Not just a regular Joe

By Jared Spinelli Sports Central Columnist

The Boston Celtics chose Arkansas forward Joe Johnson with the 10th pick in the 2001 NBA Draft this year, with visions of Johnson becoming that third scorer the Celtics desperately needed to combat superstars Antoine Walker and Paul Pierce.

Well, that vision has become a reality. Johnson has emerged as a leading rookie, and is helping the Celtics turn a lot of heads in the Eastern Conference. Johnson is proving that he is not just another regular "Joe."

Coming into the 2001 season, the Celtics had high expectations. They had nearly reached the playoffs the year before, and in the offseason, had drafted three first round picks: forwards Joe Johnson and Kedrick Brown, and guard Joseph Forte.

In the early part of this long 82-game NBA season, the Celtics are holding true to their expectations. Coming out of the box with a 5-3 record as of November 18, good enough for second in the Atlantic Division, and tied for fourth best in the Eastern Conference. The Celtics solid start can be largely attributed to the tremendous play of Walker, Paul Pierce, and Johnson.

Walker has continued to improve as a basketball player, putting up impressive numbers game in and game out. What separates Walker from many NBA players is how multi-talented Walker is. Night in and night out, Walker is a triple-double threat. He puts up the points, grabs the rebounds, and dishes out the assists. Walker has also kept his complaining and showboating muffled this year, a sure sign of maturity. As a co-captain, he may finally be ready to lead the Celtics to greater heights.

Pierce, coming off an eye-opening season last year, has not stopped the scoring. Pierce is third in the NBA in scoring at 27.7 points per game, and has been shooting the lights out as of late. Pierce is well on his way to becoming an NBA superstar, as long as he continues to strive to improve his game, and attempt to put up more than just points for numbers.

On the other hand, Johnson has been the surprise. Averaging 14 points per game, 4.6 rebounds per game, and 3.6 assists per game, Johnson has shown flashes of containing all aspects of the game. Johnson is near the top of every statistical category for rookies, and if he continues this level of play, Johnson will be a serious threat for the Rookie of the Year award.

More importantly, however, is the fact that Johnson has become the much-needed third option for the Celtics. If Walker and Pierce are double-teamed, in foul trouble, or injured, the Celtics now have a good option in Johnson to go to for points. Johnson complements Walker and Pierce perfectly, and is a great fit for the perimeter game the Celtics play on offense.

Combined with the fact that guard Kenny Anderson is returning to his old form, Tony Battie is coming into his own, and free agent acquisition Erick Strickland is providing great veteran leadership and great defense, the Celtics are looking just fine in the Eastern Conference.

They do not have it all, but have the heart to win games. Their coach, Jim O'Brien, has so far been guiding his players in the right direction -- a direction Celtics fans have not seen for a few years -- and a direction that used to be quite familiar to them.

Perhaps they will soon return there.

Article courtesy of Sports Central.