<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE </div><div class='quotemain'><span class="template"><span class="body"> One way or another, no matter what color jersey he's wearing, Anthony Johnson always seems to find himself in the same position.</p> Such is the life of a journeyman point guard who is the consummate professional, a tireless worker and fierce competitor.</p> Nearly everywhere he goes, a point-guard controversy of some sort arises. And Johnson, working into his second decade in the NBA, usually is in the middle of it.</p> "I'd like to have the opportunity to play, whether that's to start or coming off the bench," said Johnson, who started 17 games last season after being acquired in a trade with Dallas for a second-round draft pick. "That's what I work hard for in the summertime, to step right in at training camp and show that I can lead a ballclub. And I think I've done that during camp.</p> "We still have three weeks to go and a lot can change in that time. But I'm comfortable playing whichever spot, and at the same time if there's not an opportunity for me to play ... I guess I'll deal with that when the time comes."</p> Johnson is one of four point-guard options for the Hawks. Speedy Claxton is the man the team sought on the free-agent market two summers ago. Tyronn Lue is the locker-room favorite who has carried the Hawks at the position the past three years when there was no other constant. Rookie Acie Law IV is the future, the No. 11 pick in the June draft and the point guard Hawks fans hope will one day lead them back to the playoffs.</p> Johnson, meanwhile, won't let things be. He's too competitive to simply accept a fate that could include spending game nights on the inactive list if all four guys are healthy.</div></p> The Atlanta Journal-Constitution</p> </span></span></p>
