Joe Johnson returns in action again as he was signed by the Celtics on a 10-day contract. He was out of NBA from 2018 when he last played for the Rockets in the playoff.
“Iso Joe” as famously known in the NBA, Joe Johnson made his debut “again” with the Celtics after 20 years. He signed 10 Day contract with the team under the Hardship exception, as the Boston franchise is shorthanded due to the Health and safety protocol.
He was first drafted by the Boston Celtics in 2001 as the 10th overall pick. After just 48 games with the Celtics, he was traded Phoenix Suns in 2002. In his rookie year with the Boston Celtics, he averaged 6.3 points, 2.9 rebounds per game.
Over his 17-year career, “Iso Joe” played for 7 different teams and his last match in the NBA in 2018 as a member of the Houston Rockets team. His most productive year was with the Hawks where he managed career-high 25 points per game average clocking around 41 mins in the 2007 season. Johnson averaged 16 points, 4 rebounds, and 4 assists in his career.
Joe Johnson grand return to NBA
Celtics were in control of the game and the crowd was demanding Joe Johnson on the floor. With 1:57 remaining in the fourth quarter, the Celtics coach Udoka decided to call Joe in the game. His return was inspired by a standing ovation, as he made his way to the scorer’s table.
“I heard them obviously,” Udoka said. “I would have liked to get him in sooner, except the lead got down to 12 or so, but that was the plan to get those guys some run, if possible.”
As the Celtics fans gave him warm welcome with thunderous applause, he scored a typical Johnson jumper as too much joy for the home supporters.
“It was exciting. It was fun to get that type of reaction from the crowd,” said Johnson. He got a chance to meet up with his exciting young team, who is currently looking to make it to the playoffs. He will be expecting some more playing time to make his stay longer than 10 days.
When asked about the situation after the contract expires, Johnson replied, “I wouldn’t say give up, but I didn’t have high hopes,” Johnson said. “My son’s 14, so he keeps me in the gym. We work and work and work, and I always talk to him [and say], ‘Just work. Even when you can’t see what’s next, you just gotta continue to work.”
The Celtics won the match 111-101 against the Cavaliers. Johnson played for the last 2 minutes scoring 2 points. The Celtics are 8th in the east right now and will face Milwaukee Bucks next on Christmas Day.
Joe Johnson sets record on his return to NBA.
The return to the rookie team allowed Johnson to set a new record in NBA. He last played for the Celtics on Feb. 16, 2002, and made his return on 22nd Dec 2021. It gives a total span of 19 years, 308 days since his last game for the Celtics.
This duration is the longest span between appearances for the same team in NBA history, according to the Elias Sports Bureau. Last time the record was held by the Lakers veteran James Edwards, and the duration was 14 years 331 days.
Boston star Jaylen Brown reacted to the Johnson return positively. He said, “I’ve watched him in the Big3, I’ve watched him before that, and I watched him growing up and he still looks like he’s got something left in the tank so I’m happy to have him on board, to hear his voice, his advice … I think it’s great.”
It surely is great to see some former beloved NBA stars back on court.
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