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Nets fan here, I was just wondering if someone can give me a a detailed information on how Joe Johnson plays. I always think he plays like Paul Pierce what do you guys think? Do you guys think he can play the small foward position?

2010 question? He's a 2/1 who COULD play the 3 although he wouldnt be anywhere as effective. he could play off the ball but we see him with the ball in his hands all the time, plus hes a good passer so if you put him at the 3 it kind of prohibits him from some of his strengths, which is creating offense and playmaking.

I disagree. He's not a 2/1. I think a lot of people think he is (or want to believe it) because he has better than average passing abilities for a 2, but he can not lead a team as a PG. No freakin way. I think he's a solid 2 how can play 3 in some systems. For example, he was the perfect 3 on D'Antoni 04-05 Suns.

Yeah I'm pretty sure that JJ is one of the Nets prime target in 2010. Anyway, he does have the body of a 3 (6-7, 235) Also, he does move well off-ball. The only thing is, do you think if he plays the 3 consistently. Would he be as good?

my cousin (who is a Lakers fan) said that Joe reminds him of a 6'8 Mitch Richmond...... and when you think about it, he kind of does play like Mitch.

one problem with Joe is that i don't think he uses his size to his advantage. he should really work on his post up game like Steve Smith.

I do see some similarities to Paul Pierce, but I don't think that it is a real good comparison. I don't watch Paul every game like I do Joe, but my view is that the both are good off the ball and are also able to create their own shot. Joe has better handles and uses them to get to the lane and is excellent at short range floaters (Joe, Tony P. and CP3 are top 3 in the league IMO). Paul does not have real good handles and is not as quick, but makes his living on driving and creating contact and getting to the line, which I think is Joe's biggest weakness. The only time I see Joe do this is when he gets frustrated by the refs no calls and the next couple of possessions he puts is head down and drives to the basket looking for contact. If he could add this to his regular game I think he would be nearly unstoppable. Both are good shooters that can get very hot, but overall I would give the edge to Paul. Joe is a very good passer.

I think everyone will agree that Paul is clearly best at the 3 and Joe at the 2. Joe is an All-Star at the 2 and could obviously play the 3 very well (like he did in Phoenix). He could play the 1, but it does not make any sense as it would take him away from his game and he is not a point guard. The two reasons why he is not at the superstar level IMO is that he does not get to the line enough and when he gets cold in a game he has a tendency to lose confidence in his shooting and disappears at times. By the same token, when his confidence is up he goes on streaks where he puts several 35-40 point games together.

JJ and PP just like the letters indicate are two very different players. JJ has a much better court vision, that's where his passing ability comes from, that's why he's a solid 2. Due to his size he can play SF and sometimes defend 4s. That being said, I wish the Hawks would play JJ off the ball way more, just like the way he used to play for the Suns. I think he would be more productive. It'd help if he played about 35mpg, instead od 42.

Joe has some leaks, but he's far better than the advanced metrics indicate.

He's one of the best passing wings in basketball and it's a huge part of his game, also he runs in iso constantly. Pierce doesn't really have either of those facets to his game in the current Celts system.

^^^ Pierce is one of the best iso players in the NBA. Giving him the ball 1-on-1 and letting him do his thing has become very difficult to guard with his ability to spot up with a hand in his face or get to the free throw line.

I don't really get the comparison to Pierce. He is about the same height as JJ but plays a drastically different game.

He can play. Nice shot and can finish if he goes to the cup. IF

crazykidd2k6 wrote:Yeah I'm pretty sure that JJ is one of the Nets prime target in 2010. Anyway, he does have the body of a 3 (6-7, 235) Also, he does move well off-ball. The only thing is, do you think if he plays the 3 consistently. Would he be as good?

He is not a 3...you are better off leaving a guy like Terrence Williams at 3....with Devin Harris he is a flat out stud 2!

You still have Douglas-Roberts so don't fret yourself with positional follies. The Hawks have fortified themselves to make one last run with him and drafted Teague and got Crawford to replace him.

With Evans and Murray in the wings as well. If I were the Hawks...i would move him at the deadline if Crawford is playing well and get a big man for him. Because they will not be able to resign him.

I have no idea why they chose to waste money and keep Mike Bibby, but evidently they want to make a serious run now. They could have signed Marbury or Iverson to a 1 year deal rather then lock Bibby up and lose JJ.

They had no choice with Pachulia but then again they did. They could have got C Primoz Brezec cheaply, and let Marvin Williams and Bibby go and bring in Crawford and save the money to lock up Horford instead...

But once again, you do that later...and go for it now. So I can't argue with this at all short term. I think they have a shot to actually go to the finals...of the east if they can get past having to play the Cavs who will be a horrendous match up for them.

That is the one team I do not see them beating in a 7 game series with the Celtics a close 2nd but I think they could beat the Celtics in 7...before they went and got Rasheed.

Definitely they can beat the Magic if JJ is with them...the other two if the seedings are right and they do not have to face either until the finals they are good to get that far.