Joe Johnson, the seven-time NBA All-Star, has indeed joined the Detroit Amplifiers—a new professional 3-on-3 basketball franchise in the BIG3 league—bringing his near two-decade-long hoops journey to a heartwarming return to Detroit. According to a Detroit News report, Johnson finds the full-circle nature of the move gratifying, as the Pistons had considered drafting him back in 2001. "I'm not holding anything against y'all. It feels great for everything to come back full-circle," Johnson told the Detroit News.
Awaiting to kick off their inaugural season, the Detroit Amplifiers held a press conference recently, introducing the team and its lineup which, aside from Johnson, includes EuroLeague veteran Jeremy Pargo as the captain. The Amplifiers' roster is a blend of talent with varying degrees of basketball experience, and Detroit native George "The Iceman" Gervin will coach the team. Gervin, the NBA Hall of Famer, possesses an ownership stake in the team as well, as reported by ClickOnDetroit, emphasizing the league's evolution and his excitement about the inclusion of European players and younger talent.
At a news conference held in front of the Born in Detroit store on Woodward Avenue, the Detroit amplifiers and their ownership were presented to the community. "We're probably at the highest point that it's ever been," Johnson said about the BIG3 league's growth, as noted in an interview by the Detroit Free Press. The BIG3 has introduced a city-based team structure to its tour this season, with Detroit poised to host a game on July 20 at Little Caesars Arena.
While Gervin accentuated the BIG3's physicality and entertainment value, he also speculated about the NBA adopting a four-point shot. "I think they're going to put in that 4-point shot like we got in the BIG3, so that'll make it really entertaining," Gervin mentioned, as per the Detroit Free Press. In contrast, Johnson seemed less convinced about the need for such change in regular NBA games. The BIG3's unique features highlight a departure from traditional basketball, including a halfcourt setup and the inclusion of four-point zones, adding a distinct flair to its gameplay. The Amplifiers are prepping up for their first clash against Miami 305 this Saturday, to take Detroit basketball's legacy a step further into the realm of the three-a-side tournament.
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