<div class="quote_poster">Quote:</div><div class="quote_post"> player personnel source in the NBA's Eastern Conference tells us that the Atlanta Hawks not only intend to offer Suns restricted free agent guard Joe Johnson a maximum contract offer on July 22, there are people within the Hawks organization saying they're going to end up getting him. That has to be a scary thought to the rest of the NBA, because a 24-year-old Johnson could play Scottie Pippen to the 20-year-old LeBron James' Michael Jordan. The exact contract could be worth between $68 million and $72 million for a five-year deal, which is what all other teams can offer Johnson. The Suns could offer around $90 million for six seasons, but we hear the offer they have made is for six years and about $60 million. One source told us that most teams are convinced that the Suns will match, but perhaps Atlanta and Cleveland believe that the Suns are bluffing in attempt to get Johnson for less money. </div> Link
Wow I am shocked, unless the Hawks plan to play Johnson at the point I must say I don't know how the Hawks are going to use him. They already got their building blocks at the two and the three in Al Harrington, Josh Smith, Marvin Williams, and Josh Childress. Adding Joe Johnson to that list seems just plain weird. Unless this is a sign that an Al Harrington trade is close, but other than that or the fact that they can use Johnson at point, I have no idea why the Hawks are doing this.
Accually, before Steve Nash arrived to Phoneix, and after Marbury got traded, Barbosa/Johnson played PG most of the time. Johnson is underrated, he's very versitle, sorta like a poor man's Lebron. Joe Johnson/Salim Stodimire Childress/Diaw Josh Smith/Childress Al Harrington/Marvin Williams Swift?/Collier Not bad, not bad.
I can see Johnson playing the point... and if Atlanta signs a big man that can run and play d.. then watch out for the Hawks. They'll be like the Phoenix Suns of the East except with more defense.
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting j0se:</div><div class="quote_post">Accually, before Steve Nash arrived to Phoneix, and after Marbury got traded, Barbosa/Johnson played PG most of the time. Johnson is underrated, he's very versitle, sorta like a poor man's Lebron. Joe Johnson/Salim Stodimire Childress/Diaw Josh Smith/Childress Al Harrington/Marvin Williams Swift?/Collier Not bad, not bad.</div> I realize that JJ played a little point guard before Nash arrived but don't you think it's a little risky playing a player at a major position that hasn't played there in a year. He played it some when Nash was injured this season but he has never played a full season at point. Also with Salim Stoudamire, another player who hasn't played point a lot, as his backup? It's a very risky move for the Hawks. If Joe Johnson doesn't work out at the point guard spot, then you have a log jam at the two and three plus your without a point guard that has at least one year experience. The Hawks would have to be at least 90% sure that Johnson can play the point for the season, if not, then the Hawks may find themselves searching the trade block in the middle of the season for a point guard. If this works out then it would be great for the Hawks who would now have mismatches all over their starting lineup with a 6'7" point guard, a 6'7" two guard, and a 6'9" small forward. Also with four of the five starters under 25 years old, I can see what the Hawks are trying to do with this franchise. The Hawks look like again they are trying to create as many mismatches as possible and take advantage of him with their athletic ability and size. A dream lineup for Hawks fans going into this season would be: PG - Joe Johnson/Jeff McInnis/Salim Stoudamire SG - Josh Childress/Boris Diaw/Donta Smith SF - Marvin Williams/Josh Smith/Donta Smith PF - Al Harrington/Stromile Swift/James Thomas? C - Stromile Swift/Predrag Drobnjak Not bad Hawks fans, not bad at all.
JJ averaged 4.4 assist as the Suns PG/SG last season, its definately an upgrade over Tyron Lue, and its not like the Hawks are going to contend, this is just a useful experience to get these young guys experience, but isnt Brevin Knight a free agent? That would definately benefit this team, with a veteran PG to lead these young atheletes gaining NBA maturity.
