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Even with Paul Pierce and Kevin Garnett aboard, Jason Kidd points to Joe Johnson as the player the Brooklyn Nets will give the ball to in late-game situations.

Johnson went nine for 10 in clutch moments last season (when the game was within three points with 24 seconds or less).

“If you’re into analytics, you look at Joe Johnson as the clear cut as the guy taking the last-second shot,” Kidd said. “He was 9-for-10 with 24 seconds or less. So that would be your guy who is the closer.

“But the game of basketball is such that you draw up a play for one player, most of the time it doesn’t end up with that one guy taking the shot. He creates a problem, which results to one of teammates getting a wide-open look. Make-or-miss, it’s the right basketball play. For us, it’s about making the right basketball play at the end. But if you’re looking at stats, which a lot of you people do, Joe Johnson’s name comes first. … He’s a guy who delivers. He loves that stage at the end of having the ball and making the right play.”

Via Stefan Bondy/New York Daily News

At least Joe is doing something right to garner his ridiculous salary. LoL, can you believe Joe Johnson will be the nba's highest paid player in the 2014/15 and 2015/16 seasons assuming Melo opts out this summer. Joe is going to feel the wrath of the new york media during the final seasons of his deal. Remember how the ny media drove Stephon Marbury's career into the ground.

Depends on the match up.

If Willaims has a significantly longer player guarding him I would go with Johnson. Otherwise, I think Willaims is significantly better.


Oh yeah, there is also that guy named Paul Pierce.

82games.com needs to update this article

http://www.82games.com/gamewinningshots.htm

Johnson or Pierce, never Williams.

LOL, that is going to = a lot of last minute losses

oaktownwarriors87 wrote:Depends on the match up.

If Willaims has a significantly longer player guarding him I would go with Johnson. Otherwise, I think Willaims is significantly better.


Oh yeah, there is also that guy named Paul Pierce.

Joe 'Ready' is clutch Deron should drive and kick it out if he can't take it all the way.

Against what teams and defenses did Joe hit those shots?
I'll put all my money on Pierce being a far better closer than Joe Johnson ever was, is, or ever will be.

If I'm the Nets, I want the ball in Pierce's hand at the end of each and every game.

I_Socrates wrote:Against what teams and defenses did Joe hit those shots?
I'll put all my money on Pierce being a far better closer than Joe Johnson ever was, is, or ever will be.

If I'm the Nets, I want the ball in Pierce's hand at the end of each and every game.

Yea I dont know about these stats man. I agree with you. I'd give the ball to Pierce to close out a game

hate on joe johnson all you want. but one thing is undeniable. he is clutch. he makes the big shot at the end of the game. but pierce is pretty good in the clutch too so matchup should dictate who takes the shot.

hate on joe johnson all you want. one thing is undeniable. he is clutch. but so is pierce. matchup should dictate who takes the shot.

IMO his statement translates to " Hey Defenders, guard Joe Johnson while Paul Pierce wins the game for us". Kidd is already playing. Genious

captlopez0012 wrote:hate on joe johnson all you want. but one thing is undeniable. he is clutch. he makes the big shot at the end of the game. but pierce is pretty good in the clutch too so matchup should dictate who takes the shot.

Again, how many times has Joe Johnson won meaningful games against play-off defenses? I can't recall any, there might be a handful, but Joe Johnson has mostly been "clutch" in situations where the stakes weren't very high.

Paul Pierce on the other hand has done it time and time again IN THE PLAYOFFS versus guys like LeBron guarding him. It's funny, because the team to beat is Miami .. and guess who will be guarding Pierce if the Nets play Miami?

The fact that Pierce is proven against top INDIVIDUAL defenders as well as top team defenses IN THE PLAYOFFS alone should mean he gets the ball each and every time. I'm sure Johnson will hit a few more this season, so will Williams - the Nets have the luxury of having 3 guys capable of taking the last shot, which is great.

I do however agree with the others that claim that Kidd is playing games - there's not a chance in hell he goes to Johnson at the end of games that matter, unless of course he's got the better matchup.

I_Socrates wrote:

captlopez0012 wrote:hate on joe johnson all you want. but one thing is undeniable. he is clutch. he makes the big shot at the end of the game. but pierce is pretty good in the clutch too so matchup should dictate who takes the shot.

Again, how many times has Joe Johnson won meaningful games against play-off defenses? I can't recall any, there might be a handful, but Joe Johnson has mostly been "clutch" in situations where the stakes weren't very high.

Paul Pierce on the other hand has done it time and time again IN THE PLAYOFFS versus guys like LeBron guarding him. It's funny, because the team to beat is Miami .. and guess who will be guarding Pierce if the Nets play Miami?

The fact that Pierce is proven against top INDIVIDUAL defenders as well as top team defenses IN THE PLAYOFFS alone should mean he gets the ball each and every time. I'm sure Johnson will hit a few more this season, so will Williams - the Nets have the luxury of having 3 guys capable of taking the last shot, which is great.

I do however agree with the others that claim that Kidd is playing games - there's not a chance in hell he goes to Johnson at the end of games that matter, unless of course he's got the better matchup.

that is a very naive statement. when a game comes down to the last shot, the quality of your opponent matters little. EVERY team has a good defender to stick on your best guy. they practice last possession defenses religiously. for any guy to make that shot over and over again is truly impressive. in particular, i remember joe johnsons game winner over tayshaun prince. tayshaun prince is an excellent defender is he not?

and you should really do some research before you stick your foot in your mouth. johnsons got big time clutch shots and game winners against teams of all levels. elite teams down to bottom feeders. of course he does it more often against the softer teams. hes never been on a good team to compete with the elite teams night in night out for the first 47 minutes so its doubtful itll come down to the last 1. but when he gets a chance, the guy gets it done.