Joe Johnson Discusses the Future of the NBA, the Evolution of Dunking, and Thinking Like a Champion
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You
will not see Joe Johnson yell after a dunk, berate teammates or
complain to a referee during NBA games. In fact, the three-time
All-Star shooting guard for the Atlanta Hawks has become a leader in
the NBA by speaking softly and posting big scores on the court. Johnson
recently talked with rolling out sports about being a young star in the
NBA, the art of dunking, and the importance of playing and thinking
like a champion. –amir shaw
After
Michael Jordan retired for the second time in 1998, a few sports
critics thought that the NBA would suffer due to a lack of star power.
What are your thoughts on the future of the NBA?
There are a
lot of guys who are keeping the NBA game intact. You have players like
LeBron James, Chris Paul and Derron Williams. In a few years, this will
be their league. The NBA is in great hands.
When you were growing up, which player did you model your game after?
Michael Jordan and Magic Johnson were my idols, but I followed Magic
the closest. I was a big guy who could handle the ball and Magic was a
guy I always wanted to be like.
How has slam dunking evolved?
I think guys are more gifted and athletic. You look at Dwight Howard
who is 6-foot-11 and does amazing dunks. And then you have Nate
Robinson who is 5-foot-9 and can jump out of the building. So it’s fun
to watch those guys.
With only two months left in the NBA season, what are your goals for the remainder of the season?
I’m working on an NBA championship. That’s the ultimate goal as a
player. I first had individual goals like making the All-Star game.
I’ve done that, now my main goal is to make it to playoffs and then a
push for a title.
How can someone be a champion off the court?
The most important thing is to work hard and dedicate yourself to being
the best at what you do. You also have to believe in yourself because
if you don’t, no one else will.
