New Year’s Resolution: Market Jalen Johnson’s All-Star push

If this feels too early to talk about All-Star, I’d agree… except the voting polls are open! We’re at the point in the season where people are starting to seriously consider All-Star candidacies, but not close enough that there are more than a handful of surefire cases.

One player trying to make his first appearance is Atlanta’s breakout fourth-year forward Jalen Johnson. Johnson is averaging 20 points, 10 rebounds, and five and a half assists while also racking up more than a steal and a block per game — monster numbers matched by exactly zero other players in the league. Not Wembanyama, not Davis, not Tatum, not Giannis.

Trae Young, leading the league in assists, feels like a relatively sure thing to make the All-Star game. However, Johnson is a fringe case, and that’s where Atlanta’s marketing team needs to earn their salary. Can we get Johnson bobbleheads sent to media members? How about, like, a hawk feather quill pen with a Johnson inkwell?

This is why I’m not earning any of Atlanta’s marketing budget, but I’m sure they can develop something better. Make a push, Hawks!