ATLANTA — The atmosphere inside State Farm Arena in 2026 is electric, a far cry from the tentative optimism of three years ago. The air is thick with the smell of popcorn and the rhythmic, booming chant of “J-J! J-J!” as the Atlanta Hawks’ starting lineup is introduced. At the center of the spotlight stands Jalen Johnson. He isn’t just an All-Star; he is the gravitational force of the franchise, a point-forward whose versatility has redefined the Hawks’ identity.
But as I watched him dominate the floor tonight—dropping a casual 28-point triple-double—my mind drifted back to a quiet afternoon in 2023. At the time, Johnson was a high-upside prospect navigating the murky waters of a changing coaching staff and a fluctuating role. He was a kid with a massive wingspan and even bigger dreams, just trying to figure out how to survive a West Coast road trip. Revisiting our 2023 interview transcript today feels like reading the “First Edition” of a classic novel. The themes of work ethic, loyalty, and self-awareness were all there, tucked between the lines of talk about Lil Baby tracks and locker room jokes.
The G-League Crucible: Building the Engine
In 2023, the narrative surrounding Jalen Johnson was often focused on his “readiness.” He was splitting time between the main stage and the College Park Skyhawks. Many young players of his pedigree might have bristled at the “G-League” tag, but Jalen saw it as a classroom. When we spoke back then, I asked him about the physical toll of bouncing between leagues. His response was tellingly humble:
“No, not really. When I did get back to the team, I usually wasn’t in the rotation so you know, I really didn’t have to worry about legs… I’m staying ready. But that really wasn’t my job that they asked of me.”
That phrase—“staying ready”—became his mantra. In 2026, we see the results of that patience. While other young stars burnt out early or grew frustrated with limited minutes, Jalen spent that time mastering the “unsexy” parts of the game. He admitted to me that he finally hit his “rookie wall” in 2023, not from playing, but from the sheer exhaustion of the NBA schedule. Today, Jalen is known as one of the league’s “Iron Men,” a testament to the conditioning habits he started building during those quiet flights to and from the G-League.
The Snyder Effect: Running Through Brick Walls
One of the biggest turning points in Hawks history was the arrival of Head Coach Quin Snyder. In 2023, the ink on Snyder’s contract was barely dry. I asked Jalen what he saw in the new HC, and his answer revealed the deep-seated loyalty that now defines the Hawks’ locker room.
“He cares a lot about us. Not just as basketball players but as human beings… For me hearing that from a coach, you want to run through a brick wall for him.”
In 2026, that “brick wall” mentality is the calling card of the Atlanta defense. Under Snyder’s tutelage, Jalen evolved from a transition threat into a defensive anchor. He didn’t just play for Snyder; he became the extension of Snyder on the floor. That immediate “vibe” Jalen felt in 2023 has blossomed into a championship-caliber partnership.
Patterns of Greatness: From Idolizing LeBron to Rivaling Him
Every superstar starts as a fan. In 2023, Jalen was remarkably candid about who he looked up to. While he enjoyed the modern game, he was a student of the titans: Kobe Bryant and LeBron James. The most human moment of our 2023 interview was when Jalen described playing against LeBron on the King’s birthday. Even as an NBA player, Jalen was momentarily a kid from Wisconsin again:
“I was definitely starstruck… That was sick! Because last year I seen him play and now this time I’m actually playing against him. That’s a little bit DIFFERENT! That was my hero growing up… my idol.”
In 2026, the roles have shifted. Jalen has developed that same “bully ball” capability that LeBron mastered. He told me in 2023 that he needed to improve on “everything,” specifically mentioning “knocking down open shots” and “playing off of two feet.” Looking at his shooting splits this season, it’s clear he took his own advice to heart. The “fundamentals” he worried about three years ago are now the bedrock of his All-NBA campaign.
A Look Back: The 2023 “State of the Union”
The evolution of Jalen Johnson from 2023 to 2026 is a masterclass in professional growth, shifting from a rotational project often seen in the G-League to the undisputed franchise face and a perennial All-Star starter. Back then, his confidence was rooted in the humble mantra of “staying ready” for any opportunity that came his way; today, that has transformed into a superstar’s swagger, where he is the one demanding the ball in high-stakes, clutch moments.
His skill set has seen an equally dramatic rise, moving from a phase of merely polishing “fundamentals” and knocking down open shots to becoming an elite three-level threat that keeps opposing coaches up at night. Perhaps the most poignant shift is seen in his stature among his peers. In 2023, Jalen was a self-described fan who found himself starstruck while sharing the court with his idol, LeBron James; now, he stands as a peer, actively rivaling LeBron for supremacy in the Eastern Conference. This personal ascent has fundamentally changed his role within the organization. He is no longer the “young gun” quietly learning the ropes, but rather the veteran leader and primary culture-setter for the Atlanta Hawks, commanding the locker room with the same poise he displays on the hardwood.
The Culture and the Future
The playlist in the locker room might have changed—there are new rappers on the scene and new rookies handling the speakers—but Jalen Johnson remains the steady beat that keeps the Atlanta Hawks moving forward. He told me back then his secret to staying centered was simple: “Controlling the things that you can control and staying consistent with the work.”
“I look back at that 2023 version of myself and I just see a kid who was hungry for a seat at the table,” Johnson said tonight, leaning back in his chair with the quiet confidence of a man who now owns the room. “Back then, I was just trying to prove I belonged in the rotation. Now, I’m trying to prove that Atlanta belongs at the top. The work hasn’t changed, but the mission has. I told you back then that nothing happens overnight—well, we’ve stayed up through the night to get here. And we’re just getting started.”
The Atlanta Hawks’ future isn’t just something he’s “excited” for anymore. He is the future. And if 2023 Jalen could see 2026 Jalen, I think he’d just flash that trademark smile and say, “I told you it would pan out.”
