Hawks-Heat: Will Joe Johnson Step Up?

While watching the level of play in last night's Houston Rockets versus Portland Trail Blazers game, I was struck by how different the emotional level is in the Hawks-Heat playoff series.

The all stars for the Rockets and Blazers were totally spent during stretches of the third and fourth quarter.  At one point, Artest was playing so hard on defense he could hardly come down the floor for offense.

The Hawks especially have not played with the type of energy and emotion that they need.  One of the highlights from last year that keeps running during these playoffs is the clip of Joe Johnson burying a big three-point shot against the Celtics.  Super Joe is fired up and yells out to the crowd.

The Hawks desperately need that Joe Johnson to show up tonight in Miami.

Johnson has to take the leadership role tonight and demand the basketball on the offensive end of the floor.  Defensively, Coach Woodson has to play someone else on Dwyane Wade.  Johnson cannot guard D-Wade for the entire game and be expected to score the 30 points that the Hawks need tonight.

Use Mo Evans on D-Wade.  Double team him when the Heat run the two man game or ball screen action.  Save Joe to guard Wade in the fourth quarter.  In a clutch situation, I think Johnson can get a couple of stops on Wade when it matters most.

The Hawks need Johnson to lead them to victory tonight and for the rest of this series.  Super Joe has to get out of his comfort zone and he may have to yell at someone.  Show Marvin Williams, Josh Smith, and Al Horford how much this game means to him and to this franchise.