Joe Johnson has been able to largely put his upcoming free agency aside this season.

When he rejected the Hawks? offer of a four-year, $60 million extension in September, Johnson prepared himself for what was coming.

?Going into your contract year, a lot of people think you?re going to press,? he said.  ?But I wasn?t going to do that. I?ve been able to focus on just trying to be successful, and these guys in here have made my job a lot easier.

?Honestly, I do think about the contract from time to time. I can?t say I don?t. But I?ve been able to take it in stride, just knowing I had to establish myself and prove I was one of the best players in the league.?