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Ranking Every Joe Johnson Game-Winner For Brooklyn Nets

By Christian Milcos

Feb 8, 2016; Brooklyn, NY, USA; Brooklyn Nets forward Joe Johnson (7) celebrates with teammates after scoring the game winning basket against the Denver Nuggets at Barclays Center. The Nets won 105-104. Mandatory Credit: Vincent Carchietta-USA TODAY Sports
Feb 8, 2016; Brooklyn, NY, USA; Brooklyn Nets forward Joe Johnson (7) celebrates with teammates after scoring the game winning basket against the Denver Nuggets at Barclays Center. The Nets won 105-104. Mandatory Credit: Vincent Carchietta-USA TODAY Sports /
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1. Jan. 2, 2014: Nets vs. Thunder (95-93)

“Joe Johnson, game in his hands. He backs up, at the horn and it is, GOOD! Joe Johnson, one more time, and Brooklyn wins it in Oklahoma City!”

The Nets started off 2014 the right way after Johnson nailed a jumper from the top of the key over one of the most prolific defenders in the league: Serge Ibaka. This shot was perhaps Johnson’s most notable one stylistically, and overall, had the most impact on the Nets.

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When looking at Johnson’s teammates during this play, there wasn’t much movement other than a screen set by Garnett for Williams so he could pop out and be ready for a potential catch-and-shoot. However, knowing JJ, there was no way he was giving up the ball during that possession. If Ibaka and his 7-foot-4 wingspan didn’t deter him from taking the shot, then nothing would’ve.

The arc put on this shot is simply unfathomable. Having Ibaka draped all over him, Johnson somehow had the state of mind to put the exact amount of strength needed on the shot to float the ball over Ibaka’s fingertips and ultimately find the bottom of the net. If the release was an inch or two lower, then the shot would’ve surly been swatted to the floor.

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This shot was the turning point for what turned out to be the Nets’ most successful season in Brooklyn so far. If Johnson was unable to hit that jumper, then it would’ve became much more difficult for Brooklyn to climb out of the hole they had dug for themselves. Lopez was ruled out for the season with a foot injury only a few weeks prior, and the team was in desperate need for a spark. Beating one of the best teams in the NBA on a buzzer beater was certainly a good way to up the team’s spirit.

The victory brought Brooklyn to 11-21 on the season, but the team was able to feed off the momentum of Johnson’s shot for months to follow. The Nets would go 9-1 over their next 10 games. Brooklyn began to shoot the three-pointer marginally better, and the team finished the season 44-38.

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This shot also sparked a dominant run for Johnson, which culminated in his seventh (and likely final) All-Star selection. He also became very popular with the Barclays Center crowd, as the Nets went 16-2 in their final 18 home games.I