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
Section 303
May 8th, 2012
12:45 pm
Everyone just relax!! Marvin Williams is in the starting lineup tonight! We’re saved!!
WarHawk85
May 8th, 2012
12:46 pm
Joe Johnson has the basketball IQ of a 5yr old (ok may 12). This is just not a smart team when it relates to how to play the game. Drew is a genetic copy of Mike Woodson. Even if he was Phil Jackson he could not coach knowledge of BB into these high draft picks who think they are entitled because of their draft position. Look at Marvin “don’t bumb me I might fall” Williams, looks like he is still in his rookie year. The formula for the Hawks is this:
no passion/low basketball IO = “The Atlanta Hawks”
Mike D
May 8th, 2012
12:48 pm
@Rod from cp, He is a good offensive player man but he is gone. JAMAL CRAWFORD IS NOT COMIN THREW THAT DOOR ATLANTA! An his S obviously not bigger than Joes I mean look who got the money even though Joe not worth it he still came back an Jamal did not.
WarHawk85
May 8th, 2012
12:48 pm
Section 303 I agree with you… we are saved because its the last game.
Mike D
May 8th, 2012
12:55 pm
@Dawg finally someone understands Jamal gon! Thank u for havin sense! For 70 games that the Hawks have played thats including the playoffs all I see on this blog is Jamal this jamal that stop b##chin he gon thats it plain n simple I dont wanna see no one talkin bout Jamal on the blog after tonights game
Astro Joe
May 8th, 2012
1:02 pm
I’m not surprised that LD is going with hs opening night line-up in what could be the last game of the season.
OB, good point about MJ needing to hire a Gm and then stay out of the way. I wonder if Charles Barkley calls MJ to offer his unsolicited advice on how to make the Bobcats better (or if he knows that MJ will hang-up on him).
Woody may have to try and get Rod Strickland to play PG for the Knicks. Or good ole Rory Sparrow.
IBall
May 8th, 2012
1:17 pm
Joe not getting enough shots!! WHAT A JOKE? I can’t stop laughing at this one. LOOOOOOL!!!
DawgNole
May 8th, 2012
1:18 pm
Big Ray
May 7th, 2012
10:11 pm
Yeah. Wish we had TMac from back in the day. Actually, I would have settled for Chris Paul at #3 overall in the 2005 draft….thanks again for that one, Billy Knight….
_________________________
Thanks again is right, and we continue to be reminded of that boneheaded move every time CP3 carries the once woebegone Clippers to another victory (like he did last night).
DawgNole
May 8th, 2012
1:21 pm
Geno
May 8th, 2012
12:35 am
The fans let this team down by not showing up at the games….
_______________________
But that was only after the organization let the fans down for YEARS by not giving them a team worth showing up at the games for.
IBall
May 8th, 2012
1:23 pm
Just heard Joe is at Philips shooting now to get his shots in for tonight!!! LOL!!!
pointguardslim
May 8th, 2012
1:24 pm
Everyone just relax!! Ivan Johnson is in the starting lineup tonight! We’re going big like last years playoffs! We’re saved from debacle of double teams and tweener rebounding 2010!!
Jeff.Joe.Smith.Ivan.Horford
* fantasy island *
pointguardslim
May 8th, 2012
1:25 pm
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=biEFVQoLmPY
good look Big Dog. Holding it down when I lose interest ala MC.
pointguardslim
May 8th, 2012
1:27 pm
Not that theres anything wrong with losing interest. This is not a fun basketball team.
Doc Rivers said it best.
“Before the Celtics’ last regular season game against the Hawks, coach Doc Rivers said, “They’re an inverted transition team. You don’t see it very often where the bigs outrun the guards. Their bigs fly.”
Yeah but planning on guards rebounding so Josh and Horf can fly hasnt worked out too well.
FAIL.
pointguardslim
May 8th, 2012
1:31 pm
Ok I know MC wants to keep his blogs open and considers me a(n intelligent) troll so im done now
Buddy Grizzard
May 8th, 2012
1:32 pm
IGNORANT POST OF THE YEAR
High-sider
May 8th, 2012
9:16 am
“Another part of me feels [that] the decision to keep Hinrich [white] over Crawford [black] was a bit racial…”
You keep going on and on about Jamal’s great performance in the first round last year as if a series against Orlando’s defense compares to a series against the best defense in basketball. If you recall, Jamal Crawford played a playoff series last year against a Tom Thibodeau defense and was a non-factor. The Celtics still employ the defensive principles of Thibs, the lead assistant during their championship run. To say that JC1 would have had the kind of series he had against Orlando in this series is a bit of a stretch. More likely, he would have performed as he performed against CHI.
As for the racial component, the Hawks might be tied 2-2 in this series if Kirk Hinrich hadn’t sat out the fourth and overtime in favor of a certified scrub, Pargo. Is LD a racist for sitting Kirk? No, he’s just a bad coach. Despite not scoring in that game, the Hawks were not outscored while Hinrich was on the floor. The Hawks were -11 with Pargo on the floor. MC did a great job of breaking down Hinrich’s defense on Rondo. Go back and read that post if you missed it.
JC1 was not retained because while his offense is streaky, he’s consistent on defense. Consistent as in he never plays it.
DawgNole
May 8th, 2012
1:39 pm
Buddy Grizzard
May 8th, 2012
2:04 am
Geno, I suggest that you go talk to your local high school basketball coach and ask them what they think about Dominique’s analysis. Don’t take our word for it. I think there’s a general consensus out there that there are few people in broadcasting who know less about basketball than Dominique Wilkins. He knew how to shoot, he know how to dunk. Didn’t know how to defend or pass or win anything of significance. Knew how to run the best coach in Atlanta Hawks history out of town then lose in the first round with “players coach” Bob Weiss.
__________________
Amen.
northcyde
May 8th, 2012
1:56 pm
Off to Philips. Hawks are 5 – 2 in the playoffs with me in the building . Let’s extend that to 6 – 2.
eddie
May 8th, 2012
2:01 pm
I think the hawks will win tonight!! i think they have a good shot to pull of a comeback! i wrote how to bet this game and all the others right here1 http://nbawagers.com/2012/05/do-or-die/
Melvin
May 8th, 2012
2:04 pm
Bring us Hawks fans back a victory tonight northcyde…
KevinM
May 8th, 2012
2:16 pm
Gotta get a win tonight, but doesn’t starting Marvin put us at a 4-5 disadvantage immediately? Please, please someone tell me what Marvin has done to justify a starting nod? This is the only playoff team that is starting players who bring NOTHING to the effort.
So frustrating to see some of LD’s patterns continue. Why the HAIL isn’t T-Mac getting a shot with the starters? He gets stuck with the 2nd line who has given us nothing.
I will set the alert on in that if LD loses tonight, he is not coming back. We go to a Game 7, he gets new life in this organization.
Which would I prefer? I think I would prefer us to win tonight and suck it up and be stuck with management. I just can’t say let’s lose and see what happens.
I sure miss Zaza……
BIG DOG
May 8th, 2012
2:16 pm
This no lie, My home boy call me and said Marvin William is starting, i pulled over in WALMART plaza and started SMH.
Pointguardslim – If Marvin starte tonight LD should get fired immediately after the game.
Somebody tell me why Hinrich or Marvin should what have either player done ?
BIG DOG IN THE IN THE HOUSE
KevinM
May 8th, 2012
2:19 pm
I’m glad to hear that Patrick Ewing will finally get a shot at a HC position. I wanted him to come here when Woody was moved out.
I think he could make a very good head coach and has paid his dues in Orlando.
I didn’t know he was a Detroit candidate last year.
KevinM
May 8th, 2012
2:24 pm
Josh cannot have 6 TOs for us tonight. He needs to show us his pre-knee self. We need his 17/14 for the playoffs.
O'brien
May 8th, 2012
2:24 pm
northcyde needs to have a pep talk with his boy JJ before the game. KevinM,
Marvin does not deserve to start. Everbody knows it. However, as bad as he has been coming off the bench, maybe the change will do him good.
As a matter of fact, I will be the first to say it. I think Marvin will score in double digits tonight.
BIG DOG
May 8th, 2012
2:25 pm
Collins should starte keeping KG out away from paint, LD is so clueless as a coach no way should he be hired next year as a coach.
Rick Sund should get more credit with the player he gave coach LD to work with, but this Coach just lost not understanding how to enforce mismatches against a coach in Doc. who understand this Hawks team have the talent but a dum coach.
BIG DOG IN THE HOUSE
DawgNole
May 8th, 2012
2:25 pm
Najeh Davenpoop
May 8th, 2012
11:07 am
“I tell you right now if the Falcons fail to even just get a playoff win this year how much you want to bet the GM and Coach Smith are both gone. Maybe even Matt Ryan is gone I like the guy, but after 5 years don’t want to turn into the Cowboys.”
I will gladly take you up on that bet. In fact I will go a step further and say the Falcons will outright miss the playoffs and Dimitroff, Smith, and Ryan will all be back. The only difference between the Falcons and Hawks is marketing.
_______________________
Yeah, I’d like some of that bet, too. ATL teams have never been known to address ongoing issues in a timely manner. The likelihood of the Falcons doing so if/when they fail to win a playoff game again next season is miniscule.
O'brien
May 8th, 2012
2:26 pm
Najeh,
With Kirk not starting, chances are he will play minutes as backup PG when Teague goes to the bench.
Another problem with the starting lineup is that if Ray Allen starts, JJ will have to chase him around screens. However, JJ should be able to take it to him on offense.
Astro Joe
May 8th, 2012
2:29 pm
Other than game 4, who starts has not mattered nearly as much as who finishes. Execution in the 4th quarter is a much bigger concern. Marvin didn’t start game 4 and the starters still got mugged early 9and often).
BIG DOG
May 8th, 2012
2:33 pm
O’brien – please
Marvin is shootinging 19% from field in playoffs, im tired of this same old BS, specialy me going to games trying my best to support this team, but have a dum A$$ coach who has no identity and coaching in circles.
I wil not be there tonight right as this moment im giving away my tickets for free.
Hawks will lose this game tonight if Marvin or Hinrich starte.
im done.
BIG DOG IN THE HOUSE
drmaryb.(*_*).
May 8th, 2012
2:33 pm
A Losing Proposition!
“I think the hawks will win tonight!! i think they have a good shot to pull of a comeback! i wrote how to bet this game and all the others right here1 http://nbawagers.com/2012/05/do-or-die/” – eddie-
____________
News Alert!
My Father’s name was Eddie. He was a gambling man. He lost the title to the house, the car and the wife – all in one week. Gamblers are losers if they’re not lucky.
Here’s my point: Pay your bills. Save a life. Save a wife. Bet on it!
Melvin
May 8th, 2012
2:37 pm
At least Hinrich gave the starting unit more ballhandling and occasion knocking down jumpshot. Marvin will only allow Pierce to rest on defense.
DawgNole
May 8th, 2012
2:40 pm
KevinM
May 8th, 2012
2:16 pm
Gotta get a win tonight, but doesn’t starting Marvin put us at a 4-5 disadvantage immediately? Please, please someone tell me what Marvin has done to justify a starting nod? This is the only playoff team that is starting players who bring NOTHING to the effort.
_______________________
Is that kind of like being the only city whose pro teams have competed for 154 seasons with only one championship?
Top Gun
May 8th, 2012
2:42 pm
Look at the elite teams and tell me what is the difference…they RUN. I am tired of watching these overpaid players jog or walk down the court that it is making me sick. If you run on defense maybe you could make some stops. Jeff Teague is the only player hustling on “D” wish others would do the same.
fish2774
May 8th, 2012
2:44 pm
Somebody pls hurry and get Joe Johnson and the Hawks ownership the $ell out of here. I don’t know which is worse!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!1
Astro Joe
May 8th, 2012
2:46 pm
Mary, why is “pap Was a Rolling Stone” now playing in my head? Save a life and save a wife? I’m going to step away from that comment… anniversary is in 5 weeks (I hope).
Sautee
May 8th, 2012
2:51 pm
“Once again, people are mad at JJ because he told the truth.”
LOL, not everybody. I agree that JJ should get more than 8 shots. But in the 18:58 that Joe was on the floor in the first half of Game 4, the Celtics scored FIFTY POINTS.
I’m mad at Joe because as a captain, it’s on him (and the other captains) to set the tone, and unfortunately he DID. I thought both Joe and Josh were not just lethargic, but seemingly disinterested on the defensive end.
What I would have LOVED to see, would be Joe telling C-Viv “with the way we played on defense, shot attempts are of no matter”, or something that actually addressed the biggest problem with the poor performance.THAT would be leadership. No doubt C-Viv was on the trail of a perceived aggravation, and as a beat writer should have been more focused on the true problem, but Joe certainly could have turned the focus back to defense IF THAT’S WHERE HIS FOCUS WAS.
So I’m mad at Joe, not because he “told the truth” but because he failed to address the WORST thing about the Hawks performance. And his own.
As you said nc: “The true problem was the defense, and letting the Celtics shoot 64% FG and score 64 points that half.” And Joe’s lack of effort was part and parcel.
KevinM
May 8th, 2012
2:56 pm
DawgNole, the Hawks have contributed to 28% of that total.
And to think, this team came to this city as a championship contender only to bend over backwards and bring in Maravich and watch any semblance of a championship team disintegrate.
We have had problems since we came here and we have zero in the legacy category. I can’t imagine what Bridges, Beatty, Bells & company thought about the direction of this franchise.
We are still cursed by the Bill Russell trade and with G-Dad’s reminder at the beginning of the playoffs, the hex continues today.
Fast forward to tonight and apparently LD thinks our opening day lineup gives us the best shot to win. What a stubborn pattern following coach we have. He has no answer for what ails us and the reserves will get their normal rotation.
Just infuriating.
KevinM
May 8th, 2012
3:00 pm
Let me enrage the blog base just a bit more…..
Did anyone hear a caller on 790thezone say today that when its all said a done, Joe will have a banner hanging in Philips?
O'brien
May 8th, 2012
3:03 pm
Sautee,
I could be wrong, but JJ is not known for pointing the blame finger at himself.
With him, tt’s always about “we”, “the players” , “the team” etc. I wish he would say “it all starts with me”, or “I need to play better”, or “I need to lead better” more often.
Grandad
May 8th, 2012
3:05 pm
Gm JeJe (GM)
Sir, are you illiterate ?
Or;
are you a horse`s ass ?
Had you been following my progression during the play-offs
you [perhaps ?] would better understand.
Anyway, in an attempt to enlighten those you attempt to confuse:
Game three:
Pierce makes more FTs than the Hawks attempt.
*note – Read Donaghy`s book
**yes – I believe Stern has an agenda
Games one and two:
Were painful to watch as Pierce and KG [to me] got the SuperStar
treatment to which Joe and fellow Hwks do not receive.
This is not conducive to competition but rather ‘`Stern`s agenda`’.
Game four:
No excuse for our Hawks sub-standard play … however,
The officiating, served to pour fuel onto the fire.
Now;
Back to you and your inability to read with comprehension.
Perhaps you can get someone
[not one of your benighted troop of monkees]
But, an erudite Special Educator that is willing to read
this narrative out loud and in the process enabling you
to assimilate the intent.
Have a nice day,
G-dad
Rod from College Park
May 8th, 2012
3:05 pm
“At least Hinrich gave the starting unit more ballhandling and occasion knocking down jumpshot. Marvin will only allow Pierce to rest on defense.”
DING!!!!!
O'brien
May 8th, 2012
3:06 pm
AJ,
Sometimes, we start a game flat, and fall behind early. That was one of the reasons why LD stayed with Hinrich in the starting lineup, plus Marvin off the bench was able to play a little better against other bench players.
With Marvin starting, I think Doc will go to Paul Pierce early, since Pierce can rest on defense. Hopefully, Pierce will be off like he was in game 1.
As for defending JJ, I’m sure Doc has read and heard all this talk about JJ needing more touches. He will have an adjustment to counteract LD’s adjustment.
Melvin
May 8th, 2012
3:06 pm
Sautee,
Simply put, Joe handled that question(s) poorly and that’s given him the benefit that he’s aware that allowing the Celtics to score over 60pts in the 1st half was the biggest contributing factor in their game 4 lost.
Rod from College Park
May 8th, 2012
3:09 pm
“JAMAL CRAWFORD IS NOT COMIN THREW THAT DOOR ATLANTA!”
Ok. LOL. How do you come threw a door?
Lugnut
May 8th, 2012
3:10 pm
Gonna be alot of empty seats at the Disappointment Factory tonight.
KevinM
May 8th, 2012
3:17 pm
Allow me to share a stat from Sekou:
“The Hawks have dropped 12 playoff games by 20-plus points since 2008, a staggering number that does not include all of the games they lost by 16, 17, 18 and 19 points.
They’d fight back with stats of their own — such as along with the Celtics and Lakers, they are one of just three teams to reach the second round in each of the past three seasons. But that would foolishly suggest that the Hawks belong in the same sentence with two franchises that have won championships in the past four seasons.”
Sekou’s results of a poll on nba.com that ask which of the core would you move?
”
Joe Johnson. It won’t be easy with all of the money owed the man who will be the league’s highest-paid player when his contract ends. 30.09% (3,216 votes)
Josh Smith. Supreme talent but an enigmatic player who has expressed a desire to play elsewhere. 31.57% (3,374 votes)
Al Horford. The All-Star big man has become a pillar of the franchise but could also fetch the biggest prize in a potential trade. 7.75% (828 votes)
Marvin Williams. Yet another failed experiment by this franchise. The No. 2 overall pick in the 2005 Draft needs a fresh start elsewhere. 29.26% (3,127 votes) ”
This has to be one of the easiest articles Sekou has written this year.
Al has more favor with voters than anyone, but realistically until it happens, I can’t see Sund doing anything.
Buddy Grizzard
May 8th, 2012
3:18 pm
Northcyde, nice analysis re jj. I think the problem is that he had that injury early in his career at Phoenix and he avoids contact. How many times have we seen him post up a smaller defender then dribble out to the three point line instead of initiate contact and try to get to the line? Ownership knew this about him before they threw all that loot at him.
drmaryb.(*_*).
May 8th, 2012
3:19 pm
This should lighten the Blog mood!
http://now.msn.com/now-plus/0805-frisbee-trick-shots.aspx
ntrigue
May 8th, 2012
3:19 pm
I would start T-MAc or Ivan over Marvin! You go Teague, Joe, T-Mac, Josh, and AL thats a big lineup
doc
May 8th, 2012
3:23 pm
first of all this is the playoffs larry. why look for bench production when you dont really have one. these guys are rag tag rejects that played over their heads against bad teams. ths is not last year when you had a bench of two players, zaza and jc1. they arent here anymore, green is not even flip redoux much less jc1; ericka is not zaza nor is ivan.
this problem is cap space or lack thereof and poor planning and an ownership group nt seeing the proximity to winning it all that will take more out of their pockets. this will be the second of three years where if more agressive in procuring to need rather than grabbing that still available we could be in the ecf.
it wasnt the bench or the offense though neither helped but lack of defense and disipline to avoid turnovers. with that i say josh still needs a psychologist to tell him he is not queen and to play within himself which is enough.
predictably unpredictable.
almost lose to boston third string.
look impressive for a half then fade to hold on.
lose a lead and lose with rondo out.
close loss with josh on bench.
blow out with josh and thrown in al because of not respecting each possession and playing defense like it was an all star game.
tonight no mortal knows.