Joe Johnson adapting to new role with Hawks

• ‘JOE THE DISTRIBUTOR’: It’s not quite as catchy as “Joe the Plumber,” but Hawks coach Mike Woodson envisions the added role of playmaker for Hawks All-Star Joe Johnson.

With teams as geared up as ever to stop him on offense, as evidenced by the relentless pressure Oklahoma City and Chicago put on him earlier this week, Woodson said Johnson has to continue to find his open teammates.

It worked against the Bulls, with Johnson piling up a season-high eight assists on a night that saw him make four of his 16 shots from the floor.

“That’s going to happen,” Woodson said before the Hawks faced Boston on Wednesday night. “I think the luxury of our team this year is that while we didn’t have very many shooters around him last year when he got double-teamed, we’ve got some shooters now, guys that knock down shots. So you can keep them honest now when they’re trying to do that.”

For his part, Johnson said he’s going to refine his approach.

“I just got to take my time and let the game come to me,” Johnson said. “I can’t go out there and force it.”

• NOTHING CHANGED: The reception the Hawks received at TD Banknorth Garden on Wednesday night was just as chilly as the one they received in four trips here during the playoffs — ice cold.

The Hawks were booed at every turn, and that was just during the pregame warm-ups. But they expected nothing less from a fan base they kept nervous for two long weeks last spring.

“It wouldn’t be normal if they didn’t give us the business a little bit,” Hawks forward Marvin Williams said smiling. “That’s really the way it’s supposed to be. That’s why they call it a home-court advantage.”

Kevin Garnett was definitely at his competitive best during the opening tip. He tapped hands with every Hawks player except for Zaza Pachulia. Garnett and Pachulia had a nose-to-nose confrontation in Game 4 of that playoff series last spring that highlighted the rancor between both teams.

• SMITH UPDATE: Woodson said he received a report on Josh Smith after Tuesday’s win in Chicago, and the news was good.

“They said the swelling finally started to go down and got some color back in his ankle,” Woodson said. “So right now he’s just day-to-day, and we’ll see where he is when we get back from this road trip.”

Smith suffered a high left ankle sprain in the first quarter of Friday’s win over Toronto and was expected to be out two to four weeks. While Woodson didn’t rule out a quick return, he insists Smith won’t be rushed back to action.