Hawks surviving despite an ordinary Joe
Joe Johnson seemingly has been fighting for control of the ball the entire playoffs. (AP photo)
There he was before the playoffs, saying all the right things. He wanted to be viewed as an elite player. He wanted to be known as a difference-maker. He wanted to be the guy who stood out in a postseason series, not blend like flowers on wallpaper.
“Everybody wants to be the guy,” Joe Johnson said last week. “This is the time when the great players step up.”
It’s Game 5 of the NBA playoffs, and we’re still waiting for Joe Johnson to step up. The degree of his greatness remains up for debate.
The Hawks are even in their series with Miami at two wins apiece despite Johnson, not because of him. They’ve received great games from Josh Smith and Zaza Pachulia and solid play from Mike Bibby.
But their captain and expected leading scorer has been relatively pedestrian.
Johnson is averaging 13.8 points. He has made only 37.9 percent of his field-goal attempts. He is 2-for-9 from three-point range and 9-for-17 from the free-throw line.
His assist-to-turnover ratio: so tilted the wrong way (10-to-15).
This is not what stars do. Not in the playoffs. Not even in November.
Johnson spent most of practice Tuesday getting treatment for an ankle sprain. When he emerged following a film session, he looked tired and irritated. The irritated part is probably a good thing. That anger-motivation-get-out-of-my-way-I’m-scoring-30-points domino effect would help right about now.
“It’s been a tough series,” he said. “But now that we’ve got home court back, maybe we can taken advantage of it.”
When asked if it has been a tough series for him personally, Johnson said: “Yeah, in some form or fashion. But, you know, we’ll be all right. I’ll pick my play up. I’ll get it together.”
He needs to. Because the current 2-2 count not withstanding, the chance of the Hawks winning this series with Johnson averaging less than 14 points seem slim.
Coach Mike Woodson told our Chris Vivlamore on Tuesday: “The thing is, we’ve been able to sustain with him being mediocre. To me, that’s great.”
The problem is, players who get five-year, $70 million contracts shouldn’t require a safety net, not so often and certainly not in April. Players who get five-year, $70 million contracts do so because they’re supposed to be special.
Team officials often point to Game 4 against Boston in last year’s playoffs, when he scored 35 points, as an almost staple of Johnson’s postseasons. But that night has been more of an aberration than the norm.
In seven playoff games since, Johnson has scored 21, 15, 16, 15, 16, 10 and 14, shooting 37.4 percent (37-of-99). It doesn’t mean he’s a bad player. Fact is, he’s a very good one who sometimes has great games. But elite players are great when it matters most.
Hawks general manager Rick Sund credited Miami’s defense but said Johnson has responded well to the double-teams, saying, “He has swung the ball when he’s needed to, and he’s made some big shots. Great players respond to a defensive scheme, and Joe’s done that.”
As for the lack of scoring, Sund added: “He’ll have a game where things fall his way.”
Johnson also referenced double-teams, off pick-and-rolls and in the post. He said, “I’ve just got to pick my spots a little better. I’ll be all right.”
Saying the right things hasn’t been the problem.
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128 comments Add your comment
WR
April 29th, 2009
12:56 pm
Atlsouthside just hit it dead on the head with the Josh and Joe scenario. Josh does try to compete with Joe for the title of leader, problem is he does’t get the fact that he would be considered the leader if he kept his butt down in the post. Joe nor anyone else in the league has his physical attributes whether he’s playing at the SF or PF position. This guy is not only Karl Malone but he’s Dominique,Worthy,a sprinkle of Pippen, with a little Sir Charles all in one package, but it starts down in the post. It might sound crazy to some but for all the praise Lebron gets its his commitment to playing within his game and developing his weaknesses that impress me. Josh has unworldly talent but he refuses to play within his game and develop his weaknesses. As an example I will offer this, most people agree our last Superstar was Nique, if you tracked the hawks from the time he arrived until he finished his career you noticed that Nique’s game started in the post, as he continued to excel in the post he begin to develop his outside game and before long he was an unstoppable force. Some of the younger fans may not know it but when Nique was at the top of his game, Jordan, Bird, nor Magic could come into the Omni without a war taking place, Dominique wouldn’t have it. Josh could be the same type of player if not better but he chooses not to play within his game and develop his weaknesses as time passes, which is what the great ones do.
Hollywould
April 29th, 2009
1:20 pm
All, I guess we will agree to disagree on this one. I don’t care how big you are/ If I hit you in the mouth I guarantee you will feel it.
Hell, Dwight Howard might be suspended also for his elbow but I doubt it as some players and arenas are above the law. Anyway, I am thru
GO HAWKS
Hollywould
April 29th, 2009
1:21 pm
Enter your comments here
GoldenRichards
April 29th, 2009
1:21 pm
I think its ridiculous for people to be questioning Joe Johnsons status as an elite player. As it was noteworthily pointed out, last year in game 4 against Boston, Joe Johnson was literally unstoppable and torched Boston for 35 points. Joe could do this every night if he wanted to, but we have a team now and the other players take their turn scoring as well. I believe, Joe should now get selfish in terms of his own points and gun for 30 regardless of what his teammates are getting, but still take it within the team concept. If Joe gets doubled as in the past, dish it out to an open teammate. To give you a barometer as to how good Joe is, if Joe wanted to lead the league in scoring, Joe has the skills to lead the league in scoring if he chose to do that. In my opinion, Joe is the fourth best player in the league today, behind
D-Wade, Kobe and LaBron.
truth-serum
April 29th, 2009
1:43 pm
bottomline
April 29th, 2009
10:31 am
It is better to keep ones mouth closed and let others think you are ignorant than to open it and remove all doubt.
The Lakers have two centers, Bynum and Gasol with Mbenga in the background.
Kevin Garnett did man the 5 spot against Pachulia last year hence the pictures of Z looking up at him. They have added Perkins and Big baby to create Drama in the low post.
How’s that pee wee league working for you…If it doesn’t try a marble shooting tournament or kit flying…I heard you can win championships in kite flying with a center.
Good luck to you.
Schultz is it true that the sigh of a good team is when one man doesn’t have to do all the scoring….does that mean the team is balance and more dynamic?
OH That’s RIGHT YOU ARENT SPEAKING TO ME BECAUSE I CALLED YOU OUT FOR BEING A HATER….
truth-serum
April 29th, 2009
1:49 pm
All I’m Saying Is…
April 29th, 2009
10:55 am
EXCELLENT POST!
GumbyWilliams
April 29th, 2009
2:33 pm
Joe Johnson is a tremendous player. He is certainly on the hot seat right now and people are wondering where is he and why are the Hawks struggling to get past the Heat. The Heat are a very streaky and good team that have beat qualitiy teams down the stretch to get a good position in the playoffs. I know, however, that the Hawks are a much better team than the Heat although the records dont show much of a difference. Even though the Hawks are vastly improved, Ive watched the Hawks closely this year and realize that they should have won 50 games with the talent that was available to them. If the Hawks had been injury free, they could have won 60 games this year. That is approximately where the Hawks should have been although they finished with only 47 games, which is a 10 game improvement from last year, but still weak in the playoff field. To show how weak that number (47) is, had the hawks been in the Western conference they would have missed the playoffs entirely. ALL 8 TEAMS THAT QUALIFIED FOR THE PLAYOFFS IN THE WESTERN CONFERENCE have better records than the Hawks. In the weakened Eastern Conference, however, the Hawks finished in fourth place, but again should have won 50 games. All I am asking from the Hawks is that they play hard and play their best basketball. If they do that, that will be good enough to win a championship this year.
Fair is Fair
April 29th, 2009
2:54 pm
That was a blatant “flagrant foul” by Rondo. He SWUNG his arm and hit Miller IN THE HEAD = FLAGRANT FOUL. Yes the NBA used to be a lot rougher, especially during the playoffs. I loved it. But that was then and this is now. The NBA in their “wisdom” has since CHANGED THE RULES. They put in a rule SPECIFICALLY for the above mentioned situation. If they want to suspend the rule during the playoffs, great. But if they don’t, then the rule should be applied to everyone (including superstars) and at all times (end of a close game).
But anyone watching knows that the refs give preferential treatment to certain players and certain teams. NBA refs are the worst refs in professional sports. All you can ask from a ref in any sport is consistancy. But they call ticky-tack fouls for 5 minutes and then let people get mugged for the next 5 minutes. Soimething is a foul to the ref on one end of the court but not to the ref on the other end. Like I said, they are either horribly enept or on the take. And don’t say that is some conspiracy theory. One guy got caught but I am sure there are more.
Hollywould
April 29th, 2009
3:05 pm
Fair is Fair, Thanks man, I was beginning to believe I was seeing things. ALL is telling me he should accept the foul and don’t whine, be a man, bs. Name a player in the NBA who does not whine. Makes no sense.
He did not even try for the ball. He was trying to take him out and it did work but it was a cheap shot. Watch Wade tonite and tell me he doesn’t whine.
Dan
April 29th, 2009
3:23 pm
Jeff Schultz,
My other problem with this article is the talk of Joe’s contract. First off, he was worth every penny. Take Joe away for the last 4 years and let me know where you think the Hawks are….not playing tonight, I will tell you that much.
Also, if you think they did overpay for him (and I’m not sure if you do or not), what do you expect the Hawks to do? They were in a position where they were going to have to overypay for players. No one wanted to come here. So, they had to make a strong offer just to get attention from any free agent. Like it or not, that is the situation they were in. I’m not sure if that has changed or not…we’ll see.
Bringing his contract into the discussion just makes no sense. I get high paid players should be counted on to perform. I would argue that Joe has. And, even if he hasn’t, the Hawks did the right thing bringing him here. They had to show they were willing to compete. Paying big money was the only solution….
ZacheryGoldsmith
April 29th, 2009
3:42 pm
I dont agree with this article talking about Joe being an ordinary Joe. It is not true at all. Joe johnson IS A SUPERSTAR. he doesnt have to prove it right now because the Hawks have many stars on their team: Pachula, Horford, Smoove, Marvin, Bibby, Murray, etc. Joe doesnt have to be THE GUY all the time any more. However, if you dont know how good Joe is, my advice to you would be to go back and watch game 4 of the Hawks-Boston series from last year, particular the fourth quarter. It was as clutch performance as Ive ever seen from ANY NBA player. It was breathtaking, incredible, scintillating, fascinating, spectacular; all the superlatives that you could come up with. You see, Joe was in the same zone that you saw D-Wade in in games 2 and 3 of the Heat series. Joe Johnson was in the exact same zone. Johnson kept making shots; 3-points; drives, all types of shots from all over the court. Joe took over the game because if he didnt the Hawks wouldnt have competed. Joe Johnson showed the world how great he is and so many people have forgotten including the author of this riduculous article and I am just amazed how people have forgotten from one year to the next. In fact, I think that was the best performance that I have ever seen from any NBA player. That was Joe Johnson at his best. And you will see him like that again tonight. For those of you who dont know, Joe Johnson is a first ballot hall of fame calibre player. Dont ever forget it.
All I'm Saying Is...
April 29th, 2009
3:58 pm
IN THE PLAYOFFS, D Wade whines all the time about calls. I think he needs to man-up as well. Kobe whines too and he is wrong to do it from my point of view too. IN THE PLAYOFFS, leave that duty to the coaches as that is what they are there for. Concentrate on playing and making your friggin free throws.
NBA Refs are bad? No kidding. Is this your first year watching the sport, Fair is Fair? They have been bad for years way before Mark Cuban discovered the sport. Does anyone remember when a ref gave Stan Kasten a technical foul for shaking his head about a foul called? Stan was not on the floor ladies and gentlemen—he was standing next to one of the grandstands off to the side away from the basket (but obviously in clear line of site for the ref who I think was Jack Madden(?) something like that). Anyone recall Tim Duncan getting a technical for sitting on the bench chuckling at a call two years ago?
The reason why the refs didn’t call the flagrant on Rondo in that game is because NBA refs (like refs in most every sport) do not want to make a call that might determine the outcome and calling a flagrant in that situation would have given Chicago two free throws and the ball so not only might they have tied the game but they would have been in a position to win it. As it was, Miller had the chance to tie the game and after he missed his first shot, Chicago could have gotten a long rebound (Miller was too stupid to shoot the ball properly so it hit the rim) and won the game.
All I'm Saying Is...
April 29th, 2009
4:07 pm
Truth-serum: Thanks for the props! Now everyone knows what you and I already knew which is you need a true center to win it all in the NBA. The Hawks still need one as a starter to go with ZaZa as Al is playing out of position. We don’t need an all-star just someone who can defend and rebound and can score a few points like in Eric Dampier in Dallas.
By the way, Dwight Howard has been suspended for the next game for throwing his elbow in a manner similar to throwing a punch. Guess the rules are not always applied differently to the star players, huh?
Terrell
April 29th, 2009
4:14 pm
WR, I wasn’t caliing you blunt, and I am sorry if you thought that. I was only trying to be funny because JJ doesn’t speak at all that was it. I got what you were saying.
Fair is Fair
April 29th, 2009
4:41 pm
YES “all i’m saying”….the rules are applied differently…Most other players would have been immediately ejected (which would have actually been better for the Magic). But since it was so obvious and all over TV, they had to suspend him.
Truth-serum
April 29th, 2009
6:01 pm
All I’m Saying Is…
April 29th, 2009
4:07 pm
I was thinking the same thing about Dampier. Hed be a great fit. I also thought we might have got Marcus Camby cheap because he was available earlier.
I dont think people understand that you MUST have a center. You deny in the low post and intimidate there by forcing the other team to rely on the outside shot, which as you know the percentages drop at that point. If they come in the paint their shots are altered or block and they end up on the seat of their pants.
On the offesive end the center must command the attention of at least one body which hurts opponents on rotations. You can also screen for cutters, which then opens up the outside game for shooters…
I agree whole hearted with your rational, we need another center to start,(one that finishes regularly in the low post)and thereby give us the option in the half court.
As the playoffs progress sooner or later it turns to a half court game and you know the rest of the story.
Good post and good insite.
JohnGTFan
April 29th, 2009
7:00 pm
AtlSouthside…you’re an idiot.
We all know that Woody overwooked Joe during the regular season. At the same time, Joe has had plenty of time to relax and get his legs under him. I like that he’s finding the open guys when he’s doubled. I don’t so much mind the lack of scoring. What a “superstar” should not be doing is all the turnovers and missing so many free throws. I wish someone else would shoot the technicals (not Horford, ZaZa or Josh).
JohnGTFan
April 29th, 2009
7:00 pm
**overworked**
Snowman
April 30th, 2009
7:46 am
Great win for the Hawks in game 4 and 5 (where have I been?…smile)!!!…GREAT JOB Zsa Zsa!!!…Shout out to Truth-Serum for keeping it real currently and for all season long and classy enough to give Z his props…I hope Jeff does that to Woody at the end of this series too!!! (Hey Bottomline?…”Boy”?, what’s up with that?…careful with that Bottomline…”Boy” was a character on Tarzan!)…Hope Al is not done for the Playoffs…Jeff I can not wait until your APOLOGY at the end of the series about how well coach Woodson has done this season…I don’t want to get ahead of myself because we have one HUGE game to go and Dwayne has the heart of a champion however IF YOU DON’T THINK WOODY AND THAT STAFF CAN’T COACH and deserves all of our local support (even though I am in Washington D.C….smile) then you are wrong, so, so wrong which is what I have been saying for the last couple of months….GO HAWKS, GO HAWKS, GO HAWKS!!!…
Oh, one last thing Kenny Smith and Chuck have been very, very unfair when it comes to their analysis of the Hawks…what’s up with that?…I know Dwayne is in Chuck’s Fav 5 and I guess Kenny is jealous that the Hawks did not make him the GM (along w/NOBODY ELSE!!!)…Those two need to be “checked” and like Mr. Schultz stop Hatin!!!
Eastside
April 30th, 2009
8:52 am
AtlSouthside, that Chipper comparison crap is weak, weak, weak. Mickey Mantle. Eddie Murray. Chipper Jones. Those 3 have the greatest numbers for any switch-hitters. Ever. But he’s been called out by media and fans in this town for everything from his personal life to his injury problems. Tom Glavine was ripped for taking the Mets’ money and doing his job as the players’ rep during the strike. John Smoltz has been mocked for being a mental midget. Most players get their deserved props and most players get hits (deserved and otherwise). Despite the unfortunate opinions voiced by folks living in the past, most fans now see the colors on the jerseys, not on the skin. C’mon dude, jump into the 21st century with us.
Truth-serum
April 30th, 2009
9:42 am
Snowman
April 30th, 2009
7:46 am
You Da man!
Hey, the Z is representing and I appreciate his role. Its his turnovers and inability to finish in the low post that hurts. If continues to play enforcer and cut the turnovers and finishes when called on…then hes a bad mother shut your mouth! Talking bout Z.
Schultz, the strength of a team is when you dont have to depend on one man to carry the scoring load. Its more difficult to defend a balanced team than a one man show….ask Chris Paul and the Paulites.
JJ must drive whether he makes the basket or not. He will put people in foul trouble and open up the outside game for shooters and slashers. Basketball is not just scoring. Its a chess game…. check and Check mate.
Snowman check out this post:
All I’m Saying Is…
April 29th, 2009
10:55 am
Good job Hawks taking the game to the higher levels!! Yeah Barkely is a dunkard without a ring and Smith is really hating too. He wasnt that good when he played here…but the birds are winning so hate on!!! It must be difficult for Barkely to see his boy Wade get beat down. OH well.
SHOUT OUT TO THE BIRDS….HANDLE YOUR BUSINESS.
All I'm Saying Is...
April 30th, 2009
10:34 am
I’m really proud of our Hawks! Way to go!
As for Game 6, since Al is out, ZaZa will have to start and we will need Randolph Morris to play major minutes. Marvin is definitely not coming back so Solomon Jones will need to play heavily too (loved his stare down with D Wade after his clean hard foul). JJ, Bibby, and Flip need to stay in the groove. Josh Smith, as usual, is the key for game six: he needs to play a solid ROAD playoff game for once (and forget the between the legs dunk showboating move—will this man ever show some maturity?—until after a series clinching win if it has to be done at all!))
Hollywould: Howard suspended one game and would have been ejected from the game if the refs had seen the elbow make contact and that’s per Stu Jackson, Chief Enforcer for David Stern’s NBA. Rondo’s foul not judged to be flagrant because “…felt Rondo was making a basketball play and going for the ball [he struck his head because Rondo is much shorter in height and length of his arms and Miller jumped sooner] after a blown defensive assignment by the Celtic team,” Jackson said. And Jackson went on to say “In terms of the criteria that we use to evaluate a flagrant foul penalty one, generally we like to consider whether or not there was a windup, an appropriate level of impact and a follow-through. And with this foul, we didn’t see a windup, nor did he follow through. So for that reason we’re not going to upgrade this foul to a flagrant foul penalty one.” You may not agree with the man but his explanation makes sense. Also, Barkley said that while he thought Rondo’s foul on Miller was flagrant and he also understood why the refs didn’t call it because the refs don’t want to be seen as determining the outcome of the game which is what two shots and the ball likely would have done.
Also from the Hawks game five win as noted by Sekou: “…Pachulia caught Jermaine O’Neal in the face with an elbow while driving to the hoop. O’Neal crumbled to the court, then got up to deliver a shot across Pachulia’s head the next time the Hawks’ reserve ventured into the lane…” And, that my friend, is playoff basketball: no whining, just man up play—if you drive in the lane expect to leave in pain…don’t be a crybaby…just pick yourself up and play hard at the other end.
JuniorBridgeman
April 30th, 2009
11:28 am
If I were the Hawks I would go for the throat in game 6. Forget about game 7. Play out of your collective minds for game 6 and handle your business in game 6. Treat game 6 as if it is game 7 although it is game 6 if that makes any sense. I know the Hawks have two chances to close out the Heat but be careful because if the Heat win game 6; it is the Hawks who may have the door closed on them and it might be the Hawks that get closed out. Dont take any chances. Finish off the Heat on Friday and you wont regret it.
JSS
April 30th, 2009
1:33 pm
“Junior Bridgeman!” Bring back the tri-color Marquette wanna-be uni’s and it is game on… Schultz still trying to plant the seeds of decite like a dumb man’s Iago… Go forth thy moron hack and spill thy self on a blade or drinketh a foul brew…
I’m glad that players don’t read hacks like the “Comb-over.” They would all be camped out like Jeff Gillooly waiting for this freak to stop stuffing his face at Writer’s buffet…
Hey Jeff, why no shots at Woody?
JSS
April 30th, 2009
4:54 pm
I kid you not:
From D. Orlando Ledbetter, April 30th, 2009 3:24 pm, “Was working the Schultz plan today. Get the blog up in a hour, then spend two hours correcting.”
ROTFLMAO
You can’t make this mess up… What a Buffoon… Truth-serum I thought you’d like this little bit of joy…
Truth-serum
April 30th, 2009
11:50 pm
JSS
April 30th, 2009
4:54 pm
Schultz sure is quiet in his assualt on Woody…Where is the bubba crew?….oh they are now the sportcasters on TNT… Same hate different crew…
Hating is such a waste of existing.
You are rolling JSS
Hey Snowman, great posts.
Snowman
May 1st, 2009
12:38 am
Truth-Serum, JSS, ALL I’m Sayin Is, we are loving these Hawks and coach Woody (smile). They will have to find someone else to beat on when the Hawks advance to the Cleveland series (I hope I did not just jinx them…smile).
Remember about 4-6 weeks ago how Schultz was supporting Josh’s position when coach had a run-in with Josh in the locker room and then sat him down for the 2nd half of the game.? I still don’t know how he (JS) took the 23 year old side vs. 51 year old adult and authority figure of the team, coach Woodson. I think with that “through the leg dunk attempt” (and I don’t know how many unwarranted 3 attempts during the series) how tough it must be to coach Josh Smith. C’mon, I think that play epitomizes what the coaching staff has to deal with on a daily basis. Yet, Schultz wants to criticize Woodson…I just don’t get it? I like Josh and his athleticism (how good would he be if he had Bibby’s basketball IQ coupled with all that physical ability?) and love the Hawks team for all the points we have made over the last few months but I just don’t get why the LOCAL COLUMNIST (that’s right you Jeff!!!) does not like coach Woodson and can’t acknowledge the problems this organization has. From the owners and what they have had to deal with, to the GM, and despite it all (injuries included) Woody has held this thing together and as a T-E-A-M they got better…A frickin T-E-A-M!!!…I applaud you coach, I really do!!!…so again, no matter what Kenny Smith and Barkley and Schultz say, with one more win they will will have to FINALLY Acknowledge how great a job he coaching staff has done…Keep up the good work you three, cause I read you all’s postings regularly and it’s good stuff (smile)!!!
What's the Hawks' rush to re-sign Joe? | Jeff Schultz
August 5th, 2009
10:31 am
[...] Johnson also has been less than impressive in the playoffs the last two seasons, and it’s worth asking — as we’ve asked before — [...]