Hawks Better Without JJ?

by Jeff Clark on Mar 14, 2007 3:30 PM EDT in Boston Celtics Games

Note: Ok, I triedÂ benching the game threads but I miss linking to other team's blogs.Â Here's what I think I'll try doing the rest of the year:Â Before each game, I'll post about the night's opponents.Â Maybe my own thoughts, maybe some words from the team blog following that team, maybe just something random about them.Â Like the Celtics, this blog is all about building for next year, so if this works out, I'll pick up the option on the game blogs and maybe give them a multiyear extension.Â Here goes:

The Hawks have lost Joe Johnson for the year but haveÂ managed toÂ win 4 straight without him.Â Some fans are coming to the conclusion that the team should trade JJ.Â Sekou Smith has something to say about that:

You cannot be serious.
If anything, this run without JJ should illustrate to everyone (in Hawksville and in fan world and beyond) that the emphasis on team should always be first and foremost on the minds of us all.
This happens every season when a big time player on a given team goes down with an injury. People realize that there is strength in numbers and that Naismith intended for this game to be played by groups of five and not one on one.
No one can deny the obvious surge in play by the Hawks minus-JJ. But to assume that because of said surge JJ is no longer needed, well, letâ€™s just say thatâ€™s the type of thinking that leads to the type of foolishness that led the Hawks to this valley in franchise history in the first place.

Now, if they want to give us back Joe Johnson, I woudn't mind, but I think the writer is on the right track.Â Build on this momentum, use it to encourage the team to play as a team, but don't toss out the best player you've had since 'Nique just because the Ewing Theory says so.Â I won't pretend to know all of what they need to do, but getting a point guard wouldn't be a bad first step (no Anthony Johnson doesn't count).

On a positive note, the string of small forwards they have brought in are finally starting to pan out.Â Josh Smith had a huge game against the Sixers (26 points, 17 rebounds, five assists, four steals, and three blocks) and Marvin Williams and Josh Childress have come along.Â Â Perhaps they can useÂ one or two of those guys to shore up the point and center positions.

Of course, the team will hope to address someÂ of those needs through the draft, but if they don't land one of the top 3 picks the Suns will be taking their pick (as part of that Joe Johnson deal).Â They do hold the rights to the Pacers pick, but only if it isn't in the top 10.Â That would seem a safe bet if it weren't for the Pacers current ten game losing streak.

Of course it also wouldn't hurt to sort out the messy ownership situation, but that's a whole other problem.

By the way, if you want to watch good basketball for a change, you might want to check out the Mavs vs. Suns tonight.

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Comments

I’ve been a Joe Johnson fan since we drafted him and followed him closely, he’s an unselfish player if there ever was one. He is not a superstar yet because he doesn’t have a killer instinct but for someone without an instinct to average 25 ppg on 47 % shooting shows hes on his way. You’d be hard pressed to find many players with more natural talent, lights out shooter, strong, can dribble, play point, plays fundamentally and is 6’7-6’8. They guy is a player and this run does not prove the Hawks are better without him. They are beating average to bad teams, if they start being the upper echelon teams without him, I’ll take notice.

by Andrew Celtic Nation on Mar 14, 2007 4:39 PM EDT reply actions

Yeah, I’m definitely going to watch the Mavs/Suns tonight!

by celtfan 3.0 on Mar 14, 2007 4:43 PM EDT reply actions

I wish Steve Belkin would buy the Celtics.

by Brickowski on Mar 14, 2007 4:47 PM EDT reply actions

They need rebounders…..How about Scal and Ratliff for JJ?

by iowa plowboy on Mar 14, 2007 4:55 PM EDT reply actions

JJ would be a good number 2 scorer to Pierce, he likes that role anyways. But ATL are building around him so they aren’t trading him unless they get a Lebron/Wade type player.

by Andrew Celtic Nation on Mar 14, 2007 4:59 PM EDT reply actions

Yeah I’d love Johnson back- to see how him and Pierce can co-exist now. Johnson is an excellent playmaker too and likes distributing the ball.

by tb727 on Mar 14, 2007 5:35 PM EDT reply actions

“This happens every season when a big time player on a given team goes down with an injury. People realize that there is strength in numbers and that Naismith intended for this game to be played by groups of five and not one on one.”

Yeahhhhh, sure it does.

by ReadyFor17 on Mar 14, 2007 6:13 PM EDT reply actions

The Hawks would be better without Joe Johnson… if they trade him for a top point guard or big man. While Joe is a beast on offense, he plays the same spot and does many of the same things that the rest of the team does. Odds are that their best chance at getting a top PG or getting a two-for-one deal (and getting a PG and big man) is by using Joe so they should look into it.

One major problems with Johnson is that he’s clearly not a leader. He’s a supremely talented player but he dominated the offense and the rest of the team seemed disinterested for most of this season. Now that he’s gone, they are all focused on stepping up and playing as a team. AJ instead of Speedy at the point has made a difference but the fact that this team seems far more focused with Joe out speaks volumes.

by SoulHonky on Mar 14, 2007 6:17 PM EDT reply actions

I wouldn’t say he’s not a leader but he’s not the Mark Messier kind of captain. He leads by example being one of the hardest workers in the league, he is always the first one in the gym and the last one out according to Jerry Colangelo when he was on the Suns. But he is also extremely quiet so he is not a vocal leader. If I was the Hawks I would keep JJ and package some of the youth to acquire a good PG. If they didn’t pass on Chris Paul they would be a top 6 seed in the east right now.

by Andrew Celtic Nation on Mar 14, 2007 6:29 PM EDT reply actions

They might have to move Smith then. Josh is a very emotional player and you need someone to step up and get in his face now and then (or at the very least, pull him aside and talk to him). Marvin Williams over Paul and Williams was just mind-boggling and has killed this team. Shelden Williams was an even worse choice.

I’m just not sure how good of a point guard they can get for their other young guys. They might be able to get Calderon from Toronto or someone of that level.

by SoulHonky on Mar 14, 2007 8:22 PM EDT reply actions

Hey Jeff, Just wanted to add encouragement for these pregame thoughts and links – not to mention the in house reporting. Much, much appreciated. Keep up the good work.

by Rick Robey Reruns on Mar 14, 2007 10:29 PM EDT reply actions

Are the Hawks better without JJ? Jumpin’ Jehoshaphat, that would be like asking if the Celts were etter without Veal!

by Celtsfansince55 on Mar 15, 2007 4:48 AM EDT reply actions

I don’t think the Hawks were standing around watching Joe Johnson play. Josh Smith is very active, getting steals, blocks, 3’s, and Josh Childress gets a lot of pts per minute. Like the Celtics, they’re just not good defenders, which seems to be the common thread for non playoff teams. They need the stud rebounder / inside scorer, and I’d bet they’ll be active this summer, particularly without a pick. I wouldn’t be surprised to see J O’Neil or Pau go to Atlanta but JJ would probably be involved for salary reasons. Everyone likes Marvin Williams, but he’s a 3, like Josh Smith.

by VT Bill on Mar 15, 2007 6:24 AM EDT reply actions