Joe Johnson News

If the Knicks find themselves struggling to woo LeBron James and Dwyane Wade , who can become free agents next summer, they'll likely turn their attention to the players such as Chris Bosh and Joe Johnson , who are expected to headline the next tier of potential free agents at season's end.

The Atlanta Hawks will be attempting to keep up their strong start to the young season, as well as extending the early woes of the New York Knicks, when the two teams get together at Madison Square Garden this evening.

After dispatching a tired Denver Nuggets team in fine fashion, the Atlanta Hawks head north for a couple more road games against Boston and New York.

Five Atlanta Hawks players - guards Mike Bibby, Jamal Crawford and Joe Johnson, forward Josh Smith and center Al Horford - are featured on the 2010 NBA All-Star Ballot, which was unveiled Tuesday during a special tip-off event in Dallas, the Official Host City of NBA All-Star 2010.

The needle that hovered on empty Friday night indicated a full tank 24 hours later.

Atlanta Hawks guard Joe Johnson and Los Angeles Clippers center Chris Kaman were named the NBA's Eastern and Western Conference players of the week, respectively, for the period ending November 8. In four games, Johnson averaged 20.0 points, 6.5 rebounds and 3.3 assists to help the Hawks to a 3-1 record.

The Sacramento Kings hope to build on a thrilling home- opening win they return to the hardwood at ARCO Arena to host the Atlanta Hawks.

George Karl's inner Jim Tracy came out Saturday, as the Nuggets coach made a couple of lineup changes to improve matchups.

Jamal Crawford scored 25 points, and Josh Smith had 22 points, nine rebounds, six blocked shots and seven assists in the Atlanta Hawks' 125-100 victory over the Denver Nuggets on Saturday night.

Jamal Crawford scored 27 points off the bench and the Atlanta Hawks outlasted the Portland Trail Blazers 97-91 on Tuesday night.

The Atlanta Hawks seem to have found their rhythm and will wrap up a successful road trip tonight against the Charlotte Bobcats at Time Warner Cable Arena.

With his second straight game of scoring in the upper twenties in back-to-back nights, Jamal Crawford has put the Atlanta Hawks at 4-1; good for a tie with the Miami Heat for second place in the Eastern Conferencea TMs Southeast division.

Is it a protest if Fox News does not cover and promote it?A Mike Bibby's return could not even bring back flashes of the glory days of this franchise earlier this decade.

Just as in Los Angeles on Sunday, the first quarter last night was an aberration.

Notable: Portland power forward LaMarcus Aldridge suffered a bone bruise to his right knee in the Trail Blazers' win over Oklahoma City Sunday and is listed as questionable for tonight's game against the Hawks.

Kobe exploded in the Lakers' win over the Hawks Sunday night. AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill It's not good to play the Los Angeles Lakers after a loss, especially after they were embarrassed on their home court Friday.

Atlanta Hawks forward Josh Smith tries to pass the ball as Los Angeles Lakers guard Kobe Bryant defends during Sunday's game.

Having been here before, winning their first two games of the season for the second consecutive year, the Hawks are aware of how easy it is to become smitten with your own performance.

Well, you can't win 'em all. Last night's loss may have dampened some of the praise that the team had been receiving before the game, but I still like where this team is headed.

Hawks captain Joe Johnson was thankful for the sneak preview the NBA provided by having his team's season opener Wednesday rather than Tuesday.