Boston Celtics legend Paul Pierce tricked a rookie into dealing with Michael Jordan.
The NBA group was buzzing with pleasure forward of the 2001-02 season as Michael Jordan introduced his return to the league.
After successful six NBA Championships with the Chicago Bulls, Jordan wished a brand new problem in his profession and joined the Washington Wizards.
When MJ introduced his return, the Boston Celtics had a famous person in Paul Pierce. On the identical time, it was the rookie yr of future 7x NBA All-Star Joe Johnson.
Johnson not too long ago made an look on Matt Barnes and Stephen Jackson’s ‘All of the Smoke’ podcast.
Throughout the dialog, Johnson revealed his welcome to the NBA second was in opposition to MJ, due to a cheeky trick performed by Pierce.
“My rookie yr was MJ’s first yr again within the NBA with the Wizards. Yeah, we performed in opposition to them [in] the fourth recreation of the season.
“Eric Williams obtained damage [in] the second recreation of the season, small ahead. In order that they began me, and I obtained to protect MJ,” Johnson started.
He defined: “Paul Pierce is like, ‘Man, I’m going to get him within the fourth quarter. I would like you to present him the primary three.’ I’m like, all proper, guess. So, man, we obtained on the market.”
On the time, Jordan was a bit rusty as he had been away from the NBA for 3 seasons. Nonetheless, Johnson accepted the problem, however he didn’t count on his teammates to speak trash to MJ.
“First off, Toine [Antoine Walker] and MJ have been speaking stuff to one another on the tip,” Johnson revealed. “So MJ, tells Paul, ‘I obtained to come back all the best way again to the NBA simply to get a pickup recreation with you, simply to get a run with you.’
Regardless of being 38 years outdated, Jordan seemingly took offense to the Celtics gamers’ trash speak as he completed the sport with 32 factors, 8 rebounds, and a pair of assists.
Earlier than the tip of the sport, Johnson requested his teammates to ‘chill,’ but it surely’s apparent they didn’t hearken to him.
“In order that they’re all going backwards and forwards the entire recreation. However I’m like, ‘Man, y’all obtained to sit back.’ You realize what I’m saying? Like, I’m the one which’s obtained to protect this man,” he acknowledged.
To be honest, Johnson additionally had a memorable recreation as he contributed 16 factors, 10 rebounds, and a pair of assists. On prime of that, the Celtics additionally walked away with a 104-95 win over the Wizards.
