Hawks Ivan Johnson Left Off Rising Stars Challenge Roster

by Kris Willis on Feb 9, 2012 8:37 AM EST

The NBA announced this week a revamp to its annual Rookie/Sophomore game at All-Star Weekend renaming it the Rising Stars Challenge. Teams will still be made up of Rookies and second-year players but the teams will now be selected playground style by TNT announcers Shaquille O'Neal and Charles Barkley.

The Atlanta Hawks won't be represented in the event as rookie Ivan Johnson was among the names left off of the roster.

ROOKIES: Kyrie Irving (Cavaliers), Derrick Williams (Timberwolves), Tristan Thompson (Cavaliers), Ricky Rubio (Timberwolves), Brandon Knight (Pistons), Kemba Walker (Bobcats), Markieff Morris (Suns), Kawhi Leonard (Spurs), Marshon Brooks (Nets).

SOPHOMORES: Blake Griffin (Clippers), John Wall (Wizards), Evan Turner (76ers), DeMarcus Cousins (Kings), Greg Monroe (Pistons), Gordon Hayward (Jazz), Paul George (Pacers), Landry Fields (Knicks), Tiago Splitter (Spurs).

Johnson has been somewhat of a revelation in Atlanta and is rapidly becoming a fan favorite. His averages of 5.7 points and 4.0 rebounds might look somewhat pedestrian but his value to this Hawks team can't be understated. Johnson is basically lining up as the team's back up center every night and usually faces a distinct size disadvantage which he often overcomes with strength and tenacity.

Johnson's contributions aren't going completely unnoticed around the league as he made his debut in NBA.com's rookie ladder this week jumping from being unranked all the way to No. 5.

For more on the Atlanta Hawks check out SB Nation Atlanta, follow Jason Walker and Kris Willis, along with Peachtree Hoops on Twitter and check out the Peachtree Hoops Facebook Fan Page.

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My thoughts on last night's game hopefully coming in a bit

but I wanted to throw this up there for discussion first thing this morning

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by Kris Willis on Feb 9, 2012 8:40 AM EST reply actions

Hes the only player that would give a hard foul during the game

Ivan Johnson does not buy ground beef, he just takes a whole cow, runs it through his beard, and fully cooked hamburgers come out.

by Throw on Feb 9, 2012 9:22 AM EST up reply actions 1 recs

Robbed!

"Parfaits might be the most delicious thing on the whole damn planet"

by Anonymous HawksGuy on Feb 9, 2012 8:47 AM EST reply actions 1 recs

That's ok most of those rookies won't smell the playoffs this year

Atlanta will win a championship....someday

by maxxj3 on Feb 9, 2012 8:52 AM EST reply actions 1 recs

I can't say I am surprised.

He does play in relative obscurity here.

Twitter: twitter.com/edgrohl Google+: Ed G

by Duff_Man on Feb 9, 2012 8:54 AM EST reply actions

He did have a lot working against him

Unheralded coming in to the season. Not a lot of minutes. Whatever hype he did have was late in the process.

I also wonder if there’s any sentiment that he’s not “really” a rookie.

by wjb1492 on Feb 9, 2012 9:43 AM EST up reply actions

but he would have been a great story regarding the NBA's D-League

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by Kris Willis on Feb 9, 2012 10:56 AM EST up reply actions

True

But apparently not enough. :(

by wjb1492 on Feb 9, 2012 11:29 AM EST up reply actions

He wasn't a first round pick

which fits, if not all, the vast majority of those names.

http://sportsandgrits.com/

by Mr. Sanchez on Feb 9, 2012 10:56 AM EST up reply actions 1 recs

I think its cus

nobody wanted to entertain the idea of someone getting ejected or picking up a tech during the game

Ivan Johnson does not buy ground beef, he just takes a whole cow, runs it through his beard, and fully cooked hamburgers come out.

by Throw on Feb 9, 2012 9:18 AM EST reply actions

Or murdered for that matter

Ivan Johnson - the new Xavier McDaniel

by Nique Fan on Feb 9, 2012 6:33 PM EST up reply actions

I think he should have went in before Thompson

by xavip on Feb 9, 2012 10:09 AM EST via mobile reply actions

I think he has the possibility of still getting in.

Marshon Brooks still has a broken toe that hasn’t healed, and an injury would mean an opening in the lineup. Still I don’t know if he would get in with other rookies like Nikola Vucevic, Norris Cole, Jimmer Fredette, and Enes Kanter getting snubbed.

Ron Artest = Ron (sm)Artest - He Is The Most Interesting Man In The World

by JoshChildressAfroIsCure4Cancer on Feb 9, 2012 11:02 AM EST reply actions

Don't think it was a snub

Ivan just didn’t get enough PT early enough to make himself stand out to the selectors. Remember he didn’t really play much until game 7 and has had a few low usage games since. Statistically he’s similar to Tristan Thompson and trailing Vucevic in some aspects. While I think it would have been a great story if he’d made it, it is a very short list of players selected so it’s hard to cry foul.

by Evildallas on Feb 9, 2012 12:54 PM EST reply actions