Ask somebody concerning the latest member of the NBL’s 400-game membership Daniel Johnson and a typical response can be one thing alongside the traces of: “I wish I had a funny story for you”.
“Good luck with that one, he probably won’t talk about himself,” teammate Mitch McCarron says when requested for some intel on the league’s most-introverted star.
And so he must be. Over the course of 13 NBL seasons and counting, the 34-year-old has over 5500 factors — greater than every other participant within the 40-minute period.
The WA-born big is a monument in Adelaide. A seven-time membership MVP who crossed from the Melbourne Tigers in 2010 to affix his former AIS coach Marty Pike on the Sixers and by no means actually thought-about leaving.
He had loads of probabilities, too, with golf equipment like his hometown Perth, Melbourne United and growth groups Tasmania and South East Melbourne flashing cheddar at completely different occasions within the hope of prying him away from the Sixers.
“I think it’s just the vibe of the place, small city, pretty chilled, not too much traffic,” the WA native advised News Corp as he prepares to hit the milestone on Friday night time in his facet’s conflict with the Wildcats.
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“I just really like it here and the club’s been good to me.
“The majority of the time, I haven’t really made it to free agency, we’ve sat down and figured it out.
“I haven’t kept it a secret, this is where I want to be, it’s home and I’m very happy here.”
Beloved Sixers’ staff supervisor Jared ‘Jazzy’ Campbell has been on the membership for each one in all Johnson’s video games.
That’s 11-odd years, give or take, and nope, he doesn’t have a speck of filth on the squeaky-clean Johnson, both.
“I don’t really have anything, because DJ’s never got into trouble and he’s never done anything out of the ordinary,” Campbell stated.
“He’s highly intelligent, he’s reliable, comes to work, does his job and cares about his teammates and the people in the club.
“He’s like a Rolls Royce, just cruises along but just gets the job done at a high level, reliable, day in, day out.”
Johnson says protecting a low profile has served him nicely.
“I haven’t had too many dramas over the years, I’ve just kept my head down and got to work,” he stated.
LOVE AND BASKETBALL
Meeting spouse Daniela on the finish of his first season ensured his roots would all the time be planted within the City of Churches.
She’s been a relentless by his facet all through virtually all of these video games — following him on professional stops in Puerto Rico, Poland, New Zealand, again to Puerto Rico, Iran, Argentina and Japan.
“She’s been my biggest support and pretty much just picked up and followed me in these off-seasons when I’ve gone and played overseas,” he stated.
Now a doting dad to 16-month-old son Judd, these low season journeys won’t be on the playing cards, particularly with one other little DJ due on the finish of NBL23.
“Like everyone says when they have kids, it gives you a bit of a different perspective, just kind of relaxed me a bit,” Johnson says, earlier than including: “I mean, I was already relaxed, but a bit more.”
“I’m just really enjoying it and I’ve got another one on the way.
“Judd takes after his mother, so he’s pretty loud, but it keeps me on my toes.”
Parenthood has been a connecting fibre with teammates McCarron and Anthony Drmic.
“We have a dad crew going, for sure,” McCarron says.
“I think we’ve just kind of gone through the same stages of life and now we’re at this young dad stage and just sharing stories and just the different things that come with that,” Johnson expands.
“It’s been good to have teammates to go through it with and bounce ideas off.”
WILDCATS NEXT IN WILD SEASON
The Sixers went from pre-season title picks to a talent-laden checklist with chemistry points on and off the court docket.
Import Craig Randall was forged off and the hunt is now on for an additional playmaking guard who can present help to McCarron.
“I like the group that we’ve got, there’s obviously a lot of talent there and it’s a pretty diverse group,” Johnson stated.
“We obviously need to bring another import in but I think we’re still working on things.
“We’re moving in the right direction but it’s just been a bit of an up-and-down year.
“Hopefully we can peak at the right time and make a run at doing something special.”
The Sixers can begin that run — and mark DJ’s milestone — Friday in opposition to the re-energised Wildcats, who’ve received 4 of their final 5, together with a last-start domination of top-of-the-table New Zealand.
“It’s going to be a big game — they’re just one spot below us on the ladder,” Johnson stated.
“I’m sure they’ll come out with a lot of fire.
“I think they were going through a bit but they’ve slowly figured that out and they’re trending in the right direction.
“I’m hoping we can get a big win and help propel our season forward.”
***Adelaide 36ers (6-6) sixth v Perth Wildcats (6-7) seventh
Friday, December 9, 7pm ACDT, Adelaide Entertainment Centre
Watch on Kayo and ESPN
Originally revealed as Adelaide 36ers massive man Daniel Johnson chalks up 400 NBL video games
