Celtics Acquire/Draft Jajuan Johnson (merged reaction threads)

[Spoon]

To all you Brooks supporters, here's something to chew on: he doesn't play defense - he wouldn't have stood a chance with Doc.

Exactly! Marshon would have never left Doc's bench. I know it is a cliche, but he can't guard a chair. He also offers nothing beyond volume scoring.

I thought Ainge lost his mind for a second. Marshon is your typical high volume shooter who will never make it in the NBA because he lacks skills beyond taking lots of shots.

Funny thing about Johnson, for all the talk about his lack of strength, he did 15 reps at the combine. Very impressive for a 6'10" 220 guy. That tells you he is wiry strong and can put on more weight. Tyler Honeycutt couldn't do even one. Johnson is probably the most athletic big man in this very weak big man draft.  

[JoT]

He's a good free throw shooter too. The knock on him is that he doesn't have a bulky frame but KG managed to become one of the best defensive players of all time. I know KG is an exception but Johnson idolizes KG so this is a perfect scenario for both sides.

Yes that's what I agree with in the end. He seems to be influenced by KG and I can see him taking his advice and wanting to learn from him. I mean how many players get to play behind their idols and their idol is willing to help you and teach you.
Hope he takes it all in and learns from him and I want him to go into the gym and lift some weights heck do anything to gain some bulk because he seems a little thin.
Hope he can help though.

[jdub1660]

I'm skeptical, but I'll give him a chance. 

TP. This was 1st year I watch the majority of the draft and actually had hopes of someone being picked (Brooks)
To see him picked, then traded was a real downer.

After watching JJ, he looks like a banger, shot blocker,finisher and has some face up game. Really reminded me of young KG. I just hope he puts on about 10-20 pounds of muscle so he can bang with NBA PFs, and be a mix of KG and Tyrus Thomas

[wahz]

The Celtics decide to draft Sr. Jajuan Johnson from Purdue University in a trade for his rights and a future second round pick for our 25th pick, Marshon Brooks.

This is completely biased because I am a very big and proud Purdue fan, and have watched this young man from being benched as a freshman to dominating as a senior.

I completely love this guy. Great shot blocker, has post moves, and is explosive and very very athletic. Him and E'twaun Moore were one of the most explosive duos in the NCAA last year. I believe he will have jaws dropping in the future. He has a good mid range jumper and 3 point shot, and if I had to compare him to any NBA player, it would be non other than Mr. Kevin Garnett. And playing with him at the start of his career, I think he's going to be really good. KG can teach him so much, and in ways he is so similar to him.

At 6'10, he's at a good size to play PF in the league and has an amazing 7'2 wingspan and 8'10 reach, not to mention an outstanding 38 inch vertical. He has a very good basketball IQ, and can learn plays rather quickly. Below in the video, just look at his shooting touch. Truly smooth, considering he is a big. He can score from the outside to the inside, and possesses amazing athleticism. He needs to get stronger, though, to compete with the just as his soon-to-be nba peers. One of his other weaknesses are his not so solid low post game, which he could easily improve over time under KG's leadership.



http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zBZukuSo020



Overall, I am really happy one of my favorite college players is going to the greatest team in the entire NBA. Thank you Danny Ainge and crew. Seriously, oh my goodness. If I was not a Celtics fan, I'd be one now that JJ is there.

Is there anybody who you think could have been a better choice in this draft? Any downsides I haven't listed? What do you all think of him? Will he be solid or break down?

Wow man you think KEVIN GARNETT is gonna show someone low post moves?? Please, PLEASE send me whatever you are smoking or drinking. The Kevin Garnett  the CELTS have has no idea how to play in the post and if KG taints this young fellow this pick will not pan out. Has anyone been watching how we have blown two titles because KG won't play in the post here???

If by some miracle we resign Cliff Ray to prepare this young man that would be awesome.

Having said all that, I hope against hope this young man learns appropriate things from KG, like preparing your body, trying hard in practice, that its all about the team, that you need to board when you have a leap of more than 10 inches, stuff like that. Hopefully becoming an incredible blowhard won't be what he learns

[manl_lui]

heres another good video

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uYJbOiD8W7I

he looks great and explosive, and not to mention imagine him learning from KG...he may not be rookie of the year or w/e, but i believe he'll be a good role player as a rookie immediately

[action781]

heres another good video

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uYJbOiD8W7I

he looks great and explosive, and not to mention imagine him learning from KG...he may not be rookie of the year or w/e, but i believe he'll be a good role player as a rookie immediately

Awesome video, thanks for the post

[saltlover]

As someone who has been touting Jajuan Johnson the last month on these boards (maybe half of my posts are devoted to him) I must say I'm extremely excited.  He's a great defender (he blocked more shots than he committed fouls!) a scorer, athletic, and a team player.  He worked on his game a lot every year in school, be it at the free throw line, extending the range of his jumper, or his defense.  There's no reason to believe he's not the type of kid to continue to work hard and get better at this level too.

That said, he's strong, but he's probably not going to put on all that much more weight.  Maybe the Celtics will do him a favor and list him at 10 pounds more than he is, but some people are just stringier than others.  Given all the reps he did at the combine, it's clear he's hit the weight room a lot, so he's probably done growing.  I mean, given all his great attributes, if teams believed he could add another 15 pounds of muscle, he would have gone far earlier than #27.  So let's let Jajuan be Jajuan.

[energyking1]

they drafted his purdue teammate in the 2nd round. the chemistry alone was worth it. maximizing johnson's potential.

[Rondo_is_better]

We just gained a whole mess of fans from Iowa.

[Roy H.]

We just gained a whole mess of fans from Iowa.

Indiana, too. 

[Rondo_is_better]

We just gained a whole mess of fans from Iowa.

Indiana, too. 

Just because I'm stupid... does not mean you have THE RIGHT to come into my home and insult me.

GET OFF MY INTERNET.

[jc3celticsphan]

The Celtics decide to draft Sr. Jajuan Johnson from Purdue University in a trade for his rights and a future second round pick for our 25th pick, Marshon Brooks.

This is completely biased because I am a very big and proud Purdue fan, and have watched this young man from being benched as a freshman to dominating as a senior.

I completely love this guy. Great shot blocker, has post moves, and is explosive and very very athletic. Him and E'twaun Moore were one of the most explosive duos in the NCAA last year. I believe he will have jaws dropping in the future. He has a good mid range jumper and 3 point shot, and if I had to compare him to any NBA player, it would be non other than Mr. Kevin Garnett. And playing with him at the start of his career, I think he's going to be really good. KG can teach him so much, and in ways he is so similar to him.

At 6'10, he's at a good size to play PF in the league and has an amazing 7'2 wingspan and 8'10 reach, not to mention an outstanding 38 inch vertical. He has a very good basketball IQ, and can learn plays rather quickly. Below in the video, just look at his shooting touch. Truly smooth, considering he is a big. He can score from the outside to the inside, and possesses amazing athleticism. He needs to get stronger, though, to compete with the just as his soon-to-be nba peers. One of his other weaknesses are his not so solid low post game, which he could easily improve over time under KG's leadership.



http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zBZukuSo020



Overall, I am really happy one of my favorite college players is going to the greatest team in the entire NBA. Thank you Danny Ainge and crew. Seriously, oh my goodness. If I was not a Celtics fan, I'd be one now that JJ is there.

Is there anybody who you think could have been a better choice in this draft? Any downsides I haven't listed? What do you all think of him? Will he be solid or break down?

I bet your very happy now. just drafted the second half of the dynamic duo.. I like the pick they both can play together(obviously)

[zerophase]

I really like what I've read about this kid and it sounds to me like he is a cheap man's KG. Picked his teammate with the 55th pick so at least thats a head start on team chemistry.

[Chris]

Think Danny was just trying to find players who could relate to the laments of the C's, losing 3 years in a row because of a key player going down with a leg injury?

[timepiece33]

I've watched these guys for years in the Big 10 and this is a nice one two punch of the bench.  

Johnson is a very athletic big man with decent strength.  If you can get him to get some good weight on and play with a little more intensity (Garnett should help), he really is intriguing and has a lot of developmental potential.

Moore is a nice 2nd round pick who should challenge Von Wafer's minimum salary replacement.