Deseret News | Utah Jazz: Johnsen adds intelligence, solid play to squad

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Utah Jazz: Johnsen adds intelligence, solid play to squad

93 Cougar | 3:59 a.m. July 21, 2008

Britton is one of the Utes that I actually admire. Always seemed like a class act and I wish he would have played for BYU.

Best of luck to him. I hope he can land a spot.

UTE | 6:54 a.m. July 21, 2008

Good Luck Britton! I've enjoyed watching you play since your days at the Sports Mall; funny how time flies!

GO UTES!!

AZ Cougar | 7:08 a.m. July 21, 2008

I have always been a fan of the player, and became a fan of the man after reading the article about him in the "New Era"...he was also on the cover. I hope he catches a break in the NBA.

Comments continue below

He's got game | 7:18 a.m. July 21, 2008

I saw the game with Atlanta on Saturday. Britton was a standout. Hustle, defense, offense...I thought he showed clear leadership and maturity. I hope he gets a shot somewhere.

Impressed... | 7:35 a.m. July 21, 2008

Although a BYU fan, I was also impressed by Johnsen's efforts. He had an incredible play in the second half, dunking the ball a good couple of feet over one of Houston's tallest guys. They showed the replay several times, admiring his jumping ability even though he is considered "old". He definitely outplayed most of the guys on the team and was one of the few bright spots that I observed.

I hope that he can continue his play and someone sees what he could add to their team. Although he did well in this last game, my only concern would be his season long stamina and drive. I think this is the biggest toll on NBA players.

Texas Cougar | 8:24 a.m. July 21, 2008

You've got to have respect for someone like Britton Johnson. He was always a class act on the floor, and decided to serve a mission when the whole world was calling him crazy for doing it. I hope he finds a spot for himself in the NBA.

Flash Fan | 8:56 a.m. July 21, 2008

Hmm... I didn't see a "class act" when Johnsen played with the Utah Flash. The Flash gave up a quality player to make room for him, only to have him leave after 8 games.

And while he was in Orem playing for the Flash, he seemed very full of himself as well, like he thought he was too good for them, and he was not a very willing passer.

Maybe a little journeying has taught him to appreciate things a bit more.

Re: 93 Cougar | 9:57 a.m. July 21, 2008

Come on 93 Cougar... are you kidding me? You "wish he would have played for BYU"? Are you so quick to forget about Mr. Provo himself - Mekeli Wesley??? Britton can play basketball, but he didn't make the impact Wesley did in College. And I agree with Flash Fan - the guy seems full of himself.

To: Flash Fan | 10:08 a.m. July 21, 2008

Johnsen didn't leave the Flash until Coach Jones told him he would be crazy not to take the offer that he had. Coach Jones said that it would have been selfish of him to ask Britton to stay instead of take the money, especially since Britton has a small child and a baby on the way.

Quick to judge, I bet I know which college team you cheer for as well.

?????? | 10:13 a.m. July 21, 2008

To "Don't Forget What Else":

What in the world are you trying to say? I hope it isn't what I think it is!!! If so, it is that kind of mentality that makes it difficult to attract players to come to this fine state.

Re: Re: 93 Cougar | 10:23 a.m. July 21, 2008

Johnson - Helped his team go to the Final Four. Wesley - ??? Where is this guy now anyway? He OBVIOUSLY was the better player.

Anonymous | 10:49 a.m. July 21, 2008

Get him signed for Jazz! He is clearly best player for Jazz summer team. I'm afraid almond may not be able to play Jazz style basketball. Some people can't like Kris Hunphry, K Snyder etc.

homeytennis | 11:57 a.m. July 21, 2008

His jumping ability is all the more amazing when you look at his legs. They are the skinniest of any pro basketball player this side of Manute Bol.

93 Cougar | 11:57 a.m. July 21, 2008

Wesley and Britton. That would have been a team.

It doesn't have to be one or the other...

Wow | 12:44 p.m. July 21, 2008

Wow, I don't know if you recall BYU's record before Wesley got there and what it was when he left?
The season before he arrived with Roger Reid/Ingle they had a 1-25 record. Under Cleveland and during Wesley's 4 years
1997-98 9-21
1998-99 12-16
1999-2000 22-11
2000-01 24-9 and made the big dance.

I Wouldn't | 1:04 p.m. July 21, 2008

I wouldn't take Britton after he said that he pretty much uses the NBA revues to get seen by foreign teams. He obviously knows where his talent level is. It is overseas, not in the NBA, and definetely not with the Jazz.

what a bunch of nerds | 1:08 p.m. July 21, 2008

yes, i said nerds

Re: Re: Re: 93 Cougar | 1:16 p.m. July 21, 2008

Oh - So when you say that Britton, "helped his team", I guess you feel like his 3.5 ppg and 1.9 rpg average that season is what really got the U into the big dance that year. I hate to have to tell you this, but his bench contribution was really not a factor in their road to the NCAA Final Four in 1997-98. I think Keith Van Horn, Andre Miller, etc. were more responsible for that outcome. That same year, as a Freshman, Wesley was averaging 14+ points per game and averaging 5 rebounds per game.

Wesley might not be in the NBA, but in college, he not only made a more immediate impact, but was also what the future teams at BYU built upon.

Best of luck to Britton in his pursuit of NBA glory.

Keith Van Horn??? | 1:32 p.m. July 21, 2008

Although Keith Van Horn was a great player, he didn't have much impact on their final four season - he graduated the year before.

Wesley did a good job of standing out on lousy teams.

Johnson has said that he realizes that "NBA glory" might be out of his reach....

Please try and keep your wierd thoughts to yourself.

Spelling Bee Champion | 1:58 p.m. July 21, 2008

Please learn to spell WEIRD.

UTE in Utah County | 2:05 p.m. July 21, 2008

Britton has always been a class act. He is a fairly athletic, team-oriented, hard worker. The comments about him thriving in a more structured offense reflect the type of player he is. I hope he finds a spot in the NBA somewhere because he works hard.

On another note, there are some nice comments from Cougar fans here - thanks for the respectful talk. I hope we can continue the mutually respectful sports talk and not slide into the childish rivalry banter that seems to always creep in unecessarily.

Realist | 3:49 p.m. July 21, 2008

Bottom line is when you have a family you play where you will get a guaranteed contract. Usually for most players trying to crack the NBA you wait for that guarantee, if not you play in Europe. Britton has been playing where the money is, as for Wesley who cares. BYU fans stop living in the past, we are talking about the Rocky Mtn. Review. Tell Ty Detmer I said hi, I hope things are going well for the biggest bust in Heisman history.

Re: Realist | 4:13 p.m. July 21, 2008

Realist...

Too bad you're not a realist!

Kevin Olson | 4:19 p.m. July 21, 2008

Ty Detmer and the word "bust" never belong in the same sentence. Ty is a class act. He was good enough to collect a steady check in the NFL for at least 14 years.

The important thing is that Ty is a great person, and continues to be an example to others today.

joemama | 4:51 p.m. July 21, 2008

Good luck Britton!!!!!

Detmer | 7:00 p.m. July 21, 2008

You mean Detmer and the NFL never belong in the same sentence.

Geebes | 8:01 p.m. July 21, 2008

Britton is an outstanding individual. Say what you will about his stats, but anyone who knocks his character is obviously biased - everyone who knows him personally would agree.

I echo joemama: Good Luck Britton!!!

Virginia | 9:21 p.m. July 21, 2008

Realist.... as in real dumb. Detmer is a class act. He won the Heisman for being the best player in College Football. Go ahead, make excuses for all the NCAA records he set. Make more excuses about the conference he played in. Make a few more about all the records he set in High school. Make a few more about his 14 year career in the pro's WAAA WAAA WAAA. Detmer is a gamer who knows how to play football.

Good luck to Britton. Hope things work out for him.

Reechard | 9:57 p.m. July 21, 2008

Sign him up!! Sounds like a Jerry Sloan type of player/guy. Willing to play "team ball". Wow, what a concept!! Could be a 3rd string player; back up the bigs on the Jazz.

BTW, why hasn't Coach Sloan EVER won Coach of the Year in the NBA? Really? I hope the Jazz go far this year. They, along with the Trailblazers, are my teams now that the Sonics were "highjacked" from my adopted city. Moved here and now no hoops!!! Always did like both teams anyway. Now, they move up in my rankings! Both teams have an "upside". OKC can choke for all I care; no classlessness intended. But for Bennett and Co. to "steal" our SEATTLE SONICS?! PPFF....wait and see...go Jazz!!!

Grant | 10:35 p.m. July 21, 2008

I was watching fridays game against San Antonio I misstook Johnson for Koroly who just floated during the first quater and I thought what has gotten into him now he is playing with some passion and intesnity, then I realized it was Johnson out there. He was part of the group that brought the Jazz back from a deficit to tie the game.
People criticize Johnson for having alittle attitude, sometimes you need a little attitude out on the court, playing power forward is brutal. He reminds me of a Marc Ivoroni who never had a pretty stat sheet but seemed to do all the little things to help you win.
Of course playing the devils advocate I see that some of the players who are sucsessful in the summer league are not successful in the league.

MadMax | 10:48 p.m. July 21, 2008

Britton Johnson is deservng of another shot at the NBA! He did in fact contribute to the Utes Final 4 run. Even Coach Majerus admitted as much. Johnson is a true team player. He would add inside versatility to the Jazz at either the 3 or 4 spot and he is not afriad to play defense and rebound. He can score off of the normal flow of the game. The Jazz should dump Collins and Hart and add Britton. Their pay roll would shrink too.
GO Britt!
GO UTES!

A few thoughts | 1:18 a.m. July 22, 2008

It would be nice to dump Hart and Collins but nobody wants them, and if we leave them off the roster we still have to pay them.

Britton Johnsen had a great college career. I remember the season his thumb was jacked and he still went out and played his hardest every game. So what if Wesley turned BYU around. Anything was an improvement from where they were coming from and the only way for Utah to go was down. They were both great.

I hope he ends up teaching a thing or too to the Jazz rookies and goes and makes bank in Europe. He deserves it. Wish he could find a place in the NBA.

Jazz Fan | 5:12 p.m. Oct. 7, 2008

Pick him up, we need a Utah kid on the team. I would come to more games to watch him.

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