Johnson says he was ‘really torn’ last summer

ATLANTA — At this time last year, the Bulls were getting ready for a free-agent shopping spree and Joe Johnson appeared ready to exit Atlanta.

In fact, Johnson moving to Chicago to play shooting guard next to Derrick Rose almost made too much sense for it not to happen. When free-agency hit on July 1, though, Atlanta surprisingly made a maximum contract offer, worth around $120 million over six seasons.

By rule, the Bulls would have had to offer about $30 million less over five years. So the Bulls were essentially out of the running before they had much of a chance and that’s one reason they ended up filling the two-guard spot with three players — Keith Bogans, Ronnie Brewer and Kyle Korver.

“I wasn’t really torn. I just took my time, weighed my options, see what I really wanted to do,” Johnson said Sunday of his free-agent decision. “(Chicago) was obviously, I thought, a good fit. There were a few places I thought was a good fit. But I thought this (Atlanta) was probably the best fit for me.”

There are plenty of stories about how Rose didn’t put much effort into recruiting LeBron James, which may or may not have pushed James into signing with Miami. Did Rose try to recruit Johnson?

“I didn’t talk to Derrick, but I talked to his people,” Johnson said. “I understood where everything was coming from. It didn’t happen, so it’s neither here nor there.”

It’s hard to imagine the Bulls would have done better than 62-20 with Johnson in the lineup. As he prepared to face the Bulls in Game 4 of the playoffs, Johnson wasn’t giving it much thought.

“(Once the decision was made), I was stuck with it,” he said.

Hawks shuffle starters:

Tired of getting outrebounded by the Bulls, Atlanta coach Larry Drew changed the starting lineup for Game 4. Jason Collins moved in at center, while forward Marvin Williams went to the bench.

That was the starting front line Atlanta used in the first round against Orlando. Al Horford moved to power forward and Josh Smith to small forward.

“I think it’s time for a change,” Drew said before the game. “Certainly Jason, he plays a physical game. He’s not a guy that’s looked at as a finesse guy. I think his physicality was a big reason for our success against Orlando and that’s what I’m looking at.”

In Game 4, the Bulls only outrebounded Atlanta 37-36. Collins had 4 rebounds in less than 12 minutes of playing time.

Bogans turns ankle:

Bulls guard Keith Bogans sprained his right ankle midway through the first quarter while guarding Joe Johnson. Bogans was back on the floor before the quarter ended after getting taped up.

Before the game, Johnson was asked about the defensive job Bogans has done against him in the series.

“He hasn’t done nothing, really,” Johnson answered.

Rondo’s left arm:

A popular topic Sunday was Boston guard Rajon Rondo coming back from a dislocated right elbow to help the Celtics beat Miami.

“Listen, Rondo has got a lot of toughness,” said Tom Thibodeau, a former Celtics assistant. “That kid is something else, and they played a great game.”

“I saw the injury and I think it surprised everybody,” Derrick Rose said. “I don’t know how he even played. He came back and played a great game.”