Reunited: Joe Johnson and Mike D’Antoni Have Second Chance For Validation

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Having been Arkansas Mr. Basketball, a seven-time NBA All-Star, and a member of Team USA at the 2006 FIBA World Championship in Japan, one would think that 17-year veteran Joe Johnson would be satisfied. Yet, here he is all these years later, still contributing at a high-level and chasing the one thing that’s evaded him: an NBA Championship.

At 36 years of age, “Iso Joe” is playing a modified version of the Arkansas street ball that garnered his nickname. Now with the Houston Rockets, he’s traded in dribble-and-drive isolation plays for catch-and-shoot perimeter scoring almost exclusively — all in the hopes of getting sized for that career-legitimizing ring.

With that said, this is his best opportunity after years of early postseason exits. Although not the star he once was, he’s becomes a valued bench-scorer for Houston while defenses are preoccupied with superstars James Harden and Chris Paul. In the team’s last five victories, he’s played 27 minutes per game while averaging 11 points, four rebounds, and three assists per game.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KyhrYqF14xA

His current coach, Mike D’Antoni, knew what he was getting by bringing on board. After all, Joe rose to prominence with the D’Antoni-led Phoenix Suns in the early 2000s. It was there that he made his only conference finals appearance (2004-05), although a fractured orbital bone left him banged up for much of their run. Had he been 100 percent, it’s realistic that they could of advanced past the eventual champion San Antonio Spurs.

When speaking to reporters after Johnson officially signed, D’Antoni jokingly said that JJ had him “at least two championships” by leaving Phoenix after 2005.

Luckily, they’ll both have the opportunity to avenge the wasted years in Phoenix over the next few months. One thing is for certain, it would validate them both individually and potentially put each guy in the Hall of Fame conversation.

It won’t be easy, but these dudes are both legitimate “good guys” and deserve the jewelry.