Agent: Johnson chooses to stay with Hawks

Basketball Betting Lines

07/04/2010 - Los Angeles, CA (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - Arm Tellem, writing in his weekly sports column for the Huffington Post, said Sunday that free-agent guard Joe Johnson intends to re-sign with the Atlanta Hawks.

Johnson received a six-year, maximum dollar contract offer from the team he has played for since signing as a free-agent with them in 2005.

According to Tellem, Johnson came away impressed enough from his meeting with Larry Drew, the Hawks' new coach and former Atlanta guard, and the owners of the team and their commitment to building a championship-caliber team to turn down the chance to play elsewhere.

The 29-year-old Johnson had also entertained offers from the Chicago Bulls and New York Knicks.

Johnson led the Hawks to 53 wins last season and a first-round playoff victory over Milwaukee in seven games before Atlanta bowed to Orlando in four games in the second round of the post-season.

He averaged 21.3 points, 4.6 rebounds and 4.9 assists per game in 76 contests last season

Over nine seasons with Boston, Phoenix and Atlanta, he has averaged 17.6 points, 4.2 boards and 4.5 assists per game.

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Marlins could start season without No. 2 starter Johnson

JUPITER, Fla. -- The Foorida Marlins are preparing for the likelihood that right-hander
Josh Johnson won't be ready when the season starts April 2.

Grapefruit League action starts Wednesday, but Johnson, penciled in as the No. 2 starter, hasn't even thrown off a mound at full speed since September. He's experienced some soreness in his right forearm.

MySportsbook.com have the Marlins listed with baseball betting lines at +800 to win the NL East this season .

''You guys know the math. If he's not on the hill then he becomes an opening day roster issue,'' manager Fredi Gonzalez said Saturday. ''We're borderline now.''

Johnson, who finished 12-7 with a 3.10 ERA in 2007, was supposed to throw on flat ground Saturday. That was canceled when he woke up with pain.

He played catch on Wednesday with no pain but felt discomfort in a throwing session on Thursday. He's expected to try again Sunday.

''Like we always said from the very beginning, we're going to take it easy on him,'' Gonzalez said. ''He didn't feel right, so we shut him down. We're going to take it back to step one and see where we're at.''

Among the candidates to take Johnson's spot in the rotation are left-hander Chris George and right-handers Yusmeiro Petit and Jose Garcia.

Right-hander Sergio Mitre, who missed most of last season with arm and shoulder problems, also is behind.

With Johnson's status doubtful, Gonzalez said right-hander Ricky Nolasco will stay in the rotation and no longer will be considered a candidate for closer.

Additional basbeall odds can be found at: www.MySportsbook.com

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