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| Joe Johnson talks about his Nets turnaround and his development under head coach Jason Kidd. Photo credit NBA |
When the Brooklyn Nets started the 2013-14 NBA season, with a first-year head coach with a new roster of veterans, expectations where high. After a 10-21 record before New Years Day, those hopes turned into nightmares. Since then the Nets have the hottest team in the Eastern Conference with a 28-12 record, good enough for a fifth place seed.
After the Nets overtime win over the Dallas Mavericks (107-104), I had the chance to chat with six-time NBA All-Star Joe Johnson about the team's turnaround, his new coach, and what makes him so lucky in the final seconds of a game.
During the All-Star break we spoke about how important for you guys to start making some momentum. Now that you are, how do you feel about the team now with the playoffs around the corner?
"Man, I feel great! We've been playing pretty good. We had the chance to have a nice little homestand and build some confidence that has carried over on the road. This was a huge win for us. Anytime you can come on the road and win, that's always important. We showed a lot of resiliency coming back from being down double figures a couple of times, so this is big."
You made another big shot at the end to put the game in overtime. How do you stay so poised in those type of moments?
"It's been going on for quite some time. I'm just confident in those situations. You got a 50-50 chance, you can hit or miss, so I just try to do whatever I can to get the best shot down the stretch. Whether it is me or one of my guys."
How do you feel now about Jason Kidd as your coach? How has he helped you out this year?
"He has helped me out a lot! Just seeing things on the court from him playing and being a great point quard, to helping me make plays. Just letting me know when to something is there or not there, or when to be aggressive or when the double team is coming. It's been a lot of ways he has helped me out and I appreciate it."
Is getting Garnett back now going to be lift for you guys?
"Yes, definitely. We need him."
The Nets, since their win over Dallas, have lost two straight on the road in overtime against New Orleans (109-104) and Charlotte (116-111). The did bounce back with a win over Cleveland at home (108-97).
