Is Joe Johnson a Hall of Fame basketball player?
Forward Joe Johnson is one of the most underrated NBA players over the last 20 years. Despite never winning an NBA title, the former Arkansas star managed to play over two decades in the association (2001-2018, 2021-2022). Any player who plays over 20 years in the NBA has a real chance at becoming a part of basketball immortality.
The question is whether or not the man they call "Iso Joe" has won enough awards and done enough statistically to be a part of that basketball immortality. Let's take a look at the great career of the former No. 10 overall pick.
Joe Johnson's steady statistics
Joe Johnson's career marks are better than a lot of people might think. According to NBA.com, Johnson's career average of 16.0 points per game ranks better than Hall of Famers Bill Russell, Steve Nash, and Manu Ginobili. He has more career rebounds (5,059) than Hall of Famers Dwyane Wade, Bill Walton, and Walt Frazier.
Defensively, Johnson has more career steals (1,071) than Hall of Famers James Worthy, Sidney Moncrief, and Joe Dumars. He is one of the most complete players of the last era. Perhaps the fact that he played for seven different teams has made others view him differently. Regardless, the journeyman put up legendary numbers during his career.
Johnson has recorded over 20,000 career points, over 5,000 rebounds, and over 5,000 assists in his career. He is one of just 16 players in NBA history to have recorded those numbers. That is elite.
It cannot be forgotten that Joe Johnson is a seven-time All-Star and former All-NBA performer (2010). He made six straight All-Star appearances with the Atlanta Hawks from 2007-2012. His seven total All-Star appearances are more than Hall of Famers Reggie Miller, Pete Maravich, Bernard King, and Chris Mullin.
He also won a bronze medal with the United States at the 2006 FIBA World Championships in Japan. Back in 2002, he was an All-Rookie performer for the Boston Celtics. Before he went to both the NBA and the University of Arkansas, he was Mr. Basketball in the state of Arkansas in 1999.
It is very clear that his numbers are Hall of Fame-worthy, along with his case of awards. No, he does not have a ring in that case. But he, as a singular player, is one of the best of this century. "Iso Joe" is deserving of the Basketball Hall of Fame. Everything about his career cements that statement.