Notebook: Pacers coach says trading Johnson was ‘horrible’

PLENTY OF REGRETS

Hawks captain Joe Johnson said the sting of being traded in his rookie season has never dissipated. The coach of the Boston team at that time acknowledged Tuesday night that the trade was a disastrous move that looked good at the time.

“It was a good [move] in the short run. The people we ended up bringing in helped us get to the Eastern Conference finals,” Indiana coach Jim O’Brien said before his team faced Johnson and the Hawks at Conseco Fieldhouse. “It was a horrible move for the long run.”

O’Brien remains a fan of the progress Johnson has made since drafting him almost eight years ago, calling the two-time All-Star one of the most versatile players in the league.

“He’s one of the smoothest players in the NBA from the standpoint it almost seems like he glides,” O’Brien said. “If there’s any such thing of playing basketball on ice skates that’s what it would be like. He’s very long, has a shot that he gets off very, very high. He’s a terrific passer.”

HOMETOWN LOVE

Hawks coach Mike Woodson had to scrape and claw to come up with the 100 tickets needed for all his family friends.

Now if his Hawks could just come up with a win in his hometown. Before Tuesday’s game the Hawks had lost four straight to the Pacers here, each in a nasty fashion.

Woodson’s desire for his team to do well here had more to do with him wanting his team to put on a good show in his hometown. But a good effort before so many family members and friends wouldn’t hurt.

“Of course I want to win here,” Woodson said. “Who doesn’t want to do well at home? We only come two times a year, so our opportunities are limited. But I want to win everywhere we go and every time out, whether it’s on our floor or somewhere else.”

Woodson didn’t get any hometown-hero treatment from the officials. Referee Louis Grillo whistled him for a technical foul with 5:01 to play for arguing.

COLD FROM DEEP

The Hawks’ hot shooting from beyond the 3-point line ended with Monday’s win over Denver at Philips Arena. They shot just 1-for-14 from deep in the first half Tuesday night.