Atlanta Hawks: Ivan Johnson back after offseason of reflection
Vivlamore reporting. Here is my story on Ivan Johnson for Thursday’s print edition of the AJC. The Hawks play at the Spurs tonight.
Ivan Johnson is not much for conversation. In fact, the Hawks’ hulking power forward will often use one word when three will do.
Johnson enters his second NBA season in was has been a tumultuous basketball career not without incident even as a 27-year-old rookie last year.
So, Johnson spent an offseason of reflection.
“It was a good time to think some things through about what I did last year, what I could do to make things better,” Johnson said. “It was a thinking offseason on how I could make my second year a better year.”
What was his conclusion?
“Keep my hands to my side and just play,” he said with a diamond-encrusted smile.
Johnson and the Hawks played at San Antonio Wednesday in the second exhibition game of the season.
Johnson was a surprise addition to the Hawks’ roster last season after a strong training camp. The 6-foot-8, 255-pounder became a fan favorite for his menacing appearance and physical style. His wayward college career and anger-management issues, including a ban from the Korean Basketball League, have been well documented.
Johnson’s temper did get him into trouble on a couple occasions last season. Coach Larry Drew sent him home from a trip to Orlando and fined him after Johnson argued with teammates on the bench. The NBA also fined Johnson $25,000 for giving fans the middle finger while leaving the court following Atlanta’s final playoff loss to Boston.
The Hawks made a qualifying offer to Johnson, a one-year, $966,000 deal for the restricted free agent, this summer. Drew then made two trips to California for separate conversations about what will be expected this season. The two had breakfast on one trip and Drew watched Johnson work out on the other.
“When the decision was made that we were going to bring him back as part of our team I thought it was important that I reach out,” Drew said of his trips to Los Angeles. “He’s always been a guy who I truly admire. He is one of my favorites.
“In both meetings we had a very good discussion about my expectations from him. When I left the meeting, we were on the same page.”
Johnson admits that his issues last season centered on being an old rookie. He was sent home from Orlando after failing to give up his seat on the bench to a veteran.
“I knew I had some rookie duties to do but I wasn’t going to be put through all the rookie duties because I’m an older rookie,” Johnson said.
Johnson appeared in 56 games last season, averaging 16.7 minutes per game. He finished his initial NBA campaign with averages of 6.4 points and 4.0 rebounds. He was named Eastern Conference Rookie of the Month for April. Johnson led the Hawks in field-goal percentage (.513), which was the third-best mark among all NBA first-year players.
Of Drew’s trips to California, Johnson said the coach was “seeing how much I was working out, seeing if I was working out.” Drew wanted Johnson to come to training camp in shape. He was told he would have an expanded role, meaning more playing time, this season.
The Hawks coach covets Johnson’s physical style. He gives the team an edge – when properly controlled.
“He understands that,” Drew said.
Johnson split is offseason between Dallas and Los Angeles for workouts. He said he did basketball drills weightlifting and running. “A whole bunch of running,” is how Johnson explained the regime that including workouts in the mountains and at the beach.
“That is just my mindset,” Johnson said of his physical style. “I always like to go hard, throw my body around.”
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* Exhibition season opens with win over Heat
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250 comments Add your comment
Willie Coyote
October 10th, 2012
8:15 pm
“Anyone know if the game tonight is being streamed somewhere?”
Tween yo mama legs
brigaadierjerry
October 10th, 2012
8:19 pm
slimjr,
why get upset with horford?blame people who voted for him.
also if those players u mentioned lock up horford but hawks win game or playoff series whats of more importance the hawks win or who won the scoring battle between horford and his matchup. u know this is a team game wins and losses matter not always individual matchups.
i will be at opener in brooklyn with my young son. i used to live 2 minutes from barclays center
Big Ray
October 10th, 2012
8:26 pm
Could care less if Ivan didn’t want to give his seat up. That has nothing to do with what he does on the court, “rookie protocol” be damned.
Few guys on this team showed that they were worth being accorded respect of any sort.
Ivan is and has been more man on the court than most guys to don a Hawks uniform in the last 6 ears.
Having said that, no you can’t do what you want to do when you want to do it…especially when you’re getting paid.
If the man plays under control, well and good. He’s not the only one to get into arguments with teammates and/or coaches, either. As for discipline, this team has lacked it for the longest, and that includes our so-called “veteran” Hawks…oh, don’t get me started.
Hilarious that Ivan gets called out for not being a T-E-A-M guy….seems like a roster-wide issue with all the players that matter. Pachulia seems the most team oriented, if you ask me…
Ken Strickland
October 10th, 2012
8:31 pm
It certainly appear that one of our resident ANAL MINDED MORONS is having flashbacks, because this is my 1st post on this blog. It also appears that someone must have made an intelligent, well presented and thoughtout comment about Horford, which is probably what triggered the his/her/it’s profanity laced tirade. YOU CAN LEAD A MORON TO WATER, BUT YOU CAN MAKE HIM THINK.
Melvin
October 10th, 2012
8:32 pm
Watching the Pistons/Raptors. The Pistons are going to shock some teams if they stay healthy. Drummond looks very atheletic for a big man. Drummond and Monroe should be a good tandem in the paint…
brigaadierjerry
October 10th, 2012
8:32 pm
slimjr,
we all,know what al can and cannot do. we know about post moves or lack thereof. my question as always why keep repeating this point?
other bloggers have stated their views on horford but it isnt the only topic they talk about but u repeat it all the time, 24/7# the same thing. other players on the hawks are a microcosm compared to horford as far as u mentioning them.
would i like to see horford work on post up moves?yes but if he plays better defense and more rebounds with same lack of post up moves would u sign for that?i would
Big Ray
October 10th, 2012
8:33 pm
The Al Jefferson argument continues to be amusing.
If you want worse defense (especially against the pick and roll), slightly worse rebounding (check the career averages) and 3.4 ppg (again, career averages) more than you’re getting, then Jefferson is your man.
Again…Jefferson’s post game is superior to Horford’s. But that is the ONLY advantage you get. Period. If that’s the goal, then fine. He’s certainly heavier than Horford…by about 40 lbs or so…maybe more. But he won’t be able to run with these speedsters, and if his game is so awesome, this in no way explains why they didn’t build around him in Boston, and can’t build around him in Utah.
But whatever….LOL…
glw
October 10th, 2012
8:35 pm
Not sure if this is confirmed but starting lineup is supposedly
pg- Lou Williams
sg- James Anderson
sf- Damian James
pf- Josh Smith
c – Al Horford
lewis
October 10th, 2012
8:38 pm
Teague can get his own and he can give you 40 minutes every single night. Name 1 other Hawk in that position? He’s gone toe to toe with Derrick Rose and Rajon Rondo IN THE PLAYOFFS. Devin Harris is is always injured, don’t expect him to be much better than Kirk Hinrich at this point.
Big Ray
October 10th, 2012
8:39 pm
Ah yes….the troll knows how to splice out sentences for his purpose….I was referring to rebounding.
Al Jefferson’s career rebounding average is 8.9. He hasn’t been a double digit rebounder since 2009.
Al Horford’s career rebounding average is 9.5.
So like I said the first time ….Jefferson’s numbers are slightly worse than Horford’s in that category.
Ken Strickland
October 10th, 2012
8:41 pm
Let’s get away from all the negative BS and answer a few questions.
1-Who do you think will start at SF, Josh, James, Anderson, or Korver, and why?
2-Who do you think will start at SG, Williams, Jenkins, Harris, Tolliver, or Stevenson, and why?
3-Who do you think will start at PG, Teague, Harris or Williams, and why?
4-Do you think both Korver and Morrow will make the team, and if not, which one, and why?
Astro Joe
October 10th, 2012
8:45 pm
Last 6 ears?
Ray, that’s my point, the incident was off the court and was a traditional piece of rookie initiation. Dude just seems like one of those cats who takes things a little too seriously… everything isn’t life of death nor respect vs. disrespect. If they had excluded him from such treatment (but did it for the drafted guys) would he have felt slighted? And the lastthing any of his teammates need to do is feel intimidated by a co-worker… if success is based on the collective effort of several individuals, would it be healthy if some were intimidated by a co-worker? Dude was wrong, it doesn;t make him a bad guy, it doesn’t change his value on the court… but in that case, he was wrong.
Big Ray
October 10th, 2012
8:47 pm
Al Jefferson career blocks – 1.4 pg.
Al Horford career blocks – 1.1 pg.
Huge difference, as you can see
Meanwhile, the difference is in scoring as I continue to say….Al has a 12.8 ppg career average…. a point his detractors on this blog are famous for quoting
What they won’t quote is the astronomically larger figure that Mr. Al Awesome Jefferson has for his career ppg average….which is 16.2. A whole 3.4 ppg better.
However, what you GET from Jefferson is an undeniable post scoring presence. It just so happens that the last time he was actually dominating was the two years he played in Minnesota, from 2007-2009. He had a near 20 and 10 set of averages last year for a depleted Utah squad that had literally nobody else to turn to for scoring. Seriously, Paul Milsap was the second leading scorer at just under 17 ppg and CJ Miles was the only other guy to average double figures with about 10 per game.
Jefferson is a fine post presence on offense. He’ll get that job done. On defense he is too slow and doesn’t block more shots than Horford by a margin that actually matters, and he’s NOT a better rebounder these days.
It is what it is. You aren’t upgrading if you trade for that guy. You’re just changing how you play the game.
Melvin
October 10th, 2012
8:49 pm
No start for Teague tonight. Hopefully he’s not playing tonight b/c I hope this is not a sign for LD to start jerking him around this season.
glw
October 10th, 2012
8:49 pm
@Ken Strickland
1. Korver will be the starting SF
2. Stevenson will be Sg (he complements Korver) if korver doesnt start then Stevenson doesnt start.
3. PG is Teague ( knows what LD expects most of all.
4. Korver and Morrow both make the team.
brigaadierjerry
October 10th, 2012
8:50 pm
big ray agreed on jefferson. dont see the logic.
ken james as sf defense and rebounding
stevenson for defense but he will only start i think minutes shared between morrow, jenkins
i see teague starting. better for develoment also williams harris used to coming from bench
last question not sure i think morrow makes more money so he stays.
i wish petro would get cut but makes 3 million i believe
glw
October 10th, 2012
8:52 pm
@Melvin
Not sure why he isnt starting, but suspect LD wants to see how Lou handles the point and how well he can lead the team. not so much for starting, I just feel that Lou will start, but if its the end of the game, Lou might be out there over Teague.
Michael
October 10th, 2012
8:53 pm
right now it’s
PG JT
SG JJ
SF Korver
PF Smoove
C Al
Slimjr
October 10th, 2012
8:54 pm
Game looks good online!
Hawks up 14-10!
Lou is the man! Sorry JT..
BTW Lou started over Teague.. Hmmmm
Josh would you please give up the ball on the break? Your not Magic, Mid-Range Shawty!
glw
October 10th, 2012
8:54 pm
Teague and Jenkins are in now in the backcourt mid way thru the 1st qtr I guess LD is seeing which backcourt combos work best.
Ken Strickland
October 10th, 2012
8:56 pm
BIG RAY-You know as well as I that these MORONS aren’t interested in facts, unless it somehow supports their special brand of BS. How do these IDIOTS expect anyone to take them seriously when they come up with comments like, we should start Pachulia over Horford because Horford doesn’t have a postup gm. The truth is, Zaza doesn’t have much of an OFF gm period.
We’ve also heard that Zaza should start over Horford because he does a better job of protecting the rim. I can’t make this crap up. We’re talking about some seriously sick and delusional trolls.
MistaGamer
October 10th, 2012
9:00 pm
Slim,
where are you watching?
Big Ray
October 10th, 2012
9:02 pm
AJ ,
I don’t know Ivan, so I won’t presume to know if he is the kind of person who takes things too seriously or not. I have heard that those kinds of folks do exist in this world. I’ve also heard that there are a plethora of personalities to deal with in the workplace, but go figure.
You say he was wrong…I say I don’t give a sh!t what happened, that is for somebody else to deal with. Did he hit somebody, threaten somebody, or just tell them to sit elsewhere? I get the feeling some folks are a bit tender-footed around there…but hey, that would not be a politically correct thing to say…ooops…already said it…I’ve seen worse than “no, I’m not getting out of this seat, sit your a$$ somewhere the f@ck else”. Really? What is this, pre-school?
Don’t care about rookie treatement, either. This is all stuff players and coaches deal with. They make this crap up, they can deal with it, I hope they’re grown men.
Hey, I’m not arguing, if he’s wrong then he’s wrong. Again, I don’t care one bit about this, I just know Ivan brings an attitude that is sorely lacking with this ballclub.
As for co-workers being intimidated by others…have to laugh…if the team is scared of Ivan then don’t sign his a$$. Go sign another Johan Petro or somebody, LOL. Let’s have a team of fluff bunnies…then listen to you call them soft again….LOL
Michael
October 10th, 2012
9:07 pm
lmao powell with a 3
Melvin
October 10th, 2012
9:08 pm
Teague 8pts in the 1st qtr off the bench
glw
October 10th, 2012
9:08 pm
Teague didnt start, soon as he came in the game, he started ballin. lol
High-sider
October 10th, 2012
9:09 pm
Why didn’t Teague start tonight?
Slimjr
October 10th, 2012
9:10 pm
Mistagamer, go to thefirstrow.eu, from there pick basketball then click on link for the Spurs game.
Enjoy!
Al with 6 points
Slimjr
October 10th, 2012
9:11 pm
BTW the Spurs are attacking the escort service.. Its going to be a long season…..
glw
October 10th, 2012
9:13 pm
IM an Al Horford fan, but damn he needs to play some help defense sometime.
Astro Joe
October 10th, 2012
9:15 pm
Ray, they weren’t intimidated by him, which is a good thing. And team dynamics do matter, which is why I care. I do believe that a high performing team is more than just a collection of high performing individuals. My guess is the reason he was suspended for a game had more to do wtih disrupting team chemistry than it had to do with berating a vet on the squad. The Hawks took corrective actions, Ivan spent some time in self-reflection, they offered him a deal, he accepted and now all is right with the world.
Slimjr
October 10th, 2012
9:15 pm
He cant help, hes a day late and dollar short on the help,Thats why he’s known as the escort service now! Heh heh heh
Slimjr
October 10th, 2012
9:16 pm
All NBA misses the Dunk!
Melvin
October 10th, 2012
9:17 pm
Just saw Josh and Horford lead the last two fast breaks….SMH
Slimjr
October 10th, 2012
9:18 pm
The Spurs are destroying the paint!!!!!
Wheres AllNBA!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Slimjr
October 10th, 2012
9:20 pm
Its a feaking layup line plus dunks!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
OMG….
Big Ray
October 10th, 2012
9:20 pm
I would not at all be surprised to see Teague lose out as a starter…or to remain a starter but not be the guy on the floor in the 4th quarter…or even play the most minutes at the pg position.
Lou Williams will be “that” guy. Teague likely starts due to his defensive capability, assuming he keeps up with that.
Harris may be a shadow of what he once was, but if he stays healthy, he’s still a guy who can put it on you with speed in the transition game. He’ll play a good number of minutes if he stays healthy.
I like Morrow. Not a great player, but he can shoot/score at a good clip…darn good FT shooter, nasty from the arc too, with a career 42.6% mark. His regular FG percentage ain’t bad either, career mark of 45.1%…no complaints from me. Career 12 ppg scorer…he may not start, but even if he doesn’t he should get some good minutes…will help space the floor at the 2 spot.
Astro Joe
October 10th, 2012
9:21 pm
Melvin, they only do that because of a lack of speedy PGs to run the fast break. Surely, you don’t expect them to pass the all to Bibby or Hinrich to run the fast break, do you?
Buddy Grizzard
October 10th, 2012
9:22 pm
You know it’s bad when Eddy Curry is getting layups. Hawks getting humiliated by the Spurs? What else is new. This is the biggest coaching mismatch in NBA basketball.
Buddy Grizzard
October 10th, 2012
9:23 pm
I’m gonna steal your line Slimjr… OH THE HUMANITY!
northcyde
October 10th, 2012
9:23 pm
Lay up line tonight by the Spurs. Shooting 55% so far
Slimjr
October 10th, 2012
9:24 pm
Bench AllStar AL now..He is getting crushed on the inside.
He has officially become the invisible man,,,OMG!
glw
October 10th, 2012
9:24 pm
Al is looking bad on defense. Eddy Curry beating him off the dribble. San Antonio shooting 55&, getting layups and dunks all night long so far.
Big Ray
October 10th, 2012
9:24 pm
I wish this game was on tv where I could see it….I am not in the mood for streaming anything via computer.
I know preseason doesn’t matter but…..two things….
1) It sounds as if Horford hasn’t changed a whole lot as far as his attitude about playing defense down low. Then again, when a Horford hater is calling the play-by-play…it brings a whole new meaning to the words “color commentator”….
2) Teague not starting in the preseason means what exactly? Nothing. It’s the preseason. LD is bound to “try” things during this time…and he should.
Buddy Grizzard
October 10th, 2012
9:26 pm
I just turned the game on… have the Hawks run a play yet?
Buddy Grizzard
October 10th, 2012
9:27 pm
northcyde did you like that great Teague defense on de colo?
Buddy Grizzard
October 10th, 2012
9:27 pm
Where’s Rod from CP
High-sider
October 10th, 2012
9:27 pm
If the Bucks can “go with” [a starting backcourt of] Jennings and Ellis, why can’t the Hawks “go with” Teague and L. Williams?
Melvin
October 10th, 2012
9:29 pm
Krover and Jenkins back to back 3’s…. Hawks got shooters….
Buddy Grizzard
October 10th, 2012
9:29 pm
That’s what the shooters are for… threes count for more than twos