JaJuan Johnson DRAFT???

[saltlover]

There was another thread about Jajuan Johnson a month ago in which I professed my love for him, and that hasn't changed (although Jeremy Tyler's leaping abilities despite his pudgy frame make me want him too.)

I'm a Michigan fan primarily, but that means I watch other Big 10 teams as well, and I've seen him play a fair bit.  In college he was a good rebounder.  He added range to his jump shot in his senior year, which moved him outside a little more than his earlier seasons, but when he was a sophomore he was almost solely a post player, and he was a decent at it.  There's certainly the possibility that he can fall in love with the jumper, like many a big man in the past, but I wouldn't consider that a given.

The rebounding concern I think is less based on college stats (as mentioned, they were about 9 per game, and that was in the big 10 which tends to have slower offenses and fewer possessions/rebound opportunities) and more on his thin frame.  In college, where he was often matched up against smaller/less athletic players, this wasn't a problem.  But his athleticism isn't off the charts, and he isn't big, so that might cost him battling for rebounds against larger/more athletic competition.

Still, he's a hard worker, a good defender (more blocks than fouls last year) and is definitely the most NBA-ready player who might be available when we draft.  If we want someone able to give us 15-20 good minutes off the bench this year, then we absolutely pick Johnson.  He will never be a star, but we're talking the 25th pick in a weak draft year.

That description, to me, sounds a bit like a Darrell Arthur type player. A thinner body type but similar game.

Would that be a decent comparison for JaJuan Johnson?

I don't know much of Arthur (don't/didn't watch the big 12 or Memphis) aside from reputation.  I would say that Johnson is a better scorer, based on a) his offensive rating was higher in college, even comparing sophomore years since Arthur came out as a sophomore, b) while you don't want Johnson taking that many 3-pointers, he has enough range to make an open one occasionally, which Arthur doesn't, and c) he's a better free throw shooter.  I don't know too much about Arthur's defensive/rebounding abilities, but from what I do know, I suppose they could be similar players defensively.  But Johnson is definitely the better scorer of the two (he led the big 10 in scoring this year.)

[saltlover]

I would actually like to retract my statement where I said that Johnson wasn't the most athletic.  He didn't look it in college for the most part, but his combine results were very impressive.  Athleticism isn't a weakness.

http://www.draftexpress.com/article/2011-NBA-Combine-Athletic-Testing-Results-3725/

[Chris]

I am not sure I see the Arthur comparison.  Arthur was an incredibly skilled player in college, and I don't see those same skills in Johnson.  Yes, he can knock down the outside shot, but from what I have seen, he doesn't have the refined footwork and ballhandling ability Arthur had.

[Lucky17]

I would actually like to retract my statement where I said that Johnson wasn't the most athletic.  He didn't look it in college for the most part, but his combine results were very impressive.  Athleticism isn't a weakness.

http://www.draftexpress.com/article/2011-NBA-Combine-Athletic-Testing-Results-3725/

Indeed. Good scores in the jump tests, bench press, and sprints.

[CelticSince83]

TP for Chris.  As I mentioned, I go to KU, so very familiar with Arthur and the Twins, fortunately they aren't Edited.  Profanity and masked profanity are against forum rules and may result in discipline.s like Chalmers.  That being said, Arthur was VERY refined offensively, just played in Self's system where it's virtually impossible to score more than 13-14 a game, although McMorris somehow broke that trend this season.

I actually don't think he's really at all like Shady.  The best comparison I could think of is Camby.  2 inches shorter and nowhere near as dominant in college, but style of play is kinda similar.  And when I say similar to Camby, I am talking about a poor mans Marcus Camby. 

[wiley]

How about draft Jajuan Johnson, buy a second first rounder and trade our second rounder and something else for a second rounder between 31 and 40.  Take 3 bigs with our 3 picks.  Then, if the Clippers pick comes through in the next draft, the Celtics can happily take the next great SG or SF.....(a star-type big won't drop past 10 anyway most likely)

In the 3 bigs fantasy scenario, you take Jajuan Johnson and if possible the two projects Tyler and Nogueira.  If you can't get both project bigs, take one of them and some other big like Trey Thompkins or Jordan Willimas from Maryland.

So you get JaJuan Johnson and one or both of Tyler and Nogueira.  If only one of Tyler/Nogueira then Trey Thompkins or Justin Harper or Jordan Williams is the 3rd big, although, having Johnson and one project big might allow/inspire the Celtics to grab a combo guard or SF instead of that 3rd big.

The Celtics have NO young bigs at the moment.  In this scenario they could most likely get a little help next year from 4-year player Johnson, and much more help beyond next year from the developing Johnson plus some minutes from the others....These young guys would not only be tutored by the Celtics vets but push each other for playing time via playing the right way....

[Chris]

Chad Ford has the C's taking Johnson in his latest mock draft.  Who knows, maybe he will be a player, but this guy just gets my spidey senses tingling as a complete bust.

Guys who have legit size, length, and athleticism for a PF, who can shoot, and who have put up big time numbers at a big time program only drop to the bottom of the first round of any draft, let alone a poor one like this, when there is something really wrong.

I am just getting whiffs of Joe Alexander here.  A guy with great measurables, and a solid resume, but who seemed to lack the pieces to put the game together at the NBA together. 

If the C's pick him, I will give them the benefit of the doubt that they know something others don't, and feel like other teams made a mistake.  But, if I were picking, this guy just scares me.

[CFAN38]

based on the teams who worked him out I dont think he will be around for use Jajuan is going to go top 20

[csfansince60s]

How about draft Jajuan Johnson, buy a second first rounder and trade our second rounder and something else for a second rounder between 31 and 40.  Take 3 bigs with our 3 picks.  Then, if the Clippers pick comes through in the next draft, the Celtics can happily take the next great SG or SF.....(a star-type big won't drop past 10 anyway most likely)

In the 3 bigs fantasy scenario, you take Jajuan Johnson and if possible the two projects Tyler and Nogueira.  If you can't get both project bigs, take one of them and some other big like Trey Thompkins or Jordan Willimas from Maryland.

So you get JaJuan Johnson and one or both of Tyler and Nogueira.  If only one of Tyler/Nogueira then Trey Thompkins or Justin Harper or Jordan Williams is the 3rd big, although, having Johnson and one project big might allow/inspire the Celtics to grab a combo guard or SF instead of that 3rd big.

The Celtics have NO young bigs at the moment.  In this scenario they could most likely get a little help next year from 4-year player Johnson, and much more help beyond next year from the developing Johnson plus some minutes from the others....These young guys would not only be tutored by the Celtics vets but push each other for playing time via playing the right way....

+1 for all of the above, except the Jordan Williams part.

He strikes me as a Shelden Williams type. He has "bust" written all over him.

Really like the other players though, especially Tyler with any of the other two in combination.

[Change]

SLAM mock draft has him going to the Celtics.

http://www.slamonline.com/online/nba/2011/06/mock-jajuan-johnson-no-25/

[Change]

any news on Jajuan?

[vjcsmoke]

The knocks against Johnson are lack of strength/bulk.  IE he gets pushed around and backed in on the blocks too easy on defense.  Also for his size his rebounding per minute is not that efficient.  It might have something to do with him being more on the perimeter this season.

Offensively though, I like the package that Johnson offers.  He was primarily a post player early on, but developed a jump shot out to college 3.  Anytime you can get a 6'10 guy with a high release point and jump shot, that adds versatility to your offense.

I think he's been talked about as more of a 2nd rounder.  But an early second.  So it wouldn't be too much of a stretch to take him at #25 although from the sounds of it Ainge likes Reggie Jackson at #25 and will take him if he lasts that far.  Then again the need for bigs is well... much bigger for the C's than yet another combo guard.  Didn't we just draft Bradley?  And how did Giddens and Pruitt work out for us?    

I think Jajuan Johnson would really help our big man depth.  I'm not sure why we shipped off Erden for peanuts.  Yes he got hurt, but unless it was career ending, the kid looked like he had potential.  Celtics still need more bigs.  So let's take a shot on a 6'10 or taller player.  JJ tested out better athletically than expected too so he won't be a slouch running the floor.

[GranTur]

Chad Ford has the C's taking Johnson in his latest mock draft.  Who knows, maybe he will be a player, but this guy just gets my spidey senses tingling as a complete bust.

Guys who have legit size, length, and athleticism for a PF, who can shoot, and who have put up big time numbers at a big time program only drop to the bottom of the first round of any draft, let alone a poor one like this, when there is something really wrong.

I am just getting whiffs of Joe Alexander here.  A guy with great measurables, and a solid resume, but who seemed to lack the pieces to put the game together at the NBA together. 

If the C's pick him, I will give them the benefit of the doubt that they know something others don't, and feel like other teams made a mistake.  But, if I were picking, this guy just scares me.

I will remember this post if the Celtics end up busting with him.

It's a great point: usually draft sleepers are undersized or otherwise physically limited...JJ Johnson is neither of those things...

[jay]

I really hope they go with two bigs in the draft.

1st round:  you could go with a skilled, less athletic big man like Jordan Williams or Trey Tompkins.  Or you could go less skilled more athletic in a Keith Benson, Greg Smith , or Mathew Bryan-Amaning.

2nd Round: you wont get skilled, so maybe an athletic big like Smith or Bryan-Amaning is still around.  Maybe you take a flyer on this Jeremy Tyler if he is there.

[Mike-Dub]

Johnson and Arthur is a horrible comparison.  Like already said Arthur was a much more skilled player in college.