Pacers' James Johnson 'Honored' to Be Voted Player NBA Players Least Want to Fight

Indiana Pacers veteran forward James Johnson doesn't see much action on the court, but he still has a reputation as the most feared player in the NBA.

In The Athletic's annual anonymous player poll, Johnson was once again voted as the player others would least like to fight, and he told the outlet that he will never take that distinction for granted.

"It's respect, I'm honored to always get that," Johnson said. "I don't think being tough or anything means black belt. You can have heart and you could fight anybody."

Johnson is a black belt in karate and once claimed to have competed in MMA and to have a kickboxing record of 20-0. While neither of these assertions has been corroborated, they were enough to fuel his persona as an enforcer.

The 38-year-old has played for 10 different NBA teams since entering the league as the No. 16 pick in the 2009 draft, and most skirmishes quickly come to an end when he's seen on the bench, though he admits that it could be all for nothing.

"Me just being on the bench during that time, it's kind of like, 'Oh, it's because of James Johnson' or whatever, but it's really not. I could be making all of this up and can't fight a lick," he said.

Since he's so used to protecting his teammates, Johnson was asked if there's one player he would choose for his own personal security, and he named former Miami Heat legend Udonis Haslem because they're "cut from the same cloth."

Johnson will be hoping the Pacers are ready to bring the fight in Wednesday night's Game 3 of the NBA Finals against the Oklahoma City Thunder.