Latest news with #JoeJohnson
Yahoo
11-07-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
"They waited until the end, and Joe walked" - Jim Jackson thinks Phoenix Suns could've kept Joe Johnson in 2005
"They waited until the end, and Joe walked" - Jim Jackson thinks Phoenix Suns could've kept Joe Johnson in 2005 originally appeared on Basketball Network. The "Seven Seconds or Less" Phoenix Suns were ahead of their time. Led by Steve Nash, who relentlessly pushed the tempo to give his team the chance to hoist up as many shots as possible, every Suns game became an exhilarating track meet. The team was filled with electric players like Amar'e Stoudemire, Quentin Richardson, Shawn Marion and Leandro Barbosa, but one name that often gets overlooked is Joe Johnson. Advertisement Johnson, drafted 10th overall by the Boston Celtics in 2001, found his way to Phoenix a few seasons later. He quickly became a key piece of their high-octane offense and was a big reason the team won 62 games during the 2004-05 season. However, Johnson left the team in the 2005 free agency. According to Jim Jackson, who joined the team via trade in January 2005, the Suns are to blame for it. "Joe goes to Atlanta because earlier in that year, Phoenix could've paid him. They didn't. They waited until the end, and Joe walked," he said on "Podcast P with Paul George." Made his way to a better team After starting his career as the main man of the Dallas Mavericks, Jackson soon became a journeyman forward who the Houston Rockets traded to the New Orleans Pelicans. However, he refused to report to the Pelicans, explaining he was already tired and weary of moving from one place to another. Advertisement At age 33, Jackson was soon sent to the Suns. There, he witnessed basketball being played the way it should be: with complete freedom and unselfishness. "Man, Steve was unreal. Joe Johnson was at 6'8", doing crazy things. Amare was sick. Q-Rich was on that squad," he said. "The way they played — people don't understand how special that was at the time. People say they want to run and play that style, but you have to be in shape to do it. You can't just say, 'I want to run.' It's all the time." "With Steve navigating and negotiating, Amare doing his thing, Shawn Marion dropping double-doubles every night — it was just, 'Oooh, we had a squad,'" Jackson added. Advertisement Related: How financial pressure made Kobe Bryant skip college for the NBA: "There wasn't a lot left over from Joe's career" A critical injury during a crucial time After breezing past the regular season, the real test for the Suns came in the postseason. After they swept the Memphis Grizzlies in the first round, they defeated the Dallas Mavericks in the second round, 4-2. However, the victory came at a steep cost, as Johnson suffered a displaced orbital fracture over his left eye after landing on his face in Game 2. Johnson, who was averaging 18.8 points on 55 percent shooting from 3-point range, didn't return to the Suns' lineup until Game 3 of the Western Conference finals against the San Antonio Spurs. By then, Tim Duncan and the Spurs had already taken a 2-0 lead and would go on to win the series, 4-1. Advertisement That series was Johnson's last in a Suns uniform as he was soon traded to the Atlanta Hawks for Boris Diaw. He thrived with the Hawks, becoming an All-Star six times and a member of the All-NBA Team once. Although the Suns continued their success in the West, returning to the West finals the following season before losing to the Mavs, the team's fate could have been different had they had kept Johnson. Related: "That kind of talent simply doesn't happen" - Del Harris said 17-year-old Kobe was 'slightly better' than 24-year-old Eddie Jones This story was originally reported by Basketball Network on Jul 8, 2025, where it first appeared.
Yahoo
11-07-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
"You don't realize how good you've got it until you go elsewhere and it's not so easy" - Joe Johnson on the tight bond the 'Seven Seconds' Suns shared
"You don't realize how good you've got it until you go elsewhere and it's not so easy" - Joe Johnson on the tight bond the 'Seven Seconds' Suns shared originally appeared on Basketball Network. As crucial as skills and talent are to achieving team success in the NBA, an underrated component that can make all the difference is team chemistry. A squad can have as many All-Stars on their team as they want, but if those players aren't on the same page and working together towards the shared goal of an NBA title, they will never reach their full potential. Advertisement History has shown numerous examples of this. From the 2004 Los Angeles Lakers, which featured four Hall of Famers, to the Brooklyn Nets, which boasted two league MVPs in Kevin Durant and James Harden, chemistry issues plagued both teams and prevented them from reaching the promised land. On the other hand, many teams have exceeded expectations due to their exceptional team chemistry. The Phoenix Suns of the mid-2000s are a prime example of this. Led by superstars Steve Nash and Amar'e Stoudemire, the Suns were known for their high-powered offense and fast-paced style of play. However, what truly set them apart was their tight-knit bond off the court. Former Suns ace Joe Johnson spoke about this, asserting it was their camaraderie that lifted them above their peers during that special time in Suns basketball. A tight-knit group Developing team chemistry can be tricky. It can't be forced, nor can it be bought. It takes time and effort from each member of the team to build a strong bond that translates onto the court or field. The Suns achieved this by spending quality time together, both on and off the court. Advertisement "My best memory was the camaraderie we had. We all hung out off the court. We went out to eat. We went to each other's houses and played cards all the time," Joe remembered. "That was the first time I'd ever experienced something like that. We were a tight group." The team's off-court camaraderie seamlessly translated to their performance on the court, where they moved in perfect sync, as if connected by an invisible thread. The Suns went on to win 62 games during the 2004-05 season, a far cry from their dismal 29-53 record in the previous season. Joe played a huge role in their resurgence, averaging 17.1 points, 5.1 rebounds and 3.5 assists per game. Related: "All those muscles aren't gonna help you tonight" - Kevin McHale recalls when Bird trash-talked young and overly-muscular Anthony Mason Nash's leadership was key Nash's arrival in the Valley was a substantial reason for the Suns' turnaround. And while his sublime playmaking helped bring out the best in Stoudemire, Shawn Marion, Quentin Richardson and Johnson, it was his unique leadership that kept the boat from rocking. Suns head coach Mike D'Antoni shared how the Canadian point guard always absorbed the blame whenever something went wrong. It didn't matter if he had nothing to do with it; he gladly took responsibility. Advertisement "A lot of that chemistry was Steve," Mike remarked. "We'd lose a game and he'd stand up in the locker room and say, 'Guys I screwed up. I won't do it often, but I did.' Taking responsibility. That's what a leader does, and he was the best at it." The Suns faltered in the postseason during that season, as Joe missed the first two games of the West finals against the San Antonio Spurs due to a displaced orbital fracture over his left eye when he landed face-first in Game 2 of the West semis. After they got eliminated in five games, a contentious contract dispute led Johnson to the Atlanta Hawks, where he soon realized that the chemistry they shared on that Suns squad was one-of-a-kind. "It was never the same. When I went to Atlanta, I was the old guy trying to show the young guys the way. It was so different," Iso Joe noted. "I blossomed into a different player, but it was never the same. When you're on a great team like we had, you don't realize how good you've got it until you go elsewhere and it's not so easy." Although Joe became a bona fide superstar in Atlanta, he never reached the heights he did with the Suns. Johnson continued to put up impressive numbers and even made multiple All-Star appearances, but his time in Phoenix will always hold a special place in his heart. Advertisement Related: 'I beat myself up about that one' – Robert Sarver regrets forcing Joe Johnson to leave the Suns in 2005 free agency This story was originally reported by Basketball Network on Jul 10, 2025, where it first appeared.
Yahoo
01-07-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
"I wish I would've sought a little advice" - Joe Johnson regrets not picking Michael Jordan's brain when he had the chance
"I wish I would've sought a little advice" - Joe Johnson regrets not picking Michael Jordan's brain when he had the chance originally appeared on Basketball Network. When Joe Johnson joined the ranks of Jordan Brand athletes in the 2010s, he recognized the rare opportunity to interact with none other than the great Michael Jordan himself. For Johnson, like many aspiring NBA players, Jordan was not just a basketball icon but a role model. Therefore, Iso Joe was filled with immense pride and excitement the moment he was selected to represent the Jordan Brand. However, as he reflects on that memorable stage of his career, Johnson cannot shake a tinge of regret. He couldn't help but find himself pondering the "what ifs" of that period of time. What if he had seized the moment to engage more deeply with Jordan? What if he had mustered the courage to ask MJ directly for insights and wisdom about the game? Those are just some of the lingering thoughts that often remind Johnson of the importance of making the most of unique opportunities, more importantly, when it involves learning from arguably the greatest player of all time. "I remember I was a Brand Jordan athlete, and we were doing all type of functions, and hanging out, and vacations, and I never, not once, pulled MJ to the side and was like, 'Man, I'm having this problem, how should I deal with it?'"Johnson wrote in a special piece for The Players' Tribune in 2022. "We had so many lil powwows as a group. But as a hooper, I never wanted to … I don't want to say be disruptive to what we were doing, but I just tried not to make it about me during those times, you know? Because he would get all the Jordan athletes together, and we would all hang out, and just chill and enjoy the moment. But I hate that I never took advantage of those opportunities to ask questions and pick his brain. Johnson entered the NBA in 2001, marking the beginning of an impressive 18-year career. Throughout his playing years in the league, Johnson demonstrated an admirable commitment to honing his skills and perfecting his craft. His dedication did not go unnoticed, as he earned multiple All-Star selections and solidified his reputation as one of the league's standout players during his time. Reflecting on his career, Johnson acknowledged that it was this drive that propelled him to work tirelessly, pushing his limits and striving for excellence. However, Iso Joe also admitted that as a player, he often felt hesitant to reach out to fellow players for advice. As he looked back, Joe reckoned that seeking guidance from teammates or veteran players wasn't the norm in his era. In the process, he fumbled opportunities to learn from those with greater experience and knowledge about the game, such as Jordan. "I'm not a guy who's gonna just go up to a dude and be like, 'Hey, man. I'm having a hard time with this, this, and this.'Nahh," Johnson opened up. "I was so closed off, closed in, in my own shell, dealing with it how I deal with it. But I wish I would've sought a little advice here and there from guys who had been through them wars, guys who knew how to lead." "There were plenty of guys that I had played with that I could have asked for help, but I'll be honest, I really never reached out or sought guidance," he further confided. "I came up in a different era. A different NBA. We didn't talk about things like the mental side, like they do now. That wasn't a part of the culture yet. So, I just kind of dealt with all those challenges in the best way I knew how: I didn't say nothing to nobody," Joe added. Still to this day, Johnson is a name that resonates with NBA fans, especially those who appreciate the art of scoring. Known for his ability to create his own shot, Iso Joe earned a reputation as one of the most formidable offensive players during his prime. His unique skill set allowed him to beat his matchups, making him a nightmare for defenders. Moreover, Johnson also consistently delivered clutch performances in crucial moments. Despite Johnson's impressive credentials, some consider him one of the most underrated superstars in NBA history. While he may not have received the same level of recognition as other stars, his greatness couldn't be overlooked. His legacy is particularly characterized by his exceptional skills in one-on-one situations. In fact, over time, Johnson earned acclaim not just for his scoring and clutch genes but also for his nearly unstoppable 1-on-1 moves. He went on and cemented his status as one of the greatest isolation players the game has ever seen. All told, though it was unfortunate that Johnson failed to learn from Jordan and other seasoned veterans, he was still able to carve out his own story was originally reported by Basketball Network on Jun 30, 2025, where it first appeared.
USA Today
29-06-2025
- Sport
- USA Today
On this day: Johnson born; Montross, Tillis drafted; Pinckney traded
On this day in Boston Celtics history, Celtics draft pick Joe Johnson was born in Little Rock, Arkansas in 1981. Johnson would play his collegiate basketball at the University of Arkansas, which he would lead to the SEC Men's Basketball Tournament championship in 2000. The Little Rock native would be drafted by the Celtics in the 2001 NBA Draft with the 10th overall pick of the draft and would play for Boston for 48 games of his rookie season before being traded. The small forward would be dealt with Randy Brown, Milt Palacio, and draft assets to the Phoenix Suns for Tony Delk and Rodney Rogers in February 2002, then rejoin Boston for a single game in 2022. The former Razorback averaged 7.5 points, 3.3 rebounds, and 2.3 assists per game while with Boston. It is also the date of the 1994 NBA draft, held at the Hoosier Dome in Indianapolis, Indiana. The Celtics took one player of note, that being big man Eric Montross out of North Carolina, drafted with the ninth overall pick of the draft. Montross played two seasons with Boston, logging 8.8 points and 6.6 rebounds with the franchise, before he was traded to the Dallas Mavericks for draft assets. The Celtics would also draft Russian big man Andrei Fetisov 36th overall, but immediately traded him and forward Ed Pinckney for wing Blue Edwards and forward Derek Strong. Strong would play one season for Boston, logging 6.3 points and 5.4 boards per game over that stretch, while Edwards appeared in just 31 games for the franchise, recording 7.1 points, 2.1 rebounds, and 1.5 assists per contest. It is also the anniversary of the 1982 NBA draft, held at the Felt Forum at Madison Square Garden in New York City, New York. In this draft, the Celtics again selected just one player of note, which was center Darren Tillis, taken 23rd out of Cleveland State University. Tillis would be with the team for just 15 games before being dealt to the Cleveland Cavaliers for forward Scott Wedman. Tillis averaged 1.1 points per game over that short stretch. Later in the draft, the Celtics picked up Landon Turner out of Indiana. The Indianapolis native never suited up for Boston, however, as he had been paralyzed in a car accident in 1981, with the Celtics using the final pick of the 1982 draft to select him as a tribute to his impressive college career.
Yahoo
10-06-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Saints Countdown To Kickoff With The History Of Number 94
Saints Countdown To Kickoff With The History Of Number 94 originally appeared on Athlon Sports. Thursday marks 94 days before the New Orleans Saints begin their 59th NFL season with a regular season opener against the Arizona Cardinals. Advertisement There have been just six players to wear the number 94 during a regular season game for the Saints. Two of them are in the Saints Hall of Fame, while a third also had a standout career in New Orleans. The best of all of them, DE Cameron Jordan, is one of the greatest players in franchise history and wearing number 94 into his 15th season with the team. Jordan has set an elite standard for a number that already had a high bar before his arrival. Here's a look at all who donned the number 94 in New Orleans Saints history. Saints History of 94 New Orleans Saints defensive end Cameron Jordan (94) against the Carolina Panthers. Mandatory Credit: Stephen Lew-Imagn Images • Jim Wilks, DE/DT (1981-93) • Joe Johnson, DE (1994-2001) Advertisement • Charles Grant, DE (2002-09) • Kawicka Mitchell, LB (2010) • K.C. Asiodu, LB (2010) • Cameron Jordan, DE (2011-present) Jan 13, 1988; FILE PHOTO; New Orleans Saints defensive end Jim Wilks (94) tackles Minnesota Vikings running back Darrin Nelson (20). Mandatory Credit: MPS-Imagn Images Wilks was the first to wear 94 for the Saints and did so with tremendous success. A 12th round choice in the 1981 NFL Draft, Wilks would go onto play 183 games over the next 13 seasons with the Saints. After starting his career as a defensive end, Wilks would often play inside at defensive tackle later in his career. He did both with tremendous success for one of the league's better defenses through his tenure. Wilks 49 sacks over his 13 years, still ninth on the franchise's all-time leader list. He also forced 7 fumbles in a career that saw him miss only one game over his first 11 seasons. Wilks was named to the Saints 45th Anniversary team and inducted into the Saints franchise Hall of Fame in 2001, just the fourth defensive lineman to receive the honor at that time. New Orleans Saints defensive end Joe Johnson (94) against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. Credit: When Wilks retired and Rickey Jackson left after the 1993 season, the Saints looked to fill their void in the first round of the 1994 NFL Draft. They did so by drafting Louisville defensive end Joe Johnson with the 13th overall choice. Advertisement Johnson would go on to be one of the few legitimate stars for a rebuilding Saints team over the next few years. He'd start 106 of a possible 112 games over a seven-year career in New Orleans, missing the 1999 campaign with injury. Johnson returned in 2000 to win the NFL Comeback Player of the Year award on perhaps the finest defensive line in franchise history. Over seven seasons in New Orleans, Johnson had 50.5 sacks and forced 13 fumbles, also recovering 7 fumbles and returning one for a score. He ranks 7th in team history for career sacks. Johnson was a unanimous selection to the Saints 45th Anniversary team and in 2007 was inducted into the Saints Hall of Fame. Jan. 13, 2007; Philadelphia Eagles quarterback (7) Jeff Garcia is sacked by New Orleans Saints (94) Charles Grant. Mandatory Credit: Matt Stamey-Imagn Images © 2006 Matt Stamey Johnson and fellow star lineman La'Roi Glover both left New Orleans after the 2001 season. The Saints against looked to the draft for help, and found it in the first round with 25th overall choice Charles Grant out of Georgia. In a seamless transition, Grant instantly became the next great 94 for New Orleans. Advertisement Grant would play all of his eight NFL seasons for the Saints. In that time, he had 47 sacks with 66 tackles for loss. He also intercepted one pass, tipped 31 throws, and forced 17 fumbles while turning one recovery into a touchdown. Between 2006 and his final year in 2009, Grant had 48 QB hits and started every game in the Saints Super Bowl XLIV championship season. Upon Grant's departure after the 2009 season, K.C. Asiodu and Kawicka Mitchell both wore No. 94 in 2010. Each played only one game for New Orleans, combining for 1 sack (Mitchell) and 3 total tackles. Nov 10, 2024; New Orleans Saints defensive end Cameron Jordan (94) leaps over a blocker to sack Atlanta Falcons quarterback Kirk Cousins (18). Mandatory Credit: Stephen Lew-Imagn Images The Saints would get their star No. 94 back in Round 1 of the 2011 NFL Draft when they selected a Cal DE named Cameron Jordan with the 24th overall choice. Jordan went on to not only be the best 94 in team history, no small task, but would go on to become one of the greatest players in New Orleans franchise history. Advertisement Over his 13 NFL seasons, Jordan had six years of double-digit sack totals and five more with at least 7.5 sacks. His 233 QB hits and 160 tackles for loss are both tops in team history. Jordan's standout run defense allowed him to be on the field and a force in every situation. Despite an annual high snap count, he's missed only three of a possible 239 starts in his remarkable career. Jordan's 121.5 career sacks are more than Dome Patrol icon and NFL Hall of Famer Rickey Jackson (the 'official' NFL total). He is second among active players and is 27th in NFL history. His spot in the Saints Hall of Fame is assured. Cam Jordan should also wind up with a bust in the Pro Football Hall of Fame at the conclusion of his legendary Saints career. Related: Saints Countdown To Kickoff With The History Of Number 95 Related: Saints Countdown To Kickoff With The History Of Number 96 Related: Saints Countdown To Kickoff With The History Of Number 97 Related: Saints Countdown To Kickoff With The History Of Number 98 Related: Saints Countdown To Kickoff With History Of Number 99 Related: Trevor Penning May Have A New Home On Saints Offensive Line Related: Saints Visit With Free Agent Veteran Defensive Lineman Related: Pro Football Focus Snubs Saints In Under-25 Rankings This story was originally reported by Athlon Sports on Jun 5, 2025, where it first appeared.
