At 40, Joe Johnson made an unexpected return to the NBA yesterday, having been signed by the Celtics as COVID continues to sideline many players. A return which resulted in an appearance on the Boston floor in the last minutes of the match against the Cavaliers. And guess how it ended…
The beautiful story of the night, clearly. The kind of story that makes you smile a little amidst the many news sponsored by “health & safety protocols”. Joe Johnson therefore repressed an NBA floor on Wednesday evening, and not just any since we are talking about that of the Celtics, where the veteran rear began his career in the Great League 20 years ago. « We Want Joe ! We Want Joe ! » These are the songs that came down from the stands of the TD Garden last night, a TD Garden that absolutely wanted to see one of the best scorers of his generation in action. And the Boston public were treated to their Christmas present, Ime Udoka deciding to bring him in two minutes from the final buzzer as the victory was secured for the Greens. Standing ovation for Iso Joe, even he was unaware that he had such a rating in Boston after a quick stint in 2001. However, the best was yet to come. Because what’s next? She is just perfect. We’ll do it again for you under live conditions. 30 seconds to play, ball in the hands of Joe Johnson, 109-98 for Boston. After a screen from new pal Bruno Fernando, the full-back finds himself with poor Justin Anderson on his back, before unleashing a mid-range shot he has perfected so much throughout his career. Twine! The TD Garden explodes. Pure Iso Joe, and dozens of memories that suddenly come back.
Iso Joe is BACK ???? pic.twitter.com/QW41rVN9WW
— Bleacher Report (@BleacherReport) December 23, 2021
Joe Johnson planted the first of his 20,000 career points for Boston in 2001, there’s a good chance that his last will also be marked with the mythical green tunic on the shoulders. “It’s amazing to be back here 20 years later” said Joe in particular, who showed that he always knew how to put the big orange ball in the basket. 40 years ? No matter. Zero NBA game played since 2018? So what. Joe Johnson is still Iso Joe.
“We know who he is. Everyone said it when they arrived in the locker room. Joe is a scoring machine. This has always been the case, and it will not change. »
– Celtics manager Ime Udoka, via ESPN
Like us, Joe Johnson did not really expect to receive a new opportunity in the NBA. He remained physically fit just in case, but his Big League career seemed to be a thing of the past. And then, the Omicron variant arrived to fuck up an impossible mess, at the same time opening up opportunities to unknowns or former NBA glories, like the seven-time All-Star Iso Joe. His time with the Celtics may only last ten days, but Johnson has proven basketball is still in his blood.
“He still has a lot of fuel in the tank in my opinion. I saw him in the BIG3 League, I saw him before, and I watched him growing up. I’m glad he’s with us, and to be able to listen to his advice. That’s great. »
– Jaylen Brown
Three and a half years after his time with the Rockets, Joe Johnson gave Celtics fans a special moment. A very special moment for him too, and we imagine that Iso Joe will savor every minute of these few days he will spend in Boston at the end of 2021.
Players to score as a 20-year-old and a 40-year-old for the same NBA team:
– Dirk Nowitzki, Dallas
– Joe Johnson, Boston— Tim Reynolds (@ByTimReynolds) December 23, 2021