Yardbarker: Joe Johnson

Cavaliers-Hawks Odds preview

Mon, 11 May 2009 10:02:13 -0500

The fans at Philips Arena will be treated to a game between the Cleveland Cavaliers and the Atlanta Hawks when they take their seats on Monday. Oddsmakers currently have the Cavaliers listed as 10½-point favorites versus the Hawks, while the game's total has not yet been posted. LeBron James dominated with a game-high 47 points on Saturday night, leading the Cavaliers over the Hawks 97-82 for a 3-0 lead in the Eastern Conference semifinal series. The Cavaliers covered the 9-point spread...

Owners Say Belkin Fixed The Numbers

Fri, 08 May 2009 23:29:09 -0500

((HT: Bloomberg via Howard Bloom))

Steven Belkin, who is suing his former co-owners of Atlanta’s professional basketball and hockey teams, manipulated the process for valuing his stake in a bid to force partners to buy him out at an inflated price, their lawyer said.

Jim Shea, representing seven owners who wanted to buy Belkin’s 30 percent stake in the Atlanta Hawks and Thrashers, said today that Belkin “carefully screened and selected the appraisers” and pressured them to come up with the highest possible price.

Belkin “directed the appraisers to just look at the assets, not the obligations,” Shea told Judge Durke Thomson in closing arguments of a three-month trial in state court in Rockville, Maryland.

Belkin agreed in August 2005 to sell his stake, sparking a 3 1/2-year legal battle over how much it’s worth. Citigroup Inc. first estimated the value at $288 million. JPMorgan Chase & Co. later put it at $463 million. Attorneys for the partners argued at trial that the stake was worth much less than Citigroup’s estimate when debt and other obligations were included.

Shea said Belkin unfairly benefited from his manipulation of the process, including being “tipped off” on the timing of the e-mail transmission of the Citigroup estimate. Under terms of the buyout agreement, this allowed Belkin to be first to object to the valuation, giving him the right to select the second appraiser, JPMorgan.

“Neither party contemplated even the possibility that both parties would object” to the valuation, Shea said. “They missed it, your honor. They just didn’t see it. There was no meeting of the minds.”

Shea asked the judge to send the parties back to the negotiating table to work out an acceptable price based on a new, impartial valuation.

John Fabiano, an attorney for Belkin, told the judge that his client had lawfully followed the rules on selling his stake in Atlanta Spirit LLC, the group that owns the National Basketball Association’s Hawks and National Hockey League’s Thrashers. Belkin shouldn’t be punished for acting more quickly than his onetime partners, Fabiano said.

The owners “are millionaires many times over, not unsophisticated widows and orphans,” he said. “It is simply not persuasive that they did not read the documents with care” including an e-mail message from Citigroup informing them that the appraisal was about to be sent, he said.

Fabiano asked the judge to use the JPMorgan valuation and order the partners to pay Belkin $143 million plus interest for his stake. The judge declined to say when he will rule.

Bernie Mullin, former chief executive officer for Atlanta Spirit, testified during the trial that the Hawks’ revenue was among the NBA’s lowest in the 2004-05 season, when the team lost 69 of its 82 games.

Atlanta Spirit lost $13 million and would have lost as much as $31 million had the Thrashers played that year, when the NHL season was canceled because of a labor dispute, Mullin said.

Belkin, who was once the lead investor in Atlanta Spirit, was forced out after he temporarily blocked the Hawks from acquiring guard Joe Johnson from the Phoenix Suns in 2005. He sued United Communications Group co-founder Bruce Levenson and the other owners, demanding that they buy his stake in the teams and in Philips Arena, where they both play.

A Time Warner Inc. unit was ordered in December to pay $281 million in damages to a Texas businessman for reneging on an oral agreement to sell him the Hawks and Thrashers.

Jurors in Atlanta found that Turner Broadcasting System improperly canceled a 2003 accord to sell the teams to David McDavid, a former Dallas car dealer. The teams wound up in the hands of Atlanta Spirit, a group of investors that included the son and son-in-law of TBS’s billionaire founder, Ted Turner.

The case is Belkin v. HTPA Holding Co., 266748-V, Montgomery County Circuit Court (Rockville, Maryland).

Reveille

Mon, 04 May 2009 08:44:09 -0500

Hawks 91 Heat 78: I wanted the Heat in this one. I wanted to see a Bron Bron v. D-Wade match-up. I’m not gonna get it. Not after what Joe Johnson done did. Yesterday, Joe Johnson had twenty-seven big points. Yesterday, Joe Johnson had five big boards and five big steals steals. How big? I’m glad you asked. It was almost thirty-two [...]

PFST: Sweet 16 is set

Fri, 27 Mar 2009 14:08:12 -0500

With Shaquille O’Neal and Jeff Hornacek’s victories the Sweet 16 of the Phoenix’s Favorite Sun Tournament is set. O’Neal defeated the 5 seed Joe Johnson with 80% of the vote. O’Neal will take on the one number seed of the Seven Seconds or Less Region, Steve Nash, in round two. Jeff Hornacek also took care of [...]

Johnson Helps Hawks Win 4th Straight, Rout Pacers 101-87

Sat, 14 Mar 2009 00:23:56 -0500

The Atlanta Hawks, despite being a bit short-handed without Marvin Williams, at the very least have their old reliable, Joe Johnson; but to be fair, they have lots of scoring options at their disposal. Nonetheless, they hosted the Indiana Pacers Friday night at

Jamari-OOOOOOOHHHH-NOO...

Wed, 11 Mar 2009 19:23:22 -0500

Hawks 87, Raps 84Ok here's the situation:Score: 84-85 Hawks0:41 Chris Bosh defensive rebound0:35 Jamario Moon misses 26-foot three point jumperWTF.Why oh why would Jamario Moon chuck a quick three during one of the last Raps' possessions down 1? Ugh...Raps dropped their sixth game in a row.Triano went with the same lineup change today with AP at the point and Joey Graham at the two. As the J.O./Sean Marion trade rumors swirl, Jermaine O'Neal sat out and Jose Calderon sat today as ...

Video Interview: The Quiet, Soft Spoken Joe Johnson Speaks!

Wed, 21 Jan 2009 22:09:36 -0500

In true Conan O'Brien style, here is NBATV's exclusive interview with the Atlanta Hawks star, the quiet, soft spoken Joe Johnson. "In all of Atlanta sports, I am the best athlete, embrace me!" BallHype - Video Interview: The Quiet, Soft Spoken Joe Johnson Speaks!

It's Official

Tue, 20 May 2008 10:52:53 -0500

It's official everyone...game one of the Eastern Conference Finals starts today. This has been one amazing year for us. We made it through the regular season and finished with the best record in the league. We've made it through two rounds of the playoffs, and it feels great. All we have to do now is stay focused on the prize and win. The Cleveland series was a tough one. It was similar to and different from the Atlanta series. It was similar because both teams had guys that could score on any given night. With Atlanta, it was Marvin Williams, Joe Johnson, Josh Childress, etc. With Cleveland, it was Delonte West, Z, Wally, etc. With Cleveland, we not only had to try to contain LeBron, but we also had to try to keep the other guys from putting up numbers on us. There were many differences between the Atlanta and Cleveland series, but I think the most obvious one was LeBron. Having a LeBron James on your team makes a big difference. As a team, we had to make sure that we played intense, aggressive defense. We knew that it was our defense that was going to win us games. In the end, we pulled it off, and now we're moving on to Detroit. I just want to give a big thanks to all of our fans. Without your support, I'm telling you that we would not be where we are. Thanks! Right now, I'm home. I just got back from shoot around. I'm about to lay it down as usual. I have to get my nap in. This Detroit series is going to be tough. Detroit is a great team, and they play extremely well together. As a team, we must stay focused and play intensely and aggressively. Keep cheering for us yall....I'll holla!

Watchin the East 2nite

Fri, 02 May 2008 16:15:53 -0500

Some big games in the east 2nite - Cleveland at Washington and Boston at Atlanta. I do think Cleveland will win that series but they made it tougher on themselves. U cant lose that close-out game at home. But really all they have 2 do is play. Theyve got guys who can shoot and they need 2 hit shots so that its harder to dbl team LeBron. They do that and theyll win. The Boston series, now thats a great series. No one expected the Hawks 2 play like they playin. Did u see Smooth (Joe Johnson) do his thing the other nite. Theyre making it tuff on Boston. But thats the playoffs. U get locked in, get momentum and u can win. The Hawks are provin that. Check in later Barkers, enjoy the games

J.J. is Dynomite!

Tue, 29 Apr 2008 04:18:02 -0500

Joe Johnson has averaged at least 20 ppg each of the last three seasons but the two-time All-Star's skills are just a rumor to many NBA fans because he has spent that time toiling in Atlanta--but if he keeps having performances like Monday night's he will become a household name very quickly. Johnson poured in 35 points on 14-24 field goal shooting as his Hawks stunned the Boston Celtics 97-92 to square their series at 2-2.

All-star weekend

Tue, 19 Feb 2008 15:36:27 -0500

Hey fans out there whether or not ur 4 the nuggets, I hope all-star was a lot of fun. It felt good 2 give back and see the responses that u guys gave us. We appreciate that. There was love in New Orleans, I'm proud 2 say I look at Katrina Victims as heroes. Even tho I didn't finish the game, I cheered every minute and every possession. I enjoyed watchin as fellow Jordan brandmates Smooth (Joe Johnson) and CP3 held it down. It was great 2 be apart of the Brand Jordan donation 2 the community of Slidell. I hope all is well and I appreciated the chance 2 be there. Each experience is special and I know the importance of youth recs and boys and girls clubs around the world. If it wasn't 4 them, the NBA as it is and generations of all-stars 2 come will be victims not only of katrina but 2 the streets. Here are some pictures of some of the work I did down there with NBA Cares. Much love 2 New Orleans. I know it is tough but the climb and spirit is remarkable. How bout the all-star M4's wow, u only got a brief look but what u did see u must say, they were right. Now back 2 the whole purpose of all-stars -- well, at least me, my team. We are here and 2 win so let's kick it into high gear. I need the fans out of their seats making noise every possession appreciating what we r giving every night on the court, and us giving our efforts, feeding off that electricity that built the game. To my family, friends, colleagues, fans, sponsors, and Hood Movement. That's my crew Holding Our Own Destiny that goes 4 Katrina Victims, and each and every other city that is struggling we feel u. Keep look out cuz if every one stops 2 think and put down the guns, violence, and hate, we can control our destiny. So even tho Hood Movement is me, Draper, TY, Munch, and Kenny, it is also u bcuz u control the destiny of urself, and our children are the future. Its a movement as is the nuggets. Stay tuned.