Jalen Johnson embracing most important part of stardom should excite Hawks fans

Jalen Johnson is the face of the Atlanta Hawks franchise.

Whether it's a role he saw himself in or not upon being drafted, he's here now, and is fully embracing the opportunity.

With stardom, especially in then modern NBA landscape, it's easy to lose sight of what really matters. Leaving an impact beyond the on-court contributions is a priority for Johnson, and he knew he had a golden opportunity to set the tone this summer.

Unsure of his role entering the campaign prior, now that there's no doubt in the importance he has within the franchise, Johnson has gone all in and adopted a leadership role ahead of his sixth NBA season.

Johnson confirmed that he invited his rookies out to LA this summer

Everyone saw the video this summer.

Not of Johnson confirming it, as that happened at this year's media day, but of the offseason workout itself.

It's never smart to read too much into summer workout videos, as players often display skillsets they have no intention of implementing into actual NBA games, but the little things can, and should, be noted.

Little things such as who is on the court, and who they're facing off against. Jalen Johnson, of course, was there. Alongside him, though, were his two rookies: Kingston Flemings and Zuby Ejiofor.

Flemings and Ejiofor, in each of their own media availabilities, commented on the matter, before Johnson entered and explained why he brought them out:

"I think leadership is something that the team wants to see, and more importantly, I want to do that just for my teammates. I want to be one of those guys that they can call on, aside from basketball."

Johnson continued, "Just having that type of impact with my teammates, and having that type of relationship with them. I think with Zuby and Kingston, having them come out to LA this summer, I think with them being rookies, and everything being kind of new to them, I just wanted to extend my hand."

In the perspective of the rookies, having the face of the franchise reach out and want to spend time with them the summer before their first NBA season is critical. Now, they get to enter the year with a new level of confidence and familiarity with their squad's leader.

Johnson is looking to put a rough end to the season behind him

It's no secret that the way Johnson's breakout campaign ended was underwhelming.

It's clear he understood that at media day, and doesn't want to let it cloud what he can do this upcoming season, which is put it behind him while using it as motivation to get better.

Now embracing this new leadership role, and fully leaning into the tag of 'face of the franchise', Hawks fans should be ultra confident in their superstar to bounce back.

The rookies certainly are.

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