Unsigned NBA wing James Johnson emerges from a cabin wearing a log. In the meantime, on a tv display screen in the back of him, highlights of Giannis Antetokounpo hulking out at the sidelines and within the avid gamers’ tunnel repeats in a loop.
Johnson balances a wood log upright and thrusts downward — along with his naked palms. The log explodes in part. As he pauses to wipe his forehead, the bushes start to sway and the repetitive whooping sound of helicopter choppers fills the air.
The helicopter lands in a box. The door opens and out steps Pacers common supervisor Chad Buchanan guarding his bruised ribs.
“I do know why you’re right here,” Johnson says, interrupting Buchanan.
And with that, the Pacers discovered their latest ahead. Did Johnson’s signing play precisely like that? I’m no longer positive, however I’d love to believe that’s the way it performed out. On Tuesday afternoon, the Pacers scraped the 35-year-old wing defender off the trash heap and it couldn’t have come at a greater time.
The Pacers have a couple of wishes, particularly at the defensive finish, the place they depart the paint open. However extra importantly, Wednesday night time’s postgame fracas caused them to signal an outdated enforcer from Rick Carlisle’s previous. In line with Carlisle, an unknown Dollars participant injured Buchanan all through Antetokounmpo’s postgame tirade looking for the sport ball, following his career-high efficiency,
Johnson, who up to now performed for Carlisle at the Mavericks in 2020 and once more in 2022, is an skilled vet off the bench for Indiana, however he doesn’t even qualify as a 3-and-D defender as a 30-percent profession shooter. He’s most famous as a black belt with MMA struggle enjoy making him an apropos signing for Indiana. Don’t get pedantic about his file or the standard of fighters. That is the NBA.
Assume it’s a comic story all you wish to have. Serge Ibaka indisputably didn’t after Johnson slipped him with a jab to the chin and Ibaka’s reaction was once to throw his palms up. Ibaka would possibly seem like he can strive against a endure or even then he didn’t need the ones issues.
The now-suspended Draymond Inexperienced’s affordable photographs have sullied the identify of hardwood enforcers, however it’s a demand for any staff price speaking about. There’s a explanation why Dillon Brooks is getting $80 million from the Houston Rockets and it’s no longer only for his streaky taking pictures. Ime Udoka sought after to instill toughness in his younger Rockets. Carlisle discovered his Mr. Miyagi.
Johnson isn’t of Inexperienced’s caliber defensively. He gained’t turn out to be their Twenty eighth-ranked protection right into a tangible factor. Subsequent time they face the Dollars on New 12 months’s Day, Antetokounmpo remains to be going to cannonball towards the rim and bruise egos. Alternatively, NBA groups will spend a lovely penny on an intimidator. No staff wanted yet another than the Pacers and Johnson got here affordable. Subsequent time an NBA famous person thinks he can deal with the Pacers like chumps, Johnson is the backstop.
