With Joe Johnson likely to leave, the Hawks will be put in a tough position. They rebuilt to get to where they are now, and it may collapse with Johnson leaving. With that in mind, Marvin Williams needs to step up. Atlanta committed to him long-term after picking him second overall in the draft a few years ago. The playing time will be there, and shots will be available. It’s Williams’s job to take the ball and run with it.

by David at the Sports Fan Blog Network

In a big sports city like Chicago, good performances are expected. For a team that has been exiting first round lately, it is time for the Bulls to step up. Derrick Rose is an excellent player, but he clearly needs help. With the 2010 free agency coming, the Bulls need to target one man: Joe Johnson. Sure, LeBron James, Dwayne Wade, Chris Bosh, and Amare Stoudemire are all better plays. But the odds of any of them coming to Chicago are very slim. Joe Johnson is in his prime, and is 28 years of age. By the time a long-term contract would end, yes, he will probably be a little out of his prime. But someone with his shooting ability will be a valuable asset until his career ends.

Joe Johnson is likely frustrated with the under whelming playoff performances that Atlanta put on. And just like everyone else, Johnson will be eager to see what is out there for him. If the Bulls reach out to Johnson immediately, he will likely be very receptive. A backcourt of Rose and Johnson would likely be the best in the entire league. It is up to Chicago to make it happen.

by David at the Sports Fan Blog Network

Joe Johnson made it two straight 30-point games, Josh Smith dominated during a decisive first-half run and Atlanta won its sixth in a row, beating Miami to reclaim a share of the NBA’s best record.

Johnson scored 30 points on the heels of a 35-point effort against Portland on Monday. Smith was all over the stat sheet: 16 points, 14 rebounds, seven assists, two blocks and two steals.

The Hawks (10-2) remained perfect at home and finally seemed to awaken the city of Atlanta to just how good this team might be. The first sellout of the season, 18,729, turned out at Philips Arena.


Click here to read the full article – By Associated Press of onlineathens.com

Atlanta Hawks Sports Memorabilia
and other Atlanta Hawks Gifts and Collectibles

For probably just the second time in his NBA career, Joe Johnson finds himself at a crossroads. He has one year left on his current contract. His team is looking to make the jump from playoff-maker to contender. He is still looking for the respect due a person of his talents. Where does he go from here? Well, “where he goes” is not so much about next summer as it is about the season that starts in 15 days.

Now I know what you might be thinking. This is all just going to be more noise about Joe not signing the contract extension offered by the Hawks. I assure you it’s not. If you ask me, that is only part of why he is at a crossroads, and it is not even the driving reason behind it all. Without exacerbating the point, we’ve seen all of this before with other teams and players. No, this is about something else. Something I like to call re-evolution. It’s sort of like “coming full circle.” Players get into the league and if all goes well, they evolve to the point of where they become the best they are going to be. Sometimes they then evolve further into something else, play a different role, man a different position. Usually it’s because it’s necessary. Because that’s the best that can be done. But if things work out right, they get to “re-evolve” into that player they were, when they were at their most efficient, effective, and comfortable. Perhaps Joe is about to reach that point. And Perhaps that is exactly where the Hawks need him to be.

Click here to read the full article – By Big Ray of ajc.com

Atlanta Hawks Sports Memorabilia
and other Atlanta Hawks Gifts and Collectibles
Below are links to memorabilia available for Joe Johnson.