by Andrew Ford
Joe Johnson did everything in his power to prolong the Brooklyn Nets’ season against the Miami Heat in Game 5 of the Eastern Conference Semifinals. After a ho hum first half for Johnson where he finished with 10 points, he began to scorch the earth in the second half, scoring 24 points. Nobody could check him.
A man possessed, Johnson used his full offensive arsenal, hitting fadeaway jumpers, backing his man down in the paint, drilling spot-up threes, getting tip-ins, etc. Johnson even had his way with James for most of the night, shooting 6-8 from the field with the four-time MVP guarding him.
You could certainly make the case that Johnson dominated James offensively for most of the night. The key phrase there is “most of the night.” Johnson made the first six shots he took against LeBron, making tough shot after tough shot against possibly the best all-around defender in the NBA. However, Johnson missed the shots that mattered the most against LeBron: the last two.
Late in the game, LeBron played skin-tight defense against the seven-time NBA All-Star, making it nearly impossible for Johnson to get a good shot off. The Heat deployed James against Johnson for much of the fourth quarter in each of the five games of the series, and rightfully so. LeBron possesses the rare strength, size, and athleticism needed to lockdown one of the most gifted scorers in the NBA in Johnson.
Here’s how LeBron stymied Johnson late to help the Heat advance and secure a birth to the Eastern Conference Finals.
Brooklyn: 91 – Miami: 88
With 1:45 left in the fourth quarter and the Nets up three, the Heat needed a stop. Johnson had the hot hand, and it was fairly obvious that the Nets were resolved to feeding the ball to him. The play begins as a side pick and roll on the left wing with Deron Williams as the ball handler and Johnson as the screener. Williams goes over Johnson’s screen headed to the middle of the floor, but LeBron is quick to recognize the situation. He steps out to hedge, cutting Williams off just enough to allow Mario Chalmers to recover before scampering back to Johnson. LeBron plays the pick and roll so well that nothing is there. The Nets move on to Plan B.
Johnson circles back to the perimeter to receive the ball from Williams on a hand off. This is exactly what the Heat wanted. Johnson was forced to pick up the basketball too far away from the basket to be able to post up, and there was a slim chance that he was going to drive past a physical specimen like LeBron. That didn’t stop Johnson from trying, though. After attempting to muscle his way to the rim, Johnson gets only as far as the middle of the paint before he’s forced to put a shot up with the shot clock dwindling. Johnson tries to create some space between himself and James with a slight shoulder bump, but James is unphased. Johnson has to take a tough floater off of one leg, and LeBron blocks the shot with ease. Threat averted.
Brooklyn: 91 – Miami: 90
On the very next possession, the Nets go to Johnson again. Notice how LeBron gets perfect position between Johnson and the rim before Johnson ever catches the ball and begins forcing him out to the perimeter with his sheer strength. This is key to LeBron stopping Johnson on the play. Again, the further Johnson catches the ball from the basket, the better for the Heat. If Johnson was allowed to establish deep position, that becomes much more problematic for LeBron, thanks to the plethora of post moves he possesses. Not to mention it’s much easier for Johnson to draw a foul near the rim.
Catching the ball just inside the three-point line, Johnson tries to slash to the paint, but LeBron’s lateral quickness makes that an impossibility. Johnson is forced to give the ball up to Shaun Livingston in the paint. LeBron digs down and swipes at the ball, forcing a pass to Johnson, who has now leaked out to the three-point line. James uses his uncanny speed and bolts back to Johnson as he rises and fires, making him uncomfortable and forcing a fadeaway three because of the block threat James poses.
Brooklyn: 94 – Miami: 96
With the Heat up two with under five seconds remaining, the ball is inbounded to Johnson. Again, LeBron uses his strength to force Johnson to catch the ball nearly beyond the three-point line. Johnson makes a move to the middle of the floor, and LeBron slides with him step for step. Then, Ray Allen helps out by digging down and swiping the ball away from Johnson temporarily. With the sun rapidly setting on the Nets’ season, Johnson picks the ball up and tries to rise to the tie the game. LeBron is having none of that. He swipes down on the ball, tying Johnson up and never letting him even get a final shot away.
LeBron has been a man on a mission during the playoffs, showing that he still possesses the drive to win another championship. He continues to play with a chip on his shoulder, and it’s reflected in all facets of his game. He receives a ton of adoration for his defensive prowess, and rightfully so. When the Heat need a stop, they can always call on him.
More tough matchups will follow for LeBron during these playoffs, and he will inevitably rise to the occasion as he’s done time and again.