AJC > Sports > Hawks > Blog > Archives > 2007 > January > 31
Wednesday, January 31, 2007
Should Joe be an All-Star?
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
The All-Star buzz for Joe Johnson has been noticeably absent around these parts. I can’t say I’m surprised, seeing as we’ve had so many other bones to pick over the past few weeks. But I’ve written two stories on the topic in the past three days and there’s been little reaction from you, the most informed portion of the reading public.
So I’m wondering, do you think he’s worthy or not? And for that matter, who are the seven guys you’d put up from the Eastern Conference?
I already made my picks. Joe Johnson might be too humble to tout himself but here’s my shameless self promotion right here.
I know there is nothing specific that puts you in or keeps you out of the All-Star game. It’s up to the coaches who’ve seen a player if a guy can’t get voted on as a starter. I’ve been conflicted just writing the stories, it’s not my job to promote a guy either.
But it is news, whether or not he makes the team. And there is a chance that even if he doesn’t make the coach’s cut, JJ could be placed on the team as an injury replacement (as was Agent 0 Gilbert Arenas last season).
Now, on to a few other tidbits to think about with tonight’s game against Golden State on tap.
The Warriors want to play at a pace that lots of teams aspire to but few have the personnel to execute. I think the Hawks have the right parts (save for the shot-blocking, rebounding big man who can trigger the break), so I’m curious to see if they’ll be tricked into an up-tempo affair and how they’ll react. It should be interesting if nothing else.
Speaking of interesting, raise your hand if you thought Al
Harrington would be on this team by now? I knew that he wanted to play with the Warriors last summer, he said as much on several occasions. But I’ll admit that when the Pacers traded him I was a bit stunned. I talked to him this afternoon and he doesn’t have a drop of hate in him about being moved. But if the Warriors don’t make the playoffs, he’ll have spent three straight years without sniffing the playoffs after going in each of his first six seasons with the Pacers. That would have to eat anybody who’s used to winning alive.Can they go ahead and play the Super Bowl already? I’m tired of the buildup. And people had the nerve to complain about the 50 days off between the regular season and BCS title game. Play the stupid game already (I’m going with the Bears, by the way, got $50 on it with my son, Captain Colts).
I’m curious to see what this Jeremy Richardson can do, but I don’t know that I’d want to inject yet another player into he rotation and risk tinkering with my chemistry again (unless that player is 6-11, 270 and blocks shots or is a healthy, starting PG).
I keep reading (here and everywhere else) how this June’s draft is going to be so deep and how there are all these high quality players to be had. That may be true. But I can’t stop thinking about the fact that LeBron James didn’t even see the playoffs in his first year. Is there anyone in this draft that good? I doubt it. So whoever gets Oden, Durant, Noah or any of these other impact rookies, better realize that it’s going to take a whole lot more than just those guys to make a playoff team.
