Cam Johnson is a valuable starter for the Phoenix suns, but he, like the rest of the team, had no idea that the ‘Valley Oop’ was coming in game 2.
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The Suns appeared to be dead in the waters as the trailed by a point with just 0.8 seconds left in the game. That’s hardly enough time to draw up a proper play much less to even release the ball properly. So, what’s the best option?
For the Suns and Monty Williams, it was an alley oop, set up by an intricate system of screens and player movement. Deandre Ayton finished a lob from Jae Crowder, and the Suns stole a victory from right under the Clippers noses, moving them to 2-0 in the series.
Cam Johnson Recalls How Monty Williams Drew Up ‘The Valley Oop’ In Game
Cam Johnson has become quite the starter for the Phoenix Suns. His shooting has been a coveted asset for these Suns as they make a deep playoff run. Johnson was taken in the 2019 NBA draft to much criticism.
However, his impact is clearly visible on the Suns performance. He may not put up those eye-popping stats that would make you think he’s doing something incredible. However, it’s the little things that matter, namely his shooting.
He’s shot the ball incredibly well in these playoffs, hitting at a 42.5% clip this year in the postseason. Johnson was also one of the players one the court at the time of the now famous ‘Valley Oop.’
While the play was run to perfection, it wasn’t something the Suns had ever practiced or even seen before. Instead, it was just a gutsy call by an incredible coach during a crucial playoff game.
“Coach got a big bag of tricks, a deep bag of tricks,” Johnson said. “That was drawn up on the spot and then executed really well by our guys. Coach got a deep bag of tricks.”
So, not only had the Suns never run such a play before, they had also never visualized such a play. It was completely made up in the moment, and Phoenix executed it to absolute perfection. Monty Williams is a genius of a head coach and his last second play-call really showed it. Johnson would also say:
He brought this one out, I don’t think we’ve ever run it before, I don’t think we’ve ever seen it before. I don’t think they had any idea that something like that would come. A lot of credit to coach [Monty Williams] right there.”
The Suns now have a formidable lead in this series. They’re up 2-0 with a chance to make it 3-0 as Chris Paul is expected back in the lineup for tonight’s game. Meanwhile, Kawhi Leonard stays out for Los Angeles.
It’ll be another hard fought battle, but the Suns have defended homecourt advantage and now will have perhaps their most important player back in the fold.
