<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE </div><div class='quotemain'>Joe Johnson is an All-Star Hawks' leading scorer named a reserve By SEKOU SMITH The Atlanta Journal-Constitution Published on: 01/30/08 Los Angeles — Hawks captain Joe Johnson might want to think about investing in some real estate in Los Angeles, because every time he's here, he gets good news. Johnson said he was informed before Wednesday's game against the Los Angeles Clippers that he would be making his second straight trip to the NBA All-Star Game, which is next month in New Orleans. He will represent the Eastern Conference as a reserve, chosen by the Eastern Conference coaches. have to give it up to my teammates and my coaches for all that they've done, because this wouldn't have been possible without all of them." Johnson was an injury replacement for Jason Kidd last season and learned of his selection on a bus ride to practice the day before a game against the Clippers. Word of his selection didn't spread through the locker room Wednesday until about 90 minutes before tipoff. So by the time Johnson made it into the visitor's locker room at Staples Center, his teammates and coaches were ready with congratulations and well wishes, not to mention questions about why he didn't inform them earlier. "We've got a game to win," Johnson shot back. "We've got to handle this business tonight first and foremost." Johnson's ability to handle his business this season — he's leading the Hawks with 21.6 points and 5.3 assists per game to go along with 4.4 rebounds — no doubt stood out to the coaches picking the All-Star team. "When you've got a bull-s-eye on your chest like LeBron James and Kobe Bryant and you can deliver for your team, I think the coaches recognize that," Hawks coach Mike Woodson said. "And it's a heck of an honor to be an All-Star in back-to-back years. That really makes my day, because that's great for Joe. He's had it tough this year being a target. That shows you the kind of respect people around the league have for him and his game." Johnson won't be the only Hawks representative in New Orleans next month. Rookie center Al Horford was also selected for the Rookie Challenge, the first of the Hawks' eight current draft picks to earn that distinction as a rookie. "Those are both great honors for both of those guys," Hawks forward Josh Smith said. "I think it says a lot about the noise our team is making around the league and the fact that we are, despite our recent struggles, a team to reckoned with this season and in the future."</div>
This is the dumbest thing I've ever seen, he's the Hawks third(maybe 4th) best players, and he get's named to the all-star game? Smoove should have made it! Not this no passion retard! just cause someone is overpaid, it doesn't mean he's any good.
Good god, do you ever NOT complain? What's so wrong with him being an All Star? He's putting up AS caliber numbers (22/4/5), he's just in a rough stretch. Every good player goes through a stretch where they don't shoot the ball all that well. I guess I didn't realize it was illegal for a maxed player to have a rough stretch of games, hell even Kobe has off nights and goes through a bad stretch, and he's the best player on the planet. And I realize you don't care about anyones opinion on this, but he IS your BEST player. He's putting up very good numbers, he's a freaking All Star, and I guarantee when he was shooting well for a good chunk of the first 2+ months, you weren't complaining about him. All the sudden, he has a stretch of 4 bad games (tonight he's not doing horrid), and he's the freaking antichrist and needs to be traded. Hell, he's not even having a very bad month outside of these recent games and a couple others at the beginning of the month. Throw these recent 4 out and he's averaging 22.2ppg on 43% shooting. And hey, you throw his 9 and 8 point performances out, he's doing even better. But I guess, since he's a maxed player, in your world he's not allowed to have a bad month. Oh yea, and just one last thing I needed to point out here. I don't know if you realize this, but the coaches are the ones that actually chose him. So apparently I'm not the only one that realizes he's a good player.
hmmm Al Thorthon doesn't agree that Joe should be an all-star. In fact he has 33 reasons to believe Joe isn't an all-star.
Ok, well it's too bad Al Thornton is in the West, so it doesn't matter. And why the hell does it matter that Thornton had 33 tonight? Last I knew, he was the rookie averaging all of 9ppg while Joe Johnson is averaging 22. You know, I'm just wondering, are you ever going to come up with a worthwhile argument, or just throw pointless stuff out there? Cause quite frankly, you gave no reason why Johnson shouldn't be an All Star. You say he's only the fourth best player on his team but don't give any support to that either. Basically, you're just hating on him because he's struggling.
I'm not gonna argue with someone who doesn't even watch a game, and uses numbers to prove a point. Watch tonights game and then you'll see why he shouldn't be an all star.
If you're going to throw that out there, than I'm not going to argue with someone who doesn't listen to others arguments. Beyond that, a person who doesn't even give support to their arguments. I honestly would contemplate giving you some type of credibility if you gave some type of reason instead of saying "Joe Johnson isn't an All Star because Al Thornton outscored him", or say "Joe Johnson is only the 4th best player on the team", and proceed to give ZERO support for that. See, I'm just wondering, where was all this criticism earlier in the season? Oh wait, that's right, he was playing well for 2ish months until recently. Plus, you guys were winning too. But, now that he's in a bit of a slump and his team is falling apart, you have to dish out the blame somewhere, and since he's the one having the rough month, why not just dump the whole truck of crap on him. I guess that's probably you're reasoning. Essentially, "The Hawks suck, Joe Johnson is struggling, therefore he sucks because his team sucks." That basically sounds like what you're getting at.
Joe Johnson's a good player. Last I saw, he had good defense, a good shot, he could rebound well, and he had some playmaking skills. Of course, what I also have perceived from JJ is that he's very unclutch. And, at times, he has trouble being "the man". Which is why I could somewhat understand why o.atl has beef with him.
haha damn o.iatl, you hate on the Hawks more than any other person on this board! For what its worth, you'd make a good Nets fan
You know, I'll admit that Joe isn't what you'd call clutch, but that doesn't make him a bad player. Hell, up until the playoffs last year, LeBron wasn't what I'd call clutch, yet he was still considered one of the top players in the NBA. It's the same with Dirk. The man has a tendency to choke on the big shot or disappear, yet most would call him one of the NBA's top 10 or 15 players and is our reigning MVP. I think you just have to realize that not everyone has the killer instinct of Kobe or MJ. Not everyone has the mentality to take that final shot. It may be a flaw, but by no means does that mean he sucks.
<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (GMJigga @ Jan 31 2008, 01:25 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}></div><div class='quotemain'>haha damn o.iatl, you hate on the Hawks more than any other person on this board! For what its worth, you'd make a good Nets fan</div> Don't say he'll make a good Nets fan. He is just angry over out stretch of loses. Nets fans are angry all the time. I understand were he is coming from, but Moo2K4, is right on this. Johnson is having some bad games, but he deserves to be an All-Star. I don't think over Calderon, but he deserves it. He has put up great numbers and lack of good coaching still makes what he does more impressive.
<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (Lavalamp @ Jan 31 2008, 01:02 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}></div><div class='quotemain'>Joe Johnson > Hedo & Rip</div> but both of Hedo and Rips team are above .500, and significantly above while ATL is below 500 by 6 games
I'm actually shocked Joe Johnson made the All-Star team over Hedo or Rip. I thought Hedo was a lock to make the team and if anyone should have represented the Hawks it should have been Josh Smith. He's been putting up All-Star numbers after a slow start to the season. Hedo was snubbed.
<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (Shapecity @ Jan 31 2008, 01:32 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}></div><div class='quotemain'>I'm actually shocked Joe Johnson made the All-Star team over Hedo or Rip. I thought Hedo was a lock to make the team and if anyone should have represented the Hawks it should have been Josh Smith. He's been putting up All-Star numbers after a slow start to the season. Hedo was snubbed.</div> lets remember though, Caron, wade, KG are all a little hurt, who knows how long they will be hurt but i suspect some injury replacements in the east
