Is Joe Johnson a lead player?

[JoshB914]

T-Mac isn't doubted? I don't know about that, he has to deal with as much criticism as any AS in the league.

[tontoz]

I guess JJ just started wearing that protector on his calf because he was frustrated with the team. It all makes sense now.

Skyhawk it might be time to update your sig lol.

[JoshB914]

I never said he wasn't hurting at all. I just said that I felt his attitude had more to do with his poor play than the injury that didn't cause him to miss any time.

[tontoz]

I never said he wasn't hurting at all. I just said that I felt his attitude had more to do with his poor play than the injury that didn't cause him to miss any time.

The injury caused him to miss the last month of the previous season.

[JoshB914]

I'm talking about last season...

[tontoz]

I'm talking about last season...

So i guess if Bibby ends up leaving next summer we can expect JJ's attitude to go downhill and cause him to shoot poorly, right?

After all you are trying to pin JJ's poor shooting to an attitude problem which is certainly something new and different. I have seen people claim that someone's poor attitude affects their hustle, defense, teamwork etc but never their shooting. Even guys with bad attitudes are trying their best to make every shot.

you are definitely breaking new ground. Congrats.

[JoshB914]

Hustle and teamwork effects shooting percentage obviously. And conveniently you ignore the bad defense (a clear sign of a bad attitude).

There is nothing to discuss here. You think that JJ didn't perform last season because he was battling an injury, while I think it had to do with his attitude. What is so hard to understand about that fundamental difference in opinion?

[tontoz]

Hustle and teamwork effects shooting percentage obviously.

Huh? You'll have to explain that one. If a guy is missing shots he normally makes i don't see how hustle and teamwork come into play at all.

And conveniently you ignore the bad defense (a clear sign of a bad attitude).

Actually i was the one who brought defense up in the first place as a clear sign of a calf problem.

[JoshB914]

Hustle involves off the ball play (getting open) and attacking the basket. Both of these translate into a better shooting percentage. Did I really just have to explain that?

I know you brought up his bad defense, just as I brought it up last season.

[tontoz]

Hustle involves off the ball play (getting open) and attacking the basket. Both of these translate into a better shooting percentage. Did I really just have to explain that?

No you have to explain how his attitude caused JJ to miss shots he normally makes.

As far as moving without the ball and getting open i have to wonder what you were watching. JJ played with the ball in his hands. He had to create his own shots which he did very well. They just weren't falling.

JJ doesn't "attack the basket" even when he is on his game. he pulls up for short jumpers or floaters most of the time, rarely going all the way in. Given that JJ's shot selection was virtually identical to the previous season it looks to me like you are grasping at straws.

[Skyhawk1]

Skyhawk it might be time to update your sig lol.

LOL... Hey man, you're right, the only problem is that I forgot the password of the e-mail addy I got to do it through. Anyway, Salim sucks so much that even after he's gone he gets to annoy me somehow.

[dannyc84]

the anonymous scout obviously hasn't been watching any hawks games wuts up with not revealing his name what a coward.

[Hawks]

As someone said the scout must work for the Knicks.

[BLACKFEET]

What does "lead a team to a championship" mean?

Does it mean be the best player on a championship team? If thats the case, sure, Joe could be. The difference in talent between Joe performing at his peek (not the first 4 months of last season but the last 2) and Deron performing at his peek isn't so high. The thing is, for any of those players LL mentioned to "lead his team to a championship," the team would have to be STACKED. If the Rockets won the championship this season, Yao would almost unequivocally be the worst player to ever lead his team to a title in the expansion era with the possible exceptions of Billups, Unseld, and Dumars (sorry Pistons and Wiz fans, "possible exception") same goes for a lot of those guys.

KG absolutely couldn't win the big one in anyone's mind... until he did. It is a stone cold fact that Dirk Nowitzki is not a closer and can't be "the main guy" on a championship team because his team lost 4-2 to a blazing hot Wade who undoubtedly had the refs on his side... unless Dirk wins one and then it'll be a non-issue.

Taking a guy out of context and saying that "he can't be the main man on a chip team" is ridiculous. tontoz is completely right too, until it happens you can say it about anyone - put Joe on the Cs last season in place of PP in the playoffs, Joe could certainly win the Finals MVP. He came up bigger in the Celtics series than Pierce did in the finals. Context matters. Joe couldn't lead this team, as currently constructed with the players' skill levels where they are now, to a title, I'll agree with that.

im a knick fan and have always marveled at this dude's game from afar.
he's not as flashy or "freakishly-athletic" as some of the more heralded guys, but he's a no-nonsense big time player. he has a two way set, size, range, vision and a team-first approach. i know it won't be popular, but i'd rather have joe johnson over dwayne wade based on when age creeps up on both, joe will have a better chance sustaining success and avoiding injury based on being 6'7" and his smooth-over-athletic style. this scout really is stealing his bosses' money because he has it totally twisted.
your post is on point.

[Harry10]

fine he is not a lead player.... just tell that to a Magic, Sixers, and Hornets fan, and let see if they don't laugh in your face.

[realfung]

He IS a lead player, but because he is not that verbal, so he is NOT a leader.

[albert]

Looks pretty beast here.