Hawks' Johnson returns to practice, vows to play this season

ATLANTA - Atlanta Hawks guard DerMarr Johnson, originally thought to be out for the year after breaking four bones in his neck, has returned to practice and hopes to rejoin the team this season. <br> <br> Johnson said Thursday, ``I&#39;m way ahead of schedule, and I&#39;m feeling great. I&#39;ve just got a little stiffness turning to my right, but other than that, I feel good.&#39;&#39; <br> <br> The 22-year-old Johnson was injured in September when his car hit a tree near his home in south Atlanta. He wore a Halo brace for about eight weeks to immobilize his cervical spine, and was cleared recently to begin non-contact drills. <br> <br> As he left the court following practice Thursday, he grabbed a ball and easily dunked it, showing some of the talent which led the Hawks to take him in the first round of the 2000 draft after only a year at Cincinnati. <br> <br> He started 46 games last season and averaged 8.4 points a game, including 10.5 after the All-Star break. Johnson hoped to build on that finish in his third year, but the accident robbed him of that chance. <br> <br> Now, he wants to make sure he gets something out of this season. <br> <br> Although Johnson feels he&#39;s close to returning, trainer Wally Blase said doctors haven&#39;t decided yet if they&#39;ll approve it this season.

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