Time for The Times to Weigh In

[lethalweapon3]

"Hawks Are Hardly Sunk Without Johnson"

Some more Ferry love, this time from Rob "Don't Call Me Balls" Mahoney of the New York Times, including some praise for Lou and Devin:

http://offthedribble.blogs.nytimes.com/2012/08/21/hawks-are-hardly-sunk-without-johnson/

Johnson’s exodus is a concession, a liquidation, a transition, and a bit of a shame, as the Hawks surrendered the closest thing they’ve had to a franchise player since the turn of the millennium. A six-time All-Star on a cap-crippling contract was dealt to Brooklyn for a heap of salary scrap, and yet there appears to be scant reason to mourn for the end of an era in Atlanta that’s hardly finished. (snip)

Much of Johnson’s value in Atlanta came from his ability to manufacture shots, but Ferry and the Hawks have already done quite well to offset their deficit in that regard. Not only will Jeff Teague, Josh Smith, and Al Horford—all very skilled creators in their own way—surely play more pivotal roles in controlling the offense going forward, but Atlanta has also signed a player capable of fulfilling much of Johnson’s previous shot-creating duties at just a fraction of the salary. Former Sixer Lou Williams is often demerited for his imperfections as a shoot-first guard, but with the Hawks he’ll be a tremendously valuable scoring option and a functional bridge between the starters and reserves.

On a per-minute basis, Williams both outscored and out-assisted Johnson last season, while creating an even greater percentage of his offense for himself (59.7 percent of Williams’ made field goals were unassisted, compared to just 49.4 percent of Johnson’s) on a Sixers team that was so often starved for points. That same level of offensive control won’t be there for Williams as consistently in Atlanta, but he’ll nonetheless have opportunities to both generate points in isolation and work off of the likes of Teague, Smith, and Horford.

That Williams does much of his work off the bounce should hardly come as a concern for a team that has relied on Johnson to do the very same; Williams may not create the same kinds of mismatches or be able to rely on post-up work the way that Johnson does, but he instead supplements a strong mid-range game with an uncanny ability to draw shooting fouls. Williams averaged a whopping 6.2 free throw attempts per 36 minutes last season — double that of Johnson and on-par with the free-throw frequency of Russell Westbrook and Dwyane Wade. It’s that penchant for efficient scoring that makes Williams a particularly good get for a Hawks team that was among the worst in the league last season in free throw rate and that posted a decidedly average offense overall. (snip)

The absence of [Marvin] Williams (who functioned as Atlanta’s primary defender against top-tier wings in many cases last season) is another matter entirely, but it’s possible that the Hawks have already accounted for the loss of Johnson on the defensive end as well. In dealing Williams, the Hawks acquired the consistently curious Devin Harris — a guard who was once an All-N.B.A. caliber defender, yet somehow lost his focus and his way. Harris is the furthest thing from a sure bet, but he has the theoretical defensive chops to work from multiple positions on the defensive end, allowing Larry Drew to hide [Lou] Williams from matchups that would otherwise be unfavorable and cross-match to better suit particular opponents.

The offense-defense arrangement of Williams and Harris — who will both compete with one another and play alongside each other in a revolving backcourt of sorts — is far more precarious than it otherwise would have been with Johnson. But considering the circumstances, the Hawks have the potential to do something rather remarkable. Ferry has done himself and his franchise a considerable favor in shedding the $89.3 million owed to Johnson over the next four seasons, but to make such a gambit without a certain and immediate step-back (or a compromise of the team’s long-term finances) is a truly impressive managerial feat.

~lw3 Edited August 22, 2012 by lethalweapon3

[TheFuzz]

Relying on Harris for perimeter defense ain't gonna work out too great... On the other hand, free throw shooting and high % outside shooting should make us on par with last year, and stronger years from Teague and Horford (with a more efficient offensive year from Josh) could make us a lot better.I like Drew ok, but I think it's about time we brought in a real outside coach with some fire.

[capstone21]

This just focuses on Joe's shooting. He brought so many other things and intangibles that are going to be missed (including size, passing, defense, commanding double teams).

[lethalweapon3]

This just focuses on Joe's shooting. He brought so many other things and intangibles that are going to be missed (including size, passing, defense, commanding double teams).

There's a little more on most of that in the link provided (I snipped quite a bit out). ~lw3

[DrReality]

This just focuses on Joe's shooting. He brought so many other things and intangibles that are going to be missed (including size, passing, defense, commanding double teams).

But he didn't really address ISO joe which ended up a black hole for the offense

[JTB]

This just focuses on Joe's shooting. He brought so many other things and intangibles that are going to be missed (including size, passing, defense, commanding double teams).

Not bash Johnson but his ISO was a blackhole for the offense. Him commanding double teams did nothing because he always got himself trapped in a corner and his passing was just ok.....and back to the dbl teams he commanded, he didn't have any Sharp shooters outside of horford to really depend on!....maybe that's why he isoed for so Damn long!

[Buzzard]

JJ is pretty much a all world defender and discounting that is hogwash. Guy probably is a Knick beat writer and is hoping JJ is not missed in Atlanta as well as not helping the Nets.I do agree, JJs offense especially last seasons, has been pretty much replaced. Williams and Harris will not come close to covering our defensive losses with Marvin and JJ. Which is why we are being seen as a 8th seed by most this season.