(Joe) Johnson’s 23-foot step-back buzzer-beater from the right wing as time expired enabled the struggling Nets to escape with a 107-105 double-overtime victory over the relentless Detroit Pistons on Friday night at Barclays Center.

Just like that, Joe Cool had regained his swagger.

Avery Johnson has been saying it would come in mid-December.

“It’s the middle of December,” Avery Johnson said. “It’s time now, Joe. … It wasn’t a secret that we were going to give him the ball and ride his back. That’s what we’re looking for from Joe.”

via Mike Mazzeo of ESPN New York