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2017 NBA Playoffs: 10 Random 1st Round X-Factors We Weren’t Expecting

By Gerald Bourguet

April 18, 2017; Los Angeles, CA, USA; Utah Jazz forward Joe Johnson (6) moves the ball against Los Angeles Clippers center Marreese Speights (5) during the second half in game two of the first round of the 2017 NBA Playoffs at Staples Center. Mandatory Credit: Gary A. Vasquez-USA TODAY Sports
April 18, 2017; Los Angeles, CA, USA; Utah Jazz forward Joe Johnson (6) moves the ball against Los Angeles Clippers center Marreese Speights (5) during the second half in game two of the first round of the 2017 NBA Playoffs at Staples Center. Mandatory Credit: Gary A. Vasquez-USA TODAY Sports /
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2017 NBA Playoffs
Apr 15, 2017; Los Angeles, CA, USA;Utah Jazz forward Joe Johnson (6) scores over LA Clippers guard Jamal Crawford (11) and center DeAndre Jordan (6) to win game one of the first round of the 2017 NBA Playoffs 97-95 at Staples Center. Mandatory Credit: Robert Hanashiro-USA TODAY Sports /

2. Joe Johnson

It’s fitting that the 2017 NBA Playoffs got started around Easter, because the resurrection of Joe Jesus has been something to behold. The “seven-time All-Star” jokes have never gotten old, but Joe Johnson has legitimately looked like one during the Utah Jazz‘s first round series.

Averaging 18.2 points per game on 53.4 percent shooting, Johnson has drastically stepped up his game from the regular season (9.2 PPG, 43.6 FG%). His production has directly translated to wins and losses, since he’s averaging 21.0 points on 60 shooting (58.3 percent from downtown) in wins this series, compared to 14.0 points on 42.9 percent shooting (10 percent from deep) in the losses.

https://twitter.com/utahjazz/status/853476161451470848

In Game 1, Iso-Joe provided 21 points and the game-winner. In Game 4, another Jazz victory, he scored 11 straight points in the fourth quarter to put the game away and finish with a 28-5-5 line on the night. In Game 5, his dagger with less than 30 seconds left moved the needle just far enough for the road win. It also moved him to 8-for-10 shooting in clutch situations in these playoffs, per NBA.com.

When Utah added veterans like Johnson, Boris Diaw and George Hill last summer, this is exactly what they envisioned. A couple of vintage Joe Johnson playoff explosions are just a bonus, but there’s no question the 35-year-old has been one of the biggest, most unexpected difference-makers in these playoffs so far.