Good Joe Johnson Article

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http://www.usatoday.com/sports/basketball/...e-johnson_x.htm

Hawks have an extraordinary Joe in Johnson

Atlanta's Joe Johnson is known for his jump shot, which has helped him post a 28.3 scoring average this season.

USA TODAY's David DuPree looks at how NBA stars play the game:

The particulars: The 6-7, 235-pound, 25-year-old Johnson is in the second year of a five-year, $70 million contract with the Atlanta Hawks that runs through the 2009-10 season and pays him $12.7 million this season. He was born in Little Rock. He attended Central High School there and played two collegiate seasons at Arkansas before going to the NBA.

Road to the Hawks: He was selected by the Boston Celtics with the 10th pick of the 2001 draft. He was traded to the Phoenix Suns along with Randy Brown, Milt Palacio and a second-round pick in a midseason deal in 2002. He was obtained by Atlanta in a 2005 sign-and-trade deal for Boris Diaw and two first-round draft picks.

Style: His game is built around a classic mid-range jump shot. He has an explosive first step and is comfortable playing either guard spot or small forward, although shooting guard is his best position. He is an excellent three-point shooter, can get to the free throw line and is very effective without the basketball. He uses screens well but can also take most defenders off the dribble.

Go-to move: The pull-up jumper. He gets his opponent off-balance, makes him fear the drive and then pulls up at any point on the way to the basket and shoots.

How to defend him: Force him as far away from the basket as possible and stay up in his face. Whenever he puts the ball on the floor, bring a second defender over to prevent him from getting to where he wants to go. Never leave him to double someone else and don't drop behind screens when trying to guard him.

By the numbers: He's fourth in the league in scoring with a 28.3 average and over the last four games, two of them Atlanta wins, is averaging 33.3 points, 5.8 assists and 5.0 rebounds. He is the only player in the league averaging at least 25 points, shooting at least 50% from the field and making at least two three-pointers (2.7) a game. He has played in 372 consecutive games, the longest active streak in the league, has increased his scoring average in each of his first six seasons and is averaging 8.1 more points a game than he did last season.

His peers: The 2001 draft was underrated, as Johnson is one of 17 of the 58 players picked currently starting in the NBA. Kwame Brown was the first player picked, followed by Tyson Chandler and Pau Gasol. Shane Battier was picked four spots ahead of Johnson, and Richard Jefferson, Tony Parker and Zach Randolph and Gilbert Arenas were picked after him.

Former player he is most readily compared to: Chris Mullin. He has the reputation of being primarily a shooter but like Mullin is an intelligent all-around player who can score in every way. He is quicker and faster than Mullin was but has that same easy, mid-range jump shot with the smooth release and the ability to get the shot off in traffic.

Says Cleveland Cavaliers coach Mike Brown: "He's playing as well as anybody right now, and he can beat you in so many ways. He can go inside and out, and he's strong on the defensive end, too. He's a handful."