Atlanta Hawks

Joe Johnson says he's unsure why Hawks fans boo, isn't concerned

Published Apr. 22, 2015 2:07 p.m. ET

foxsports

The relationship between Joe Johnson and Atlanta Hawks fans is complicated. Johnson brought wins and playoff appearances to Atlanta when he left the Suns to join the Hawks for the start of the 2005-06 season. But he also signed a massive contract, one which limited Atlanta's financial flexibility for much of his tenure with the team.

No player can be faulted for getting as much money as possible; that's how capitalism works. But something about Johnson's effortless game and cool, calm demeanor, combined with a string of early playoff exits, meant that Hawks fans were happy to see Johnson go to Brooklyn in 2012. Since his departure, Atlanta fans have booed Johnson relentlessly every time he comes back to the city. And yes, Johnson hears the boos, per ESPN.com:

"'[My Atlanta friend] and I just sit back and laugh about it,' said Johnson, who still lives in Atlanta in the offseason. 'And they ask the question, ‘Why?’ But none of us can really come up with an answer, so we just move forward with it, and it’s not that big of a deal'

"'I gave it everything I had,' Johnson said of his tenure with the Hawks. 'I did what I could to help this franchise win. That’s all I did.'"

(h/t ESPN.com)