The Future: Joe Johnson A Knick?

[HMFFL]

LEBRON UNDERSTUDY? The Hawks' Johnson is on the Knicks' radar for 2010, assuming they can't get LeBron James.

Johnson, who will become a free agent in two summers, says he would consider being reunited with Mike D'Antoni in New York.

"You can't rule anybody out," said Johnson, who played for the Knicks coach in Phoenix. "At the end of the day it's a business. That's how you have to look at it."

http://www.nydailynews.com/sports/baske ... _in_t.html

[HMFFL]

Hawks' Johnson would be good fit for Knicks

Joe Johnson, whose average of 21.5 points per game leads an up-and-coming Hawks team that took the eventual champion Celtics to the brink of elimination in the first round of last year's playoffs, is among the best to be had in the second tier of the Class of 2010. The Knicks don't have a true shooting guard and Johnson would fit perfectly in coach Mike D'Antoni's up-tempo scheme, one that he's very familiar with because he played for him while in Phoenix.

In fact, Johnson - who shot poorly last night, hitting only 5 of 15 shots and finishing with 15 points and seven assists - had nothing but lofty words for the man roaming the opposing sideline.

"When he first took over as head coach and then after that they made a big trade with Steph and Penny," Johnson said last night, recalling the Knicks' 2004 trade with the Suns that landed Stephon Marbury and Penny Hardaway for Antonio McDyess and others, "he really gave me an opportunity to put my skills on display. And I can't thank him enough for that. He's done so much for me in my career. He's been a great coach and I appreciate him for it."

The respect and admiration is mutual. D'Antoni has said he believes the Suns would've gone on to win the NBA title in 2004-05 had Johnson not fractured his left orbital bone during the second game of the Western Conference semifinals against Dallas. He praised Johnson's skills again last night, noting how the guy who came into last night's action as the 13th-leading scorer in the league has emerged as a nightly threat.

http://www.newsday.com/sports/basketbal ... 0071.story

[Skyhawk1]

Sorry Knicks fans, it's just not going to happen. We'll give him an extension this offseason.

[mattlanta]

I'm not so sure about that Skyhawk... our owners are kinda coo coo for cocoa puffs.

[td00]

Agree with Libid21; the ASG or whatever is left of them come time for JJ to re-negotiate, might deem him to expensive. Is it fair to say that JJ is in line to get another max contract?
He has returned to the All-Star game as well. Congrats to JJ and hope he can stay in Atlanta until his career is over.

[HMFFL]

Gotta love the New York media for keeping things exciting. They put out similar articles about Jason Kidd for the upcoming off-season.

[TDcraz5]

LeBron is obviously our #1 target but i wouldn't mind JJ...and no i dont mean jerome james.

Congrats on the all-star selection

[Skyhawk1]

Well, this group that owns that Hawks would lose any credibility if they let him go, and he will if we do not resign him this offseason. I mean, this guy came down here when this franchise was at its worst and lowest, then tells the Suns not to match cause he wants to be a Hawk. There's no doubt he'll get the max, so they better let Marvin or anyone else go... now, if we don't reach an agreement with him, he'll get plenty of better offers/situations around the league, I mean how do you pass on playing with Lebron in NY ?

[killbuckner]

I really sort of doubt that Johnson would sign an extension this offseason. I think Joe has to be worried that the ASG wasn't willing to spend serious $$ before, and now that the economy is going down they might not be willing to pay what it takes to have even a "consistent playoff team" (let alone a championship contender) once players go off of their rookie scale deals. I think that Joe very well might want to keep that escape hatch as an option.

And are you really sure that the ASG would even offer joe a max extension without being forced to?

[PRINCESS_Sarah]

he'd be good as a nkick... would be bad, but hez proven he will move for big money.

[ATL DirtyBird]

This is already one of the worst sports franchises and if we dont resign this stud it woudlnt suprise me or anyone. If ur not gonna resign him you gotta go get someone as good or better, which wont be easy to find.

[Jeebus]

The New york papers seem to think everyone wants to play there, Lebron or Bosh or johnson or whomever else they happen to dream up.