Joe Johnson (Part 2)

Following an impressive sophomore season at the University of Arkansas, Joe Johnson made the decision to enter the highly anticipated 2001 NBA draft. With his talent and potential recognized by NBA scouts and executives, Johnson was selected with the 10th overall pick by the Boston Celtics, marking the beginning of his professional basketball journey.
In his rookie season with the Celtics during the 2001–02 NBA season, Johnson quickly showcased glimpses of his skills and versatility on the court. He appeared in 48 games for the Celtics, making 33 starts, and demonstrated his ability to contribute across multiple facets of the game. Johnson posted solid averages of 6.3 points, 2.9 rebounds, and 1.5 assists per game, indicating his promising potential as a young player in the league.
However, Johnson's tenure with the Celtics was short-lived, as he was traded to the Phoenix Suns on February 20, 2002, in a multi-player deal that involved Rodney Rogers and Tony Delk heading to Boston. This trade provided Johnson with a new opportunity to further develop his game and make an impact with his new team, the Phoenix Suns.


During his tenure with the Phoenix Suns, Joe Johnson emerged as a key contributor to the team's success, showcasing his scoring prowess and becoming known for his clutch three-point shooting. Over three and a half seasons with the Suns, Johnson averaged an impressive 14.0 points per game while establishing himself as a reliable long-range threat, boasting a three-point shooting percentage of 39.3%.
In the 2004–05 NBA season, Johnson played a pivotal role in the Suns' stellar performance, as the team finished with an outstanding 62–20 record. Notably, Johnson's proficiency from beyond the arc saw a significant improvement during this period, with his three-point shooting percentage jumping from 30.5% in 2004 to an impressive 47.8% in 2005. His sharpshooting abilities were further highlighted during the 2005 NBA playoffs, where he maintained a remarkable three-point shooting percentage of .556.


However, Johnson faced adversity during the 2005 playoffs when he suffered a left orbital bone fracture following a dunk attempt against the Dallas Mavericks in the second round. This injury forced him to undergo surgery and sidelined him for the remainder of the series against the Mavericks, as well as the first two games of the Western Conference Finals against the San Antonio Spurs. Upon his return, Johnson wore a protective face mask to safeguard against further injury. Despite his efforts, the Suns ultimately fell to the eventual NBA champion Spurs in the Western Conference Finals, losing the series 4 games to 1.


In the summer of 2005, Joe Johnson entered free agency as a highly sought-after restricted free agent and expressed a desire to leave the Phoenix Suns in pursuit of a larger role with the Atlanta Hawks. Dissatisfied with Phoenix's initial contract offers, Johnson felt they undervalued his worth in the market, leading to a strained relationship between him and the Suns' management. As negotiations progressed, Johnson ultimately requested that the Suns not match Atlanta's lucrative $70 million offer.
On August 19, 2005, a sign-and-trade deal was finalized between the Suns and the Hawks, with Johnson being sent to Atlanta in exchange for Boris Diaw and two future first-round draft picks.


Upon joining the Hawks, Johnson made an immediate impact, leading the team in multiple statistical categories during his first season. He averaged 20.2 points, 6.5 assists, and 1.26 steals per game, showcasing his versatility and all-around contributions to the team. Notably, Johnson was one of only five players in the league that season to average at least 20 points and six assists, joining the ranks of Allen Iverson, Dwyane Wade, LeBron James, and Gilbert Arenas. Additionally, he played in all 82 games, demonstrating his durability and reliability for the Hawks.


Throughout the 2005–06 season, Johnson achieved several personal milestones, including scoring a career-high 42 points against the Golden State Warriors and recording a career-high 17 assists against the Milwaukee Bucks. He also achieved his first career triple-double on February 1, 2006, against the Charlotte Bobcats, solidifying his status as a versatile and impactful player.
Johnson's development continued in the 2006–07 season, where he further elevated his game, averaging 25.0 points, 4.4 assists, 4.2 rebounds, and 1.1 steals per game. His scoring prowess earned him a spot on the 2007 Eastern Conference All-Star team, where he replaced the injured Jason Kidd. Additionally, Johnson shot a career-best 47.1% from the field, highlighting his efficiency and effectiveness as a scorer.

References

1.  "Johnson's triple-double carries Hawks to win". ESPN.com. December 23, 2008. Retrieved December 23, 2008.
2. ^ "Joe Johnson wasn't aware of 10,000th point". AJC.com. January 31, 2009. Archived from the original on February 3, 2009. Retrieved January 31, 2009.
3. ^ "Johnson comes up clutch as Hawks down Bobcats". NBA.com. Turner Sports Interactive, Inc. March 20, 2010. Retrieved March 20, 2010.
4. ^ "Johnson signs six-year, $124M deal". ESPN.com. July 8, 2010. Retrieved July 8, 2010.
5. ^ "Brooklyn Nets Acquire All-Star Joe Johnson". NBA.com. July 11, 2012. Archived from the original on July 20, 2012. Retrieved July 11, 2012.
6. ^ Freeman, Eric (February 20, 2013). "Joe Johnson forces overtime, follows with the game-winner to beat the Bucks (VIDEO)". Yahoo.com. Retrieved February 20, 2013.
7. ^ Mazzeo, Mike (March 1, 2013). "Nets' Joe Johnson starts in return". ESPN.com. Retrieved March 1, 2013.
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