Indiana
NBA veterans Jeff Teague, Draymond Green praise Indiana Pacers forward James Johnson
On a recent episode of The Draymond Green Show, Golden State Warriors veteran forward Draymond Green and former NBA guard Jeff Teague discussed Indiana Pacers forward James Johnson and what makes him so valuable.
Johnson, who re-signed with the Pacers last week on a partially guaranteed contract, is about to enter his third season with the franchise. He has been a key leader for Indiana behind the scenes, and he was previously a teammate of Teague in college.
Teague, who spent one season with the blue and gold as a player, told a story about Johnson doing a fight for money in college while the two were at Wake Forest. Johnson had Teague’s back when they were with the Demon Deacons — and the Indianapolis native said he’s seen Johnson knock somebody out.
The Pacers veteran forward has multiple black belts, and some people jokingly refer to him as team security or a bodyguard. He even wore a hat that said “security” to a game between Indiana and Memphis last season.
Green explained his belief that Johnson’s toughness gives the Pacers more swagger. “The most feared man in the NBA,” Green said of Johnson. “[Having him around] allows them to just ball.”
“You’re about to go fight? For money? Oh hell I’m not f****** with this dude” 🤣
—Jeff Teague shares a James Johnson story with @Money23Green pic.twitter.com/FR1Q7QldK9
— The Volume (@TheVolumeSports) July 18, 2024
Green, on an earlier episode of his podcast that didn’t feature Teague, had more to say about the impact Johnson has on the Pacers.
“One of the most valuable players on the Indiana Pacers is a guy who does not even get in the basketball game… not really why he’s there. One of the most valuable players on the Indiana Pacers is James Johnson,” Green, a four-time All-Star, said. “The reason James Johnson, to me, is one of the most valuable players on the Indiana Pacers is because he is the very reason that [Tyrese Haliburton] is talking [smack] like that… ‘y’all ain’t going to do nothing to me, and it is what it is. What are you gonna do?’.”
Johnson originally joined Indiana during training camp in 2022. Including that signing, he has inked seven contracts with the blue and gold since that date. He is vital to the team’s success despite rarely playing.
Draymond Green on why James Johnson is so valuable to the Indiana Pacers pic.twitter.com/ZBykGyBVTi
— csb (@itsCSB__) May 6, 2024
“He’s the exact reason [Andrew] Nembhard acts the way he acts… I know the confidence that he has on the court, the demeanor he walks around with. That’s backed by something,” Green said of Johnson. The former Defensive Player of the Year called Johnson and O.G. and stressed the importance of vets on any team. “They’ve got a vet that’s well respected in the NBA. And if I’m honest, highly feared.”
Johnson has appeared in 27 regular season games for the Pacers and has averaged 2.2 points and 1.3 rebounds per game for the franchise.
RIPLEY COUNTY, Ind. (WSBT) — A statewide Silver Alert has been issued for two young children in Indiana.
Police in Ripley County, southeast of Indianapolis, are looing for the children who may be siblings.
The first child is 3-year-old Aaliyah Buckingham.
She was last seen wearing a pink cat shirt and tie-dye shorts.
The younger child is 1-year-old Shane Buckingham, last seen in a red shirt and diaper.
Police think both are with 45-year-old Timothy Buckingham, who was last seen driving a brown GMC truck.
Timothy is described as a 6′ 3″ white man weighing 225 pounds with brown hair and blue eyes.
Photo of Timothy Buckingham provided by Indiana State Police
Police have not confirmed the relationship of the three, or why the children are believed to be in danger.
Anyone who sees the three are asked to contact the nearest police department.
INDIANAPOLIS (WISH) — A firefighter for the Indianapolis Fire Department was sent to the hospital Wednesday after battling a fire at a vacant house.
According to a Facebook post made by IFD, the fire happened around 10:15 a.m. at a house on Bluff Rd. IFD says that there were several complications, including limited access to fire hydrants and “interior hoarder conditions” that IFD says was due to squatters.
The injured firefighter received “slight injury,” the Facebook post said.
It took over an hour and a half to get the fire under control, according to IFD, and another hour to put out all the remaining hot spots in the building.
According to IFD, the cause of the fire is currently unknown. Their Fire Investigations Unit is working on figuring out what caused the fire.
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