Joe Johnson is ready to do more for the Celtics beyond adding emergency roster depth
Although the Celtics dominated most of Wednesday night’s game against the Cavaliers, the highlight for many came once the game was already in hand. Up 16 points with two minutes to go, 40-year old Joe Johnson entered the game for the Celtics. Johnson, who was drafted by Boston in 2001 then traded as a rookie, hadn’t played in the NBA since May of 2018. He was signed earlier in the day under the NBA’s hardship exception, with the Celtics having seven players in the league’s health and safety protocols.
Johnson was greeted by a standing ovation at TD Garden, and chant’s of ‘ISO Joe!’ He ended up playing four offensive possessions, finally able to get a shot up his third trip down the court. His fadeaway barely hit the rim, going right through the net and accounting for the Celtics’ final points of the night.
ISO JOE!!! pic.twitter.com/XaAQQmYk8I
— Boston Celtics (@celtics) December 23, 2021
“It’s great to be back here, 20 years later,” Johnson said after the game. The seven-time All-Star wasn’t done either, saying he believes he can help the team beyond filling minutes at the end of the bench.
Earlier in the day, Johnson was described by head coach Ime Udoka as a potential ‘veteran leader’ to Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown. Asked by Celtics team reporter Amanda Pflugrad about that comment, Johnson said he wants to “just [be] that veteran help. Saying in those guys’ ear, making sure they’re working, making sure they’re doing what they have to do for us to be victorious night in and night out.”
“I’ll always try to help them out as much as I can, things I see on the court…I’ll be in their ear a lot,” Johnson added earlier in the day during his pregame media availability.
“It’s great to be back here 20 years later.”@TheJoeJohnson7 on his first game back in Boston. pic.twitter.com/3Nv8h2CMPP
— Boston Celtics (@celtics) December 23, 2021
Johnson isn’t alone in that belief. Asked about Johnson’s presence after the game, Jaylen Brown told reporters “I’m happy to have him on board. To hear his voice, his advice, and stuff like that as I’m maneuvering through the year, as our team is kind of maneuvering. I think it’s great.”
“He’s still got a lot in the tank if you ask me,” Brown continued, saying he worked out with Johnson this summer and had watched him in the BIG3 League. Brown also referred to Johnson as a “childhood idol” – Brown grew up in Atlanta while Johnson was playing with the Hawks, where he made six of his All-Star appearances.
How much impact can Johnson realistically make? He’s signed to just a 10-day contract, and the Celtics will eventually start getting players back on their roster. But as long as he’s here, his history of success should be a valuable asset to a team that is working to find renewed success of its own. Even when he’s not on the court.
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Alex Barth is a writer and digital producer for 985TheSportsHub.com. Any opinions expressed do not necessarily reflect those of 98.5 The Sports Hub, Beasley Media Group, or any subsidiaries. Thoughts? Comments? Questions? Looking for a podcast guest? Let him know on Twitter @RealAlexBarth or via email at abarth@985TheSportsHub.com.
