LOS ANGELES — Hawks forward Jalen Johnson sends fans to their feet every time he slams down a dunk in transition. But Kobe Johnson has witnessed the greatness his brother is capable of for a long time, and he’s happy the rest of the world is finally getting to see it.
“It’s amazing to finally have people realize what type of player Jalen is,” Kobe, a senior guard at UCLA, told The Atlanta Journal-Constitution. “You know, I’ve always seen his greatness, his capabilities, ever since a young age, you know, just growing up with him being around 24/7.
“For the world being able to finally notice it, you know, start having people talk about him, it’s good. His hard work pays off. ... You know, you got to keep on working. But it’s good to see that it’s starting to pay off.”
But Kobe Johnson has seen what his older brother, who turned 23 last month, is capable of since they began training together when they were young. He really saw how much effort Jalen put into his craft when the two worked out ahead of the 2021 NBA draft.
“Kind of in high school, or when he got out of high school and kind of in the draft process, I think I started to work out with him,” Kobe said. “Then I think just being with him through that process, seeing all that, I think that both of us, you know, it kind of opened our eyes to how much we really need to work and how much we got to put into this game if we want it great and make it to the next level.”
Through that process, Kobe also saw firsthand how much mental toughness his brother possessed. The family saw how much pre-draft chatter could impact a player’s stock, but the Johnson family leaned on each other and helped Jalen to get through it.
“Just going through that, and just kind of hearing all these little analysts and reporters just kind of saying stuff about him that I clearly know that’s not true and my family know that’s not true,” Johnson said. “But again, you just gotta try to put that off to the side.
“I know Jalen. Jalen, he’s a tough kid. He doesn’t let little words get under him or get to him or whatnot. So, whenever he hears stuff like that, he don’t say a word about it. He just gets in the gym the very next day or that night and just keep putting in the work because eventually he’s going to show, and all those people, he’s going to make them eat them words.”
Through 32 games this season, Johnson has averaged a career-best 19.8 points, 1.1 rebounds, 5.3 assists, 1.3 steals and one block per game. But over the past nine games, Johnson has been on a heater, especially when it comes to attacking the basket. He’s averaged 20 points per game on 52.2% shooting from the floor, all while going to the line only 4.3 times per game.
The world saw last season how much Johnson’s skill set impacted the Hawks in winning ways. He has further solidified his importance to the team, with the Hawks going 17-15 when he plays.
According to Covers.com, Johnson ranks around first or second in the odds to win the NBA’s Most Improved Player award, closely behind the Heat’s Tyler Herro.
Johnson did not finish among the top 10 in the frontcourt All-Star fan voting in the early returns, but that part of the All-Star selection process will run until Jan. 20. Fans account for 50% of the vote to determine the starters for the All-Star game. Current NBA players and a media panel account for 25% each.
His style of play and his versatility could provide convincing material for the NBA’s coaches, who determine the reserves, to give him a nod.
“I mean, when I watch Jalen right now and just seeing how he goes about things, you can definitely tell when he kicks it into another motor, depending on who they play,” Kobe said. “You could definitely tell when he’s trying to go at a certain person. And I just think that just shows, when he wants to, he can score the ball, really any time.
“But, I mean, it just shows to the testament of what type of player he is that, I mean, he can also go out there and get a triple-double every night. I mean, I think he’s been playing the perfect way. He’s been getting the ball to the right teammates, making the right play. So, I mean, as long as you do that ... everything’s gonna fall into play for him.”
About the Author
