The Indiana Pacers may be playing ball in the Midwest but they aren’t what people would call a rugged team.
Under the direction of longtime head coach Rick Carlisle, they’ve emphasized pace rather than physicality. On most nights, their most aggressive player is arguably third-year wing Bennedict Mathurin, who has no problem bumping bodies or gums. However, they’re also one of the few teams with a traditional enforcer.
In the past, enforcers were seen as the tough guys. If games started getting too aggressive, they were there as a kind of crowd control for the opponent. They would deliver some hard blows, if necessary. More importantly, they had the machismo to stare down any challenge.
Pacers’ James Johnson Contract Proves ‘Tough Guys’ Still Needed
Again, in some ways, Mathurin fits that bill. As he’s their tone-setter at the defensive end, Aaron Nesmith has shades of that mentality as well. However, James Johnson is their designated enforcer, which is why “he’s not going anywhere.”
Asked by The Indianapolis Star’s Dustin Dopirak whether Johnson would still be on the team past Jan. 7, when his contracts becomes fully guaranteed, Carlisle says that the Pacers “need him.”
Asked Rick Carlisle about James Johnson with Jan. 7 deadline coming up to waive players on non-guaranteed contracts to avoid paying the full guarantee. “He’s not going anywhere. We need him.”
— Dustin Dopirak (@DustinDopirak) January 6, 2025
The 16-year veteran has only played 23 total minutes this season, which is likely a factor in the line of questioning. Another is that the newest CBA has led to franchises being more frugal, avoiding transactions that could lead to heavy penalties. Why pay for a player who doesn’t see the court much and likely won’t barring injury, right?
However, as previously stated, Johnson’s importance to the Pacers transcends his on-court role. It’s also one that he couldn’t possibly play if he were on the coaching staff. Thus, this is the right course of action for a team that’s full of dogs, but needs a big bad wolf. In fact, it’s only been four months since Carlisle lamented his starting lineup’s softness, saying they were punked by gargantuan rookie Zach Edey and the Memphis Grizzlies.
What makes those comments particularly compelling is what they must expect when they put someone nicknamed ‘Bloodsport’ on the court. Unlike many of his peers, including those who brawled over the holidays, Johnson is a trained fighter. That doesn’t mean when he steps on the court he’s there to lay somebody out or bully them. He’s just not one to be intimidated.
When Will His Number Be Called?
In the regular season or playoffs, situations in which Johnson could be needed may arise. If there’s a need for a Pacers player to show heart, like an altercation, Johnson could step in. An added bonus is that one of their key players wouldn’t have to risk getting tossed. Similarly, if a key player was in foul trouble but they needed a hard-nosed defender, his number might be called.
However, in the postseason is where Johnson might really shine. Teams do tend to be more physical in the playoffs and tensions can rise over an elongated series. In those situations, Johnson’s toughness won’t just be needed, it has to be emulated.
