One game.
That’s all it took for Joe Johnson to realize he wants to retire with the Miami Heat.
I guess handing out beatdowns at the expense of the New York Knicks will have that effect on you.
From Ohm Youngmisuk over at ESPN.com:
Joe Johnson said he chose to sign with the Miami Heat over other Eastern Conference contenders due to his relationship and familiarity with Dwyane Wade and other Heat players.
The versatile swingman, who started in his first game with the Heat in Sunday’s 98-81 win over the New York Knicks, hopes to finish his career in Miami.
“Man, I had a connection with a lot of guys here,” Johnson said prior to playing at Madison Square Garden with his new team. “D-Wade, [Amar’e Stoudemire], UD [Udonis Haslem], guys I’ve been in contact with. Not just throughout this process, but over the years, and I just felt it was right.”
Johnson, 34, fits the mold of Miami’s core: old dudes who can still play when healthy and will render the Heat a contender provided they stay healthy even though you can’t guarantee that they’ll stay healthy.
More specifically, though, Johnson provides additional floor spacing to a team that desperately needs it. They are playing without Tyler Johnson, Beno Udrih and Chris Bosh, two of their best shooters, and Johnson can function at a high level as a catch-and-shoot marksman, injecting some versatility into what has been, until recently, a largely disappointing Heat offense.
That’s just the kind of player the Heat need not only this season, but moving forward as they look to rebuild and retool through free agency. Johnson has made his money—nearly $200 million for his career, in fact. He will likely return to Miami on a minimum contract over the summer, allowing Pat Riley to zero in on stars and high-priced talent while knowing he has an affordable complementary piece in his back pocket.
