Examining Atlanta Hawks GM Rick Sund, or The Man Who'd Rather Keep Playing Checkers when Everyone Else Is Playing Chess

Mr. Five Years Behind Everyone Else

One of the oddest asterisks in the NBA’s summer of 2010 free agent bonanza is that the biggest contract handed out did not go to any of the Big Three of LeBron James, Dwyane Wade, or Chris Bosh. It didn’t even go to Amar’e Stoudemire or Carlos Boozer, despite big men always commanding a premium.

No, the biggest contract of this summer, for $120 million over six years, went to Joe Johnson.

Joe Johnson who quietly threw down a 21-5-5 last year for the 53-29 Atlanta Hawks. Joe Johnson, who then averaged below 13-5-4 on 30.3% shooting when the Hawks were swept by a historic 25.3-point margin of victory by the Orlando Magic. Joe Johnson, who was last seen criticizing the people of Atlanta for not showing up and supporting the Hawks (which, to be honest, they didn’t). Joe Johnson, who is 29—three months older than Dwyane Wade, the oldest member of Miami’s new trio—and will be paid $24.1 million at age 35.

Joe Johnson, who needs to send a giant “Thank You” card with a blinged-out Jacob & Co. watch to his general manager Rick Sund, who made the biggest reach in a summer of reaches and will force poor Hawks fans to continue living with the smelly mess he grabbed.

Full details in the Suite 101 article.