Amir Johnson Becoming Just What Celtics Need

Amir Johnson has stepped up since Crowder went down, helping aid the hurt Celtics

With the Boston Celtics clinging to a slim 98-94 margin over the Orlando Magic as the fourth quarter wound down in Monday night’s victorious effort, Isaiah Thomas hoisted up a deep three which clanged off of the side of the rim, putting Boston in a vulnerable position as their opposition could cut the deficit to one possession with a defensive rebound and a score.

Luckily for Brad Stevens‘ cast,  an unfamiliar hero stepped up in a critical juncture. Center Amir Johnson grabbed the offensive rebound and hit the reset button on an offensive possession that concluded with a bucket by Avery Bradley to increase the margin to 100-94.

Orlando power forward Aaron Gordon proceeded to drive the lane on the ensuing Magic opportunity, attacking the tin from the left side with a right-handed finger roll. Johnson asserted his will once again, swatting the second-year veteran’s shot attempt and essentially sealing the Celtics’ 107-96 victory.

Johnson has emerged at just the right time for a Boston squad in need of a rim protector and vaunted rebounder, putting the team’s “need” for a big man in free agency or through the trade market on the back burner. He continues to defy the critics who piled on top of him for his underwhelming performance through the opening portion of the season.

Signed to a two-year, $24 million deal with a team option for the second season this past summer, Johnson has become a defensive stalwart inside for the Celtics, an expert at defending the pick-and-roll, while emerging as a formidable face in the paint for opposing guards attempting to penetrate.

The Los Angeles native has also inserted himself as an offensive force as well, growing into a pick-and-roll favorite for the likes of Thomas and Bradley while compiling a field goal percentage of 58 percent, which would be good for fourth in the NBA if Johnson was on pace to make 300 shots on the season.

This type of production is exactly what Boston needs out of the 6’9″, 240-pounder. While the expectation is not for Johnson to carry the offense, solid rebounding output at both ends, an average of over one block per game, and consistency shooting from in close marks the 10-year veterans’s value.

To underline Johnson’s spike in production over the past month, just compare his statistics between the month of February and the month of March. Averaging just 18.8 minutes per contest in 12 games last month, the 28-year old posted just 5.3 points, 5.0 rebounds, and 0.7 blocks per game, shooting just 51 percent from the field.

In 11 appearances thus far in March, Johnson has upped his averages to 7.5 points, 6.6 rebounds, and 1.1 rejections per contest. He has finished at a 66 percent clip from the field, and as even improved his assist totals by dishing out 1.6 dimes per game in 21.8 minutes per night. Lately, Johnson has obliterated his per game averages while gaining the trust of Stevens, with more playing time being thrown his way in the process.

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After posting a season-high 18 points to accompany his eight rebounds and two blocks in Sunday night’s 120-105 win over Philadelphia, Johnson has received 34 minutes of action in each of the last two contests, and has not disappointed.

In Monday’s victorious showing against Orlando, he garnered 11 points, 11 rebounds, and three blocks before showing out against his former team, the Toronto Raptors. On Wednesday night he recorded 11 points, 14 rebounds, five assists, and two blocks. Johnson has hardly missed a shot over the past three outings, going a nearly impeccable 19-22 from the field, an 86 percent clip.

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Johnson’s March numbers are consistent with his season averages of 7.4 points, 6.3 rebounds, and 1.1 blocks per game. If he can continue to be a reliable force in the paint, it appears as if he will be able to handle the likes of Hassan Whiteside or Al Horford should the Celtics be forced to challenge the Miami Heat or Atlanta Hawks in the first round of the playoffs in April.