'It was never over in my mind': James Johnson Jr. back with Pacers
WASHINGTON, D.C. -- James Johnson Jr. never gave up on the idea that he was going to play this season. Not in July when the Pacers filled their roster without re-signing him and not when the season began and he wasn't on a roster.
"I was still working out," Johnson said Friday. "It was never over in my mind for me. I was just working out and staying patient."
The patience was finally rewarded Thursday when news broke that the Pacers would re-sign him and allow the 36-year-old to play his 15th year in the league. His signing was formally announced on Friday and Pacers coach Rick Carlisle said in his pre-game press conference that Johnson will be dressed and available for their 7 p.m. game against the Wizards.
It was all too fitting that Johnson's signing became public the game after the "fracas" that happened outside of the Pacers' locker room Wednesday after their loss to the Bucks over a dispute with Milwaukee's Giannis Antetokounmpo over game balls. Johnson, a karate blackbelt, was the most named player in the NBA in an anonymous survey conducted by The Athletic last year to the question of who other players would least like to fight. However, Carlisle said Johnson's signing had been under consideration for at least two weeks prior. He said he and others in the organization met Johnson on Dec. 1 between games in the series against the Heat in Miami where Johnson lives.
"It's something that we have been considering for a while," Carlisle said. "He helped us so much last year. This year we started with 15 guys. When Daniel Theis moved on to the Clippers in the buyout situation, it opened up a spot. You see if the need for the spot and if anything else is going to happen. But we talked to him on the Friday between games, had a really good meeting with him and told him it was very much under consideration."
Johnson was thrilled to be getting another shot, but said he did make a point to enjoy the time away. He was still working out and staying in shape, but got to do some things he hadn't been able to do as long as he's been in pro ball including spending more time with his three sons.
"In 15 years, I've never had that much time ever," Johnson said. "Life got humble. I think that was exactly what I needed to help this team this year. We got to do everything. I got to help with homework, got to do their Christmas parties, parades, their school functions, things you don't get to do when you're on the road and things like that. Not being in the season, not having a schedule, being able to attend those things, it showed me all those things you want in life for your kids with the quickness."
That being said, Johnson missed the Pacers and they missed him. All of last season, young players including All-Star point guard Tyrese Haliburton talked about important things about being an NBA player that they learned from Johnson. Johnson said he still texts with Haliburton, who he calls "Franchise" on an almost daily basis.
"Just the professionalism," veteran point guard T.J. McConnell said. "You don't play 15 years in this league without being a great basketball player, but the professionalism you show day in and day out and how you go about things on and off the court is what he brings. He's big at teaching the young guys. Not many people in this league are as good of people as him and we definitely missed him."
The 31-year-old McConnell particularly missed him because before Johnson joined the roster, he was the oldest guy on the team.
"He can take that," McConnell said, adding that he might get him a bottle of wine as thanks. "He can have that medal back."
Johnson appeared in 18 games last year, averaging 2.8 points and 1.7 rebounds in 9.0 minutes, so he may not get much of an opportunity to get on the floor. But even last season he had value in the clubhouse and on the sideline where he operated like an additional coach, which Carlisle is happy to have back.
"We missed him," Carlisle said. "He was a big part of the early success we had. He helped with the development of not only our younger guys but our veteran guys too. Having him back in the fold we feel like is a move to help the development of our new guys (rookies Ben Sheppard, Jarace Walker, Oscar Tshiebwe, those guys. This guy has had an amazing career."
This article originally appeared on Indianapolis Star: Pacers vs. Wizards: James Johnson Jr. returns to action
