Joe Johnson "somewhat" surprised by selection, doesn't care what critics think

Joe Johnson says he slept through TNT's presentation of the All-Star reserves, and all the tweets before and after, revealing, analyzing and criticizing the selections by the NBA's coaches.

"I was somewhat (surprised). I wasn’t expecting it, honestly," Johnson said at the PNY Center Friday. "I am happy and I enjoy it. Every time I’ve been, I’ve had a great time. I really enjoy the whole weekend."

He was surprised, and says without the Nets January run, he might have been lounging in some sunny place next month instead flying to New Orleans.

"It kind of just shows where we’ve come as a team – coaching staff, the players, the whole organization – just a month ago this couldn’t have happened," Johnson said. "To be selected is honoring for us as Nets.

As for the controversy over his being selected, primarily coming from Toronto (where Kyle Lowry missed out) and Indianapolis (where Lance Stephenson had hoped for a roster spot), Johnson wasn't his usual diplomatic self.

"I don’t care what they think," said Johnson. "It is what it is. You can say whatever you want. What’s done is done, and it’s over with."

Meanwhile, the Nets put out a a graphic that presents a strong counter-argument to Johnson's critics.

• Nets’ Joe Johnson surprised by NBA All-Star selection - Roger Rubin - New York Daily News
• Johnson on ASG: It never gets old - Mike Mazzeo - ESPN New York
• Joe Johnson beats the clock with All-Star selection - Rod Boone - Newsday
• Toronto Raptors’ Kyle Lowry an obvious all-star, Joe Johnson is not - Eric Koreen - National Post of Canada