Johnson embraces new role
One-time Raptor finds himself oldest player on young T-Wolves squad
There was so much to talk about, write about, for fans to cheer about, that it almost went unnoticed.
After all, in a streak-busting offensive explosion that was the Timberwolves’ victory Saturday at Target Center, you had the best of old and new. Career night for Jordan McLaughlin, Karl-Anthony Towns one assist away from a triple-double, Malik Beasley shooting the lights out.
But then, off the bench: James Johnson.
Johnson, who turns 33 on Feb. 20, is easily the oldest member of the new-look Timberwolves. He’s one of a slew of new faces to make their debut Saturday after he was acquired from Miami as part of a multiple-team trade that sent Gorgui Dieng to Memphis.
“It was weird to get called ‘OG,’ ” Johnson said after the game.
“In our locker room (in Miami) that was U.D.”
U.D. as in 39-year-old Udonis Haslem.
In his first game in a T-Wolves uniform, Johnson — a six-footseven, 240-pounder as comfortable in a mixed martial arts bout as he is on a basketball court — scored 15 points, hit six of nine shots (including two of three three-pointers) with three rebounds, five assists, two steals and a block in the 142-115 rout of the Clippers.
Ostensibly a power forward — he figures to back up newly acquired starter Juancho Hernangomez — Johnson was asked to handle primary ballhandling for the second unit with McLaughlin starting in place of the injured D’Angelo Russell.
“I loved what he did,” TWolves coach Ryan Saunders said.
“He played with Jarrett (Culver), Jaylen Nowell and Naz (Reid), who are all very good players, but also young players.
And I loved the confidence he was instilling in those guys. He’s another guy I’m excited about right now.”
For all of that, Johnson did a little more. He was, in his own words, “over-communicating” on the court. On the bench he was talking to the younger players, cheerleading.
These are all things the elder member of the team will have to do, and Johnson can’t wait. His move to Minnesota might have had a lot to do with salary cap concerns as the swap for Dieng was a near-match in terms of salary and terms (Johnson has a $16 million U.S. player option for next season, the last year of his deal). But he sees an opportunity in Minnesota, to both play and be a mentor.
“It’s not new,” said Johnson, the 16th pick in the 2009 draft out of Wake Forest who has now played for six NBA teams — including the Toronto Raptors, Monday night’s opponent. “I messed up with that role before, and I’m happy to get another chance at it.”
Johnson was referring to his time as captain in Miami which, in his mind, he didn’t excel at. To be sure, Johnson is not a captain here, but he is a veteran with years of experience. And on the NBA’s youngest team, that’s important. “Just help lead,” he said. “Help coach, you know, what I know. Not help the coach coach, but help coach the locker room. Help coach fourth quarters. Try to build ... I don’t want to say habits. The guys here, like KAT, they already have something. But just add to it. Let him know we have his back. This is game one for us.”
These are things Johnson said he learned from Haslem, things he hopes to pass on. On a team that has lacked communication on the defensive end, this could be a blessing.
As Johnson said Saturday, it’s just one game, but he loved the team’s energy.
“Just pour yourself into the team,” he said. “Be happy with someone else’s success and good things happen on the basketball court.”