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**Basel57** · 01-29-2008, 01:04 PM

Quote:

Anyone who scoffs at the notion that 30 is the new 20, should pay closer attention to Anthony Johnson.

Life has seemingly begun at 33 for the Hawks’ point, who is making his point at the point in his third stint with the Hawks. Older and wiser, he credits a summer of hard work for getting him ready to fend off the younger, hungrier guards.

"Each year you have young guys coming in and taking older guys' spots and kind of moving them out of the league," said Johnson, who is in his 11th NBA season. "I want to play another three-plus years. So I tried to get in great shape and work on my game and come to camp prepared and ready to play a long season. Everything has worked out for me thus far."

In some ways, things have never been better. A.J. is averaging 27.9 minutes per game, the most since his his rookie season of 1997-98 with Sacramento, and he’s dishing out a career-best 5.0 assists per game.

"Anthony is a veteran guy that has been around a long time and he's played in enough systems that he knows the league," said Hawks Head Coach Mike Woodson. "We've had so many injuries at that spot that he's been able to step in. He's been banged up some, too, but he's still been able to stay in there and hold his own and has been a major plus for our basketball team."

In Atlanta's 105-84 victory over the Chicago Bulls Sunday afternoon at Philips Arena, Johnson was a game-high plus-26. Not bad for a guy who only scored seven points, with four assists in 26:04.

That's typical A.J., however.

http://www.nba.com/hawks/feature/Ant...ry_011708.html

There is a lot more in the link. I'm glad that things are going well for him. He's already played more games than he did all of last season, and almost as many as he did the year before with Dallas. It's good to see that he's being a leader and helping out the younger guys like Acie Law. His numbers might not stand out, but his production can't be denied. It's crazy that this is his 3rd stint with the Hawks, and it's definitely much better than his first two stints with them.

**Krstic All Star** · 01-29-2008, 01:16 PM

I was a huge fan of AJ when he was a Net, and hated him as a Pacer. I definitely like him as a Hawk - though I can't imagine that he'll finish the season shooting .463 on threes, as he is now. He'll never get the respect he deserves, but I can't think of many teams that couldn't use him.

ATLien · 01-29-2008, 02:06 PM

He became a father for the first time eary in the season, and he has been playing lights out ever since.

Who's your DADDY?

**Krstic All Star** · 01-29-2008, 02:07 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TheATLien

He became a father for the first time eary in the season, and he has been playing lights out ever since.

Who's your DADDY?

Heheh, he's showing his kid HOW IT'S DONE!!!

**croco** · 01-29-2008, 02:11 PM

Shortly after the Mavs traded him for a 2nd rounder (turned out to be Nick Fazekas ... yawn) the season went downhill. Not that he is good, but I think he can help a team.

HB · 01-29-2008, 02:32 PM

^Yup I agree on thatm, which makes me wonder why playoff caliber teams arent looking to pry him from the Hawks

ATLien · 01-29-2008, 02:36 PM

I thought that was dumb to trade a 2nd rounder for an aging veteran, but you know I think we as fans have a tendency to over-rate draft picks thinking all 2nd rounders or late 1st rounders have the potential to be the next Tony Parker or Manu. Truth is most of them do not become a success.

**Porn_Player** · 01-29-2008, 03:10 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TheATLien

I thought that was dumb to trade a 2nd rounder for an aging veteran, but you know I think we as fans have a tendency to over-rate draft picks thinking all 2nd rounders or late 1st rounders have the potential to be the next Tony Parker or Manu. Truth is most of them do not become a success.

We love the possibility

So do GM's because it's an easy-*** way to turn a franchise around. Ageing vet's don't bring that to the table.

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