<div class="quote_poster">Quote:</div><div class="quote_post">Hawks captain Joe Johnson is thrilled to be part of the U.S. team that will compete in next month's World Basketball Championship in Japan. He just wishes the competition would start sooner. "I can't wait to start competing," Johnson said Tuesday afternoon after being named one of the 15 players on the roster, which was cut from 18. Shawn Marion, Adam Morrison and Luke Ridnour were left off the roster. A minor knee injury forced Marion to forego a spot. Atlanta native Dwight Howard and former Georgia Tech star Chris Bosh also are among the NBA stars who will make up the U.S. contingent in Japan. The team will play five exhibition games in Las Vegas, China and Korea before the start of the competition Aug. 19. The roster has to be trimmed to 12 before the World Championship. But Johnson isn't worried about not being part of that final group. Not after his impressive showing during the team's initial training camp the past nine days. "I never doubted myself," he said. "I just felt if I put my best foot forward and played the game of basketball the way it's supposed to be played, anything's possible. I never came into this situation thinking I wouldn't make it. I came in with positive thoughts." Hawks general manager Billy Knight spent the weekend watching practices and visiting with Johnson. He witnessed what everyone else in attendance did. "Joe played great," Knight said. "And he deserves this honor, which I think is the epitome for any athlete to be able to represent your country. Joe's such a consummate professional. He just thinks basketball all the time. And this is a great, great honor for him." Johnson's role hasn't been defined. But he has a clue about what will be asked of him as the U.S. team tries to regain its place among the world's elite after posting a disappointing 11-6 record in international competition the past four years. "I know I'm here to play defense and make shots," Johnson said. "Other than that, I don't have to use my off-the-dribble skills and all that. I'm here to play the game of basketball and have fun. And we just need to go over there and take care of business." </div> Source
