PHILADELPHIA -- Clemon Johnson called his change of NBA teams 'like going from the outhouse to the White House.'
Reggie Johnson felt all along that he was going to be traded but had to pinch himself when he discovered his new destination.
The two Johnsons, who began the week in Indiana and Kansas City, respectively, found their paths leading to Philadelphia Wednesday after the 76ers acquired both veteran front court men just before the NBA trading deadline.
Reggie Johnson, a 6-foot-9 forward in his third pro season, was obtained Tuesday for a reported $150,000. Clemon Johnson, a 6-10 center, cost the Sixers rookie forward Russ Schoene plus a first-round pick in this year's college draft and a No. 2 pick in 1984.
Just hours off the plane, Reggie Johnson played 11 minutes and Clemon Johnson eight Wednesday night in the fourth quarter of the 76ers' 116-95 victory over the Denver Nuggets.
'I was simply elated when I heard about it (the trade),' Clemon said. 'I wanted to jump up and down but I was on a bus and I didn't want to hurt the other people. I maintained my cool until I got home and then I let it go.
'I was really happy. Like somebody said, it was like going from the outhouse to the White House.'
Reggie Johnson said he never thought of being traded to Philadelphia since the 76ers, holder of the NBA's best record at 44-7 after Wednesday night's game, didn't seem to have a reason to change their roster.
'When they called me, I was shocked,' he said. 'I felt I would go somewhere but Philadelphia never crossed my mind. I didn't think they wanted more players. They had only seven losses so I felt they'd go with the roster they had.'
So did a lot of other people. Many will say that the 76ers needed two more good basketball players as much as the Sahara Desert needs more sand. But the Philadelphia front office wasn't comfortable with the team's front court depth.
'We felt we had to make ourselves more secure for the road down the stretch to the playoffs,' owner Harold Katz said. 'Now we have 30 games to break them in. We're now a very strong team in the front court.'
'One thing we were pleased to see tonight was seeing Clemon react,' Sixers Coach Billy Cunningham said. 'He knows what to do after he gets the rebound in getting that outlet pass to the guards. I was pleased to see Reggie make the transition from defense to offense and going out on the break.'
Both players said they would work hard to accustom themselves to Philadelphia's style of play.
'I hope it won't take too long becoming familiar with the plays and knowing each others' styles,' Reggie Johnson said. 'I love to play their type of game. I always thought they were the best team in the league because even on their bad nights, they're generally good.'
'I'm going to work as hard as I can,' Clemon Johnson said. 'I'm not going to set a timetable but I'll be practicing with them for the first time tomorrow and I'll get a feel for the plays they run.'
