Joe Johnson To Stay In ATL

Atlanta offered Johnson, a four-time All-Star, approximately $119 million over six years -- nearly $27 million more than any other team could offer. ESPN

If your Johnson, you can't turn this down, and if your Atlanta you have to be scratching your head wondering why you signed Scottie Pippen to that money rather than giving it to MJ. Atlanta has talent but it has maxed out at this point. Signing Johnson doesn't give the Hawks any more talent on the board that what they had the last three years. Yes, it's good to lock up your guy, I just don't see the Hawks being able to go further than they went last year with this squad. I would even say, look for the Hawks to regress this year.

Hawks About To Resign Joe Johnson

Reports are coming out that the Hawks are giving Joe Johnson a max deal for 6 years (worth roughly $119M), and that he is going to take it within the next day or so. I have to say I am a little surprised. Johnson really has choked in the playoffs the last two times, and did not have nice things to say about the fans in Atlanta after the were eliminated this year. I really like Joe Johnson, but I really don't see him as a "max guy", especially for 6 years!

Anyways, at least we know him and Lebron won't be playing together.

Joe Johnson Already A Knick?

There have been rumors going on all year that the Knicks will be a major player in the hunt for Joe Johnson this offseason. Well, according to a couple sources the deal may already be done...

Frank Isola of the New York Daily News: "There is a growing sentiment among opposing team executives that at the very least the Knicks will sign Atlanta's Joe Johnson, whose agent, Arn Tellem, orchestrated the Tracy McGrady trade to the Knicks and has been friends with Walsh for 20 years. It's called a 'wink-wink deal,' and even though it is against NBA rules, the practice does exist and is nearly impossible to police. 'I think that's a done deal,' said one Eastern Conference GM."

If this is true it tells us a couple things. First off Wade will not be coming to the Knicks, because two free-agent shooting guards doesn't make a ton of sense. If the Knicks are to sign Lebron then they will only have about $30MM to spend for their other 10 roster spots (if Joe Johnson is also signed). That means Lee is gone, and it could get tough to fill out the rest of their team.

What Is Wrong With Atlanta Fans?

"Joe Johnson was asked if Atlanta's home-court advantage has gotten any better as the team improved and his answer was no.

"Don't get me wrong, it's the home team and I enjoy playing there and I enjoy when the fans do come out," Johnson told the Daily Herald. "But by no stretch of the imagination have we got one of the best home crowds. We don't. I can't really even say it's getting there. "In the playoffs, yeah, they're there. Throughout the regular season, it's not much of a big difference from what it was. It's different, but it's not that big of a difference than what is was when I first got there (ESPN)."

I honestly don't get Atlanta. Even when the Braves were one of the best teams in baseball year in and year out they had a hard time getting fans to the game. The Hawks are one of the best up and coming teams in the NBA, and the people of Atlanta barely make a whisper. It seems like it is every sport (other then maybe football), because I watched at the Bruins played the Thrashers and there was no one at that game either. I am sure there are other cities that would get behind a team better then this, and it seems to be that Atlanta doesn't deserve a lot of what it has...

Johnson Won't Sign An Extension With Hawks

"The Atlanta Journal-Constitution reports All-Star guard Joe Johnson has decided he won't sign an extension with the Hawks and instead will be a free agent July 1. He has already turned down a four-year, $60-plus million contract offer this summer (ESPN)."

I like Joe Johnson a lot, and I will be very interested to see where he goes after this year. With so many big name free agents it could be hard for him to get top dollar, then again I think a lot of the guys that are supposed to be free agents will end up signing extensions (Lebron). Johnson is one hell of a player, and if the C's get some cap space I would love to see him back in green...