Amir Johnson is Already Embracing Boston

The Boston Celtics are always one of the more interesting players in free agency. A lot of the time it appears as though the Celtics are not an attractive free agent destination. Despite the greatest winning culture in the history of the NBA the Celtics still manage to struggle to bring in the big name free agents and this year was a great example as Amir Johnson was the most significant free agent signing.

While lot of free agents did not embrace being a part of the greatest franchise in the history of the NBA, Johnson has already embraced the culture and the fan base. Both Johnson and Danny Ainge are strong believers in Johnson’s ability to fit in with the team. Johnson came out at a press conference (per CSNNE) and said “I know the fans will love me”.

Mar 30, 2015; Toronto, Ontario, CAN; Toronto Raptors forward Amir Johnson (15) fouls against Houston Rockets forward Josh Smith (5) during the first half at the Air Canada Centre. Mandatory Credit: John E. Sokolowski-USA TODAY Sports

Ainge and Johnson also had similar reasons as to why he will be loved by the Boston Faithful. Here’s a quote from Johnson:

"I’m a team player, I’m a hustler . . . I play hard every game. So I know the fans will definitely love me. I know they’re great fans. I know back in the Detroit days, I’ve seen how rowdy they can get. So I know Boston loves their team for sure"

Now here is what Danny Ainge had to say about Johnson fitting in with the Celtics.

"He can really play. He’s a guy that, the score always seems to go in your favor when he’s on the court. He’s a guy that doesn’t necessarily fill up a stat sheet like a lot of players, but he is a winning player. He’s a guy that his teammates love playing with. He plays great defense, he rebounds, defends multiple positions and brings a lot of versatility"

Despite being in the middle of a rebuild and having way too many players come in and out of the locker room last season the Celtics still managed to build an identity. A lot of that identity came from Brad Stevens and Marcus Smart and the key work for everybody is “hustle”.

The Celtics may lack the talent and they may lack the high flying prolific scorers but they will never lack the hustle. The Celtics were able to win games because they played harder and they played smarter and they made sure that everyone left everything on the court.

The Celtics almost had a platoon like type rotations with bench players such as Kelly Olynyk and Isaiah Thomas getting as many minutes as many starters and what that allows for is fresh legs on the court at all times. With those fresh legs they are expected to fight harder than their opponent who will likely not be as rested.

It is great news to see Johnson embracing this aspect of the Celtics. He is not expecting to stuff the stat sheet and he is not expected to do so either. Johnson will have a shot at the starting lineup but with how many power forwards are currently on the team he will not get as many minutes as the majority of the starting power forwards in the league.

Johnson has yet to play a game for the Celtics and it appears as though he already understands his role on the team because it is tied in with an attitude that everyone must have. The Celtics rely entirely on playing as a team on both ends of the court. As soon as any player attempts to take over a game playing isolation hero ball their production suffers.

Apr 26, 2015; Boston, MA, USA; Boston Celtics forward Jared Sullinger (7) reacts after making a basket during the second half in game four of the first round of the NBA Playoffs against the Cleveland Cavaliers. at TD Garden. Mandatory Credit: Bob DeChiara-USA TODAY Sports

Johnson may never put up the kind of numbers that will get him into an all star game and he may never wind up playing in the starting unit. But what we do know is that he will be given opportunities and he will make sure that he leaves everything on the court for those opportunities.

Johnson will always play hard in order to win over the Celtics faithful and with how beloved last year’s team came it may not be long before Johnson is one of the favourites in Boston.

The Celtics are still looking for their elite go to player on the starting unit but they have amassed the best collection of hard nosed role players and after a much less talented team made the playoffs last year the Celtics have put themselves in a position where they will have an opportunity to compete in the playoffs and it is because of the mindset that Johnson appears to have that the Celtics will be able to surprise a lot of people.

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