Science-savvy Nets forward Cam Johnson took part in a unique draft — an ad-libbed space draft with noted astrophysicist Neil deGrasse Tyson.
“I have a side hobby of that field where I just enjoy it,” Johnson told The Post. “And so, our team — our marketing group — wanted to see where we could make some things happen with that. And that was one option, opportunity that came up; and boom.”
The so-called space draft was a sit-down with the acclaimed scientist at the American Museum of Natural History in Manhattan. It was shared on the Nets’ TikTok account.
“I like it. I’ve been there a couple times now. Yeah it was cool. It’s a cool conversation. I really enjoyed it,” Johnson told The Post.
“The more you pay attention to astronomy, the more you learn, the more you’re kind of guided towards picking up some of the physics, too. It’s perfect. There no astrophysicist out there better.”
While Johnson leans a little more toward the astronomy end of the spectrum than the physics or the space-flight angle — he has a telescope but needs to upgrade to be effective with the glaring lights of New York City — the forward more than held his own in the ad-hoc space draft. He and Tyson picked various celestial bodies or events in a fantasy-style draft.
Johnson even playfully trolled the famous scientist by looking straight into the camera and using his third pick on Pluto, calling it “the wonderful ninth planet.”
Tyson had vexed some by leaving Pluto out of his solar system exhibit, calling it merely an icy body.
The International Astronomical Union has downgraded Pluto to that of dwarf planet.
“I did troll him with Pluto. I trolled him because he gives Pluto no credit. I’m going to defend Pluto’s honor,” Johnson said. “But the thing is, if you classify Pluto as a planet, you’ve got to classify a lot of other icy rocks out there as planets. So I see where he’s coming from.”
The Nets open a five-game Western swing Monday at Sacramento.
Ben Simmons is out with a nerve impingement in his back. Lonnie Walker IV — who has thrust himself into the Sixth Man of the Year conversation — won’t play on the trip, although it’s unclear if he will travel or be left home to rehab his left hamstring due to logistical concerns.
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