Utah Jazz: Johnsen adds intelligence, solid play to squad
Johnsen, who made his mark locally as a standout at Murray High and then the University of Utah, previously made a foray into the NBA in brief stints with Orlando and Indiana. He wasn't sure how repeatedly spending his summers toiling away on a squad composed of long-shot journeymen and untested rookies could do much to enhance his career.
These days, though, Johnsen possesses a much different outlook. Now as a part of the Utah Jazz's Rocky Mountain Revue squad, the ex-Ute forward sees summer ball giving him a much-needed second chance to put himself back in the picture with pro scouts and teams — both in the NBA and internationally.
"Exposure — that's the reason I'm doing it," Johnsen said. "I'm older now. I know my chances are getting more and more limited every year. For me, it's just another opportunity to get a little bit of exposure. That's all I'm looking for. I'll play as hard as I can and do what I can."
During the short span he has been with the Jazz, Johnsen has already made a good impression on teammates and coaches with his work ethic.
"I thought he did a good job for a while — especially in the second quarter," assistant coach Tyrone Corbin said after the game. "His energy level was good for us."
Johnsen did not receive an invitation to play with Utah this summer by chance or by accident. The Jazz thought it would help younger players to have someone like him on the roster. With Johnsen, they saw a player who possessed equal doses of experience and intelligence along with a willingness to do the little things on the court.
So far, Johnsen has lived up to those expectations. In two Revue games, he has averaged 7.5 points and 3.0 rebounds in 17 minutes per game.
"He knows what the game is about," Jazz GM Kevin O'Connor said. "In his first week of practice, he showed that he's really got great basketball sense."
Johnsen has felt plenty of benefits playing with the Jazz this summer as well. For him, it is a return to the kind of structured atmosphere he enjoyed under former Ute coach Rick Majerus.
"They're a disciplined program," Johnsen said. "That (is) my style of basketball just because it is how I remember playing college ball. Everything was disciplined. (We had) a really good, structured offense."
Johnsen does have an edge over a typical journeyman on the NBA fringe, simply because he made it to this level once before.
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