February 9
Atlanta Journal-Constitution
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This could be the year that Hawks forward Josh Smith is officially recognized as ranking among the star players in the NBA. Then again, Smith thought the same thing when the All-Star teams were announced during the 2010-11 season — and the year before that. But he didn't make the cut either time when coaches voted on the Eastern Conference reserves. So even though Smith is having another good season, he's not counting on enough coaches including him on their All-Star ballots that were due Wednesday. The NBA will announce the reserves Thursday night for the Feb. 26 game in Orlando."
February 3
Atlanta Journal-Constitution
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Joe Johnson will have to wait another week to see if he is named to the NBA All-Star team. The Hawks guard was not one of the five Eastern Conference starters, as determined by fan voting, announced by the league Thursday night. Johnson is a strong candidate to be named to his sixth consecutive All-Star team when the reserves are announced Feb. 9. Johnson has made every All-Star team since 2007. He leads the Hawks in scoring at 19.1 points per game, 16th in the league. Johnson is seventh on the Hawks' all-time scoring list. He had scored 9,898 points playing for the Hawks entering Thursday night's game."
February 2
Atlanta Journal-Constitution
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Much of the discussion about Joe Johnson's season has focused on his offensive surge since Al Horford went down. And rightly so: In 11 games without Horford, Johnson has averaged 21.2 points per 36 minutes with a 55.9 true shooting percentage (by the way, his 54 percent TS mark for the season ranks fifth among shooting guards playing 30-plus minutes). With Al sidelined, Joe has made 87 percent of his free throws and 40 percent of his 3-pointers and has eight games of 20-plus points and two with 30 or more. Like all things Hawks lately, those numbers come with the caveat of competition: Since Al went down, the Hawks have faced just three opponents ranked in the top half of the league in"
December 27
Atlanta Journal-Constitution
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Critics, and even some admirers, always include the addendum that serves to undercut whatever praise of Joe Johnson just came before. But that contract ... Johnson is a five-time All-Star, a tough 6-foot-7 guard who can handle the ball and score from anywhere on the court. He's very good, but is he $124 million good? The Hawks took a chance when they traded for Johnson and paid him $70 million in 2005. He had never been a lead guard, but he blossomed in Atlanta as the Hawks earned hard-fought credibility. But what about that contract that will pay Johnson more than LeBron James and Dwyane Wade? On and on it's gone since Johnson signed the richest deal in the NBA in the summer of 2010. Over"
May 8
Atlanta Journal-Constitution
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At one end of the locker room, Hawks All-Star guard Joe Johnson talked about essentially ditching coach Larry Drew's share-the-ball philosophy for Game 4 of the Eastern Conference playoffs Sunday. "Honestly, I just got to force the issue," Johnson said after he scored 10 points during the Hawks' 99-82 loss to the Bulls on Friday. "I am not going to succumb to the double team and give it up every time - because that's what they want. We are playing right into their hands. I blame myself for that." Teammate Jamal Crawford, also the target of Bulls double teams, stood at the opposite end of the locker room and said he's willing to pass if it helps the Hawks score. "They're kind of taking it"
April 16
Atlanta Journal-Constitution
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All season Joe Johnson has said he looked forward to the playoffs so the Hawks could "prove everybody wrong." That's everybody who witnessed the Hawks' surrender to the Magic in the playoffs last spring and said the team lacks mental toughness. The group includes critics who saw essentially the same Hawks players return this season and dismissed them as true Eastern Conference contenders. It includes one-time optimists who dismissed the Hawks as they staggered over the final two months of the season. Johnson didn't say so, but he also could have been talking about himself. He struggled against Orlando for his second consecutive fade in the postseason. Johnson came out of last year's big"
April 15
Atlanta Journal-Constitution
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It would seem the pressure is on J.J for the playoffs. He faded during the playoffs last spring and dismissed Hawks booing Hawks fans. J.J. came out of last year's free agent summer with the most expensive contract in the league, one that limits the team's financial flexibility going forward. He made his fifth consecutive All-Star game but just finished the least productive and efficient of his six seasons with the Hawks. J.J. is the Hawks' lead dog, and lead dogs in the NBA usually are judged by how far they take their squads. But J.J. said he doesn't feel that burden. "Not at all," J.J. said. "In this case, it is not like that. We've got equal opportunity around here. We ain't just"
March 30
Atlanta Journal-Constitution
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J.J. practiced today and said he "definitely" will play against the Magic after missing a game with a sprained right thumb. "A little sore but it will be all right," he said. "I have had a couple days to rest so I am sure it will be ready to go." Joe said he would probably wear some kind of protective device on the thumb. He said he was able to shoot the ball without problems while participating in the full session. "He was actually pretty good," L.D. said. "I asked him how the thumb was and he said it was much better than a couple days ago. That's good to hear. I thought he shot the ball pretty good today." Smoove missed the final portion of practice to get treatment on his sore right"
March 28
Atlanta Journal-Constitution
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With Joe Johnson out with a sprained right thumb, Hawks coach Larry Drew wants to keep everything else as familiar as he can. Drew started Jason Collins at center, Josh Smith and Al Horford at forwards, and Marvin Williams and Kirk Hinrich at guards. It's the team's 15th different lineup this season. It's similar to one Drew used for four games when Johnson was out in December after elbow surgery, with Hinrich taking the place of former Hawk Mike Bibby. Drew said he gave some thought to starting Jeff Teague at guard, but "I think with our rotation, I want to keep it as close to normal as possible." When the coach has started Teague, Johnson played alongside him. Drew did not have a"
March 27
Atlanta Journal-Constitution
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Nothing has been easy for the Hawks lately, so of course a potentially breezy victory to clinch a postseason berth included an injury to All-Star guard Joe Johnson and a shaky fourth quarter. The Hawks eventually overcame it all to defeat the New Jersey Nets 98-87 on Saturday night at Philips Arena and earn their fourth consecutive appearance in the Eastern Conference playoffs. "It's a big accomplishment," Hawks forward Josh Smith said. "There's a lot of guys who play a whole career and don't make it. I think if we get our act together, we can do something special this year." The Hawks (41-31) won't face an opponent nearly as bad as the Nets (23-49) in the playoffs, but they are in no"
March 21
Atlanta Journal-Constitution
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While emphasizing that he's not making excuses, Hawks coach Larry Drew said a few key players are a little banged up. Center Al Horford's left ankle, which kept him out of the team's win over Portland March 12, is still bothering him. Forward Josh Smith is feeling the effects of his sprained medial collateral ligament in his right knee. Guard Joe Johnson has had a sore left hand since the preseason."
March 16
Atlanta Journal-Constitution
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Joe Johnson put on on a headband, and suddenly he was shooting and scoring like he hadn't in six weeks. It's most likely a coincidence, but his Hawks teammates weren't taking any chances. "He wanted to take it off at halftime," Hawks center Al Horford said, "but we were like, 'No!'" Johnson kept on the headband and continued to pour it on the Bucks. He scored 36 points to lead the Hawks to a 110-85 victory Tuesday night at Philips Arena. Johnson broke out of his recent funk by jolting the Hawks with 28 points in the first half. They went on to score their most points since they beat New York 111-102 on Jan. 28. Johnson, who made 13 of 19 shots, might want to stick with the new look just in"
February 20
Atlanta Journal-Constitution
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They will call out Joe Johnson's name with the Eastern Conference All-Stars on Sunday at the Staples Center, confirmation that the Hawks guard still is one of the best players in the NBA. The last time Johnson was in the building, he got called out as being unworthy of such status. The Hawks were playing the Los Angeles Clippers on Jan. 2. With Johnson at the line for a free throw and the arena quiet, Darrell Bailey, better known as super fan (and playful heckler) "Clipper Darrell," let him have it. "Joe, be honest: Do you really think you are worth $120 million?" Bailey shouted. Johnson didn't react to the barbs, which isn't surprising considering his stoic demeanor. But in the weeks"
February 20
Atlanta Journal-Constitution
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Once the hoopla of All-Star weekend is over and the NBA goes back to work, the Hawks will have 27 games left in the regular season. They also will have no good reason not to become a true contender in the Eastern Conference, both of the team's All-Star representatives said this weekend. "I think all of the excuses are out the door," Hawks guard Joe Johnson said. "We can't hang our hat that we are a young team anymore. We can't say it's a new coach. It's just put up or shut up." The Hawks (34-21) stand one game behind Orlando for fourth place in the East. The top four teams in each conference earn home-court advantage in the first round. The Hawks staggered into the break, losing three of"
February 19
Atlanta Journal-Constitution
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Wadup, blog people. Busy day finally over so checking in from the Left Coast, where it's chilly and rainy just like when the Hawks were here in January. What the hell do I have to do to get blue skies and warm sunshine? Yeah, I'm bitter. Anyway, no real news for your Hawks reps at the All-Star media session today. Well, Al said he and Amar'e are good after all of their back-and-forth, which he thinks really isn't news. "We cool, man," he said, laughing at the question. "I told you he was just trying to make a big deal out of nothing. I didn't have to say anything [to him]. He knew he was in the wrong, so he was cool.""
February 4
Atlanta Journal-Constitution
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Eastern Conference coaches voted Hawks guard Joe Johnson and center Al Horford as reserves for the NBA All-Star game, the league announced tonight. It's the fifth straight All-Star selection for Johnson and the second in a row for Horford. Both players represented the Hawks in Dallas last season, when Horford played in reserve and Johnson started after Allen Iverson was unable to play due to injury. This year's game is set to be played on Feb. 20 at the Staples Center in Los Angeles. Johnson, 29, has been named an All-Star in all but one of his six seasons in Atlanta. He signed a six-year, $123.7 million free-agent contract with the Hawks last summer. "It means a great deal to me to be"
February 3
Atlanta Journal-Constitution
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In recent seasons Joe Johnson usually was penciled in as an All-Star even before the teams were announced. There figures to be more suspense for Johnson when reserves are unveiled Thursday night. He started the season slowly, sat out two weeks after elbow surgery and regained his usual form only in the past month. Johnson said he hasn't spent much time wondering whether his late surge would be enough to convince Eastern Conference coaches to vote him to his fifth consecutive All-Star team. "Not really," Johnson said before the Hawks played Toronto on Wednesday night at Philips Arena. "If I make it, great. For the past four years I've enjoyed it every single time I have been. It's"
February 3
Atlanta Journal-Constitution
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Remember when everyone wondered what was wrong with Joe Johnson. Now, after yet another strong scoring game for Johnson, the question has become: How can the Hawks' star guard be stopped? Don't ask the Raptors, who are among the NBA's worst defensive teams. Johnson scored a season-high 37 points as the Hawks won 100-87 at Philips Arena to complete a season sweep of Toronto, which lost its 13th consecutive game. "He is playing with a sense of confidence I've seen him play with since he's been here," Hawks forward Josh Smith said. "It's fun to watch. He's healthy now. He's definitely our offensive leader, and he's showing it." Johnson missed only six of 21 field-goal attempts. In the final"
January 2
Atlanta Journal-Constitution
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Whether the reasons are because of his right elbow surgery, the tough defensive assignments he's drawing or a prolonged slump, Joe Johnson's shooting woes are bogging down the Hawks' offense. Coach Larry Drew said he's still optimistic his All-Star guard will work them out. "His shot will fall," Drew said after the Hawks' 103-94 loss at Oklahoma City on Friday. "It will come." Johnson missed 14 of 20 shots against Oklahoma City, including all six 3-point attempts. Since returning from surgery Dec. 2, Johnson is shooting 39 percent (51-of 132) from the field, including 29 percent (12-of-42) on 3-pointers. For his career, Johnson has shot 44 percent from the field overall and 37 percent on"
December 14
Atlanta Journal-Constitution
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Things just haven't felt the same for the Hawks without Joe Johnson. Sure, they've won five of seven games with Johnson on the bench following elbow surgery last week. Atlanta's offense has generally kept humming and coach Larry Drew has managed to shuffle his lineup and get by without his four-time All-Star. But consider that Johnson has been Atlanta's most accomplished player for going on six years and rarely has missed significant time with injuries. He's been their steady top dog for so long it's been disorienting for the team to be without Johnson for even a few days. So when Johnson hoisted some jump shots at Hawks practice Monday for the first time since his Dec. 2 surgery, Drew"
December 14
Atlanta Journal-Constitution
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Just 10 days after he had surgery to remove a loose body from his shooting elbow, Hawks guard Joe Johnson was making jump shots today at Hawks practice. Johnson took some midrange jump shots near the end of the team's practice. He said the first 10 attempts felt awkward because it had been so long since he got shots up. "For the most part if was pain-free," he said. "But we are taking it one day at a time. I may have a little soreness tomorrow. We are trying to get it as strong as possible." Johnson and the team said his activity today is not an indication that he will return sooner than the minimum four weeks announced when he had the procedure on Dec. 2. But coach Larry Drew took it as a"
December 3
Atlanta Journal-Constitution
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What are they going to do now? "We are going to win," Hawks guard Jamal Crawford said. Atlanta pressed on Wednesday without guard Joe Johnson, beating Memphis 112-109. The Hawks improved to 5-3 in the past two-plus seasons with Johnson out of the lineup. However, that was just one night against a so-so opponent. Now the Hawks will have to find alternative means for another 20 games or more with opponents who include Miami, Orlando, San Antonio, Boston, New Orleans and Oklahoma City. Johnson had surgery on Thursday to clean out a "loose body" from his right elbow and will begin rehabilitation on Friday. The team said he will be out four to six weeks. As a practical matter, the Hawks are"
December 3
Atlanta Journal-Constitution
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Fact: The Hawks paid $120 million to keep Joe Johnson. Fact: Johnson will miss at least a month after elbow surgery. Fact: The Hawks won their first game without Johnson. Question: What if the Hawks play better without Johnson than they did with him? I don't think this will happen, mind you. I think he's an excellent player. Was he worth $120 million? No, but the Hawks were always going to have to overpay to keep him, and not keeping him would have sent an even worse message to the public. (The same public, it must be said, about which Johnson said last spring he cares not one whit.) I think his team will miss him. But it became clear recently that the Hawks weren't adapting as well to"
November 24
Atlanta Journal-Constitution
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Hawks coach Larry Drew suspects Joe Johnson's left hand is hurting more than he's willing to admit. But Drew said he's not inclined to rest his All-Star guard. "I will consider it, but a high probability of giving him time off? No," Drew said. "We will probably just try to rest him days that we are not playing, especially when we have a couple days in between. Let him get it treated and keep him out. "With those type injuries they always start to feel good, and then you get it banged again and it becomes a lingering thing through the season." Johnson got hit in the hand during a preseason game and said he aggravates it with contact in each game. He wore a protective glove for two games and"
November 21
Atlanta Journal-Constitution
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All of the Hawks' rotation players are available to play, but the team still is dealing with a few nagging injuries. Guard Joe Johnson is favoring his left (non-shooting) hand at times after getting hit on it during the preseason. He has continued to get treatment on the hand and wore a protective glove Saturday against the Mavericks. Entering Saturday, Johnson was shooting 26 percent on 3-pointers compared to 37 percent for his career. Johnson has missed lots of open shots, but he said that's not because of the hand. "I'm good, man," he said. "Just nursing these little 'nick knacks' I've got. Other than that, everything else is cool. I will be all right." Forward Marvin Williams, who"
September 28
Atlanta Journal-Constitution
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With its fresh uniforms and perspectives and unsullied optimism for a new season, media day is a traditionally happy proceeding. And that's generally how it went for the Hawks during their official introduction to reporters Monday at Philips Arena. Yet the touchy subjects of business dealings and hurt feelings were a serious contrast to the smiles for candid photos. For Hawks guard Jamal Crawford, there were questions about his desire for a contract extension or, failing that, a trade. All-Star Joe Johnson was asked about the who are fans still rankled because he said he "could care less if they showed up" for playoffs games after some booed the team during the Eastern Conference"
September 25
Atlanta Journal-Constitution
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Hawks coach Larry Drew and his assistants have pushed point guard Jeff Teague to shed his reserved nature and subservient role on the team to become a floor leader. Hawks Beat Blog »Atlanta Hawks: With start of new season near, end to '10 still burns Hawks Fan Nest »Hawks Fans: What will Larry Drew's system reveal? Mark Bradley on Hawks »Another Hawks dilemma: Pay Jamal Crawford or dump him? Jeff Schultz on Hawks »McDavid's win is painful reminder of Atlanta Spirit's birth Latest Atlanta Hawks news » Follow @ajchawks | Others Hawks' Joe Johnson tells Jeff Teague it's his time Crittenton gets chance with Bobcats Dream team: Hawks, Jazz D-League squad Silence plagues Ex-Hawks' slaying probe"
July 9
Atlanta Journal-Constitution
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Hawks general manager Rick Sund believes the team has been "knocking on the door" for entrance into the exclusive club of elite teams in the NBA's Eastern Conference. The Hawks wouldn't be able to break through without Joe Johnson, Sund said, so they did everything they could to make sure their free-agent guard returned to Atlanta. Johnson signed his six-year, $124 million contract Thursday at the team's offices in downtown Atlanta. Johnson had agreed to the deal Sunday, but couldn't sign it until the league lifted its moratorium. With Johnson back in the fold, Sund said the Hawks can continue with their momentum. "We've come so far in the last couple years," he said. "The last two"
July 8
Atlanta Journal-Constitution
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It turns out Joe Johnson's six-year, maximum contract with the Hawks will be worth more than expected. The NBA announced Wednesday that next season's salary cap is set at $58.044 million, about $2 million more than the league had projected. It's a so-called "soft cap" because teams can spend above it using several exceptions, including one the Hawks will use to re-sign Johnson. Johnson's 2010-11 salary, which is based on a percentage of the salary cap, will be about $16.4 million. He will receive raises of 10.5 percent of the first season's salary each subsequent season, for a total contract value of about $124 million. Johnson and other free agents can't sign contracts until after"
July 5
Atlanta Journal-Constitution
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Joe Johnson will be back with the Hawks. The challenge for the team now is to find Johnson some help so they can reach their goal of becoming true Eastern Conference contenders. Arn Tellem, Johnson's agent, said his client would be part of that effort. Tellem confirmed in a blog posting at the Huffington Post Web site Sunday that Johnson accepted Atlanta's offer of a six-year contract expected to be worth about $119 million. And now that Johnson has his deal, Tellem indicated the All-Star guard would try to woo other players to join him in Atlanta. "For his next act, Joe plans to actively recruit other top free agents to Atlanta, a place not unlike his hometown [Little Rock], where he"
July 3
Atlanta Journal-Constitution
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The Hawks have a maximum contract offer on the table for Joe Johnson and are waiting for the free-agent guard to make a decision. The offer, expected to be worth roughly $119 million over six years, is about $27 million more than any other team can give Johnson. The Hawks still expect him to accept the deal, but he's apparently still thinking over his decision after also hearing pitches from the Knicks, Heat, Bulls and Mavericks. Johnson, 29, is a four-time All-Star who has played the past five seasons in Atlanta. The Hawks decided to offer him the contract after deciding they don't want to take a step back in the short-term. They wouldn't be able to replace Johnson with a comparable free"
July 3
Atlanta Journal-Constitution
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When he arrived there was no consensus. Disagreement among owners over the sign-and-trade for Joe Johnson in the summer of 2005 touched off the back-and-forth litigation that hamstrung the Atlanta Spirit for years. Johnson has, in the five years since, stamped himself as the finest Hawk since Dominique Wilkins, and still there's no consensus. The Hawks have offered Johnson the maximum to stay here, and yet there will be no civic celebration if/when he re-ups. He has lifted this team from oblivion to Round 2 of the playoffs, but he has left his audience wanting more. Even more confusing: He has left Larry Drew, the new Hawks' coach, wanting less. Nobody else in the NBA plays quite like Joe"
July 2
Atlanta Journal-Constitution
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The Hawks met with Joe Johnson for a second time in Los Angeles on Thursday and expected to work out the details of a maximum contract offer for the free-agent guard, according to a person with knowledge of the meeting. The person said the Hawks expect Johnson to accept their six-year contract offer, which is expected to be worth about $121 million when the NBA sets the salary cap next week. The person did not want to be identified because the Hawks are not commenting on the details of their negotiations with Johnson. The Hawks made the contract offer at the start of the free-agent negotiating period at 12:01 a.m. Thursday. Johnson later met with officials from the Knicks who, like all"
July 1
Atlanta Journal-Constitution
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When the Hawks meet with Joe Johnson in Los Angeles soon after the start of the free-agency negotiating period at 12:01 Thursday they are prepared to offer him a six-year contract for the maximum amount allowed, according to people with knowledge of their plans. The exact amount of maximum contracts won't be determined until a league audit is completed over the next week, but it's expected to total about $119 million for a player with Johnson's experience. The other teams making pitches to Joe can only offer him five years at about $92 million. I still believe that a gap of up to $27 million or so will be too much for Joe to turn down regardless of what other teams have to say about"