Post by amanuel0620 on Jun 1, 2011 12:17:05 GMT -5
Money talks and Joe Johnson loves it. The Atlanta Hawks have resigned their own free agent and without a doubt the number one coveted free agent to an eye popping
7 year $151 million dollar deal. Included in the deal is a no trade clause for the first three years and a team option for the last two years, making it one of the most bizarre and biggest deals the league have ever seen. Even tough this deal is huge and might become a burden, people in the organization knew that they couldn't afford to lose thier super star. It was last year when the HawksGM pulled off the blockbuster deal to bring the reigning league MVP.Joe Johnson who has won every individual honor, knows that in order for him to be mentioned with the greats like Michael Jordan he needs shiny jewlery and thinks that his hometown Atlanta gives him the best oppurtunity to do that. He mentioned this during his press conference..
On him signing the max deal
"Well first I just wanted to mention that I am grateful to sign my second big contract and god has blessed me with everything I dreamed about and beyond. Second the conversations I had with amanuel, HawksGM, lead me to believe that he has the desire to do everything in his power to get a ring and thats the main objective for me. The moves he made shows me that I can trust him not to put me in a situation where I demand a trade and stay out of some of the things that have happened in the past."
What made him resign with Atlanta
"I think I mentioned up top but one of the reasons I resigned was because Atlanta has proven to be a good winning franchise. From J-carter all the way to now, I think they only missed the playoffs once. So I wanted to be in a situation where I know I can compete all the time. Another reason why I wanted to stay was the players I came to know in the last couple of months of last year. For instance Ciao has so much potential and I am really interested in working with the kid. We developed a nice one two punch and I think if he continues to improve we might have something."
On the contract negotiations
"I left that to my agent because thats his job and I didnt want to get into it. About the no trade clause, thats the only thing I mentioned to him that had to be there. Even though people claim im the best player and all I have been moved around in the past two years twice. I wanted that security that I will be able to build on something for some years. I already had a house here in Atanta and hopefully I can retire as a Hawk"
On his legacy
"Legacy? We talking about legacy? Not the game that I love and cherish we talking about legacy? You guys are talking as if I am done and this is my retirement press conference. Well news flash people, I still got atleast 6 or 7 years in me. By the time im 36 then we can talk about legacy. Im here with hungry warriors ready to get a ring. So if you guy want to talk about that, I am all game. Legacy..... (laughs and walks away)"
Even though he might laugh it off, everyone including Joe Johnson knows that his window to get a ring is closing. He just turned 30 years old and already someone is at his tail about to take away his shine. Many whispers of Lebron being better is starting to get alot louder after Lebron lead the Boston Celtics to a three peat and took away Joe Johnsons MVP. Add to the fact that Lebron got his MVP trophy during the first round in the playoffs which went to an epic game 7, just throws fuel into the fire. Look for Joe Johnson to give it all he has these next couple of years and see if he can finally get the monkey off his back and win a ring.
