Atlanta Hawks: Who are your 5 favorite Hawks?
Apr 22, 2015; Atlanta, GA, USA; Atlanta Hawks forward Mike Scott (32) defends Brooklyn Nets forward Joe Johnson (7) during the fourth quarter of game two of the first round of the NBA Playoffs at Philips Arena. The Hawks won 96-91. Mandatory Credit: Kevin Liles-USA TODAY Sports
Say what you will about Iso-Joe, the man could flat out score. I still have a fond recollection of Johnson taking five midrange jumpers a night and second round playoff losses. Ah, memories.
Through seven seasons with the Hawks Johnson averaged 20.9 points per game on 44.9 percent shooting and 36.3 percent on three-pointers. His best season came in 2006-2007 when he averaged 25 points per game on 47.1 percent shooting, both career highs. That season also marked the first of six consecutive seasons in which Johnson made the Eastern Conference All-Star team.
Despite the impressive statistics, Johnson’s tenure in Atlanta was marred by mediocrity. The team only never made it past the second round of the playoffs with Johnson on the team and there seemed to be a consensus among fans that the core of Joe Johnson and Josh Smith severely underperformed, considering their immense talent. They never quite got over the hump. Despite signing a maximum extension in 2010 Johnson was traded to the Brooklyn Nets after the 2011-2012 season.
Peachtree Hoops even just named Johnson the best Atlanta Hawk of the last ten years and I completely agree. Just because he was overpaid towards the end of his career does not mean he was not a good player. Play on, Iso-Joe, forever in our hearts.
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