Toronto Raptors

Amir Johnson shines in debut as Celtics starter

Published Oct. 15, 2015 12:36 p.m. ET

foxsports

The Boston Celtics started Amir Johnson at power forward on Wednesday night, and the results were extremely promising. Johnson attacked the basket, knocked down a few threes, rebounded and protected the rim.

Here's what Celtics head coach Brad Stevens had to say afterwards about Johnson's performance, per The Boston Herald:

Boston's big free agent signing led the team with 13 shots and 19 points. He attempted three shots behind the three-point line and made two of them. Johnson also stepped in at center when the Celtics stuck Tyler Zeller on the bench, and did an admirable job defending Nets center Brook Lopez.

He's a valuable addition for this Boston team, and part of the reason so many people believe they'll make the playoffs this season.

“Amir worked well with Tyler (Zeller), and that’s not (a combination) we’ve used before,” said the Celtics coach. “Amir was great. He hasn’t scored it like that every day in practice, but he has been a threat to make shots every day. He just knows how to play both ends. He makes easy plays with the ball, and in the defensive end he makes everyone better.”