Ivan Johnson wasn’t long for the NBA. After two quiet seasons with the Atlanta Hawks, Johnson has moved on to play in the Chinese Basketball Association. On Thursday, Johnson inked a one-year deal with the Zhejiang Chouzhou Golden Bulls that would allow him to return to the NBA later around February when the CBA's season ends.
However, while Johnson remained relatively calm in the NBA, the Chinese should be very afraid. They’ve embraced Stephon Marbury's eccentricities and a plethora of former NBA castoffs, but Ivan isn’t known as “The Terrible” for no reason. Before coming to The Association, the NBA's modern-day John Brisker was banned from the Korean Basketball League and has a on-court rap that makes Rasheed Wallace look like Grant Hill in the eyes of officials.
Confirmed: Ivan Johnson has taken a deal with the Zhejiang Chouzhou basketball club in China for this upcoming season.
— Jared Zwerling (@JaredZwerling) August 29, 2013
Why China for Ivan Johnson? Agent: "Because this deal was so lucrative it enticed Ivan & I to highly consider other options." Undisclosed $.
— Jared Zwerling (@JaredZwerling) August 29, 2013
The Bulls, Clippers, Knicks and Pacers all had interest in Ivan Johnson. The higher money in China proved to be the key difference.
— Jared Zwerling (@JaredZwerling) August 29, 2013
Relations between the U.S. and China our tense and sometimes those emotions spill onto the court. Hopefully, his year in China goes better than J.R. Smith’s. If Georgetown couldn't tour China, without getting two-pieces and 'bows thrown at their heads, I pity the fool the fool who tries to test Johnson's toughness. Hopefully, they do thorough scouting reports over there.
