On September 20, Beijing time, the Pistons officially announced that they had signed Joe Johnson, and the details of the contract according to the relevant policies were not announced, but according to the reporter Shams, Johnson and the Pistons reached a one-year and $2.6 million partial guarantee contract. Johnson, who is already 38 years old, can be re-signed by the NBA team at this age, and there is no doubt that he still has oil in his fuel tank.
In the 2017-18 season, Joe Johnson played for the Houston Rockets, and the Rockets, who were determined to win the championship that year, had a "light bulb combination" that was in the sky, and did not give Johnson enough playing time and shooting rights, averaging only 6+2.8+1.7 in the regular season, and almost no chance to play in the playoffs. The Rockets ultimately failed to beat the Warriors to a Western Conference final, and Johnson did not renew his contract with any NBA team after the end of the season.
But that season Johnson was very comfortable playing with the Rockets, and he was also very suitable for the Rockets' magic ball system.
"The sky is the limit of this team, and as time goes on, I will become more comfortable, more comfortable in coach D'Antoni's system, seriously, I only know 2 tactics now, that is, to play while learning." Johnson praised the Rockets in an interview with the media, "We have a good transfer system, everyone can touch the ball, everyone feels part of the team's offense." ”
But Joe Johnson said he never wanted to retire after the end of the 17-18 season, but when the Rockets didn't let him play the playoffs, other teams thought he had a problem.
Although Johnson left the NBA temporarily, he did not disappear from the sight of fans. On March 14, 2019, Joe Johnson announced that he joined the US Big3 League and played for triplets, his wonderful performance in the 3v3 league is still reported by the major media, on August 28, 2019, the big3 league officially announced that Joe Johnson was elected as the 2019 big3 league regular season mvp, and led the team to win the big3 third season championship.
The dominant performance in the big3 league reminded fans of the name of "singles Joe", although the peak of Johnson's style of play is not as gorgeous as "penny" Hardaway, but he has a stable jump shot, simple cut, accurate passing, positive scrambling and calm personality, can deliver a fatal blow at key moments, the taller figure in the defender can make him often eat players in the same position. One of the league's best offensive players of the year, he could dribble, shoot, find empty teammates, and was a terrifying triple threat.
From 2005 to 2012, the 7 seasons with the Eagles were Johnson's most brilliant 7 years, averaging 25 points, 4.5 rebounds and 5.8 assists per game in the regular season, shooting 45.8% from the field, including 36.9% from three-point range, 50.1% from a career near 3-10 feet, and no less than in the playoffs, averaging 20+5+5.1 per game. He was named to the All-NBA Third Team in 2009–10 and was named to the All-Star Team for six consecutive seasons in 2007–12.
"Eagle King" can not resist the invasion of the years, 38 years old, Johnson's pace is no longer moving than ever, can not defend the fast and impact of the guard, which is why the Rockets in the playoffs can not let him play. However, the height of 2.01 meters and the arm span of 2.06 meters are talents that cannot be lost, and there is almost no degradation on the offensive end, and Johnson is still the "singles Joe" of the league.
"Like I said, I went to big3 and it was just enjoying the process, playing, I took my chances, I still trained every day, I never thought I couldn't play the NBA anymore, I worked very hard, so it wouldn't be like that." Johnson didn't give up the idea of returning to the NBA because he didn't get a chance, replaced by training harder and joining the 3v3 league to maintain his game form.
James and Johnson have been teammates on the national team and have played in all-Stars together.
"I always knew he was good, but when we were training together, I felt like , 'Oh my God, I didn't know he was so good'. The feeling we all had at the time was, 'You're so good, Joe, you know that?' James commented.
Wade has also compared him to Rose, praising his calm style of play: "He is indeed talented, but his personality is too quiet, so that no one urges him to improve." People like Derrick Rose are also quiet people, but he is very high profile in the game, so people keep putting pressure on him. Joe not only has a quiet personality, but his style of playing is also quiet. ”
In fact, Johnson got a six-year, $120 million contract as early as 2010, and the first contract to break through the 100 million yuan that season, and his career salary has earned more than $200 million, in a sense, he is already a winner in life. This return is not for money, but a simple love and original intention for basketball.
From the former "Eagle King" to the big 3 league mvp, from not getting a trial opportunity to successfully getting a contract with the Pistons, the 38-year-old Johnson explained the true meaning of basketball and looked forward to his performance in the new season.