With the new head coach Larry Drew replacing Mike Woodson last Tuesday; all eyes will be turned to Joe Johnson. The new Head Coach knows that his job will be a lot easier if Johnson is around.
“I think my hiring should be a plus,” Drew said. “I’m a guy who’s already been in here, who already knows the players, who already has a feel for the team. The things I’m talking about putting in are going to enhance Joe’s game even more.”
According to reports, Johnson refused to sign a four-year contract extension that will include the $60 million salary last season. He even made it clear that he will test the free agency this coming summer. This might have been caused by the lack of support by the home fans during the lopsided four-game series sweep by the Orlando Magic in the second round of the Eastern Conference Playoffs.
Johnson is now 29 years old and had a respectable career in the NBA. After his trade from the Phoenix Suns for Boris Diaw in 2005, he averaged almost 22 points per game and became a four time All Star. If he’s not in the lineup, that would be big blow for the Hawks.
“If he doesn’t come back, we’d be losing an All-Star, we’d be losing 20 points a game,” Drew said. “Certainly, we would have to make up the difference. Hopefully, we don’t get to that point.”
Joe Johnson is one of the top five free agents this summer and one of the top picks for teams that would want to put numbers on the board. That would include New Jersey, New York and Chicago, together with the cash that they are willing to burn. He is a big shooting guard at six-foot eight, and can play both the two and the three. He has been a key wingman for the past four years for the Hawks. Known for his feathery touch beyond the arc and around the basket, he can be a great addition to any team. The question is: What will he choose to become this summer?
There are two options for Joe Johnson this summer, one is to stay with the Atlanta Hawks and build a strong team capable of conquering the Eastern Conference, or be a wingman of the other team. But it doesn’t mean that he will get the same spotlight that he has on Atlanta. He is more likely to become a part of the free agent shopping alongside with other superstar free agents. Taking that role may mean bigger results. Take Ray Allen experience for example. He gave up his lead role from the Seattle Supersonics in 2007 and ended up as a champion in 2008. Johnson might have chosen that path right now; only thinking who he will pair with this summer.
Though Johnson will be the Hawk’s top priority, they can have talented players on their roster this coming season. That might include the return of former Hawks Josh Childress who can opt out his contract this coming July 15th from the Olympiakos Pireus in Greece in the Euroleague. They can also build around their key guys such as Josh Smith and Al Horford this coming draft and by tweaking their rosters via trades. But still, Atlanta will call for Joe Johnson this coming July.
The 2007 Celtics team proved that three superstars on the same team are better than one. Critics called it a tough call but in the end they ended up with a championship. Though some might call this year as superstar stuffing on some teams, just like in the video games, everything can be possible. The only difference is that this is real life, dealing with real people and their future. Johnson’s future is still on his hands this summer depending on the decision that he will make.