The Hawks have options now, but they still rely on Iso-Joe
Joe Johnson goes one-on-one. Sometimes that's OK. (AJC photo by Johnny Crawford)
I heard an amazing thing Friday night at Philips Arena: The Hawks’ best player got the ball with the game on the line, and some in the crowd groaned and started yelling, “Pass the ball, Joe!”
I’ve never considered Joe Johnson a selfish player. I’ve noted many times how well he and Mike Bibby play off one another. But things are changing, and Bibby isn’t on the floor as much. (He worked nine minutes and made one basket in Friday’s victory over the Celtics.) More and more it’s Johnson and Jamal Crawford paired at game’s end, and there are times — against Oklahoma City on MLK Day, against the Celtics over the weekend — when Johnson ducks his head and goes one-on-five.
It didn’t work against the Thunder. Johnson took eight of the Hawks’ 23 fourth-quarter shots; he missed five of the eight. (He had one assist — it went, naturally, to Bibby.) The Hawks lost. Against the Celtics he took nine of the Hawks’ 19 fourth-quarter shots; he made seven of the nine. The Hawks won.
When in doubt — most NBA games are in doubt — the Hawks revert to Iso-Joe. Against the Celtics it made sense: Ray Allen cannot guard Johnson, and Paul Pierce doesn’t do much better. And when Joe’s hitting the end justifies the means. But Joe doesn’t hit them all, and the day is long past when he was the only Hawk capable of scoring.
Al Horford just made the All-Star team. Josh Smith should have made the All-Star team. Crawford could have made the All-Star team. Trouble is, when Johnson goes into his back-’em-in-and-shoot-the-turnaround routine he’s not apt to see anyone else. (Unless it’s Bibby. He sees Bibby. But Bibby didn’t play in the fourth quarter against Boston.)
It’s weird, though. Even as the Hawks are becoming a fleshed-out team, Johnson is shooting slightly more. He’s averaging 18.4 shots, up from 18.0 last season. He’s playing two fewer minutes per game and averaging one fewer assist — but he’s shooting more. This isn’t necessarily a good thing.
In the Hawks’ emphatic first half against the Celtics, Johnson made one basket. (Took eight shots, though.) It didn’t matter because the ball was moving. (Ten assists on 20 first-half hoops.) In the fourth quarter the Hawks made 11 baskets and had one assist. (Josh Smith made it.) Put simply, Joe stopped the ball. He sealed the game by making seven fourth-quarter hoops, but what if he’d made only four?
Understand: The Iso-Joe stuff isn’t a matter of Joe calling his own plays. Mike Woodson is trying to exploit matchups, and against the Celtics it worked. But with all the players the Hawks have now, Iso-Joe seems as cutting-edge as the Betamax. It’s a throwback to the days when this team had nowhere else to turn. It has options now.
There will be times when the new Hawks still need Joe Johnson to win them a game. They no longer need him to win every game. They’ll require something more than the old fallback to get them to the Eastern Conference finals.
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129 comments Add your comment
Now you see em, now they burnt off!
February 1st, 2010
10:07 am
Are you trying to say Mr Potato Head doesn’t have a good offensive game plan?? Nonsense! The power of the eyebrows!!!!!
gabellhawk
February 1st, 2010
10:24 am
i like when joe shines,but i don’t like not trusting his fellow players,his moves should be first to get someone else open,other teams are scared when the hawks share,because they all can shoot.the team,when he’s in the me mode just don’t move.i hope the coach gets away from only joe can get it done.
hatfieldgeoff
February 1st, 2010
10:59 am
Mark, I couldn’t agree more. The whole offense just went stale against Orlando as the rest of team stood around while joe worked. And then later when they went to these guys they were cold and out of rhythym. On rare occaisions Joe one on one may be needed but not most of the time. The other problem I see, is calling plays for Josh Smith in the late going. An alley-oop, sure, but giving the ball to Josh at the top of the key and expecting him to make a moved to the hole or drop in a shot is a low percentage play. Perhaps he will develop those skills over the next few years, but right now he cannot finish unless it is a dunk. Other guys should get the ball in these situation and Josh should do what he does best, look for an opportunity for an offensive rebound and slam home any misses, or at least kick the ball back out to set up another play. Finally we are never going to beat Orlando until we get a true center to battle Dwight Howard. Horford is a great player but he is a power forward not a center.
THE FEELING
February 1st, 2010
10:59 am
I get the feeling when watching the Hawks still, and for a long time watching the Falcons that they are always on the verge of imploding at any moment . is it the coaches , the players , the city ? who knows but that thought is always in the back of my mind watching any game. True it is not there as much with the falcons anymore sure they still lose quite a bit but they battle thanks coach Smith.
I may have answered my own question the hawks need a coach ?
C-Webb-NoT.O.
February 1st, 2010
11:02 am
Joe’s style does not lend itself to passing. He does 1 of 2 things. 1 – tries to back in & out muscle. 2. tries to drive to within 3-6 feet by muscling & then shoots a floater. why not let him catch it in the post & then he can react to the double team. that would make a difference. He is not really given the opportunity to kick out. (only when he decides that he can’t get the shot.) Also, what does Woody have against screens & rolls – Bibby to JJ? And, why not a little high post action with Horford. He can pass & has a decent 10 footer. he has the quickness to spin & drive on his defender and the hands to pass to a cutter (ie J Smooth, Marv, etc).
PMC
February 1st, 2010
11:16 am
Vastly inconsistant player. Joe is frustrating becauase sometimes he’s awesome and then sometimes he’s just non existant.
falcon fan
February 1st, 2010
11:17 am
Right on Mark!!!
I’ve been saying this for awhile, and you cited the stats to prove it!!
hawks fan
February 1st, 2010
11:19 am
Good ideas C-Webb!!
jlewis
February 1st, 2010
11:28 am
People, D-Wade plays the same way, top of the key Iso, so does Lebron, walks it up, top of the key Iso, Kobe is in the triangle, the only one in a steady ball movement offense. You are all forgetting, Jamal Crawford is successful at the end of games because Joe is on the floor and Jamal gets to play ISO, he goes one on one or off the pick. I would like an answer to two questions Bradley, who on the Hawks can get their own shot? 2nd, who would you suggest the Hawks replace Joe Johnson with, you know Kobe, D-Wade and Lebron are not coming, let’s get some realism into this and not just create a problem and controversy, solve some for a change.
James
February 1st, 2010
11:45 am
Interesting, Mark. A lot of people have been saying this for a while–it’s good to see it in print. I like JJ and I want him back next year. We can’t get Wade, but based on how he acted during the playoffs last year, I don’t know if I want him anyway. It is a very positive thing for the Hawks to be contending without a superstar.
Now, on another note, one of the high points (only one?) against Orlando was little Mario West going up and grabbing a rebound from Dwight Howard, who has got to have 4 feet on the kid.
He plays with intensity, and you can tell he feels lucky to be back on the team. Good luck, Mario!
Ken Strickland
February 1st, 2010
11:49 am
NAJEH DAVENPOOP-one of these days you’re going to say something I can actually disagree with. You’re absolutely correct when you say Woodson doesn’t gave a you know what about OFF, because it shows. He won’t make a single move to improve his limited OFF, nor will he make any adjustments that will include or increase the OFF output of any other starter.
When we’re unable to run and get easy fastbreak baskets and the OFF boggs down, which happens far too often, Woodson just stands by with arms folded and allows Bibby and JJ and/or Crawford to become our OFF. If he had anything intelligent to offer, you’d think he’d make it an issue during timeouts. Yet, after calling a timeout and drawing whatever on his chalkboard, all we see is more ISO Joe, one on one Crawford and jumpshooting, nonpenetrating Bibby.
Any HC that has 3 players refusing to do what he wants done needs to be relieved of his coaching duties, because his key players are definitely no longer responding to him. I doubt very seriously if Woodson would be on board with hiring an OFF coordinator. He’d likely see it more as an insult and challenge to his authority than an overall benefit to the team.
What benefit can be derived from punishing and jumping down the throat of a young PG the moment he makes a mistake, while refusing to say one damned thing to a veteran player that repeatedly makes the same mistake while trying to go 1 on 5? How many times have we seen the starting 5 start out playing poorly and not get an early hook and we end up in an early hole. Then, if the bench manages to pull us back into the gm, we see them immediately pulled and the starters put back in.
Hiring an OFF coordinator won’t resolve the issues of limited strategy, adjustments, bench use and development of young players, expecially those that pose a threat to his beloved PG MBibby. Why not resolve most, if not all of our coaching issues, and save money to boot, by just hiring an all in one HC?
A Rod
February 1st, 2010
11:50 am
contract year for Joe so he’s trying to put up big numbers. thing is, crawford is better (especially under pressure, when joe likes to disappear). Hawks need to let joe walk, trade marvin williams (lol wont happen) and get a real center so you can move josh to sf and al to pf. Backcourt will be a problem with bibby since he cannot play defense but I say we throw teague in there. no way teage can be a worse defender than bibby, at least he’s taller. let woodson go too. he does not believe in double teaming the opposing team’s star. he did it last year against lebron and i never see DHoward with two guys on him either. they need to do what the lakers did: foul his ass. he cant hit free throws.
jmarable
February 1st, 2010
12:05 pm
i’ve said it b4 iso joe will b the death of this team.we need bibby 2 penertrate more,if he cant use teague more.look how other teams point guards break down the defense.when we iso joe ,there are no back door cutters or no one going down the lane.then a dish to jsmith 4 a wide open jumper,instead of driving to the hoop,he shoots that weak jumper.we dont go to the basket enough.where is jteague.give him more minutes to penertrate and break the defense down.im tired of m williams missing jumpers instead of driving.iso joe is getting old.
Vs5109
February 1st, 2010
12:27 pm
Spot on Mark!! And, I’m sorry, but this is Jamal Crawford’s team now. When he’s on the floor for the Hawks, he’s the best player with a bird across his chest. Iso-Joe (a much better nickname for him than my “Number 2″ as in sometimes he plays like crap) is very frustrating to watch at times. He’s a solid player, but NOT the superstar that I want with the ball when the game is on the line – that honor goes J. Crawford!!
NC Braves Fan
February 1st, 2010
1:09 pm
I’ve wondered lately, and a few others seem to be thinking, if there might be some sort of issue between Joe & Jamal. I thought the team’s response in terms of post-game quotes was pretty muted after Jamal hit that game winner against Phoenix the other week.
nique
February 1st, 2010
1:19 pm
Mark, great post as usual. I like Joe a lot, but bottom line is we’ll win more games regular and post-season if Joe dishes when the defense collapses on him. Bibby please retire.
No Woody for Me
February 1st, 2010
1:30 pm
I wish we had gone after Mike D’Antoni before the Knicks got him. Imagine this team with him running it. Now that would be fun to watch!
EW
February 1st, 2010
1:33 pm
One note about your assesment of the Boston Game MB… We had the assists going in the first half because we got out in transition. When the game got tight in the 4th and we got into running half court sets we didn’t look crisp at all ( could be that the rest of the team knew iso-joe’s plan to shoot or that we just aren’t that good of a team in a halfcourt offense). In the playoffs we will be exposed if we can’t execute our sets and move the ball. It may work sometimes to let Joe ice the game but it’s no way to survive a series.
Mark Bradley
February 1st, 2010
1:36 pm
Every team looks better when it runs, EW. Teams tend not to run late in the game because they get cautious.
EW
February 1st, 2010
1:55 pm
I also think Joe is catching a lot of flack because Bibby isn’t explosive enough to offer any dribble drive threat. When Joe and Bibby are on the floor I’d take Joe iso over whatever it is Bibby does anyday.. ..I mean look how often Jamal Crawford breaks down his man and gets that free throw line floater/runner. Bibby never does that! We can say all we want about iso-Joe but the real red flag is our point guard play. Again, going back to my earlier point, this will be exposed in the playoffs because we don’t do a good enough job in the half-court O. Someone needs to step up and run the show (Jeff Teague are you listening, you don’t even have to shoot….look at Rondo, he drives to pass 95% of the time and if Rasheed didn’t have one foot in the retirement home we would have got our butts kicked the other nite)
Jerrywest
February 1st, 2010
2:21 pm
This blog should get the Hawks Pulitzer Prize this season. The last season’s Pulitzer went to the article about Josh Smith’s awesome 3 pointers.
Strategically the worst part of Iso Joe is when we are down at the end of the game, Iso Joe eats up 20+ seconds. Even if the shot goes in, the waste of time still gives our opponent a huge advantage.
Joe>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>Jamal
but
Iso Jamal >>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> Iso Joe.
Dark Knight
February 1st, 2010
2:31 pm
I can’t believe what I am reading. For those of you that are hung up on numbers, the only numbers that matter 30 – 16. Hawks fans can’t remember the last time we have had such a record. Joe’s numbers are down? Who cares! What we need to focus on is supporting the winning team that we have. For those of you who believe in showing Joe the door, open your eyes. JJ remains the only top Free Agent signing of this franchise in the past 5 years. JC is a great addition, but I don’t remember him buying his own ticket to come to ATL (we traded for him). Before you run Joe out of town, you better make sure you can get something better in return. I’m going on record here and now, if Joe leaves town, I’ll never be at another Hawks game.
Dwayne
February 1st, 2010
2:33 pm
Bradley, did you see the Orlando game? We had a 10 point lead and Joe kept penetrating a dishing to wide open teammates, and they keep missing wide-open shots – Marvin & Bibby from the outside and of course Horford and Smith can’t score against dominate centers (Dwight Howard & Tim Duncan). Games like that we need iso-Joe & iso-Craw to win, point blank period. They are the only two who can consistently beat there man off the dribble and take and make tough shots. If both are in the game, one of them will be open. Can’t double both.
All I'm Saying Is...
February 1st, 2010
2:45 pm
JJ can’t win: during the playoffs last year, he was criticized for not taking enough shots especially during crunch time and now we get this blog saying he is going one-on-one too much.
Obviously, what is going on is that someone is putting JJ in this position and Bradley dances around it throughout the posting (with a couple of references to Bibby being on the bench during crunch time).
Why don’t you make your point plainly Bradley (Woodson needs to stop calling for JJ to go one-on-one) and then go and ask Woody if he is the one making this call or better yet, ask Woody why he sits Bibby during crunch time?
You might get an explanation for the former and we all know the explanation for the latter (Bibby is too much of a liability on defense and unable to dribble-drive and dish to make up for his jump shot making propensity).
As I have typed many time, the Hawks will not be able to beat Orlando or Cleveland without spreading the floor, running the floor, and use a three guard line-up to go uptempo.
LET’S GO HAWKS!
G-Money
February 1st, 2010
3:57 pm
Be careful what you ask for Joe you just might get it. You requested “Help” in the form of additional scoring, and overall better players. Now that you have received it, your tendency to take unwarranted shots has increased. Personally, if I were some of your teammates I would be very insulted. You banging the ball in the floor, and forcing shots through double and triple teams is in no way a better option than Crawford having a wide open jump shot, or Horford or Smith slashing to the basket for an open look at the rim. You should become subservient to team play and keep the ball moving, surprisingly enough it will come back to you.
DunwoodyHawk
February 1st, 2010
4:04 pm
I think Joe’s playing for a contract elsewhere, but … where? What contender — a contender with a better shot at the championship than Atlanta — has need or cap space for Joe? Spurs? Dallas?
I wonder if Sund wouldn’t be willing to let Joe walk, give Jamal his starting spot and bring in … Chris Paul? Isn’t his contract up as well? I always thought that Sund getting Jamal wasn’t just about upgrading over Flip — it was about giving him an insurance policy in the event Joe walked after this season. And if he can basically swap Joe for Chris Paul, then that’s a deal I’ll take. Paul will immediately make every player better with his passing — and his style of basketball will sell more seats than Iso-Joe does.
DunwoodyHawk
February 1st, 2010
4:08 pm
I also think Woody wanted the Magic win more than anyone. That would have given him the slot as All-Star coach — and I have to think he thought that would make it more difficult for Sund to let him walk after the season. Be just that much tougher to let the All-Star game coach walk…
O'Brien
February 1st, 2010
4:12 pm
Ken S,
The problem with letting Woody go is who do you bring in to replace him?
niremetal
February 1st, 2010
4:17 pm
Incredibly, I agree. I still wish you’d watch more of the regular season games, though.
My only quibble is that while JJ is shooting slightly more, that is partially because he has been getting slightly better looks this year (which is why his shooting percentage is the highest it’s been since ‘06-’07, the first year of the ISO-Joe era).
O'Brien
February 1st, 2010
4:25 pm
And to be fair to Woody, the Hawks are 30-16, and competing for the #2 spot in the East, despite spending $15-$20 mil less than the Cavs, Magic and Celtics.
Unless the Hawks fall apart in the playoffs, Woody will be back next year, and despite his shortcomings, its hard to argue with the results this year.
Mark Bradley
February 1st, 2010
4:42 pm
Woodson will be back next season — unless someone else makes him a nicer offer. And that could transpire, folks. He’s well regarded around the league.
AG
February 1st, 2010
4:47 pm
Mark great column. I did a little research. When Joe leads the team in scorings (or tied), the Hawks are 12-11,Crawford 11-6, Hortford 4-1, Smoove 3-2, Marvin 1-0, Evans 1-0. Looking at Hortford’s development, he should get more plays ran for him. Hortford should take at least 15 shots per game. If that happens, Joe will be more effective. Joe can carry the team when he is hot, but when he is cold the Hawks fate is sealed. I also notice a lot of games if a Hawk other than Joe scores three baskets in a row, he will not get a chance to score the forth. Many times Hortford is one- even Josh, but they go away from him.
MitchC
February 1st, 2010
5:00 pm
Mark, the way this team has played this year, it can reach the Eastern Finals, but one thing has to happen.
I think if we stay on course, we can beat anyone we face in the first round. The key will be who we face in the second round.
If Boston is our second round opponent, I think we can beat them. We’ve already done it three times, and even though I know you throw regular season out the window, the Hawks match up better with them now then they did in 2009 or 2008.
I think that if we run into Orlando, we will go down. We just dont seem to have an answer for them.
I’m also very concerned about how the team has played against Cleveland. Not well at all.
My guess, if we can avoid the Cavs or Magic until the Eastern Finals, we get there, and lose to one of the two. If something happens where we get one of those two in an earlier round, like the Eastern Semis, it will be over.
This is a good team, but I dont know if we are realistically in the elite three.. yet.. Boston looks bad now because of their slump, but two months is a long time to go yet.
dub366
February 1st, 2010
5:48 pm
It not JJ it Woody we need a coach to go to the next level. this been going on for a while now .Woody don’t have an offense . We got to much talent for this team to be playing like it is
BosnianBaller
February 1st, 2010
6:05 pm
RE-SIGN JOE JOHNSON
FORGET THE HATERS
Ken Strickland
February 1st, 2010
7:26 pm
OBRIEN-I’m not advocating we get rid of Woodson before the end of the season. It just wouldn’t be in the best interest of the team or his replacement. A new HC, even if promoted from within, would inherit Woodson’s limited halfcourt OFF system, a major part of the problem, and it’s too late to add a new OFF system.
EW-DITTO on recognizing Bibby as our major weakness. On OFF, teams know he’s only effective if he’s hitting his jumper, because his lack of speed, quickness and penetrating ability makes him extremely limited otherwise. Teams no longer fear him and they always use his man to double JJ or Crawford. On DEF, he presents an easy path to the basket, or an excellent mismatch when switched off on a bigger and/or stronger player.
We’ve had BIBBY LOVERS who claim Teagues lack of an effective jumpshot is the reason he’s not getting any consideration from Woodson. Y,et we hear absolutely nothing from them about MWest getting meaningful mins despite his awful looking, totally ineffective jumpshot. Everyone seems so enamored with his hustle and energy, but they’re getting more sizzle than steak.
The real reason he’s getting burn over Teague is because he poses absolutely no threat to making Bibby’s OFF/DEF limitations and recent poor play an issue for Woodson, and JTeague would if given a decent chance.
Blast
February 1st, 2010
8:07 pm
Joe is a ball hog, and his hoging has increased this year. The iso plays are not so bad if he is hitting his shots and going QUICK! That is the difference between iso Joe and iso Jamal. Jamal does not waste time. He is gone like a flash the moment he gets the ball. But Joe holds the ball, and seems to invite 2 more defenders to swarm him. When he sees he’s trapped, he reluctantly passes the ball to Josh, who has to put up a clanger with shot clock at zero. Lots of Joe’s turnovers happens when he tries to pass out of the double. He has better help now. It is so clear that Hawks play better when they share the ball. I’m so sick of yelling at my tv: PASS THE BALL, JOE!
The crazy thing is when Hawks move the ball around the arch and everyone touches it, by the time the ball swings back to Joe, he is usually open, and gets a wide open shot which he usually makes!
Love Joe and all, but he has to play with a better team concept. Blame Woody too for a not so stellar effort on offensive coaching.
ILL-logical
February 1st, 2010
8:09 pm
O’Brien
February 1st, 2010
4:12 pm
Ken S,
The problem with letting Woody go is who do you bring in to replace him
O’Brien
How about Larry Drew?
Ken Strickland
February 1st, 2010
10:34 pm
ILL-LOGICAL-Thanks for addressing the portion of OBRIEN’S response to me that I obviously missed. There’s no way anyone can believe Woodson is so unique and has done something so fantastic that it can’t be duplicated. There are those who still feel he did something fantastic by increasing team wins each yr he’s been the HC, although it couldn’t have been that hard when you start out at a near record 13wins.
Former GM BKnight should get as much of the credit, if not more, for drafting and trading for the core of this team, and current GM RSund should get credit for adding depth, versatility and experience to that core. It would be stupid to think their efforts weren’t a major contributing factor in Woodson’s ability to get the Hawks on the winning road. Just like it would be just as stupid to say Woodson had nothing to do with our successes. The concern now is the team seems to have progressed beyond Woodson’s ability to contribute enough to make itas good as it’s accumulative talent, experience, versatility and depth would indicate.
Bringing in a new HC with a concern and an IQ for OFF, an ability and willingness to make changes, adjustments and utilize strategy, as well as show an actual concern for the development of young players, would make this team head and shoulders above what it is right now and in the future.
cdog
February 1st, 2010
11:36 pm
three teams the hawks tuck their tails for, the majic, cavs and now, oklahoma city. rick sund, we need another BIG body who can contribute and help horford out. pachulia, joe smith,jason collins and randolph morris is not the answer.let break the losing to oklahoma city.the celtics, finally won so let’s not blow opportunities to pad the lead against them and the majic by being stupid at the GM position as well as the head coach.
cdog
February 1st, 2010
11:40 pm
IF THE HAWKS LET WOODSON GO, IT WILL BE BACK TO MEDIOCRETY AND LOSING ALL OVER AGAIN. RICK SUND SHOULD HAVE SIGN WOODSON ALREADY BY NOW.WOODSON HAS TRANSFORM THE HAWKS INTO A POWERHOSE TEAM.WE COULD BE LIKE NEW JERSEY, MILWAUKEE AND ALL OF THE OTHER LOSING NBA TEAM. WHY HAVEN’T WE GOT HIM SIGNED YET?
rusty
February 2nd, 2010
12:25 am
we need to resign woody like we all need a hole through our heads. with woody &jj going
we would have to get better.
Ken Strickland
February 2nd, 2010
2:11 am
CDOG-you obviously don’t realize how rediculous you sound at times. Tell me how many rebounds, points, blocks, steals and assists Woodson has accumulated over the last 6yrs? Unless he’s somehow been producing on the court, this team won’t revert back to its losing past without him, no matter how you try to fantasize it. As often as this team has won in spite of Woodson, they can certainly win without him.
With a new HC, we’d stand a far better chance of getting more production out of our bench, upgrading our PG position, installing an actual halfcourt OFF, employing strategy and making timely adjustments and changes. A new HC would definitely have enough intelligence to understand the importance and long range benefit of developing and getting production from our younger players as well.
northcyde
February 2nd, 2010
5:42 am
I’ve never seen JJ take and make tough shots like he’s been doing this year. And this article was OBVIOUSLY written before the Orlando game, seeing that there’s no mention of that game. JJ played exactly how people wanted him to play in Orlando, by passing the ball and looking for his teammates, and the team flat out didn’t step up AT ALL. People hate Iso Joe, but how many games has ISO Joe won for us this year? Even in some of the games we lost, Iso Joe was the only thing going for this team.
The offensive strength of this team is having JJ with the ball in his hands, and either shooting or creating for others. His assists are down because Bibby, and especially Marvin, aren’t making jumpers.
He’s averaging 18.4 shots per game, but considering that he only gets to the FT line maybe twice a game ( 4 FTs ), means that he’s only actually shooting the ball maybe 20 times a game. His usage rate is less than the vast majority of lead guys around the league.
People want the offense to change, so that our less skilled offensive players get more shots? Even if they got better looks, they still may not make the shot, unless it’s at point blank range, like in the Orlando game.
I guess people want JJ to play like JJ Redick, instead of Kobe. Joe Johnson is one of the most skilled 2-guards in the league with the ball in his hands, yet, people want him to be a catch and shoot guy?
It’s amazing that people have a problem with our captain, simply because he’s looking to SCORE the basketball to help us win games, instead of trusting some of his teammates who don’t make open shots.
God forbid that he takes the mindset of the other stars in the league and tries to play like a superstar at times.
What’s not surprising, is that Mr. Bradley writes yet ANOTHER hater type article about the Hawks, despite their enjoying their best season in 13 years.
Here’s some facts for people:
* Al Horford is a good face-up shooter from midrange, but he is a slightly below average post scorer ( as seen vs Orlando and San Antonio ).
* Josh Smith’s post game is improving, but he’s still a slightly below average post scorer ( as seen vs San Anto.
* Marvin Williams has seemed to completely lost his midrange jumper, making him less effective than ever.
* Mike Bibby is in a slump shooting-wise, and is too slow to get to the rim with the ball.
* Marvin, Bibby, Horford, and Smoove are not good shot creators. All of those guys see over 60% of their field goal makes being assisted.
( yet people complain about ISO JJ, even though he’s just as likely to hit a tough shot, than those other guys will hit an open shot. )
A lot of you, including Mr. Bradley, just don’t pay attention to how NBA basketball is played and won on a high level. The most successful teams absolutely live and die with their star player. And they trust their star player to make the right decisions with the ball.
* Joe Johnson and Jamal Crawford are the ONLY Hawks that can create their own shot at any time.
d.carter
February 2nd, 2010
9:33 am
Against teams like Orlando the hawks need to put Josh in the Pick and roll because he will give you a much more potent threat around the basket when he rolls, Let Al spot up for the 15 footer at the top of the circle trailing the roller (in this case JS).. We should be a constant pick and roll team like the SUNS… Also our helpside defense stinks.. Joe and AL are the worst help defenders in the NBA… Al never leaves his man to help and constantly watches as the opposition shoots unmolested dunks and layups…Joe is a good 1 on 1 defender but is like a fish out of water when it comes to help and recover defense…
northcyde
February 2nd, 2010
11:18 am
d. carter, I’ll address your post first, because the following rant I’m about to go on is not about you. I’ll think I’ll save the rant for the next post.
But for the Hawks to run constantly run pick and roll against Orlando, you need 2 things:
1) a great penetrating PG who can get to the rim.
2) a big man who can finish in traffic when receiving the pass off the pick and roll
When Bibby is in the game, the 1st option goes out the window, because Bibby isn’t quick enough to get to the rim. With Teague, he’s definitely quick enough to run pick and roll, but he is having major difficulty finishing at the rim in traffic. So the only option is to run pick and roll with Crawford. Problem is, Crawford loves using the pick to set up his midrange jumper, which isn’t a bad thing, because it’s a shot he can make. But it defeats the purpose of running pick and roll, if the guard is looking for his own shot, rather than to set the big man up.
We can definitely do what you said. But the problem is the personnel. We don’t have Steve Nash running the point, and we don’t have a good finisher in traffic like Amare Stoudamire. LOL . . and we don’t have the plethora of shooters that surrounds Nash and Amare, for Nash to pass the ball to.
But I’ll tell you what the Magic would do in that situation, because I’ve seen them do it before. They would actually try to double the smaller ballhandler, with Nelson fighting through the pick, and Howard shadiing toward the ballhandler, to make any pass to the big man extremely difficult.
The teams that have been effective against Orlando, are the teams that can actually make Howard work as a post defender. And since Smith nor Horford are skilled enough post players to draw fouls against Howard, he gets to roam the lane on defense. Also, no one on this team looks to draw contact to get to the free throw line.
Against Orlando, we simply have to start making our open jumpshots, or simply give the ball to our star offensive players ( Joe Johnson and Jamal Crawford ), and tell them to try to win the game offensively, while the others assume a lesser complimentary role.
Maybe the way for us to attack Orlando, is for JJ to take 25+ shots ( like other star players do at times ), and have Jamal take up to 20 shots as well. Then you instruct Smith and Horford to RELENTLESSLY crash the offensive boards, and try to get us 2nd chance shots. Cause the fact is that when Horford and Smith try to score against Howard, and they are unsuccessful, there’s no one to gobble up their missed shots.
bjrufino
February 2nd, 2010
11:31 am
if Joe leave ATL via free agency? (that I hope not) who will replace him at the starting lineup?
he is my favorite player among all! Joe is so cool and he’s the best
northcyde
February 2nd, 2010
11:37 am
Now for my rant.
LOL . . I mean . . . don’t get me started on this.
It’s almost like some of you fans and a few sports media writers are trying to PURPOSELY run Joe Johnson out of town. We’re 30 – 16, and yet people constantly bash JJ and Woody, like they’re doing a C+ job this year. It’s amazing.
Could the offense be better? Of course it could. But normally, great offensive teams have great offensive players . . or at least one DOMINANT offensive player. Mike Woodson realized a long time ago, that in order for this team to win, they have to REBOUND AND DEFEND, before they do anything else. When we do that, it enables us to get into our running game. This makes Josh Smith a lethal threat on the offensive end. It also enables Horford to get out and run as well. The truth though, is that Smith is not a good halfcourt offensive scorer, and Horford is still a work in progress when he goes up against good defensive big men. So we need our running game to get going, to maximize the talents of our smallish and “not so rugged” frontcourt.
But I’m baffled at the criticism thrown JJ’s way these days. All of the names like “ball hog” and “selfish”. Yet, like I said, this is the best Hawk team in 13 years. JJ is a BIG REASON for that. And Jamal Crawford has been a tremendous addition as well. I know what the names are about though. People are still sore at JJ for turning down that extension. People are like (( gasp )) “how can he turn down 60 million dollars? Who does he think he is? He’s being SELFISH by turning down that money”.
No people. Joe Johnson made ( he hopes ) a wise business decision, to secure more years and more money. A decision that every other star player in the league who will be an unrestricted free agent has done this season. Yet, it’s Johnson that is viewed as “selfish” by our bandwagon-esque fan base.
And how about this Mr. Bradley. How about writing a piece saying how Joe Johnson and Jamal Crawford may arguably be the most DANGEROUS DUO IN THE NBA? How many games have Joe and Jamal COLLECTIVELY won together? People are trying to create this Joe vs Jamal thing, but I’ve never heard anyone mention them as a duo. It’s always JJ is trying to outdo Jamal, instead of BOTH GUYS just doing what needs to be done to win the game. So I wonder why 95% of the fans, and none of the AJC sportswriters mentions these two as a duo?
Is it because people want Joe Johnson out of town?
That they love Jamal Crawford’s game so much, that they’d rather go with him as the leader of the Hawks ( even though the guy has been nothing more than an inefficient volume chucker when he’s forced to be the lead guy? Or I guess people have forgotten that already? Check Jamal’s career numbers if you don’t believe me. )
I don’t live in the Atlanta metro area, but I’ve been a fan of the Hawks since 1984. I remember watching the Hawks as a kid, when Ted Turner used to show all of their games on TBS. I remember all of the good times in watching this team, before the infamous JR Rider trade seemed to put us in the NBA Dungeon.
With all of the suffering that this franchise endured once the new Millennium got here, it’s strange to see the fan base ( and a few media writers ) actually complain about what looks to be one of the best Atlanta Hawks teams in franchise history. Is the memory of the 13-win season just a mere 6 years ago, that far gone? Is the fact we won only 37 games in a season as recent as 3 years ago, just a memory in the past?
The Hawks are still a work in progress. We’re a good team, but not a great team. People just need to be patient, and see if this team can really get things going. As tough of a January schedule that we had, no one is talking about the fact that we went 9 – 6 this month. No . . . the focus is on ISO-JJ, and how its supposedly not needed as much anymore. It may not be needed as much against the lesser teams, in which Smith and Horford have an advantage against their man. But it’s definitely needed when Smith and Horford go up against good defensive frontlines. At that point, the game must be put in Joe Johnson’s and Jamal Crawford’s hands.
northcyde
February 2nd, 2010
12:19 pm
You want to know why JJ and Jamal should be viewed as a Dynamic Duo?
These are the combined point totals of JJ and Jamal in some of our wins this year vs current playoff caliber teams:
NOVEMBER GAMES
@ Portland – 47 points ( JJ – 19, Crawford – 27 )
vs Denver – 47 points ( JJ – 22, Crawford – 25 )
@ Boston – 42 points ( JJ – 24, Crawford – 18 )
vs Portland – 41 points ( JJ – 35 )
vs Miami – 40 points ( JJ – 30 )
vs Houston – 40 points ( JJ – 19, Crawford – 21 )
DECEMBER GAMES
@ Dallas – 37 points ( JJ – 31 )
vs Chicago – 41 points ( Crawford 29 )
vs Memphis – 38 points ( JJ – 26 )
JANUARY GAMES
@ Boston – 53 points ( JJ – 36, Crawford – 17 )
vs Phoenix – 40 points ( JJ – 19, Crawford – 21 )
vs Boston – 55 points ( JJ – 27, Crawford – 28 )
And this list doesn’t even include the games that we’ve lost in which JJ and/or Jamal have had huge games.
Johnson:
- 27 pts, 9 rebs @ Lakers in 3rd game of season
- 29 pts, 8 asst vs Knicks in early December
- 40 pts in mid December @ Chicago
- 35 pts in late December @ Cleveland ( in arguably his best game of the year ) . . the shot clock game
- 31 pts @ San Antonio about 6 days ago
- 19 pts, 7 assists @ Orlando last Saturday ( in a game in which he probably should’ve had 12 assists if not for Marvin and Crawford missing wide open jumpshots )
Crawford:
- 20 pts in late November @ Detroit
- 24 pts in late December @ Denver
- 26 pts in late December vs Cleveland
- 25 pts @ San Antonio 6 days ago
So instead of the fans trying to create storylines about how JJ is trying to outdo Jamal, how about viewing them as a Dynamic Duo?
It would be unfair to Jamal if JJ was called “Batman”, and Jamal was called “Robin”. This is more like a union between Iron Man ( Johnson ) and Green Lantern ( Crawford ).
Brotha J
February 2nd, 2010
1:38 pm
Joe’s lack of desire to go all the way to the cup is the only beef i have with his game. I feel the Hawks are better when the ISO goes through crawford for that specific reason. Crawford faces the Defense and his team in the ISO. where Joe may turn his back. And unless he is having a hot day…. Joe’s game is not that good when his back is to the basket.