After the game tonight against the Magic, Greivis Vasquez compared James Johnson to former teammate, Tony Allen. Vasquez played with Allen his rookie season in Memphis, when he featured in 71 games, playing 12 minutes:
“Everybody knows he’s a little crazy,” Vasquez said. “But personally, I love his craziness. Should’ve gave him a couple ISOs today. I’m just playing, don’t let Casey know that.” Vasquez was then asked to expand on what he meant when he referred to Johnson as “spicy.”
“Spicy, to me,” Vasquez began, as everybody’s ears perked up, “is a guy that is always just in his own lane, going crazy, doing his own stuff. But I tell you this, man: he reminds me a lot of Tony Allen when I was in Memphis. You need somebody crazy in a locker room. He’s not afraid to fight for you or anything like that. He’ll die for the whole team.”
When Johnson, who also played with Allen in Memphis, was prompted for a response, he was pleased”
“I’ll take that all day,” Johnson said. “I love Tony Allen. I got the chance to play with him last year and I learned a lot from him. I’m just trying to bring it over here and carry it over here.”
Johnson was instrumental in the Raptors comeback. He had 6 points, 10 rebounds, 2 assists, a block and a steal, in 22 minutes of playing time. He was also a game-high +13 against the Magic, a game in which the Raptors lost three quarters but managed to outscore Orlando 32-17 in the fourth. Johnson also defended the seemingly unstoppable Tobias Harris in single coverage on the final play, forcing the swingman into a contested shot. Read the Quick Reaction for more.
You also might recall Tony Allen being discussed in the Raptors lockerroom indirectly when Rudy Gay referred to DeRozan as the best shooting guard he’d played with.
