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.”