Johnson to the Knicks? Hawks’ Joe won’t say it ain’t so
It’s old hat to LeBron James, but it’s new to Joe Johnson. When you’re a big-name player and you’re about to become a free agent, a game at Madison Square Garden means getting asked, “Would you sign with the Knicks?” Joe got the full treatment Monday, and he didn’t, you should know, say no.
The three major New York newspapers — the Times, the Post and the Daily News – all ran the obligatory “Joe-to-the-Knicks?” story. In the midst of a season in which New York’s NBA entry has won three times against the Hawks and only 19 times against the league’s other 28 teams, star-based speculation counts as big news in the Big Apple.
Times headline: “Hawks’ Johnson, free agent to be, lurks as a prize without the hype.”
Post headline: “Joe: Knicks an option, if …”
Daily News headline: “Atlanta Hawks’ Joe Johnson may be best shot for the Knicks.”
If you have time to click on only one of the Joe links, the Daily News’ version, written by Frank Isola, is the ticket. From Isola’s report:
Johnson stands alone in the 2010 free-agent class in that the All-Star shooting guard may be the most realistic option for the talent-starved Knicks. Johnson already has rejected a “max” deal with the Atlanta Hawks and has a good history with [Knicks coach] Mike D’Antoni. Plus Johnson’s agent, Arn Tellem, is responsible for orchestrating the trading deadline deal for Tracy McGrady that freed up additional salary-cap space for the Knicks.
Team president Donnie Walsh traded two first-round picks to Houston to finalize the deal and the feeling around the NBA is that Walsh never would have given up so many assets if he didn’t have a good indication that one of the top free agents is strongly considering New York.
“I don’t think it’s a reach to say that Arn could influence Joe’s decisions,” said a Hawks official. “There’s nothing wrong with that. But we could still offer the most money.”
“Wink-wink” deals are against NBA rules, but they are next to impossible to prove and happen all the time. That doesn’t mean the Knicks have such an agreement in place with Johnson. In fact, Johnson was clear last night that his preference is to sign with a ready-made team, which would seem to include Atlanta but not necessarily the Knicks.
From the Post’s story, written by Mark Hale:
Question is, would the All-Star guard be comfortable in a major town like New York?
He insists he would be.
“Yeah, definitely,” Johnson said last night before posting 22 points, five assists and four rebounds in the Knicks’ dramatic 99-98 win over his Hawks.
“It’s nothing but basketball. I’ve been playing this game pretty much my whole life. I could care less where I’m at.”
Johnson raved about Madison Square Garden in postgame.
“It is the Mecca of basketball,” he said. “Everybody I think really gets geared up to come and put on a good performance.”
If I’m the Hawks and I’ve just lost to the woebegone Knicks by a point, I don’t know that I want to hear about MSG-as-Mecca. Nor would I want to see this in Jonathan Abrams’ story in the Times:
“I think everybody is going to be in contention,” Johnson said. “I can’t really say just one team that I’m looking forward to playing for. I don’t know. I think it’s going to be an exciting summer, and we’ll see what happens.”
An exciting summer? Doesn’t, like, spring come first? Isn’t it possible the Hawks will play games of consequence come April and May? Might those not be “exciting”?
Ah, well. That’s the way of NBA free agency. You’re nobody unless the Knicks want you. And the Knicks apparently want Joe Johnson. But he’ll wind up staying here. Because, as the unnamed Hawks official told the Daily News, they can offer the most money.
Besides, New York is the worst possible fit for Johnson. He’s famous among teammates for his ability to sleep anytime anywhere. A guy who loves to snooze working in the city that never sleeps? It’d never work.
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118 comments Add your comment
Joe
March 10th, 2010
12:10 am
The Hawks should work out a sign and trade deal to send Joe Johnson to Chicago for Joakim Noah. The Hawks will save money by letting Joe go that way they can get someone else to feel his spot and have Noah. Plus Al Horford and Joakim Noah will be teammates again since their Florida days.
Atlanta Hawks - Page 28 - iSTORYA.NET
March 10th, 2010
12:43 am
[...] ron. And speaking of New York Knicks, this rumor has been circulating for quite a while now: Johnson to Knicks? Johnson stands alone in the 2010 free-agent class in that the All-Star shooting guard may be the [...]
nash
March 10th, 2010
12:56 am
I feel the same way as most people on this site if he wants to go let him go he doesnt go to the post and score on smaller defenders like he should look at the 4th quater of the dallas game or take over games in the 4th quater look at any game and he doesnt move the ball or get to the foul line he is a ter 2 player find another ter 2 guy that wants to be here and lets go the hawks could have 50 wins if they had a guy that wanted to play he is another Mike Vick. Sign and trade the guy get a J.R. Smith or a draft pick
E43
March 10th, 2010
1:20 am
i don’t think the fans understand that him leaving means the hawks will take a step back unless they sign a good center. there only guards that take double teams that can upgrade Joe is Wade and Kobe. if he leaves, expect a year no better than this year.
you seriously have issues if you call joe johnson a ball hog and still think jamal crawford is the answer.
cwm
March 10th, 2010
2:05 am
what do you guys want joe to say I AM NOT GOING TO BE WILLING TO GO TO ANY OTHER TEAM …… IT S A BUSINESS PEOPLE HE IS PROTECTING HIS INTEREST .. WOULDN’T YOU …………… GET A LIFE PEOPLE
NikkiFree
March 10th, 2010
2:40 am
Sorry, but I could care less if Joe leaves. He’s already thrown the fans under the bus during a road game. I think he’s going to Chicago. It won’t matter how much the hawks throw at him.
O'Brien
March 10th, 2010
9:57 am
Ray, co-sign.
Just to add my $.02, I hope JJ resigns with us. If he leaves, the Hawks will take a step back, but if he stays, we have the potential to take another step forward next season.
That being said, if he chooses to sign somewhere else, Sund will have to be creative, and hopefully be able to work out a sign and trade. If he goes to the Knicks, maybe we can get David Lee and something else. If he goes to Chicago, maybe we can get Noah and something else.
Daniel,
I like the idea of trading for Devin Harris, but I dont see JJ being interested in NJ. If he leaves, I think it will be for Chicago or Knicks.
That being said, assuming JJ resigns with us, how do you feel about trading Crawford? He will be in the last year of his deal, and there is no guarantee that the ASG will give him the money he wants (especially since he will be a 6th man), and he could go somewhere else and be a starter.
G-Money
March 10th, 2010
10:16 am
Take away the financial implications in which the majority of these players will lie about with that tired line of “its not about the money.” These guys egos never cease to amaze me. One would think that there is no ESPN, ABC, NBA Network, Nike, Converse, and or numerous billboards,publications, and media outlets, that bring them in the public view. Now they proceed to hold the teams and fans hostages as to where they will play next year. This very nonsense is what is starting to drive a gulf between the players and fans, which at some point will lead to disinterest.
Ms Des
March 10th, 2010
7:45 pm
***Najeh Davenpoop***
I totally agree with you. Joe just threw them a bone. That’s the same thing Lebron did. Not only that, Joe was traded to the Hawks and they gave him the team. Joe will not go the Knicks, they will eat him alive. The fans and Spike Lee run the garden not the owner(s).
Everyone on here take it easy until the summer.
Even Kobe talked about leaving the Lakers during a playing season and during even during the playoffs at one time. Everybody talked about Shaq leaving the Lakers going to Maimi.
nortrhcyde
March 11th, 2010
2:19 pm
Well, we could of course all listen to northcyde and just commit mass suicide because we are unworthy fans who don’t deserve to live.
Hey . . you said that. I didn’t. Some of you will jump off the cliff anyway. That would free up extra playoff tickets. The fan base is ungrateful though. There’s no denying that. We have the 5th best home record in the league, yet, are 19th in average home attendance. The only contending playoff teams that are worse, are Milwaukee and Charlotte.
Or we could admit that we will miss Joe Johnson when he leaves, of his own volition, to go to a place where he might like the coaching better (what, it’s a possibility? Noooo!), the marketing better (the “raises” the Hawks can give him don’t compare to the endorsements he can make money off of in one of the absolute biggest basketball cities ever), and the possibility of playing alongside another star.
I agree. NY will possibly offer a bigger and brighter stage for JJ to play on.
While one blogger will blame us fans for a decision a grown man makes, we could consider that maybe Joe has, to this day, small twinges of regret about the day he decided he wanted to leave perennial title contender Phoenix, for a team that was being rebuilt. But nah, that’s not possible. No way. Joe is leaving, and he’s only leaving because the fans don’t want him here.
Never said that sir. All I’m saying is that the fans ( and the sportswriters in this town ), aren’t helping the situation one bit. If JJ reads the blogs and the Hawk fan sites, he’s going to see 75% of the people straight up trashing him, despite him having his best season as a Hawk since the 2006 – 07 season.
So if you’re JJ, you might take a step back and say Hmmmm . . . I’m playing my booty off this year, but these fans still don’t appreciate me? After all I’ve tried to do for the Hawks, they STILL rip me to shreads like I’m a scrub? (( bleep )) that!!”
LOL . . you see the comments Derek Anderson made about Cleveland Browns fans, as he left the other day? It was classic. I doubt JJ would do anything remotely like that, but it proves that these athletes DO pay attention to what the fans do and say, even if they say they don’t.
Playing in Madison Square Garden, one of the most famous places to play (where the fans are always there) has no influence. Joe was just kidding about “everybody gears up to play here.” His agent has no influence. Incredible marketing and endorsements have no influence. An old coach/friend who is good enough to get his team within reach of the Larry O’brien trophy is no influence. Playing with another star and having a good shot at said trophy is no influence.
No. It’s just us fans, beating and flailing a helpless, innocent superstar martyr out of town. That’s why Joe will leave.
Yeah. That’s it.
I’m glad my comments over the past few days have gotten you riled up a bit Big Ray. I hope you do watch this team live and in person as much as you can, and not be one of those guys that make the many excuses about not paying to watch this team.
- (( crying )) ohhhh, the traffic is too bad for me to get to the arena
- (( crying )) ohhhh, the tickets are too high ( even though we’re not even in the top 15 in average ticket prices ))
- (( crying )) ohhhh, the Hawks can’t beat the Knicks, so I’m not spending money on them ( even though they’re 25 – 7 at home )
- (( crying )) ohhhh, JJ is not a superstar, and I want to watch a superstar play ( regardless if our team is still a very good team )
I just hope you’re not one of those fans that, because we’re not elite like the Cavs or Lakers, that you have such a distaste for the Hawks, that you don’t even go out to watch them ( yet, expect ownership to spend their last dollar to put a championship product on the floor ).
If we are indeed watching the “last days of JJ as a Hawk”, I’m going to give that dude the appreciation and respect that he deserves. He made us a relevant franchise again. And even if he can’t get us over the top, I’ll never forget what he’s done for this organization. What I won’t do, is throw him under the bus like some of these other fans are doing.
Will we miss Joe? Absolutely. Does life go on? Has to. The team will have to be built differently, run differently, coached differently. But hey, just blame the fans for that, too. After all, the fans make all the decisions, right? Fans pick who we get in the draft. Fans control free agency and trade moves. Fans. We just didn’t know we had the power.
Give me a freakin’ break…..
I’ve seen less self-inflating, flatulant nonsense coming from the New York Post….
Life will definitely go on. And the fans in Atlanta will continue to not show up to games, wishing for Lebron or Wade to put on a Hawks jersey. It is what it is.
JR
March 11th, 2010
9:50 pm
Check out the kid corey wootton DE from northwestern just what the falcons needs.
About last night: A tale of two JJ’s « control+ATL+delete
March 12th, 2010
2:25 pm
[...] Bradley also weighs in on the “JJ 2010 Sweepstakes”, including quotes from three separate NY papers [...]
Randy Wittman
March 13th, 2010
12:05 pm
Joe couldn’t even carry my jockey strap………………….let alone play as well as I did here in Da ATL! Who was that asking for Old Man Hubie Brown???? That’s a lot of #@%!*(). Hubie couldn’t coach Norcross Boys Team. He made John Drew a “Drug Addict” with his character assination. Let Nique coach this team. Is the kid from Kentucky(center) still on this team?
ICECOLD
March 13th, 2010
1:36 pm
joe is great. I hope he stays. But if he don’t there is two options, first option is getting dwayne wade. He doesn’t want to stay where he is he wants to go to a contender. But not just a contender, somewhere he can still be the superstar, and be in a big city but stay close to where he started his career at… The hawks and atlanta is the perfect place for that if the hawks know how to persuade him…. It will be a perfect swap out of superstars except dwade is the perfect closer especially for a isolation team like the hawks… The second choice is chris bosh, he went to georgia tech so he knows the atlanta life, and he is the missing peaice to the hawks offense, he can defend the big centerd and a super scorer at the center position. Imagine him al and josh in at the same time. Perfect. And start jamal crawford at the 2 and move marvin to the bench. He will be one of the best six men. Both of those ideas will make the hawks better, trully competing with the lakers and cleveland and orlando.. Honestly if joe stays then we will stay the same. Great season. Lose in the play offs. Eventually putting the hawks at a stand still.. Get dwade or chris bosh only if joe leaves though. Yep
RGO67
March 13th, 2010
2:03 pm
Let’s see… Listening to the players they are saying Joe is there Leader. Joe did not sign the deal last year because everybody is on the market and why not see what is his real value to the Hawks and to someone else. It’s a business people and by the way either we can go back to the days of “Why can’t we win any games” or we can continue on to be a CONTENDER each year. KEEP JOE GO HAWKS!!
Mike45
March 14th, 2010
8:13 pm
I’m convinced JJ is set to go some where else to me against the knicks he looked liked he was auditioning for the job he had a little pep in his step and expressed a little emotion.I’m not convinced he wants to stay in Atlanta let’s keep Jamal and make a run at D.Wade!
nortrhcyde
March 15th, 2010
1:42 am
So we trade Smoove and Crawford for D.Wade? Because that’s what it would take.
D.Wade can’t sign here as an unrestricted free agent, because we can’t offer him enough money. So it would have to be a sign and trade. And if you’re talking about a sign and trade for a superstar that caliber, you’re talking about Smoove + ( whomever else ).
And yes, that’s who’ll everyone will want.
Josh Smith.
danny
March 15th, 2010
10:02 am
I think a lot of people are hard on Joe Johnson because, perhaps, they see his use of indecisive language in regard to the Hawks as kind of a betrayal. I think he’s just trying to bump up the the value of any contract offer he receives. If he said, upon query, I’m stay’n in Atlanta, interested teams might tune him out. But if he seems indecisive, I think, this drives up the interest and the money, which is what it’s all about. LeBron does the same stuff when people ask him about Cleveland. It seems like this kind of indecisive pass is a thing which comes from the Sports agents. I think Joe is going to stay.