[Diesel]

Hawksfans must read.


"Joe Johnson is not on LeBron James' talent level, nor does he have the same global appeal.

But Johnson stands alone in the 2010 free-agent class in that the All-Star shooting guard may be the most realistic option for the talent-starved Knicks. Johnson already has rejected a "max" deal with the Atlanta Hawks and has a good history with Mike D'Antoni. Plus Johnson's agent, Arn Tellem, is responsible for orchestrating the trading deadline deal for Tracy McGrady that freed up additional salary-cap space for the Knicks.

Team president Donnie Walsh traded two first-round picks to Houston to finalize the deal and the feeling around the NBA is that Walsh never would have given up so many assets if he didn't have a good indication that one of the top free agents is strongly considering New York.

"I don't think it's a reach to say that Arn could influence Joe's decisions," said a Hawks official. "There's nothing wrong with that. But we could still offer the most money."

"Wink-wink" deals are against NBA rules, but they are next to impossible to prove and happen all the time. That doesn't mean the Knicks have such an agreement in place with Johnson. In fact, Johnson was clear last night that his preference is to sign with a ready-made team, which would seem to include Atlanta but not necessarily the Knicks.

"I can't backtrack," Johnson said before the Hawks lost to the Knicks at the Garden. "I can't go into a situation like when I first got here to Atlanta."

The Knicks have suffered through nine straight losing seasons but, unlike most team executives with cap space this summer, Walsh has enough money to sign two "max" players. Plan A, of course, is to sign James. But if that doesn't work out, the Knicks would gladly "settle" for Johnson and Toronto's Chris Bosh.

"Maybe so for a guy who is considering coming here, maybe he would like for them to have another (max) player because that would attract some interest," Johnson said. "It's going to be a tough decision."

Johnson added that he won't "base my decision on what LeBron does" and he also reminded reporters that he isn't ruling out re-signing with the Hawks.

His teammate Jamal Crawford, the former Knick, said he will lobby on the Hawks' behalf to have Johnson re-sign. In that discussion, he will likely tell Johnson about the losing culture that still exists at the Garden.

"There's going to be a lot of pressure on whoever comes here," Crawford said. "Fans have been patient but when these guys come it's going to be like, 'OK, it's time to go.'"

Read more: http://www.nydailyne...l#ixzz0hiYXad9e

[HawkWeisErrr]

It's a good idea for Johnson to go to a team that is "ready-made" because he is not the type of player that can carry a team.

[spotatl]

Honestly- many people here think that if Joe Johnson is a team's best player then that team cannot be championship caliber. The problem is that if Joe Johnson also realizes this and does want to win a championship then he really can't stay with the Hawks.

[sultanofatl]

2 things

1. anytime the media and more importantly the NY media gets involved words get twisted and intent lost
2. if Lebron calls Joe to play batman on a team with enough cap for both teams, Joe would be an idiot not to go

[GameTime]

Diesel, on 09 March 2010 - 04:38 PM, said:

Johnson added that he won't "base my decision on what LeBron does" and he also reminded reporters that he isn't ruling out re-signing with the Hawks.

Well that is nice to know that he hasn't completely ruled us out yet. :brick wall:

Sund not doing anything this trade deadline is gonna bit us in the lip this offseason.

[HawkWeisErrr]

spotatl, on 09 March 2010 - 04:50 PM, said:

Honestly- many people here think that if Joe Johnson is a team's best player then that team cannot be championship caliber. The problem is that if Joe Johnson also realizes this and does want to win a championship then he really can't stay with the Hawks.

Well Josh Smith is the team's best player.

[spotatl]

If Josh Smith is the teams best player then I don't think you will ever be more than 50/50 to get out of the first round of the playoffs.

[Diesel]

HawkWeisErrr, on 09 March 2010 - 04:47 PM, said:

It's a good idea for Johnson to go to a team that is "ready-made" because he is not the type of player that can carry a team.

I can't deny if NY has Bosh, Galls, Lee, and Joe.. they are kinda ready made. They are just a strong PG away.

However, I don't know if they are stronger than what we have... or what we could have.

[Gray Mule]

We all know JJ is good. In fact, he's an all star, selected each year to play for the east.

We would miss JJ something terrible, that's true.

Yet, don't be misled into believing that Atlanta is nothing without him. That's an insult to the other Hawks.
IIf JJ goes to NY and leaves us high and dry, that would be bad. However, there is all that $$$$ that we
would have been paying JJ if he had stayed.

Signing all those big name free agents is like playing musical chairs. Some one is being left out every
time they play the free agent tune. The Hawks would have extra $$$ and an empty slot on the roster.
Someone who is a pretty good 2 guard would probably consider coming here to play with JSmoove,
Horford and the other Hawks.

Atlanta won't be left out in the cold.

:conversation:

[spotatl]

Graymule- you know the Hawks wouldn't have the caproom to sign another big FA even if Joe walked right?

[AHF]

spotatl, on 09 March 2010 - 06:24 PM, said:

Graymule- you know the Hawks wouldn't have the caproom to sign another big FA even if Joe walked right?

Agreed. It isn't a musical chairs situation because that assumes you can replace one comparable chair with another. Since the Hawks will be over the cap, they can resign JJ but can only get a FA with their MLE which won't fetch anyone comparable to JJ.

[buckeye242424]

Gray Mule, on 09 March 2010 - 06:07 PM, said:

We all know JJ is good. In fact, he's an all star, selected each year to play for the east.

We would miss JJ something terrible, that's true.

Yet, don't be misled into believing that Atlanta is nothing without him. That's an insult to the other Hawks.
IIf JJ goes to NY and leaves us high and dry, that would be bad. However, there is all that $$$$ that we
would have been paying JJ if he had stayed.

Signing all those big name free agents is like playing musical chairs. Some one is being left out every
time they play the free agent tune. The Hawks would have extra $$$ and an empty slot on the roster.
Someone who is a pretty good 2 guard would probably consider coming here to play with JSmoove,
Horford and the other Hawks.

Atlanta won't be left out in the cold.

:conversation:

I agree Mule. I think if JJ bolts, all hell will break loose around here....but we won't be left out in the "cold" (That's my optimism coming through)....However,

Can someone from our PR department tell JJ and his teammates that this is a distraction that shouldn't be going on. I understrand that being in NY, JJ's old coach, NY being one of JJ's biggest suitors is going to cause attention....But, JJ should nip it in the bud and come up with a generic, blanket statement he could use from city to city. Something along the lines of "We still have something special going on here. My focus is on my team. I'm not talking about FA'ency." Done. Simple. Seriously, we have 40 wins already. Fighting for a 2 or 3 seed. It hasn't been better as a Hawks player, or fan, than right now for a LONG time. I don't like the fact Joe or Craws, or any player is commenting on what will happen this summer. I sure as heck don't like reading that JJ "loves" his former coach....that just can't be good for team morale at this point in the season. It can't. Everyone needs to button their lips and focus on the task at hand. JJ's time will come.....it shouldn't be about him right now, especially weighing his options for the future...cross that bridge when it comes. In the meantime, CARPE DIEM! We're in a great position in the East, let's see what happens!

[spotatl]

He Hawks could sign a MLE player and also resign Childress. But I still dont' think thats the kind of move people have in mind.

[Kimsey]

spotatl, on 09 March 2010 - 06:24 PM, said:

Graymule- you know the Hawks wouldn't have the caproom to sign another big FA even if Joe walked right?

Maybe not a "big" free agent but sign Manu to the MLE(3 years) sign or trade Chills.

1. Manu 2. Crawford 3. Childress is a realistic and solid trio of SG imo.

[spotatl]

Quote

sign Manu to the MLE(3 years)

You can't really think that Manu would sign with the Hawks for the MLE. I mean come on- at least have something somewhat close to reality