When Head Coach Nate McMillan gave Jalen Johnson the medallion for being the Hawks' best defensive player last Monday, it meant a little more to Johnson because it came against the team from his home state. Johnson grew up in Wisconsin, but the Milwaukee Bucks didn't win over his fandom – a fact that might have changed had he been born a few years later than he was.
"They were in their rebuilding stage," Johnson said of the Bucks of his youth. "I was just kind of a LeBron guy. Giannis (Antetokounmpo) really changed Milwaukee and how it is, and how they viewed Milwaukee basketball. When I go back home now, it's way different. The games are way different and more packed."
A lot of Johnson's job against the Bucks involved guarding Antetokounmpo, who was drafted by the Bucks in 2013 when Johnson was 12 years old. The Bucks subbed out Antetokounmpo early in the game, and that substitution pattern meant that when he came back in, Johnson and the Hawks' bench had to do what they could to slow the two-time MVP.
"You've got to beat him to his spots," Johnson said. "It takes all five guys to defend a guy like Giannis. He's so strong."
As it turns out, Johnson held his own and helped the Hawks secure the win. He moved his feet to stay between Antetokounmpo and the rim on Giannis' numerous drives into the paint. He absorbed body blows and stayed on balance, and he even got a highlight block on one of them.
The first glimmer that Johnson might be capable of this type of stopper-worthy play came in the preseason.
In two games against the New Orleans Pelicans this season – once in the preseason and once in the regular season – McMillan opted for Johnson as a mid-game matchup change. In the preseason tilt, Brandon Ingram ignited the Pelicans' offense, scoring 17 points on 6-of-9 shooting in the first half. McMillan assigned Johnson to guard Ingram in the third quarter, and Johnson succeeded at limiting Ingram to 1-of-3 shooting while making some excellent stops.
In the regular season matchup, the 20-year-old got the call to guard Zion Williamson, after Williamson made two strong drives to the rim early in the game.
"I told Coach Mike (Longabardi), 'Look, switch that matchup. Give Jalen a try,' " McMillan said. "Because Jalen is a big body and he can move his feet. He's a big kid. He came up with two steals."
These days it seems Johnson makes a highlight defensive play in every game. Against the Jazz, he blocked a shot into the stands. In back-to-back games against the 76ers, he went coast-to-coast with a steal in one and jumped a passing lane after a jump ball in the other.
Johnson and center Onyeka Okongwu complement each other well in an extremely agile backup front court. Okongwu organizes the defense and helps his teammates as the back line of the defense. Johnson moves his feet while defending on the ball, disrupts passing lanes, and can 'high point' a defensive rebound to end an opponent's possession.
"I'm trying to help Jalen as best as possible in the game," Okongwu said. "I'm trying to tell him what to do, especially trying to tell him to get his hands off the defender. My vets are telling me to stop using my damn hands, so I'm trying to do the same. We're going to be alright. I love playing with Jalen. He brings a lot of energy, a lot of fun. He's a great dude."
As strong as his defense has been, Johnson can still grow his game in a lot of ways. His on-ball defense might be ahead of his off-ball defense at this point, as is the case for the majority of young players.
"With reading weak-side and help defense, the guys who are seasoned have a better feel for that," McMillan said before contrasting it with the more formulaic task of guarding ballhandlers. "On the ball, you have to guard him and send him a particular direction."
On offense, Johnson continues to work on his three-point shot, having made 3 of 17 attempts for the season. That number is bound to come up soon, and as it does, it should open up driving lanes where he can use skill as a dribbler and playmaker.
But make no mistake, Johnson has already made one huge leap from where he was this time last season, and his strong defensive play has played a notable part in the team's improvement on defense this season. With the number of highlight stops he churns out on a regular basis, it is a fun trend to keep an eye on.