUCK UP THREE’S” SMITH- THIS GUY HAS MADE A HUGE IMPROVEMENT THIS SEASON SCORING, BUT OTHER THAN THAT I HAVE NOTICED SOMETHING VERY BAD LATELY!! HE TAKES SO MANY BAD SHOTS THAT SOME OF HIS BAD SHOTS HAPPEN TO GO IN AND THAT’S IT!! HE NEEDS TO LEARN TO STOP SHOOTING THE BALL AND PLAY MORE LIKE JOAKIM NOAH FROM THE BULLS!!! JOAKIM NOAH CAN’T SHOOT TO SAVE HIS LIFE BUT HE STILL GETS HUSTLE POINTS!!! JOSH SMITH ALSO KEEPS BLOWING DUNKS EVERY TIME I TURN THE TV ON HE IS ALWAYS BLOWING DUNKS!!! IM AM FED UP WITH HIS IMMATURE ACT!! HE NEEDS TO PACK HIS BAGS AND LEAVE!!!!
OPEN YOUR EYES
May 7th, 2012
5:19 pm
MARVIN”BROKE-BACK” WILLIAMS- EVERY TIME I SEE THIS MAN, IT MAKES ME WANT TO CRY!!!!! HE IS A WASTE OF SPACE AND HE NEEDS TO BE WAIVED IMMEDIATELY!!!! IF I SEE IM IN THE STREETS, IM GONNA CLEAN HIS CLOCK!!!!!!
OPEN YOUR EYES
May 7th, 2012
5:20 pm
SHALL WE REMINISCE ON THE PAST ATLANTA CHOKINGS:
1. FALCONS LOSE IN PLAYOFFS TO LOW SEED ARIZIONA CARDINALS
2. FALCONS GET DEMOLISHED IN PLAYOFFS TO LOW SEED GREEN BAY PACKERS
3. FALCONS ONLY PUT UP 2 POINTS IN PLAYOFFS AGAINST GIANTS!!!!
4. BRAVES MAKE NL HISTORY WITH THE BIGGEST WILD CARD COLLAPSE IN HISTORY (LAST YEAR)
5. ATLANTA DREAM GOT SWEPT TWO TIMES IN A ROW IN THE WNBA FINALS!!!
6. HAWKS LOSE TO BOSTON CELTICS WHEN THE WERE MISSING RONDO AND ALLEN AT HOME!!!! (THE OTHER NIGHT)
OPEN YOUR EYES
May 7th, 2012
5:21 pm
DON’T WORRY GUYS THERE WILL BE MANY MORE CHOKE MOMENTS TO COME FOR ATLANTA!!!! SO BUCKLE UP AND ENJOY THE BUMPY RIDE!!!
OPEN YOUR EYES
May 7th, 2012
5:21 pm
ALRIGHT IM DONE
╭∩╮（︶︿︶）╭∩╮ PEACE OUT!!!
Mike
May 7th, 2012
5:31 pm
Wow, CAPS LOCK FTW
But seriously, Joe needs to keep comments like that to himself and not for the media to hear (no offense, MC). I hate to say this, but we need to see what we can get for Joe
Grandmaster JeJe (GM)
May 7th, 2012
5:35 pm
We just lost to Boston by 22 (more like 40 if you ask me), we outshot the Celtics from the free throw line (17-13) and Grandad is BLAMING THE REFS.
LOL!
“however the disparity in the way the game was called was apalling.
Further;”
Is this a joke? The free throws don’t even matter. We got freaking murdered last night. Wake up
When are people going to realize that ASG HATES GOING INTO THE LUXURY TAX and to think they will PAY JOE JOHNSON $80 MILLION OVER 4 YEARS TO NOT PLAY FOR US IS BEYOND PREPOSTEROUS
WE ARE NOT AMNESTYING JOE JOHNSON
MattP
May 7th, 2012
5:43 pm
I hear ISO coming all game long in game 5. If this happens Hawks will lose game 5 for sure.
Section 303
May 7th, 2012
5:48 pm
Why is Joe Johnson not getting many shots news? This happens every year. He has played in several playoff games where he is no where to be found. Last night was just another on the list.
He played well Friday. He hit big shots. Last night, brutal. Tomorrow? Who knows? Quite frankly, who gives a sh#t?
This series is over.
Paddy
May 7th, 2012
5:48 pm
RICH……….If the problem is LD. blame the ASG. LD was all they could afford. It is not LD fault. You get what you pay for!!!!!!! They can’t afford to make deals. NBA players avoid ATL like a plague. This is a text book for how not to run a pro fanchise!!!
lldawg
May 7th, 2012
5:58 pm
LD does not take shots or cry about not getting enough, hasn’t guarded a player in years…missed dunks, or even shoot 3’s…people in the “Dirty South” wake up the Hawks are just what we all know they are…@#$@$%^%R&*yeah you figure it out…joe johnson what a waste of $$$$$$$$$ shouldn’t he be playing for the KNICKS
SteveW
May 7th, 2012
6:09 pm
I think Paul Pierce shooting 10-13, and 4-6 from 3 in only 17 minutes hurt the Hawks last nite.
Then Rondo had to score more with PP on the bench hurt.
In the last month of the season Rondo averaged 14.2 assists per game in 37.3 mpg in 12 games. In 3 games vs the Hawks he’s averaging 13.0 assists per game in 42.3 mpg. So it’s not that different, actually a little less.
As far as his scoring, even the Boston announcers have been laughing at some of his shots going in that he normally misses. And he had to pick up the scoring last nite with PP injured.
But he’s still only averaging 19.0 per game, and Teague is at 15.8 per game, so not that big of a mismatch there.
And this is a multiple time All Star going against a guy that Larry had buried on the end of the bench.
And JJ did have 28 shots Friday, so Teague as facillitator, while yes he needs work, he’s not that bad. If you watch the games, you realize that if it wasn’t for Teague, we wouldn’t even be in this thing.
SteveW
May 7th, 2012
6:15 pm
AJ – Now when Teague plays well, which has been often, I never seem to see you on here saying good job. LIttle hurt pride from last year have we?
You post some great posts sometimes – don’t let your anitpathy towards a certain player jaundice your objectivity. I call Teague like I see it – if he was garbage, I would say so. But he’s not a great PG – but he’s a good one, and the Hawks are fortunate to have him.
And if Teague did not play on a dysfunctional team, with Captains calling him out, telling him to do contradictory things, and the Coach throwing in his two cents worth, he has the tools to be very good in this League. I would love to see what Karl could do with Teague in Denver, or Pop in San Antonio.
The kid’s got game
Nahila
May 7th, 2012
6:17 pm
It appears that Joe wanted the ball but Boston put up the defense to deny him the ball so he must find a way along with his teammates to get open long enough for some more quality looks at the basket. To do so, he has got to bust his hump to get open as often as he can and his teammates need to make the accurate pass.
SteveW
May 7th, 2012
6:24 pm
Teague in 10 career playoff starts – versus DRose and Rondo for most of them:
15.2 ppg, 49.2 % from the floor, 3.9 assists per game, 1.4 turnovers per game, you get the picture.
And have you seen him flying all over the floor, getting back on transition D, closing out on guys, trying to block shots?
The guys not an All Star, but he is the real deal. And if he was dishing to Allen, Pierce, Garnett, Bass, and Bradley – he may have a few more assists per game also.
Slimjr
May 7th, 2012
6:33 pm
Bobby
May 7th, 2012
4:56 am
“And even last year, the Falcons had a better record than the Giants, who basically limped into the division title.
Hawks > Falcons . . . for what that is worth.”
Nah, Hawks are a mirage and will never matter in this town. You Vick fans need to accept it. I guarantee you 90% of people would say they trust Falcons front office/ownership over Hawks.”
The only way “Noodle Arm” will compete for a SuperBowl is with a clip board..
Give it 2-3 more years and 90% of the fans will catch up..He aint the one Grasshopper….
cp
May 7th, 2012
6:36 pm
Meh. Its time for some changes. And I dont mean a new veteran who isnt productive anymore. I mean real changes to the core and coaching staff. I dont think we should blow it up but some guys definitely need to be moved and the team needs a new voice leading them.
Grandmaster JeJe (GM)
May 7th, 2012
6:36 pm
Series is not over.
b
May 7th, 2012
6:43 pm
How in the hell did Johnson make the all-star team so many times?
His comments and also telling the Atlanta fans he didn’t care about them a couple of years ago tell
it all.
Tues. night the fans should boo Johnson out of the building and out of Atlanta.
What an overpaid tool!
Grandmaster JeJe (GM)
May 7th, 2012
6:46 pm
If we can regroup and win tomorrow and actually show up early game 6, anything can happen.
if BOS had won home court and hosted first 2 games, we may be in a better position now.
Series is not over. Horford got in a practice today I’m sure.
NO SLOW STARTS.
No falling down 10 points early BS and we are fine.
Slimjr
May 7th, 2012
6:48 pm
Larry Drew, lost this series within a 5:30 minute [last 3 mins of the 3rd and first 2:30 mins of the 4th] span in Game 2.. It was that simple….He probably does not even know it yet. Where the series was lost…
He lost an 11 point lead and the critical momentum for not only that game but for the rest of this series with his botched substitution patterns….
He is what he is an assistant coach not Head Coach material on the NBA level…
He lost this series…
Larry is only 13-24 against the winners this year which is pathetic,so you should not be surprised by the outcome facing a playoff team in a 7 game series..
He and his squad are being dominated and destroyed…..
And as you saw All Whatever will not make a difference because he will escort you to the rim for free..
Why are you guys surprised ISO only scored 9 points? Do you know who is defending him? . Hmmmm.
Let me say it again for the umpteenth time. Peitrus is a lock down ISO specialist..
We have seen this B4….