Former NBA Star Joe Johnson Is Dominating the BIG3
July 3, 2019 - BIG3 (BIG3) News Release
CHARLOTTE, NORTH CAROLINA - JUNE 29: Joe Johnson of the Triplets prepares to drive to the basket during Week Two of the BIG3 season on June 29, 2019 in Charlotte, North Carolina. (Photo by Streeter Lecka/BIG3/Getty Images)
On the final play in Week One, Joe Johnson took the ball at the top of the key, dribbled between his legs and drove past defender Brandon Rush to deliver a game-winning floater just above the outstretched arm of Greg Oden.
That score not only won the game, but it also showed why Johnson has earned the nickname "Iso Joe." Because of his skills on isolation plays, his game is perfectly suited for the 3-on-3 game of the BIG3 league.
That was a major part of the pitch by BIG3 founder Ice Cube and commissioner Clyde Drexler as they tried to convince him to participate in their league.
Johnson, though, still was waffling close to the March roster deadline. Friends like Josh Childress, Jannero Pargo, Stephen Jackson and Mahmoud Abdul-Rauf kept calling and texting him, encouraging him to join them in the BIG3.
"I was kind of on the fence," Johnson said.
Ultimately, what persuaded him was the chance to reunite with former Arkansas teammates Pargo and Sergerio Gibson from the 2000-01 team.
Those three former Razorbacks play alongside former NBA players - Al Jefferson, Chris Johnson and Alan Anderson - on the Triplets.
"Man, I'm enjoying it," Johnson. "I really look forward to the competition."
Thus far, Johnson is dominating the competition.
With his ability to drive, post up, shoot the three and create open shots for others, he is second in the BIG3 in points (47) and rebounds (24) and first in assists (10).
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