AJC > Sports > Hawks > Blog > Archives > 2007 > February > 10
Saturday, February 10, 2007
No ordinary Joe!
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
PHOENIX - We talk about him incessantly around here. Even when we’re not talking about Joe Johnson by name, were referring to him or something he did. It’s hilarious and tragic all at once, for one guy to carry such a burden (I know, he’s got $70 million reasons to carry the load for the Hawks).
His effort in the Hawks’ 120-111 win over Phoenix Friday night, though, before a hostile crowd (One of the two ladies cheering like crazy in those Hawks jerseys at US Airways Center was Joe’s mom, who flew in from Little Rock for moral support) was truly a yeoman’s effort.
Dude played all 48 minutes, was harassed all night by the Suns sticky defensive specialist Raja Bell, led his team in assists (5) and took some of the biggest shots in a thrilling game defined by who would or would not make those shots. He had a game-high 32 points and dropped in 17 of those in the fourth quarter alone.
None of that is said to slight the effort of his teammates (they were great against the Suns and Johnson was quick to spread the love around to his teammates after their stellar performances). But much like his Suns counterpart who did not play Friday (Nash was out for the second straight game with a bad shoulder), the Hawks are going to soar this season only if JJ can take them there, provided he continues to get ample support from the young cast of role players surrounding him.
And for those of you who stayed up late back in Atlanta to watch the game, tell me if you didn’t enjoy that final 12 minutes. Guys were all over the floor chasing down loose balls. There were dunks, guys diving on the floor, big shots on both sides and good hard-nosed basketball.
You just have to wonder if and when this team, even as its presently constituted, will make the jump from the up and down crew we see now to a consistent team that contends for something other than prime real estate in the draft?
If they string together a few more performances like the one witnessed here Friday, maybe we can talk.
