average joe

I wasn't happy with Joe Johnson when he bolted from the Suns to play for the Atlanta Hawks back in 2005. I couldn't understand why the guy would leave a good team for an awful team (which Atlanta was at the time), just for the chance to be "the star" and to earn a bigger paycheck.

I thought he should have stayed and helped the Suns in their quest for a title.

Plus, I never thought he was good enough to be "the star."

Joe Johnson has proven to be a good player. Maybe even a star. But he's also proven to wear the "over-rated" tag quite while.

Tonight, the Orlando Magic completed a four-game sweep of the Atlanta Hawks.

Check it out:

Game 1: Orlando 114, Atlanta 71.
Game 2: Orlando 112, Atlanta 98.
Game 3: Orlando 105, Atlanta 75.
Game 4: Orlando 98, Atlanta 84.

And how did "the star" perform?

Game 1: 10 pts, 7 reb, 3 ast, 0 stl, 5 TOs, 4-11 FGs, 0-4 3PT, 2-4 FT.
Game 2: 19 pts, 2 reb, 5 ast, 1 stl, 1 TO, 5-16 FGs, 2-4 3PT, 7-7 FT.
Game 3: 8 pts, 5 reb, 2 ast, 2 stl, 2 TOs, 3-15 FGs, 0-3 3PT, 2-3 FT.
Game 4: 14 pts, 4 reb, 5 ast, 0 stl, 2 TOs, 5-15 FGs, 1-6 3PT, 3-5 FT.

Not star-like, by any means. An average performance, at best.

You might even say that Joe Johnson choked. You might say that Joe Johnson is not really a prime-time player.

You might say a lot of things about Joe Johnson right now. Hawks fans might be saying, "Get rid o' the bum!" I wouldn't blame 'em.

And, how about adding insult to injury? How about rubbing a little salt in the wound?

His former team, the Phoenix Suns, will be facing the LA Lakers in the Western Conference Finals.

Joe Johnson, presumably, will be at home watching. And maybe taking a few notes.