James Johnson backs down the weaker Wesley Johnson on the free throw line. He fakes right, buts spins left for the wide-open layup. It’s a great play and another display of what Johnson brings to the Grizzlies.

But on the very next possession he makes a bad pass for turnover and a wide-open Wesley Johnson jump shot. These two possessions are a great representation of James Johnson’s Grizzles career: upsides and downsides.

Since his arrival, the Grizzlies have gone from the bottom of the Western Conference to a Playoff contender. He has also – as most young players do – had his fair share of slip-ups.
One thing is certain, though. Johnson has reenergized the Grizzlies at the perfect time.

Johnson grew up having to earn everything he had. Growing up in a modest home in Wyoming with his eight siblings, he made the most of his chances and earned himself a basketball scholarship to Wake Forest.
Once seen as a D-League wash-up, he is now looked at as the hero who saved the Grizzlies’ season.

Johnson signed with the Grizzlies on December 16th, mainly to replace the injured Quincy Pondexter. The signing was not seen as much of a risk. He was signed for very little and was not expected to do very much.

Johnson has exceeded those expectations tremendously. Right about the time he signed with the Grizzlies, Tony Allen, the Grizzlies defensive specialist, injured his hand and was out of the lineup for a month. Who would stand out for the Grizzlies defensively in Tony Allen’s absence? James Johnson, of course.

With Johnson on the team, the Grizzlies have been 20-9, as opposed to a 10-15 record before he signed with them. He leads the team in blocks and has the second highest player efficiency rating, but stats do not convey all of what James Johnson has brought to Memphis.

He has brought excitement back to Memphis. He has changed the perception of the program.

Fans are no longer saying, ” Maybe next year. Now they’re saying, “This is the year.”