Jalen Johnson has been turning heads with his play for the Atlanta Hawks, but not everyone in the locker room seems to be impressed.
Johnson’s impact on both ends of the floor has been hard to ignore, and he’s quickly becoming a key player for the team.
His rise through the roster has come at a time when Trae Young is out of action due to injury, giving Johnson more responsibility and space to show what he can do. And he’s taken full advantage of that opportunity, helping drive results for Atlanta along the way.
For some fans, there’s even an argument that Johnson could be one of the most valuable players in the Eastern Conference this season. But his teammate Onyeka Okongwu doesn’t seem to share that view.
Okongwu says Johnson hasn’t improved, just gotten more minutes
Onyeka Okongwu and Dyson Daniels joined Cam Johnson on the Young Man and the Three podcast. The conversation turned to Jalen Johnson, where Okongwu shared a view that didn’t exactly fit the current hype.
Okongwu spoke honestly about what he’s seen from Johnson this season. “Honestly, no. I think, with Trae being out, he’s been able to have the ball in his hands a lot more. He’s always had playmaking ability; he’s just showcasing it.”
The Hawks forward did give credit to Johnson for his work ethic and consistency over time.
“He works really hard. He’s been working hard since the day I met him in his rookie year. I’m happy to see him actually showcase what he has out there.”
Jalen Johnson’s Progress Shows Up Most in Playmaking
Regardless of what Okongwu said, Jalen Johnson’s numbers this year tell a different story about his progress.
The most obvious jump has been in his playmaking. He’s dishing out almost three more assists per game compared to last season, where he spent a lot of time dealing with injuries.
That kind of improvement doesn’t just show up in box scores – it’s something that genuinely helps the Hawks night after night.
There are plenty of fans who think Atlanta should hold onto him, seeing him as someone they can build around for the future.
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