Celtics sign 40-year-old Joe Johnson to 10-day contract

He also knows people will first talk about his age when they see he’s back in the league for the first time since 2018.

“I don’t look at my age and say, `I can’t play with these guys,'” Johnson said. “I know it’s a young man’s game, but at the same time, like I said, I pay a lot of attention to my body.”

Johnson started his NBA career with Boston when he was drafted 10th overall in 2001. The seven-time All-Star played 1,276 regular-season games through the 2017-18 season, averaging 16.0 points with the Celtics, Phoenix, Atlanta, Brooklyn, Miami, Utah and Houston.

To stay in shape, Johnson said he’s been working out in the gym with his 14-year-old son.

“I wouldn’t say ‘give up,’ but I didn’t have high hopes,” Johnson said his thoughts about getting another chance.

Now, he’s got an example for his son.

“I always talk to him about work, you can’t see what’s next,” he said.

Johnson was signed because Boston has seven players in the NBA’s COVID protocols.

“I think it is a different situation,” Boston coach Ime Udoka said about his added veteran presence “It’s a guy that all looked up to at some point. Jayson (Tatum) specifically started smiling and said: ‘That was one of my favorite players growing up.”’

Johnson found out from his agent when he was out celebrating his daughter’s eighth birthday.

“When my agent called me yesterday and said this was on the table, it was a no-brainer for me.” he said. “I’m a guy that takes care of my body and I’m in pretty good shape. I felt like I was ready to take on that challenge.”