Word is Johnson wants to be number 2 Guy!

[JTB]

I know its been alot of summer 2010 free agency talk but I was just looking around on nba.com and i noticed this article stating:

. The word is Johnson doesn't want the burden of being the best player on his team; that he'd prefer to be the No. 2 guy instead and quietly go about his business. Wade would be cool with that.

i havent heard this from anybody and im quiet suprise johnson doesnt want to be the star of the team. now im getting a little nervous.......what iff jj really does leave. We just got to this elite status! and your telling me it can all change over the summer!

article:

Wade-LeBron? Durant-Bosh? Recruiting press is on in Big D

Posted Feb 9 2010 10:27AM

The big event in Dallas on Sunday isn't one of those postseason high school All-America basketball showcases where teenagers are slobbered with attention, have their egos constantly inflated and hear sweet nothings whispered into their ears ... although for a half-dozen players in the NBA All-Star Game, it'll seem that way.

That's because this is more than just an All-Star weekend. This will be one big recruiting convention. At least behind the scenes. The full-court press will be applied to certain players. They'll be pulled aside, nudged, winked at, told how great they are and, above all, hear some serious sales pitches. And it won't be a shady character in sunglasses trying to seduce these players.

The recruiting will come from other players. Fellow All-Stars, actually.

With the biggest and most lucrative free-agent pool ever approaching this summer, don't think players won't discuss potential deals and dream matchups while in Dallas. Really: Wouldn't you love to be the miniature microphone on the locker room wall in the Eastern Conference dressing room, when Dwyane Wade, LeBron James, Joe Johnson and Chris Bosh -- all free to travel and sign elsewhere come July 1 -- gather for some informal chit-chat?

This wouldn't be the first time players spoke to each other about free agency. With texting and e-mail, nothing prevents them from exchanging thoughts and strategy. And several of these free agents were teammates last summer in Beijing for the Olympics, where they admitted to fantasizing about being on the same NBA team. There's no rule against players getting together and dreaming out loud.

There will be wish-you-were-here postcards mailed to Carlos Boozer, David Lee, Ray Allen and Manu Ginobili. They won't take part in any All-Star free-agent summits because they're not playing in the game and therefore are unlikely to be in Dallas. And while Kobe Bryant and Dirk Nowitzki will play in the game, they'll be excused from any discussions because nobody believes they'll opt out and sign anywhere except with the Lakers and Mavericks.

But several 1-on-1 talks could take place in backrooms and hallways. These are the most likely:

LeBron James and Dwyane Wade. This would be the basketball equivalent of Steven Spielberg sipping tea with Oprah. Or Bill Gates talking with Warren Buffet. Or Jay-Z and Lil Wayne. Whatever. It doesn't get bigger than 'Bron and D-Wade and the potential for a present-day Jerry West and Elgin Baylor. West and Baylor never won anything together (Baylor retired before the great Laker team of 1971-72 won it all), but a Bron-Wade combo could revolutionize the league and energize a franchise. That franchise would have to be Miami, since the Cavaliers don't have cap room for Wade. Signing with the Heat would be more enticing for Bron than the Knicks, but the odds still favor him staying with the Cavs. And if Cleveland wins the championship in June, then Wade could offer all the key lime pie he wants. Won't matter.

Wade and Chris Bosh. Now this is a conversation that could last a few hours. Miami has cap room, a superstar and Michael Beasley. Wade will not-so-gently cite today's temperature in Miami and Toronto. Or if he really wants to be convincing, Wade could bring his championship ring to Dallas and polish it in front of Bosh. (Speaking of temperatures, that would be cold.) Bosh loves the cosmopolitan feel of Toronto, and the Raptors are jelling right now, but does that beat South Beach, a golf outing in February and the chance to be Wade's teammate?

Wade and Amar'e Stoudemire. If the talks with one big man don't work, thankfully there's another. The main order of business for Wade would be to get Stoudemire to opt-out of the $17 million the Suns owe him next season, because the temperature comparison wouldn't work with Amar'e.

Wade and Joe Johnson. The word is Johnson doesn't want the burden of being the best player on his team; that he'd prefer to be the No. 2 guy instead and quietly go about his business. Wade would be cool with that.

Derrick Rose and Wade. Rose could come hard with the "come home" pitch for Wade, born and raised in Chicago. Rose could also present this rotation: Rose, Wade, Joakim Noah, Luol Deng along with Tyrus Thomas and Kirk Hinrich (if both aren't traded next week).

Rose and Johnson. Rose would explain to Johnson how this Bulls backcourt would be good for 40 points, 16 assists, 12 rebounds and five steals a night. They would be the offensive equivalent of Jerry Sloan and Norm Van Lier.

Kevin Durant and Bosh. Bosh is from Dallas and Oklahoma City brings him closer. And does KD really have to sell the Thunder hard? They're only the best up-and-coming team in the league. They just lack scoring in the post. Then they'd be contenders. Bosh could help with that.

Durant and Stoudemire. KD needs another big in the worst way, and free agency presents his best chance at getting one. The issue here is money and whether OKC would be willing to flirt with the luxury tax and if Stoudemire feels he won't get max money elsewhere. Nonetheless, when someone like Durant speaks and makes a sales pitch, he'll get an audience.

Chris Kaman and LeBron. Picture this: Bron being sold on the benefits of playing on the Clippers next to Kaman, Baron Davis, Blake Griffin, Eric Gordon and Al Thornton and being possibly coached by George Karl.

Wait. What's so funny about that?

Shaun Powell is a veteran NBA writer and columnist. You can e-mail him here.

The views on this page do not necessarily reflect the views of the NBA, its clubs or Turner Broadcasting.

here's the link read for yourself:

http://www.nba.com/2010/news/features/shaun_powell/02/09/recruit/index.html?ls=iref:nbahpt1

[gsuteke]

Joe can play second fiddle to Jamal.

[JTB]

Joe can play second fiddle to Jamal.

LOL. if thats what he wants!

[HawkWeisErrr]

But he doesn't think 15 mil per year is enough?

[JTB]

But he doesn't think 15 mil per year is enough?

exactly! he must think the number 2 guy deserves kobe bryant, d wade, lebron type contracts!

[DJlaysitup]

Man...I wish we could have just tanked a few more years and gotten Durant!?

[benhillboy]

I wish Sund would make a decision on this guy, sooner than later.

[Admin]

I wish Sund would make a decision on this guy, sooner than later.

It's not up to Sund at this point. He offered JJ a very healthy extension and JJ turned it down and said he wanted to wait until the season is over to discuss a contract. At THAT point Sund will have to make a decision whether it's worth possibly overpaying JJ to keep him in Atlanta or not and my gut says that he, along with the ASG, will believe it's worth it to not only keep our group together but also to keep him from making one of the other teams who are roughly our equals from becoming elite. Put JJ on the Bulls or Heat and remove him from us and either of those teams would easily be 10 games better than us in the standings at the end of the season.

[Kimsey]

"Rose would explain to Johnson how this Bulls backcourt would be good for 40 points, 16 assists, 12 rebounds and five steals a night."

I wonder how that pitch would go when Rose speaks like a 1st grader.

Johnson wants the max and no responsibility that goes along with it. It is a prerequisite for someone to legitimately lead a franchise to the promise land for that kind of commitment. That's why Elton Brands deal was such an albatross, he couldn't even get the Clips playoff deep when fully healthy. The principle is you don't pay the max for a second tier guard like Joe.

[hawkman]

This is all speculation. There's no need for anyone to claim JJ doesn't want to lead this team. It's getting close to the trade deadline and the stories and rumors will become more abundant, so there's no need of getting riled over these little tidbits. It happens EVERY season with any team that has any player of value with an expiring contract. It just happens to be our turn. I'll be glad when the deadline passes so everyone can just focus on this great season.

[JTB]

This is all speculation. There's no need for anyone to claim JJ doesn't want to lead this team. It's getting close to the trade deadline and the stories and rumors will become more abundant, so there's no need of getting riled over these little tidbits. It happens EVERY season with any team that has any player of value with an expiring contract. It just happens to be our turn. I'll be glad when the deadline passes so everyone can just focus on this great season.

your right and reading what you said makes me feel better. it is very true that the media makes up things around the trade deadline!

[Supporter]

Some people are secretly happy to hear this type of speculation. The amount of Joe hate on this forum is atrocious.

[TheNorthCydeRises]

This is all speculation. There's no need for anyone to claim JJ doesn't want to lead this team. It's getting close to the trade deadline and the stories and rumors will become more abundant, so there's no need of getting riled over these little tidbits. It happens EVERY season with any team that has any player of value with an expiring contract. It just happens to be our turn. I'll be glad when the deadline passes so everyone can just focus on this great season.

You would think our fans, out of anybody, wouldn't believe some crap like that. Then again, most of them don't like JJ anyway, and will find any excuse to rip the guy. I'm glad you saw straight through all of that crap in the article.

This is a part of NBA life, when you're a good team that has a major free agent. if Smoove was in his last year as a Hawk, these same writers would swear up and down that the "so-called" rift between Smoove and Woody is the reason why Smoove would be available in the summer.

Don't believe the propaganda and hype folks.

[hawkman]

You would think our fans, out of anybody, wouldn't believe some crap like that. Then again, most of them don't like JJ anyway, and will find any excuse to rip the guy. I'm glad you saw straight through all of that crap in the article.

This is a part of NBA life, when you're a good team that has a major free agent. if Smoove was in his last year as a Hawk, these same writers would swear up and down that the "so-called" rift between Smoove and Woody is the reason why Smoove would be available in the summer.

Don't believe the propaganda and hype folks.

That actually happened when Josh was in the last year of his contract, and anyone who didn't like Smoove trashed him over every single rumor that came out. You woulda thought the guy was a criminal or something. Strange how many of those guys who trashed him during his contract year (one of his best statistical seasons BTW) don't post here anymore.

[mrhonline]

Some people are secretly happy to hear this type of speculation. The amount of Joe hate on this forum is atrocious.

True or not, let's not pretend that keeping JJ is a "home run" move. At the likely cost, it's more of a "necessary evil."

[niremetal]

True or not, let's not pretend that keeping JJ is a "home run" move. At the likely cost, it's more of a "necessary evil."

So was the pricetag for the Celts to get and keep each member of their big 3, and what the Magic had to pay for Rashard. If you want to get or keep All-Star players, you have to be willing to pay the piper, even if the asking price is steep. If you don't, you end up being in a constant rebuilding mode.

Edited February 10, 2010 by niremetal

[Plainview1981]

exactly! he must think the number 2 guy deserves kobe bryant, d wade, lebron type contracts!

He wants to be paid like a superstar, but wants to play 2nd fiddle? Maybe it's just hype, but I wouldn't trust JJ. I think his quiet and humble talk is just a mask.

[LefthooK]

Right - the guy who came to the Hawks because he wanted to be the #1 option suddenly changes his mind when his team is on the verge of elite status.

Like people said above, any tidbits like that are pure speculation and/or wishful thinking.

Someone posted a link to the Bulls RealGM forum recently - Bulls fans consider it a given that Joe will sign with them because Joe's agent is friends with the Bulls GM. Team quality? #1 status? Money? Contract length? Forget all that, Joe just wants to go hang out with his agent's friend in Chicago. :rolleyes:

[Diesel]

For some reason, I don't believe this. Joe left Phoenix because he wanted to be first fiddle. Joe barely passes to Crawford. I think Joe likes being first fiddle.

[SeattlesFinest]

Joe cant be a number 2 because of how he has to score the bsketball. He HAS to control the ball in order for him to be effective. No #1 will want that being their number 2. Joe is very good, but I think it takes role players to live with his game on a night to night basis. Maybe he can play with Amare, but thats about it.