Since the start of 2024, Keldon Johnson must adapt to a new role on the side of San Antonio : that of “Sixth Man”. He who, for three seasons, was an indisputable starter in Texas and averaged nearly 17 points, 6 rebounds and 2 assists (over 31 minutes).
This season, and as one might expect, nothing has evolved in the eyes of Gregg Popovich and the 25-year-old winger remains the main weapon of the Spurs out of the bench. He still had to prepare during the summer in order to have a real, regular impact within a franchise whose ambitions have been revised upwards in the wake of Victor Wembanyama and Chris Paul (to whom he left his number 3).
“ I knew that to ensure I performed at my best throughout an 82-game season, I needed to lose weight and focus on my diet. » entrust so the old Wildcat of Kentucky, eager to “ become more efficient » for his sixth year in the league.
Less offshore presence, more aggressiveness
If he recognizes that nothing is written in stone » regarding his way of playing in attack, because he shows versatility on this side of the field, Keldon Johnson is however aware of the role he must adopt for the good of the Texan collective.
“ I feel fast and strong, able to reach the circle » he explains firstly. “ In the end, that's what I was doing at the start, so I came back to playing my game. If the ball is moving and I'm open, I can score 3-pointers, but put pressure on the defense, near the circle, and creating shots for my teammates, it will benefit my team more. »
Currently ” in full learning », Like the majority of his teammates, Keldon Johnson therefore flees more from the outside line to essentially weigh on the inside. And it works, even though he especially appreciates the different caviars of the Paul – Wembanyama pair.
“ It gives me shots but it also gives my teammates shots » continues the man who is none other than the oldest player in this squad, having been there since 2019. “ Having two guys who can see the game so well and make so many good reads is huge. We know they will have the ball, so cuts to the rim are important. »
| Keldon Johnson | Percentage | Rebounds | |||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Season | Team | MJ | Min | Shots | 3pts | L.F. | Off | Def | Early | Pd | Party | Int | Bp | Ct | Pts |
| 2019-20 | SAN | 17 | 18 | 59.6 | 59.1 | 79.5 | 0.6 | 2.8 | 3.4 | 0.9 | 1.6 | 0.8 | 0.8 | 0.1 | 9.1 |
| 2020-21 | SAN | 69 | 29 | 47.9 | 33.1 | 74.0 | 1.3 | 4.6 | 6.0 | 1.8 | 2.1 | 0.6 | 1.1 | 0.3 | 12.8 |
| 2021-22 | SAN | 75 | 32 | 46.6 | 39.8 | 75.6 | 1.1 | 5.0 | 6.1 | 2.1 | 2.0 | 0.8 | 1.2 | 0.2 | 17.0 |
| 2022-23 | SAN | 63 | 33 | 45.2 | 32.9 | 74.9 | 0.9 | 4.2 | 5.0 | 2.9 | 2.0 | 0.7 | 2.1 | 0.2 | 22.0 |
| 2023-24 | SAN | 69 | 30 | 45.4 | 34.6 | 79.2 | 1.4 | 4.1 | 5.5 | 2.8 | 2.2 | 0.7 | 1.4 | 0.3 | 15.7 |
| 2024-25 | SAN | 12 | 27 | 45.1 | 26.7 | 75.0 | 1.3 | 4.4 | 5.8 | 1.5 | 1.8 | 0.8 | 0.8 | 0.3 | 12.2 |
| Total | 305 | 30 | 46.4 | 35.5 | 76.0 | 1.1 | 4.4 | 5.5 | 2.3 | 2.0 | 0.7 | 1.4 | 0.2 | 16.2 | |
How to read the stats? MJ = matches played; Min = Minutes; Shots = Successful shots / Attempted shots; 3pts = 3-points / 3-points attempted; LF = free throws made / free throws attempted; Off = offensive rebound; Def=defensive rebound; Tot = Total rebounds; Pd = assists; Fte: Personal fouls; Int = Intercepts; Bp = Lost balls; Ct: Against; Pts = Points.
