JaJuan Johnson- The 4 year college player

[jbaerg]

Ummm, maybe we all just skipped this, but maybe he wanted to earn a degree? Which he did so he can actually do something once he retires in the league, or is that too much of a stretch in this world anymore?

[Spoon]

Hopefully, but JaJuan Johnson never displayed the type of defensive instincts and intensity guys like Haslem and Gibson show (and I don't think he's as quickfooted). Or the toughness, Johnson plays soft.

Refuted by an actual NBA scout.

http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2011/writers/seth_davis/06/22/draft.prospects/1.html

I don't know why people don't have him higher on their list. He reminds me of Harvey Grant. He needs to get stronger and put on weight, for sure. I liked him last year, and then he went back to school and added about 10 pounds to his frame. He's long, athletic, he can run, he can shoot to 16, 18 feet. I mean, what don't you like about him? If you make him into a small forward, then you're not paying attention to what the kid is. The body might scare you -- he's light in the pants -- but I've never seen him be soft. I have seen him score a ton of points.

With all due respect, I will go with him over a guy on a message board. Johnson isn't soft.

[snively]

He doesn't possess elite athleticism. If he did, he wouldn't have stayed 4 years in college. His best talent is the spot-up jumpshot that can serve him well in pick'n'pop situations. He's mediocre/average in other parts of the game. I just hope he isn't too much of a liability on the boards. If he can rebound the ball decently, he can become an useful 4th/5th big. Playing behind O'Neal, KG, free-agency acquisition, Jeff Green.

He may not possess elite athleticism, but his length and mobility give him excellent potential as a team defender, both as an interior help defender and a pick and roll defender.  That combined with his jumper should be enough to make him rotation worthy even without much of a showing on the boards.

I think he came to the right team.  On a lesser team, he'd probably be utilized in a more prominent offensive role, leading him to try to recreate the high usage role he had as a senior.  With Boston, he'll only be able to see the court as an off-ball floor-spreader, and, more importantly, an active and aggressive defender.  If he embraces that role, I think he can develop into a highly-effective two-way role-player in the mold of Udonis Haslem or Taj Gibson.  On a bad team, he'd probably slip into the offense-only orientation of the likes of Channing Frye, Hakim Warrick and Brian Cook (and wash-outs like Jermareo Davidson).

Hopefully, but JaJuan Johnson never displayed the type of defensive instincts and intensity guys like Haslem and Gibson show (and I don't think he's as quickfooted). Or the toughness, Johnson plays soft.

If I were coaching Johnson, I'd focus on 4 main areas:

• strength/body control/balance training => Weight lifting + core strength training.
• defensive footwork, specifically on pick'n'roll situations.
• face-up game. He needs to be able to put the ball on the floor for 2/3 quick dribbles to get past guys closing out on him out of control and then elevate for a jumper or go all the way to the rim. A guy like Warrick can do this. 
• screening and offensive footwork in pick'n'pop situations. He needs to be tougher as a screener, to get wide and low.

I think Johnson's just as quick as Haslem and Gibson.  He's got that high center of gravity that makes him look more gawky, but he covers space just as well.   I share your concerns about his lack of intensity and toughness - but he's a pretty humble kid and has put a lot of work in his game.  He's not a Patrick O'Bryant or a Charlie Villanueva - he just needs to be funnelled in the right developmental direction.

[nickagneta]

I think if you are a four year senior coming out in the draft, nowadays that has to be looked at as a poor indicator of elite NBA success. The last couple of "great"(All-Star caliber or better) players to be seniors and get drafted was I believe Brandon Roy in 2006 and Danny Granger and David Lee in 2005.

Still, you can find a Roy Hibbert or Tyler Hansborough or Jameer Nelson or Carl Landry or Aaron Brooks or Kyle Weaver or Jared Dudley type player coming out at least once or twice a year. And just like drafting an underclassman or foreign born player, after pick number 15 in the draft, it's pretty much an educated gamble.

I think the days of Tim Duncan and David Robinson type super elite players staying four years in college are over. There's just too much risk of future earnings loss due to injury in college at stake to stay in school for a degree that you can pursue in your offseason.

So does Johnson being a 4 year senior probably mean his chances of being an All-Star are pretty much nil? Yeah. Does it mean he has any more or less of a chance of developing into a solid NBA player as any other player chosen after pick number 15 in the draft? I don't believe so.

[KGs Knee]

I think if you are a four year senior coming out in the draft, nowadays that has to be looked at as a poor indicator of elite NBA success. The last couple of "great"(All-Star caliber or better) players to be seniors and get drafted was I believe Brandon Roy in 2006 and Danny Granger and David Lee in 2005.

Still, you can find a Roy Hibbert or Tyler Hansborough or Jameer Nelson or Carl Landry or Aaron Brooks or Kyle Weaver or Jared Dudley type player coming out at least once or twice a year. And just like drafting an underclassman or foreign born player, after pick number 15 in the draft, it's pretty much an educated gamble.

I think the days of Tim Duncan and David Robinson type super elite players staying four years in college are over. There's just too much risk of future earnings loss due to injury in college at stake to stay in school for a degree that you can pursue in your offseason.

So does Johnson being a 4 year senior probably mean his chances of being an All-Star are pretty much nil? Yeah. Does it mean he has any more or less of a chance of developing into a solid NBA player as any other player chosen after pick number 15 in the draft? I don't believe so.

I think this pretty much sums up exactly what I've been trying to convey.  TP

I think Johnson has a chance to be a decent starter too, but, probably not anything more.  That's fine.  You can't expect more than that out of a late 1st round pick.  It was just strange for me reading about his supposed talents and then seeing "college senior".  That didn't compute.

[snively]

Hopefully, but JaJuan Johnson never displayed the type of defensive instincts and intensity guys like Haslem and Gibson show (and I don't think he's as quickfooted). Or the toughness, Johnson plays soft.

Refuted by an actual NBA scout.

http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2011/writers/seth_davis/06/22/draft.prospects/1.html

I don't know why people don't have him higher on their list. He reminds me of Harvey Grant. He needs to get stronger and put on weight, for sure. I liked him last year, and then he went back to school and added about 10 pounds to his frame. He's long, athletic, he can run, he can shoot to 16, 18 feet. I mean, what don't you like about him? If you make him into a small forward, then you're not paying attention to what the kid is. The body might scare you -- he's light in the pants -- but I've never seen him be soft. I have seen him score a ton of points.

With all due respect, I will go with him over a guy on a message board. Johnson isn't soft.

He's not soft in the sense that he's unwilling to take contact or body someone up.  But he does play a finesse brand of ball.  Doesn't finish strong unless he's uncontested.  Gets backed down pretty easily in the post (Jamie Skeen had no problem moving him backwards in the tournament).  Similar to Jeff Green - not soft per se, but doesn't compensate for his lack of bulk/strength with an aggressive, physical mentality.

[mfaller3]

I went to Purdue and am a huge fan, so I have watched plenty of JJ.  He didn't start playing bball until he was in 7th grade and was definitely a late bloomer.  He didn't make the varsity team until his junior year of high school.  But, that also kind of made him play with a chip on his shoulder so he is hard working and has continued to improve every year.  For instance, he had never made a 3 pointer before this past season, and while his 3pt percentage isn't stellar by any means (around 30%), he still made huge strides in that area.  I know I'm biased, but I think JJ was a great pick.  Especially now that he can work on his body full time a bulk up.  He will understand his role and do anything he can to help the team win.   

[LooseCannon]

I think if you are a four year senior coming out in the draft, nowadays that has to be looked at as a poor indicator of elite NBA success. The last couple of "great"(All-Star caliber or better) players to be seniors and get drafted was I believe Brandon Roy in 2006 and Danny Granger and David Lee in 2005.

Highest drafted seniors in recent drafts
2011 - Jimmer Fridette (10th), Kenneth Faried (22nd)
2010 - Trevor Booker (23rd), Damion Jones (24th)
2009 - Terence Williams (11th), Tyler Hansbrough (13th)
2008 - Jason Thompson (12th), Roy Hibbert (17th)
2007 - Acie Law (11th), Al Thornton (14th)
2006 - Shelden Williams (05), Brandon Roy (06), Randy Foye (07), JJ Redick (11), Hilton Armstrong (12), Rodney Carney (16)

Hibbert actually applied for early entry into the draft as a junior but withdrew.  He was talked about as a potential top ten pick and some mock drafts had him going ahead of his teammate, Jeff Green.

[billysan]

I dont expect much from the kid this season. If he can come in next season and give us 15+mpg, 8 ppg, 5rpg and not be a big  defensive liability then he is a success. The fact that he was able to win a conference POY award points toward a late bloomer who may have a little more room for improvement.

I guess we can wait till Dec-Jan and point toward the ones who we would have rather had, I will give this guy the benefit for a year. Why not?

[libermaniac]

Not to rain on all of the JaJuan lovers, but he DOES have some limitations ... hence his availability at 27.

His main issue defensively is defending the post. He does a good job of using his length to contest shots, but his lack of lower body strength really manifests itself in this aspect of his game, as he struggles to deny post position, and is easily backed down, allowing high percentage shots. Furthermore, he seems to lack a degree of toughness and aggressiveness here, as its not rare to see players pushing him around, and he doesn't always respond the way you would hope.

Johnson also struggles on the glass, averaging only 6.6 defensive rebounds per 40 minutes, pace adjusted, which places him well into the bottom half of our database. His lack of strength, toughness and inability to hold position is a clear problem here, and one that it's hard to envision him overcoming with great success.

Overall, Johnson's improving perimeter game and high release point on his finesse post moves should allow him to have a reasonable amount of success offensively at the next level playing for the right team, as long as they are willing to live with his deficiencies as a rebounder and post-defender.

His lack of strength and physical toughness looks to be his Achilles heel on both ends of the court, preventing him from being a legitimate post presence offensively and making him a liability as a defender and rebounder. These will likely be the main question marks he'll need to address moving forward, and could be the difference in whether he sticks in the NBA or not.

From DraftExpress.com http://www.draftexpress.com/profile/JaJuan-Johnson-5307/#ixzz1QLEmDcnf
http://www.draftexpress.com

[Celtics18]

Not to rain on all of the JaJuan lovers, but he DOES have some limitations ... hence his availability at 27.

His main issue defensively is defending the post. He does a good job of using his length to contest shots, but his lack of lower body strength really manifests itself in this aspect of his game, as he struggles to deny post position, and is easily backed down, allowing high percentage shots. Furthermore, he seems to lack a degree of toughness and aggressiveness here, as its not rare to see players pushing him around, and he doesn't always respond the way you would hope.

Johnson also struggles on the glass, averaging only 6.6 defensive rebounds per 40 minutes, pace adjusted, which places him well into the bottom half of our database. His lack of strength, toughness and inability to hold position is a clear problem here, and one that it's hard to envision him overcoming with great success.

Overall, Johnson's improving perimeter game and high release point on his finesse post moves should allow him to have a reasonable amount of success offensively at the next level playing for the right team, as long as they are willing to live with his deficiencies as a rebounder and post-defender.

His lack of strength and physical toughness looks to be his Achilles heel on both ends of the court, preventing him from being a legitimate post presence offensively and making him a liability as a defender and rebounder. These will likely be the main question marks he'll need to address moving forward, and could be the difference in whether he sticks in the NBA or not.

From DraftExpress.com http://www.draftexpress.com/profile/JaJuan-Johnson-5307/#ixzz1QLEmDcnf
http://www.draftexpress.com

Of course he has negatives.  There aren't too many players who don't, particularly rookies.

I have one question, though.  How many rookies come into this league as lock down post defenders?  Heck, how many are there, period? 

I feel like JaJuan is going to do a lot of good things for us as a rookie.  He'll block shots and help create running opportunities which he will get out and finish in impressive fashion.

He'll even be able to score in the half court on either the pick and pop or roll.  At Purdue the actually used him as the centerpiece of their offensive where he developed some serviceable skills.  Hopefully, JaJuan Johnson as offensive option number 1 won't be happening too much for the '11-'12 Boston Celtics, though.   

I wonder about his outlet passing ability.  This is a skill that if he doesn't have, he should really work on as well as building his body. 

[celtics2]

hahah the game is on now. Most are looking back into historical data concerning our 1st round pick. Fact is no on knows what his limits are because in the Pros dung happens. We'll know more when camp arrives and he starts playing basketball for real. If he has the right mindset and attitude he will do great. He is 6' 10". Height gets him half way there.

[OsirusCeltics]

Why can't college prospects stay in school for 2 years, just two years!?

It helps them develop their game more, and helps the GMs not make a mistake on a draft pick, because of all the footage they have on the player