Joe Johnson is an All-Star

[dakast]

Joe Johnson is an All-Star

Hawks' leading scorer named a reserve

By SEKOU SMITH

The Atlanta Journal-Constitution

Published on: 01/30/08

Los Angeles — Hawks captain Joe Johnson might want to think about investing in some real estate in Los Angeles, because every time he's here, he gets good news.

Johnson said he was informed before Wednesday's game against the Los Angeles Clippers that he would be making his second straight trip to the NBA All-Star Game, which is next month in New Orleans. He will represent the Eastern Conference as a reserve, chosen by the Eastern Conference coaches.

have to give it up to my teammates and my coaches for all that they've done, because this wouldn't have been possible without all of them."

Johnson was an injury replacement for Jason Kidd last season and learned of his selection on a bus ride to practice the day before a game against the Clippers.

Word of his selection didn't spread through the locker room Wednesday until about 90 minutes before tipoff. So by the time Johnson made it into the visitor's locker room at Staples Center, his teammates and coaches were ready with congratulations and well wishes, not to mention questions about why he didn't inform them earlier.

"We've got a game to win," Johnson shot back. "We've got to handle this business tonight first and foremost."

Johnson's ability to handle his business this season — he's leading the Hawks with 21.6 points and 5.3 assists per game to go along with 4.4 rebounds — no doubt stood out to the coaches picking the All-Star team.

"When you've got a bull-s-eye on your chest like LeBron James and Kobe Bryant and you can deliver for your team, I think the coaches recognize that," Hawks coach Mike Woodson said. "And it's a heck of an honor to be an All-Star in back-to-back years. That really makes my day, because that's great for Joe. He's had it tough this year being a target. That shows you the kind of respect people around the league have for him and his game."

Johnson won't be the only Hawks representative in New Orleans next month. Rookie center Al Horford was also selected for the Rookie Challenge, the first of the Hawks' eight current draft picks to earn that distinction as a rookie.

"Those are both great honors for both of those guys," Hawks forward Josh Smith said. "I think it says a lot about the noise our team is making around the league and the fact that we are, despite our recent struggles, a team to reckoned with this season and in the future."

[Duff_Man]

Welp...queue the hate for our best player...

[Guest]

Last year he was snubbed and then it was corrected. He deserved it then, not sure if he is more worthy over some other players in the East this season. We will have to see who got left off, but its good to see that Joe is getting some respect around the league. Now if he could just shoot like an all-star...

[Murat]

I don't really know if he deserved it this season though.

[Admin]

he was going to be getting some rest over the break. It seems like he isn't playing with a lot of passion out there but that just doesn't seem like something JJ would do. His problems lately have to be due to his injury and the enormous amount of minutes that he is playing.

[TheNorthCydeRises]

The coaches in the East know who are the ballers in this conference are. JJ is the guy, the only guy, coaches gameplan for when playing the Hawks. The shooting percentage is low for him, but his assists are up. Van Gundy, Mitchell, Brown, Saunders, Chicago's coach, Riles, Isaiah ( based from last year ), and Cheeks probably all voted for him.

Congrats JJ.

[NJHAWK]

He deserves it. Its obvious he is playing hurt of late but he is still a top notch player.

[Blunt91]

I guess he and Al can hangout together in NewOrleans.

[oiatlhawksfan]

hmmm Al Thorthon doesn't agree that Joe should be an all-star. In fact he has 33 reasons to believe Joe isn't an all-star.

[AHF]

Quote:

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he was going to be getting some rest over the break. It seems like he isn't playing with a lot of passion out there but that just doesn't seem like something JJ would do. His problems lately have to be due to his injury and the enormous amount of minutes that he is playing.

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Hopefully being around the other All-Stars will spark him for the 2nd half run. We aren't going anywhere without good play from Joe.

[Packfill]

Quote:

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he was going to be getting some rest over the break. It seems like he isn't playing with a lot of passion out there but that just doesn't seem like something JJ would do. His problems lately have to be due to his injury and the enormous amount of minutes that he is playing.

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It is a nice honor for JJ but the truth of the matter is that he and the Hawks would be MUCH better off if he rested for a few days.