Does anybody in Atlanta actually want Joe Johnson to stay?
And this gentleman, oddly enough, is a Hawks' fan. (AJC photo by Curtis Compton)
The city of Cleveland, such as it is, is pleading with LeBron James to stay. My question today: Is anybody in Atlanta doing the same with Joe Johnson?
It’s a strange dynamic, J-J-J-Joe and the A-T-L. Fans have ripped him for shooting too much and for not being LeBron or Kobe. He ripped Hawks fans after Game 3 of the Orlando series. And now, with free agency set to commence, I ask: Do you folks really want Johnson to re-up?
I’ve made the argument before, but here it is again: If Johnson leaves, the Hawks will get a lot worse in a hurry. He might not be LeBron or Kobe, but he’s one of the NBA’s 15 best players. Unless you believe the Hawks will then land one of the 14 or so greater talents — and Jordan Crawford, the 27th selection in the 2010 draft, isn’t such a talent — the team can say goodbye to winning 50 games and probably to reaching Round 2 of the playoffs.
The Hawks surely realize as much. I’m not sure their constituency shares that belief. My reading of Hawks fans is that they — meaning the majority, perhaps the vast majority — don’t think Johnson is worth max money and should therefore hit the road. The trouble with this scenario is that I’m not certain the Atlanta Spirit would spend much money or effort to replace him. (Yes, I’m still stuck on the Larry Drew hire.)
But I’m occasionally wrong when it comes to reading the electorate, and that’s why I’m asking: You out there — do you want Joe Johnson to stay? If not, why not? And if not, what’s Plan B?
(Speaking of which: Yahoo! Sports reports that the Dallas Mavericks would like to work a sign-and-trade for Joe Johnson. Would that work? I say … )
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303 comments Add your comment
HawkSquawkLive
June 28th, 2010
6:34 pm
I say we keep Joe. He has done so much for this franchise over the past few years and because of that, I’ll always be a fan of his. Come on, Joe. Pick ATL.
PD
June 28th, 2010
6:37 pm
John Salmons or Caron Butler
Steve
June 28th, 2010
6:44 pm
I want Joe to stay, but not for max money – how about 6 years – 100m. Joe keeps himself in good shape, so I think he will last until he’s 34 – and maybe play a couple or 3 years after that. I would weight the contract to less money at the back end, reflecting he’s an older player. How does Andre Miller and Grant Hill (and Steve Nash) keep on ticking?
Barton
June 28th, 2010
6:51 pm
Did some research for those of you looking for a legitimate NBA Center for the Hawks to build around. Number 2 pick in the 2003 draft, but number 1 in our hears – DARKO MILICIC!
rickINcali
June 28th, 2010
7:17 pm
Whatever!! He should go!………….But we need to make sure AH stays……and let’s get a true center!!………JJ just go!!! Adios!
Mark Bradley
June 28th, 2010
7:18 pm
Hudson picks off Morgan.
Mark Bradley
June 28th, 2010
7:18 pm
Got a break there. Morgan looked safe.
dr. de
June 28th, 2010
7:40 pm
Enter your comments here
First, Dallas is the perfect place and fit for Joe (6-year max.) and Derk N. Second, a sign and trade would yeild Dampier and Butler. Dampier contract would be voided. Butler 10 Mill. (final year contract) would be acceptable. Third, Cuban will accept Bibby’s contract as a filler. Forth old slick Sund will get Cuban to throw in rookie guard D. Jones. In summary, the Hawks will come away with additional cap space and have two 10 million dollar expiring contracts (Crawford/Butler). What do u think? Go Hawks
Abe
June 28th, 2010
7:43 pm
Although I, personally, am NOT a big Joe Johnson fan (the guy is one of the most standoffish personalities & non-community-oriented individuals I’ve ever witnessed), I do believe the Atlanta Hawks should definitely re-sign him for a couple more years at least! But, for a reasonable offer unlike his last contract. Like him, love him or hate him, he is the hottest, most consistent thing (despite his poor playoff showing) on the Hawks roster at the present…and losing him would be detrimental to the entire team. Especially considering what has transpired with the recent illogical decisions that were made by the Atlanta Spirit (Hawks ownership) and GM Rick Sund in the form of “giving a human resource favor” to a personal friend of Rick Sund’s in the form of now-Head Coach Larry Drew and the recent draft prospects picked up. They say you get what you pay for, and the Hawks have NEVER been an organization willing to spend the capital necessary to bring in the right people. They thought they’ve been doing pretty bad in terms of ticket sales the past few years; wait until they see this coming year’s results. Why “buy” a ticket to watch a chronically-overmatched & over-coached team when you can stay in the confines of your own home, enjoy a homecooked meal and watch a Hawks game on tv for free??? At least you’d have the option of turning the channel to something else when the game becomes too boring or unbearable. The solution: STOP BEING STINGY, SPEND SOME MONEY ON A REAL HEAD COACH, SOME RESULTS-PROVEN ASSISTANTS & SCOUTS, AND FINALLY TRADE FOR A BIG MAN (A 6′11″ or taller CENTER with some weight on his behind and skills on the inside) & A CONSISTENT SCORER/LEADER OF A POINT GUARD. Zaza Pachulia isn’t a center and Mike Bibby is not a consistent enough guard! Recognize that people!
Will
June 28th, 2010
7:46 pm
bye bye Joe. Your time in ATL is up. You indeed made the Hawks better with you presence when you came but then there wasn’t any true talent on the team. Believe it or not there is other talent on the Hawks now, so if you really want the bucks go for it. We might miss you but don’t count on it. I have faith that somehow the Hawks will find another scorer who just might be willing to share the ball and play team ball for a change. Thanks for the few years you gave.
Hawk36102
June 28th, 2010
8:00 pm
I think that most of us (after game 3) do not want Joe, but at the same time, we see that there is no one else we could get that is better. So at the end of the day we want him back
JeJe
June 28th, 2010
8:05 pm
Giving Joe a max contract will set this franchise back for YEARS. If you give him 6 years, you will pay him 25M when he is 35. THAT IS ALMOST HALF OUR FREAKING PAYROLL
If you give him 6 years, you will pay him 25M when he is 35. THAT IS ALMOST HALF OUR FREAKING PAYROLL
If you give him 6 years, you will pay him 25M when he is 35. THAT IS ALMOST HALF OUR FREAKING PAYROLL
If you give him 6 years, you will pay him 25M when he is 35. THAT IS ALMOST HALF OUR FREAKING PAYROLL
If you give him 6 years, you will pay him 25M when he is 35. THAT IS ALMOST HALF OUR FREAKING PAYROLL
Big John
June 28th, 2010
8:16 pm
I’m a season ticket holder. I wonder how many of you so called fans will be coming out to Phillipa Arena to see a 35+ team compet if JJ goes. I know I won’t. I agree that what he said was over the top, but I think he was frustrated as well as the fans. I would like to see him come back because we don’t have that many options and our guard situation is suspect. I would also like to say that ATL. fans are not the greatest in the NBA. Last year I came to games where the other teams like Miami, LA, Cavs were cheerd louder then the home team. I orig. come from NY. When I lived there I cheered for the Nicks. Now I live in ATL and I cheer for ATL. I remember one blog where the blogger said the Hawks suck. Well I’m sorry my friend. Third place does not suck. N.J. and Minn. suck. Go move there and cheer there team. Six out of 30 is pretty good in my book.
adrian
June 28th, 2010
8:26 pm
if the man cannot handle the pressure of being booed in atlanta how could he in a place like new york or chicago, I mean he left phoenix because he wants no spotlight
Mark Bradley
June 28th, 2010
8:30 pm
Another muff by Yunel.
Mystikal
June 28th, 2010
8:40 pm
What ever happens, just want to point out that free agency in 2011 and 2012 really sucks!!!!!!!!!!
hot tuna
June 28th, 2010
8:44 pm
Next to leave will be Al Horford..He sure would look good in a Laker uniform with a NBA championship ring on his finger..This what it is all about right..Winning an NBA championship..Tell it to the Hawks and Hawks fans..We got beat by 2 more complete teams in the playoffs… We got to get rid of the Knight-Babcock fungus that still haunts us..Is Speedy still on the payroll..and all the bad drafts and non drafts they did..Losing Joe will hurt us more than help us.Name somebody just as good who is available now or next free agent class..I won’t hold my breath…
JeJe
June 28th, 2010
9:31 pm
TRADE JOE FOR DAMPIER + BEAUBOIS AND THEN TRADE SMOOVE FOR AL JEFF AND THEN WE’RE TALKING.
AND U HAVENT EVEN DONE ANYTHING WITH DUCK OR MINIME YET
JeJe
June 28th, 2010
9:31 pm
Mark,
Can you please explain how ASG told Sund they will go into Lux Tax if he promises to bring a winner, yet EVERY move since this statement a year ago has been a cost cutting move?
BosnianBaller
June 28th, 2010
9:40 pm
STAY JOE!!!!
JeJe
June 28th, 2010
10:31 pm
HOW ARE ALL THESE MEETINGS BEING SET UP TO TALK TO LEBRON BY TEAMS NOT NAMED CLEVELAND NOT A BLATANT VIOLATION OF NBA TAMPERING POLICIES?
FIRE STERN
FIRE SUND
FIRE WOODY
FIRE ASG
rusty
June 28th, 2010
10:34 pm
what really sucked this past year was losing to inferior teams & getting blown out in the first quarter with no real chance of coming back. what sucked was woodys iso offence & switching defense. what sucked was no smart substitutions,what sucked was a team like ours not playing uptempo basketball,what sucked was ua showing no heart. i would place some of the blame on joe . i dont think we could play uptempo with him in the lineup
JeJe
June 28th, 2010
10:50 pm
Giving Joe a max contract will set this franchise back for YEARS. If you give him 6 years, you will pay him 25M when he is 35. THAT IS ALMOST HALF OUR FREAKING PAYROLL
If you give him 6 years, you will pay him 25M when he is 35. THAT IS ALMOST HALF OUR FREAKING PAYROLL
If you give him 6 years, you will pay him 25M when he is 35. THAT IS ALMOST HALF OUR FREAKING PAYROLL
If you give him 6 years, you will pay him 25M when he is 35. THAT IS ALMOST HALF OUR FREAKING PAYROLL
If you give him 6 years, you will pay him 25M when he is 35. THAT IS ALMOST HALF OUR FREAKING PAYROLL…
Realsquawk
June 29th, 2010
12:00 am
Nope don’t want him back unless he is signing for like 3 years at like 40 million
JeJe
June 29th, 2010
12:34 am
Mark,
you also wrote that Smoove would be the best player on the team very soon.
Woody's Eyebrows
June 29th, 2010
2:28 am
JeJe- You know Woody has already been fired, right?
indo501
June 29th, 2010
4:32 am
I don’t think he’s worth a max contract at his age you would be paying him 20+ million at age 35, But I do want him back and if they sign him at ,ax level I would be fine w/ it, I always felt the hawks biggest problems are lack of a Center and poor coaching
Parker
June 29th, 2010
8:25 am
Yesterday I wanted JJ gone. After skimming through this blog , Im not so sure. This is what Im feeling now. The Hawks obviously have some cash. We can make things better for JJ. For example, improving the 3 and 5 positions. Or we can use that cash to get another star. Have you checked the free agents list? It’s extremely deep with talent. Uuum , im still on the fence.
BZwald
June 29th, 2010
8:27 am
I’m a Hawks fan and I want Joe to stay in Atlanta. We are better with him, than without him. Even though he causes contention with the fans on occasion, he is not a diva that would unsettle the team like any other superstar that would come in. How do we tell Joe that some of us want him back?
Big Ray
June 29th, 2010
9:01 am
Comparing how fans in Cleveland feel about Lebron James to how fan in Atlanta feel about Joe Johnson is kind of funny.
Cleveland drafted LBJ. LBJ brought them out of the ashes by himself. He nearly single-handedly delivered NBA Finals and Conference Finals appearances, along with MVP performances year after year. Arguably the best player in the game right now (and who wants to argue that?)
Atlanta bought Joe, and overpaid for him. Joe was the main man in going from 13 wins to 37. Getting to 47 wins was largely Joe, but not possible without Mike Bibby. Getting to 53 wins was more about Jamal, Josh, and Al, than it was Joe. Joe has delivered, in part, playoff appearances, but also has a part in second round blowouts. Joe delivered three straight all-star reserve appointments before finally being named an all-star starter this past year.
Joe averaged 17 a game against a Milwaukee squad that shouldn’t have been able to contain him, then dropped all the way down to 12 a game against Orlando. To top it off, he frustratingly make the public quote that he didn’t care if fans showed up or not.
If Lebron did what Joe did, particularly in the above paragraph….you wouldn’t see Cleveland fans fawning over him. In fact, you might see more of the opposite. But Lebron made Cleveland. Without him, they fall much further than we do without Joe. ‘Nuff said.
Big Ray
June 29th, 2010
9:11 am
I think most of us would rather see Joe stay. That one statement about the fans is exactly what it is: one statement. He does not cause contention with the fans, that I can see.
The issue with Joe is the lack of emotion. There is no connection between him and the city of Atlanta, as another blogger said. We know he’s the best player on this team, and one of the best in the league. Does he want Atlanta as much as some people say we should want him? Does he love Atlanta, or could he “care less if he’s here or elsewhere?” You never hear about it from him.
If Joe goes, people may miss his 20 ppg, his 5 rebounds, his 5 assists. But will they miss HIM ?
And though the bigger Joe Johnson fans tend to hate this, that’s what separates him from Jamal Crawford. Everybody knows Joe is more versatile than Jamal, a better defender, better all the way around. Joe is top 15 in the league. Jamal is not.
What Jamal is, however, is charismatic in a way. He’s exciting. He will talk. He’s active in the community (has been everywhere he goes). He has a connection, even though it’s only been a single season. People connect with Jamal, hot sauce dribbling and all, not-so-pretty shooting percentage and all.
People fall in love with Jamal’s behind-the-back dribbles, his shake-n-bakes. The crowd oohs and aahs at his quick pull up 3 pointers and his daring dashes to the basket, punctuated by the nastiest up-and-under layups. What’s not to love about a 4-point play?
It’s that connection that allows people to forgive Jamal when he blows one defensive assignment after another. It’s what helps people not notice when he shoots 35% from the field. It’s that same thing that Joe lacks, which nets him the criticism he gets when he pounds the ball for 3 quarters, not passing to his teammates sometimes when they are wide open, take the most shots, and then end up being part of a loss because of a 4th quarter offensive collapse (admit it, sometimes offense wins games, and a lack thereof loses them).
ATL4LIFE
June 29th, 2010
12:00 pm
Let’s be rational. It makes since to resign Joe. I hope fans do not think if we let JJ go that we can then get a big name player. Not possible with the cap space they have. If the resign Joe they can over the cap. If they let him go seasons about over. I don’t understand why so many people hate JJ, is it because he never got in trouble?, is it because he only scored 21 pts a game. He saved our organization after all we had to look forward to was Jason Terry, Shrif Raheem, Theo Ratliff, or Danny Manning
Alex
June 29th, 2010
12:05 pm
Let him go if you are sure that you could sign a great/good number 5 i.e. Amare Stoudemire. We need a real 5 to defend in the growing eastern conference more than we need Joe who vanishes in big games a lot of times. If this can’t happen get Joe’s deal done.
meh
June 29th, 2010
12:25 pm
With Joe, the Hawks should be better. Al and Josh should continue to improve, and jordan crawford and the development of teague would give us better depth. Obviously losing an all-star would put us back a few steps but this team only works if Joe can cede some offensive control to Al and Marvin. This team can’t run through only Joe and be successful. If he can do this its a no brainer to bring him back, even at a high price tag, this team is as talented as anyone in the Eastern Conference with Joe (barring Lebron going to Chi town) and all of the main competition is in flux: Celtics getting older two major players may not be back (allen/pierce), Cavs (about to fall off of the face of the Earth), and Magic. But there a lot of ifs. Joe’s defense intensity was only so-so, he bombed in the biggest series of his life, and he seemed to show a selfish streak. If he is willing to change this, bring him back, please, but if not, he has to go.
ddd-house
June 29th, 2010
12:47 pm
Everyone here is making good point. I would say; let him go. Rudy Gay can step in and do the same if not better than Joe. I am sick of watching playoff game where we go on the road and Joe does NOTHING. look back at the last three playoff years road games, it has been all blow outs and our go to player (a.k.a bye bye Joe) did nothing to help. you can’t ave 12points a game in the 2nd round of the playoff and as the go to man and think the fans are going to happy with that.
Hawker P
June 29th, 2010
2:31 pm
Trade JJ for Bosh and some cash.
mantis
June 29th, 2010
4:48 pm
Joe Johnson is overrated. At least Kobe Bryant can put up the numbers to justify his crybaby antics.
If we get some good quality big men (Carlos Boozer would make a good addition to the Hawks), then the Hawks can continue to take it to the next level. I think Jamal Crawford is more than capable of replacing Joe Johnson, and and I have a feeling that young Jordan Crawford is going to be surprising a lot of people this season.
LD
June 29th, 2010
10:09 pm
It’s funny because I will be reading some articles about the Hawks, and start shaking my head about the writer who made the article, and every time I’m laughing or shaking my head, I will scroll up to see who wrote it, and it’s always you. It’s pathetic, but funny. Let’s see if you can write another article where I start laughing. Keep up the ‘awesome’ writing
- Patrick Darvin
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Vick-Ryan2-7
July 1st, 2010
4:44 pm
Joe Must Go! I used to love Joe Johnson. Not anymore. We’re offering him a max contract?!?! Seriously! He better but up no less than 28.5 ppg, and 7 assts, and actually do good in the clutch and not rely on Josh Smith to put it back (love you Josh), and gets some consistency. He should go, and we should trade Josh Smith or Marvin Williams, even though i lvoe them both, move al up to PF, sign Amare at C, and go out and get a decent sg, leave crawford on the bench for now because I dont see Bibby liking being a 6th man. Or while were at it, trade Bibby too, to help get Amare or help with a Sg. Thats just one fans opinion.
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