In a captivating poll conducted by ‘The Athletic’ during the previous NBA season, players were asked which opponent they least wanted to face in a physical altercation. James Johnson emerged as the standout name, securing an overwhelming 41.1 percent of the votes due to his background in martial arts. Standing at 2.01 meters and weighing 109 kilograms, the 36-year-old forward boasts a black belt in karate, an unblemished 20-0 record in kickboxing, and has dabbled in mixed martial arts. Johnson recently signed with the Indiana Pacers, where he will function as a protector for rising star Tyrese Haliburton. Alongside his basketball career, Johnson has also excelled in American football and combat sports, with his family being champions in both fields. Despite the differences between basketball and fighting, Johnson approaches both scenarios with a similar mindset, feeling a common intensity. His reputation as one of the NBA’s toughest figures was evident in an altercation with Serge Ibaka in 2018, during Johnson’s tenure with the Raptors. Johnson’s intimidating presence was also reflected in his bold claim that with a year of MMA training, he could defeat UFC heavyweight champion Jon Jones.
