Hawks quit on season (and Joe doesn’t care what you think)
If one picture can say it all for the plight of Joe Johnson and the Hawks, this is it. (Curtis Compton/AJC)
Let’s start with the obvious: The Orlando Magic are better. They have a center. They have a point guard. They have a roster of players with complete sets of working organs, and isn’t that a novelty?
But sometimes things happen in sports that make you declare, “Push the button and blow the whole damn thing up.” This was one of them.
In a home playoff game, in an obvious desperation game, in a game where the Hawks had an opportunity to show us what substance they were made of, they collectively screamed, “Goo.” They didn’t score. They didn’t defend. They didn’t rebound. They didn’t compete.
We saw better performances when bodies were being jettisoned and the roster was all about 10-day contracts and cap space.
Down 2-0 in their second-round playoff series against Orlando, the Hawks tossed on a little seasoning, propelled themselves onto a rotisserie and told the Magic, “Flip the switch.” They trailed by 10 points after one quarter, 19 after two and 24 after three. A small gathering of fans at Philips Arena stuck it out until the end of Saturday’s 105-75 loss, perhaps hoping it would earn them some sort of refund.
Sorry. Payback will have to come in the afterlife. If you need to know what that’s like, just ask the Hawks. They’ve flat-lined. They’re down 3-0. Their backs aren’t against the wall. They’re on the floor.
Wait. It gets worse.
Al Horford, the best hope this franchise has for a leader, openly questioned his teammates’ heart.
“Effort. Effort — that’s all it is,” he said. “Guys can say all they want about coverages and all this. But it came down to effort — [not] going for loose balls early in the game, missing rebounds when they missed shots.”
And then: “It’s frustrating. I’m not the kind of person who’s going to go out there and point people out. I’ll let them know. But you’re not going to see me cursing somebody out. They know what they have to do, and it’s frustrating when the effort is not there.”
Wait. It gets even worse.
Joe “Max Money” Johnson might have permanently torched bridges with both the Hawks and the city of Atlanta. On the court, he shot only 3-for-15 and scored eight points. In the past six games, he has shot 31.2 percent (30-of-96) and averaged 11.5 points. His scoring totals in the last half-dozen: 13, 22, 8, 8, 10, 8.
“These guys look to me for guidance, and when you’re playing like that, it’s almost impossible for us to win,” Johnson said.
He was half-right. Pretty sure his teammates stopped looking to him for guidance long ago.
Before these playoffs, Johnson was determined to prove he belonged among the NBA’s elite players. He certainly has removed all doubt, but not in the way he has hoped. Even Orlando coach Stan Van Gundy said, “Yeah, we’re double-teaming him some in the post, but he’s getting shots he would normally make.”
How does Johnson follow this performance? He basically tells Hawks fans that he doesn’t care what they think.
The Hawks were booed often, including as they were leaving the court at halftime and after the game. When asked about this, the “team leader” unloaded this gem: “They don’t bother me. It’s about us in this locker room. We could care less if they showed up or not.”
Good news, Joe. The arena might be half-empty for Game 4 on Monday night.
It’s the Hawks’ worst home loss of the season.
It’s their worst home playoff loss in franchise history.
If nothing else, coach Hawks coach Mike Woodson gets points for best summation: “Tonight was just non-existence.”
He looked defeated afterward. He looked like he knew the end was coming — for both his team and himself.
If Johnson has made a loud statement in this postseason about what he is worth, what kind of statement has Woodson made? He was outcoached by Scott Skiles in the first round and so far by Stan Van Gundy in this round, if for no other reason than Van Gundy is getting maximum effort out of his players.
Do Hawks’ players look like they’re fighting to save their coach’s job?
It doesn’t matter that Orlando is better. It matters that Orlando is the only team that showed up. The other one has checked out.
♦
Follow me on Twitter @JeffSchultzAJC and on Facebook.com/JeffSchultzAJC
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Earlier Hawks posts
♦ We’re live from Hawks-Magic: Can they make it a series?
♦ Thumbs up or down: Josh Childress a Hawk again?
♦ Hawks show their best side in desperate times again
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591 comments Add your comment
Vick Supporter Vapor Rub
May 9th, 2010
1:23 am
What about serenading him with chants of Jo-seph Jo-seph, like the Mets fans do to Chipper with their Larry chant?
unreal
May 9th, 2010
1:23 am
@Taylor
That’s even a better idea!!!
Vick Supporter
May 9th, 2010
1:24 am
Illinidawg, I had a lot of fun this year in the regular season. It’s just sad to see how it ended
Taylor
May 9th, 2010
1:25 am
Oh okay morehouse, Rick Sund pulled a magical deal on that one, so maybe he can pull of a good sign and trade
Tdawg
May 9th, 2010
1:29 am
Let this series end mercifully. The hawks should just let the backups play the last game. I am sure that at least they will not lie down and they will put forth a sincere effort. I don’t put much stock into what JJ said. It was something I have to believe he regretted as soon as it came out of his mouth. I have to think that he was more disappointed in his game than he was angry with the fans. It is apparent that he is not the go to guy that he wants to be but I still wouldn’t just let him walk. It’s not like anyone thought that the hawks were going to win the series with Orlando, but no one thought that they would look so pathetic in defeat. The hawks had their hearts ripped from them the very first game. After that massacre they knew that it was fruitless to try anymore. The hawks for all intents and purposes have simply quit on their coach. Coach has got to go. Can’t have your players quitting on you. They now know how Custer must have felt.
Vick Supporter, even attempting to defend the hawk’s after the way they have played in the playoffs is about the dumbest thing I have heard in a while. You actually think that the hawks are not doing better for lack of fan support. If the fans don’t show up then we fans don’t support them. I root for them. I catch a game on the tube every now and then. I don’t go to the games because I live 180 miles away and cannot afford the trip, the ticket prices nor the outrageous food prices. But I still root for them the best I can. Well if Joe don’t care about the fans, then I have a unique idea. How about caring about that fat paycheck that you get every year.
Vick Supporter Vapor Rub
May 9th, 2010
1:30 am
I’m just glad Vick Supporter’s Michael Vick Fathead is made of vinyl. Easier for his mamma to clean it.
Mystikal
May 9th, 2010
1:31 am
Joe Johnson couldn’t care less, build the team around Al Horford, he cares more!!!
MAGIC SWEEP
May 9th, 2010
1:32 am
hey guys don’t get so frustrated and down. i just heard that for the first 5,000 fans attending mondays game they will be receiving free brooms at the door. SWEEP,SWEEP,SWEEP. hey look at the bright side you guys got to really enjoy that last second dunk a while back by josh.
Taylor
May 9th, 2010
1:32 am
ticket prices aren’t that high lol. weak excuse, but I get your drift
Jeff D.
May 9th, 2010
1:33 am
I wouldn’t be surprised if Joe tries to spin it a little. I don’t think he wants to be the villain and the Spirit doesn’t want Monday to turn ugly. (or uglier than it has to be.)
Munchdawg
May 9th, 2010
1:33 am
The Hawks should bring in Big Z and Udonis Haslem to come off bench. Big Z has clearly lost his playing time in Cleveland. Dwight would have to respect his jumper on the defensive end. Let JJ walk and bring in Ray Allen (would only work if Woodson is gone because he doesn’t run enough screens to get shooters open) or Dirk. Make Teague shoot 300 jumpshots a day over the summer and let him loose next season.
Morehouse guy
May 9th, 2010
1:38 am
Yea but i dont think we can afford to sign ray allen and a big man thats wherea sign and trade with joe would come in.
Mystikal
May 9th, 2010
1:39 am
Hawks should move up in the draft and take the Whiteside kid. Hire Alonzo Mourning, Hakeem Olajuwon, or Kevin Mchale to get him caught up on offense and post moves.
Morehouse guy
May 9th, 2010
1:42 am
Hawks and Hawks fans keep your heads up, at least we can look forward to football season.
Jeff Schultz Owns
May 9th, 2010
1:44 am
We have to get rid of Joe Johnson and Mike Woodson. Those guys are holding us back.
Munchdawg
May 9th, 2010
1:47 am
At the end of the day, it’s still just a game. Teachers’ jobs getting cut, soldiers still dying…keep it in perspective. Let’s get it Hawks! I’m out…e-z.
Jeff D.
May 9th, 2010
1:48 am
Josh started the third quarter with 5-6 awful shots. That didn’t set the tone for a good half of basketball.
Jeff D.
May 9th, 2010
1:50 am
Ray Allen or Dirk? Oy, it’s bed time.
jc_dawgs
May 9th, 2010
1:54 am
Joe Johnson and Josh Smith…….
You are the most talented players on the team. And you are fortunate enough to be surrounded by an abundance of talent. But you 2 guys are quitters. You quit on yourselves…you quit on your team…you quit on the fans…and you quit on the city of Atlanta. You dont have the necessary player leadership to get this done and Josh Smith….you lack the mental toughness to rid yourself of the cancer to this team that you have become.
Josh and Joe need to move on….even if it means the Hawks taking a step backwards….because as good as Joe and Josh are….and believe me…they can be very good at times….they are a God given waste of talent and they only hurt this team when adversity rises up and faces them. They have no answer….and when it comes to basketball…they have no heart. They need to go.
Tdawg
May 9th, 2010
1:55 am
Taylor when you’re drawing unemployment the tickets are high and the last time I looked they don’t give gas away anymore either. Pay me what these players are getting and I will gladly attend every hawk game.
Woodys No Goody
May 9th, 2010
2:01 am
Do not bring out the white playoff t-shirts Monday! It will be beyond embarrassing.
Morehouse guy
May 9th, 2010
2:02 am
i agree and disagree jc_dawgs josh does play hard the majority of the time he just needs a coach that is gonna teach him the low post move and keep him focused on staying in the post and not fading out towards the 3 point line, for god sake he was the runner for defensive player of the year. Now Joe on the other hand its time for a change.
Woodys No Goody
May 9th, 2010
2:07 am
Just saw the Jazz / Lakers highlights and Utah looked like I thought the Hawks were going to show up today. Thanks Magic for helping us get rid of JJ and Woody in one series. Hope you win it all!
Dominic
May 9th, 2010
2:10 am
Fire Coach Woodson, Bring in Avery Johnson, Trade Josh Smith, free up cap space while getting a true Center, and sign Dwyane Wade and move Al Horford to Power Forward and get a real small forward so we can actually have someone that can shoot the damn ball! And for good measure take Frank Wren with you
Morehouse guy
May 9th, 2010
2:14 am
Wow you sure are asking for a lot dominic, don’t think its gonna happen but i understand your frustration.
MagicRocks
May 9th, 2010
2:19 am
Thanks a lot Hawks. I was hoping I would see more Magic playoff games but since you guys sucked like the Bobcats did, I guess I’ll have to wait another week (after game 4) before Magic plays again.
One suggestion Atlanta’s GM and front office, trade the ENTIRE roster and start from scratch. The way your team played and the LACK of effort your team are given, you guys DO NOT deserve to be third seed during the regular season, let alone be in the playoffs. It’s pathetic! You guys made two records in two playoff games, worst lost in playoff history since moving the team to Atlanta and worst home loss in playoff. Good Job Guys!
Tdawg
May 9th, 2010
2:31 am
King James you must not read the braves blog if you think Chipper is getting a free past or may be you used him as an example because he is white. Your analogy of Atlanta not being a sports town is a bunch of bunk also. The Lakers won their titles because they had Magic, Kareem, Worthy, Kobe, Shaq, West, Chamberlain. The Celtics had Russell, Havlicek, Bird, and to many other to mention, Chicago had Jordan, Pippen, New York had Reed, Frazier, Ewing, Detroit had Lambier, Horn, Sally, Thomas, you get my drift. These so called sports towns won their titles because they simply had more talent on their team than any other team had, not because they were sports towns. That’s like saying that if these present or the past Hawks teams would have been champions if they had only had the luck of playing in New York or Los Angles. How long do think it took the LA Lakers to win their first title, the Red Sox , the Chicago Cubs, these what you like to call sport cities? The Hawks not winning a title as of yet has nothing to do with Atlanta but does have a lot to do with other teams simply being better. I agree with some of what you had to say but some of it was just opinionated bunk.
P. Bull Terrier
May 9th, 2010
2:32 am
King James – You and a few others are so blinded by your racial bias that you aren’t even aware of what is going on around you. You sound like a darker version of the guys running around in white sheets 40 or 50 years ago.
Chipper Jones gets more criticism than any other Braves player just because he isn’t hitting and fielding as well as he once did. If he said the same thing Joe Johnson said, there would be ten times more people wanting to run him out of town than there are people upset about JJ’s remarks.
Skin color has nothing to do with it. If a guy isn’t producing on the field, he’s going to be criticized. Like the big pay check, the pressure to produce comes with the job. If a player, in any city, in any sport, of any color, takes out his frustrations by disrespecting the fans who pay his salary, he’s going to lose the support of most of the fans he has left.
scottbravesfan
May 9th, 2010
2:54 am
King James,
You are an idiot. Chipper Jones gets ripped a thousand times a day on Dave O Brien’s blog and all that guy has ever done was bring a championship to Atlanta, win a batting title, and win a MVP. And he’s going to the hall of fame when he’s done playing baseball. Joe Johnson has done nothing and lord forbid he gets ripped when the Hawks put in the worst showing I have ever seen from a pro team in the playoffs. This team was the third best team in the east? Man the NBA has gone down hill.
scottbravesfan
May 9th, 2010
2:56 am
And King James, if you think Atlanta is bad about ripping it’s teams and players, you have never been anywhere else. Let the Hawks put up this performance in New York or Boston and see what would happen. The Celtics are getting killed for their performance in game 3 and they have at least won a game in their series and recently won a championship.
You people have NO IDEA what criticism is for a sports team.
sugarfoot
May 9th, 2010
3:08 am
Everyone must have forgot that the hawks have NEVER made past the second round of the playoffs since they have been in atlanta.So why are we all up tight?? They have only been doing the same thing for the past 40 plus years.I know that everyone might be upset at JJ comments.But nobody made you buy a ticket or made you watch the game…..
All I Needed to see (And Hear)
May 9th, 2010
3:17 am
I have been a MAJOR supporter of Joe since his arrival in Atlanta. He’s my favorite player in the league because to me….he’s the best player on my favorite team. I love the Hawks and I think it’s only right that my favorite player be a member of my favorite team. I have defended Joe when my buddies dogged him and said that he wasn’t a Star / Max Contract Type player. I’ve rode with him and rode with him and once again he has failed to step up when we need him to (like STAR players do). D. Wade is on a a bad Miami team, but he puts them on his back. Joe seems to want D. Wade money, but he hasn’t really EARNED it. He’s too reluctant…to “take a backseat-ish.” I wish him well. I’d love to have him back, but if he goes………he goes. (J. Marshall / Columbus, GA).
Jeff
May 9th, 2010
3:29 am
i do not even care at this point, the hawks need to trade Josh Smith, let Joe (crappy shot selection, hey let me take it 1 on 5 every other possession) Johnson go, sign D-Wade, revamp the bench with the Smith trade, get a new coach, how about Vinny Del Negro? At least he competed with the cavs even though he was clearly outnumbered, just someone,
this team and management needs a reality check,
this crap we have seen in these playoffs is crap, it make me sick, i just turned off the game halfway through the first quarter because this team does not even care anymore, and it is all because of our so called superstar Joe Johnson, You see how Wade fired up the troops to beat Boston after they were down 3-0? the hawks are going to get destroyed yet again, heck they will probably make history monday, this team needs to be completely different next year, or I am just gonna start cheering for orlando, at least they bring it every night unluck some team located in the ATL
CATlanta
May 9th, 2010
3:32 am
Typical ATL fan here. I for one don’t want to fight traffic and pay out the wazoo to see a lousy performance. I’m much more willing to drive downtown and see a ball game if I know the team I support will give their best effort. If that make me a “fair weather fan” that’s fine by me. These guys are pros making millions of dollars. They are in the entertainment industry. Entertain me! I don’t think it’s too much to expect them to bring their A game, ESPECIALLY in the playoffs. I’m not saying I expect them to win every game. I just expect them to give their best effort. Today’s game was just pathetic. Give me something to cheer for and I’ll show up. That applies to the players and to the front office. Until then I’m staying on the couch.
Jeff
May 9th, 2010
3:35 am
Actually this is what you need to do Hawks,
Literally, trade everyone on that roster not named Jamal Crawford and Al Horford, because they always bring it, Horford has hade some crappy games offensively in these playoffs yes, but he is still blocking shots, still clapping and being enthusiastic when good things happen, and he is still beastin on the boards, jamal is the only one of who knows how to put it in the basket and oh MR. MAX MONEY JOHNSON PAY ATTENTION:, Jamal does not sit there for 15 seconds dribbling the ball and doing the same stupid jumper that you always miss with a hand in your face because you do not move the ball,
build around them two, sign D-Wade, then build around them three, who cares at this point,
A guy we draft in the 2nd round will give more than our professional players did tonight….goodness, pathetic Hawks, pathetic
V-max HawkTown
May 9th, 2010
4:08 am
Is hubie brown available? He could do a better job that the moron woodson, who makes millions for nothing. Also, the hawks need d-wade bad. With d-wade, the hawks could challenge for the title.
Suspended SEC Officiating Crew
May 9th, 2010
4:34 am
The NBA is pitiful, especially the Hawks.
Can’t wait for…………FOOTBALL season.
Unreal
May 9th, 2010
4:55 am
I have just finish wiping my ass with Joe Johnson’s jersey!
So glad the Johnson ERA is over.
JJ you suck balls and you can’t shoot for sh!t
Going Long
May 9th, 2010
5:05 am
Is it possible that Orlando is actually this much better than Atlanta? I’m an Orlando fan, so maybe I’m impartial, but I went to GT and spent 7 years in the ATL. I have a little bit of fondness in my heart for the Hawks. But let’s breakdown the roster. Joe Johnson has never impressed me. He’s the best player on the Hawks, but I have yet to figure out exactly why he should be considered anything more than a second banana. Bibby is the best point guard, but he’s too old these days. He’s a decent outside shooter, but I don’t really know what else he can do. Crawford is a scorer, but he does nothing else, and he’s prone to cold spells. So while he may score 20 every game, once he goes cold, he needs to come out of the game or else he will throw away possessions with missed shots. Josh Smith is an elite athlete, there’s no denying this. His problem is that he has no offensive game except to attack the basket, so opponents can live with letting him take jump shots. Marvin Williams is pretty much a nondescript player. I can’t tell you what his specialty is, because he has never proven to have a specialty. He’s a decent overall player, but is nothing more than a 5/6/7/8th man depending on whether he’s a starter and whether the bench is any good. Horford is a nice player. He’s not big enough to be a dominant center, but he’s a good enough player to have good matchups against 4s and 5s in the league. He might be the most important player for the Hawks. Who else is left to talk about? Pachulia is a good backup center who could start for a few teams. I was actually upset when the Magic let him go, but it turns out that he’s not as good as Gortat. And beyond this, there’s not much to talk about for the Hawks.
Contrast this to the Magic. They have Howard who is pretty much the consensus best center in the NBA. Nelson is a winner, going back at least to college. Nelson is a drive and dish sort of player, and it’s proven that to be successful in basketball, the point guard has to be really active, ie driving to the hoop on at least 50% of the possessions. Lewis was a top 20 scorer when he was the “man” on his bad Seattle teams. With the Magic, he has two options depending on the opponent: Be a 3 pt threat or punish smaller opponents on the block, and he’s very good at both of these things. Vince Carter is Vince Carter. He’s still a great athlete, and he has a good mid-range shot. Until VC has to go against an elite, tough defender like Artest, we won’t know whether he’ll wilt or not. Then the Magic have Barnes who is a long, defensive minded player, but he can also hit outside shots and drive to the basket. He’s basically Marvin Williams, only Barnes is a top defender, which is more valuable than being a nondescript offensive player. Going to the bench, there’s Gortat, who might be the best backup center in the league. Pietrus is a more athletic Barnes, with a more varied offensive game, but maybe a lesser defensive game. Jason Williams sucks. JJ Redick is an unathletic player, but he knows his role and plays it well. Ryan Anderson is basically a white Marvin Williams. Brandon Bass rarely plays, but he was a top 7/8 player for Dallas the previous 2 years. The Magic are just a much deeper team with better players at most positions. At best, Joe Johnson and Josh Smith are better than their Magic counterparts, but that’s debatable. Their counterparts are Rashard Lewis, Vince Carter, and Matt Barnes. Barnes is the worst of the 3, and he’s a really good defender, which neither JJ nor JS are. If you put Horford on Barnes, then Lewis and Carter are definitely on par with Smith and Johnson from an overall standpoint and Horford becomes the best matchup, but then Howard can roam free to try and intimidate Horford with double teams. On offense, the best option might be to have Bibby play on the block, but then the only shooter he’d have is Crawford, but you can’t play Crawford and Bibby at the same time because they would get abused on defense. Really, the Hawks are dead because they don’t have enough size to matchup against Howard, and they also don’t have enough shooters to stretch the floor. The Hawks best players are slashers and mid-range guys, but the Magic have defenders who do well against those types of players. It’s just not a good matchup for the Hawks. The reason the Lakers can beat the Magic is because they have Bynum and Gasol. Both of those guys are athletic big men who can hit mid-range shots. If the Magic go smaller, one of those two Lakers big men will overpower his defender, and if the Magic go big, their offense will struggle, and one of the Lakers big men will be able to drive past the slower magic defender. Outside of that, the Lakers have Kobe and Odom, who can both abuse their defender on offense and play long defense to disrupt the Magic players.
Robert
May 9th, 2010
5:27 am
JJ, take Smith with you this summer. It really gets old seeing him complain about every call or non call. Grow up, be a man, and play the game.
Lee
May 9th, 2010
5:40 am
lose by 40 on the road; lose by 30 at home; sorry Hawks deserved to be boo’ed…and JJ should have just said “we deserved it!”…period. Championship teams take the boos from the fans and move on (Cav’s blow out at home by C’s, fans bood!, but Lebron doesnt say anyting, C’s get blow out at home, fans boo..Piece not blaming fans… bye bye JJ; actually wanted you to stay before you showed true character.
MAGIC SWEEP
May 9th, 2010
5:52 am
just get your brooms out and stop whining
CONFEDERATE DAWG
May 9th, 2010
6:13 am
JESUS DUDE, I KNOW YOULL NEVER READ THIS BUT YOU SAY BRINGING UP RACE? YOU PRETTY MUCH IMPLIED SOMETHING RACIAL IN EVERYONE OF YOUR POST. COME ON DUDE MUCH LIKE SUPPORTING VICK WHICH IS FINE BUT KEEP THAT CRAP OUT. THE TRUTH WAS TOLD BOUT VICK AND IT WAS SICK IN THE HEAD. THATS THAT
ONELOVE GA
CONFEDERATE DAWG
May 9th, 2010
6:18 am
WHAT MAKES MATT RYAN A DEVIL QB BY THE WAY? BESIDES BEING A YANKEE, WHICH I DOUBT IS WHY YOU DISLIKE HIM
O-bomb-uh
May 9th, 2010
6:52 am
Hawks fans….or used to be fans….if you love the game that is basketball, save your money and purchase UGA basketball tickets for next year. Mark Fox and company will not disappoint you. The Hawks died in my heart with the trade of ‘The Human Highlight Film’.
tony
May 9th, 2010
7:03 am
As I mentioned at another post, we need to get rid of those low IQ basketball players and coach(Joe Johnson, Josh Smith,Marvin Williams and Mike Woodson) and replace them with high IQ players(Dwyane Wade-FA, Carlos Boozer-FA, Raymond Felton Gordon Hayward-R, Omar Samhan and Avery Johnson-HC). We’re gonna have to figure out away to dump Josh Smith and Marvin William contracts this off-season. Lets trade them for a future draft pick.
This is the lineup for next season.
1) Raymond Felton-PG……………..Jeff Teague
2) Dwyane Wade-SG……………….Jamal Crawford
3) Carlos Boozer-SF………………..Gordon Hayward(Rookie)
4) Al Horford-PF……………………..Joe Smith
5) Omar Samham-C(Rookie)……..ZAZA
Avery Johnson-HC
We can get to the NBA Finals with this lineup and coach.
Paddy
May 9th, 2010
7:09 am
Typical NBA player; tells the fans he could care less about them. And does anybody wonder why the NBA is not popular in this country any longer!
NikkFree
May 9th, 2010
7:12 am
Give D-Wade whatever it takes to get him here. Kick rocks woodson and JJ. Trade Bibby and Williams. You’re right, Jeff Schultz. It’s time to blow this thing up.
MitchC
May 9th, 2010
7:13 am
I dont live in Atlanta, but I’ve followed the Hawks for years.
After Johnson’s comments, the Hawks shouldn’t even try to re sign him. Hard working people, in still tough economic times, show up to the arena to support this team, and Johnson, a guy making millions, says that? If I was the owner, I’d say to him “Joe, you insulted the team, the fans, the city of Atlanta, and the orginization, get the hell out, and dont let the door hit you in the A$$!”. As an average folk, I have no sympathy for a whining, selfish millionaire ballplayer who says he doesn’t care about the fans. When you’re paid that kind of money, and you have the talent these guys have, you give your best effort, always. Fans understand that guys arent machines, and that there will be nights when even the top athletes will be off their game, and have a bad shooting or defensive night, but, don’t ever say you dont care!
After his comments, I despise Joe Johnson now. Let the Hawks go down tomorrow night. They’re not going to win this series anyway, and then Mr Johnson can go fly the coop for his “max contract”, and hopefully get booed in every stinking place he goes!
What a JackA$$!
P-Knuckle
May 9th, 2010
7:21 am
It is very funny to hear the word “fair-weather” and fan go together. If I have to spend my money, it is my decision to boo whomever I want to boo. This is America…..I think. Joe can say whatever he wants to say because he does have freedom of speech. But Joe must also remember that when we boo also. I think he should have just ended the interview before answering the question, but he stuck his foot in his mouth, so know deal with it. I am sure he will get a wonderful welcome on Monday night.