Celtics Acquire/Draft Jajuan Johnson (merged reaction threads)

[Yoki_IsTheName]

I vote "I don't know, i'm pretty torn."

As athletic and explosive as he is, he looks like he will just get toyed around by the big men of the NBA. Like I was saying, I hope I'm wrong about this. They say he needs to beef up and I agree. But can he still have that athleticism and explosiveness if he puts on more pounds of muscle and be heavier? 

I think MarShon under Ray and Paul would be something not only right now, but in the future. The kid can shoot, athletic too and most of all, he can create his own shot. Not a lot of NBA players can create their own shot. Under Ray and Paul I think the kid will turn out to be great.

And yes, the C's needed a big. But JaJuan? JaJuan is no big, he's just tall and long. Call me crazy but I'd really rather have Jeremy Tyler or Jordan Williams or Trey Thompkins as our project big. Those guys are big.

Again I hope, I REALLY HOPE I'm wrong but I can't call this a good or bad pick right now. I gotta see this.

[energyking1]

brooks is a ball chucker. we needed a big. end of story.

[Yoki_IsTheName]

brooks is a ball chucker. we needed a big. end of story.

then why not draft him in the first place instead of drafting Brooks and trading him?

And again, JaJuan is not big. He's tall.

Dang it JaJuan, PLEASE show me that I'm wrong.

[mc34]

brooks is a ball chucker. we needed a big. end of story.

then why not draft him in the first place instead of drafting Brooks and trading him?

So we could get a second round pick in addition to Johnson. I was personally hoping we'd take Hamilton. But I think Johnson has a chance to be a very capable rotation player for us

[energyking1]

I vote "I don't know, i'm pretty torn."

As athletic and explosive as he is, he looks like he will just get toyed around by the big men of the NBA. Like I was saying, I hope I'm wrong about this. They say he needs to beef up and I agree. But can he still have that athleticism and explosiveness if he puts on more pounds of muscle and be heavier?  

I think MarShon under Ray and Paul would be something not only right now, but in the future. The kid can shoot, athletic too and most of all, he can create his own shot. Not a lot of NBA players can create their own shot. Under Ray and Paul I think the kid will turn out to be great.

And yes, the C's needed a big. But JaJuan? JaJuan is no big, he's just tall and long. Call me crazy but I'd really rather have Jeremy Tyler or Jordan Williams or Trey Thompkins as our project big. Those guys are big.

Again I hope, I REALLY HOPE I'm wrong but I can't call this a good or bad pick right now. I gotta see this.

a power forward is tall and long? GASP!

KG is tall and long, and  he was drafted.

actually KG weighed less than him at the same height.

[Yoki_IsTheName]

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.

The kid averaged 1.5 Steals and 1.2 Blocks a game on Big East play (best conference in basketball). And that's playing on a bad defensive Providence team. He has the defense but not as good. But not "plays no defense".

Like everyone, he can learn the Celtics way of playing defense. Add to it his scoring potential. Hope we're not missing out.

[Yoki_IsTheName]

I vote "I don't know, i'm pretty torn."

As athletic and explosive as he is, he looks like he will just get toyed around by the big men of the NBA. Like I was saying, I hope I'm wrong about this. They say he needs to beef up and I agree. But can he still have that athleticism and explosiveness if he puts on more pounds of muscle and be heavier?  

I think MarShon under Ray and Paul would be something not only right now, but in the future. The kid can shoot, athletic too and most of all, he can create his own shot. Not a lot of NBA players can create their own shot. Under Ray and Paul I think the kid will turn out to be great.

And yes, the C's needed a big. But JaJuan? JaJuan is no big, he's just tall and long. Call me crazy but I'd really rather have Jeremy Tyler or Jordan Williams or Trey Thompkins as our project big. Those guys are big.

Again I hope, I REALLY HOPE I'm wrong but I can't call this a good or bad pick right now. I gotta see this.

a power forward is tall and long? GASP!

KG is tall and long, and  he was drafted.

actually KG weighed less than him at the same height.

KG was 18 when he was drafted at 220. He is still growing at that time. JaJuan is already 22 right now and is at 220+ ish. Can he still grow without losing his explosiveness? Hope so.

[Celtics18]

I'm thrilled.  Johnson was my favorite at the 25th spot going into the draft, and I'm shocked that we actually got him.  

Not only does he have a jump shot, but he can hit a mid post turn around, as well.  He's tall, he's long, he's athletic, and he seems like the type of kid who will work hard and be a good student.  

I look forward to seeing him get some good minutes next season.

[GreenEnvy]

Knowing very little about Brooks and Johnson, I must say I like Johnson.

With a 7'2" wingspan and 38" vertical, JJ can easily give us minutes at PF (and even C). He has work to do to get stronger and develop a post game. His defense appears good already, and with KG and JO, that should improve even more. He can knock down open midrange jumpers and run the break. Sounds a lot like Serge Ibaka to me.

As for Brooks, his scoring numbers wow you, but I really don't think he could help us very much next season. I'd trust Von Wafer at both ends way more than a high-volume shooting rookie.

Don't know what to make of Moore. Looks like a kid with potential to help out an NBA team, but as long as we resign Delonte, he won't bring anything to the table for us. Decent insurance policy for depth I guess.


Overall, not a terrible night. Wasn't expecting any crazy trades, and I'm happy about Johnson and a (probably early/mid second-round) pick over Brooks.


Now just get a legit backup C and resign Green, West, Wafer and Murphy.

Rondo/West/Bradley
Ray/West/Wafer/Moore
Pierce/Green
KG/Green/Johnson
JO/FA C/Murphy

Maybe get something for BBD? How about bringing Marquis back?

[j804]

I'm thrilled.  Johnson was my favorite at the 25th spot going into the draft, and I'm shocked that we actually got him.  

Not only does he have a jump shot, but he can hit a mid post turn around, as well.  He's tall, he's long, he's athletic, and he seems like the type of kid who will work hard and be a good student.  

I look forward to seeing him get some good minutes next season.

It's all up to Doc though to play him along with Bradley I'd like to see get more burn...

But those chances are a snowball in hell doubt he gets any meaningful minutes or the chance to earn them

[syfy9]

E'Twaun Moore and Jujuan Johnson. Oh my goodness, this is a green dream come true. Thank you Danny.

[sdceltsfan]

anyone seeing the Durant resemblances? Same range, same outside moves and shot selection. Obviously not as quick, or able to create any shot at any spot on the floor like Durant, but his inside/low-post game is equal or superior. It also looks like he is willing to crash boards and play a little D, so I think we got as good a player as we could at #25.

 The Brooks kid looks talented, but we all know Doc would let him rot on the bench like he does every other young guard he's ever played. Not to mention Moore seems to be a guard who can come off the bench and play some solid D. I see a lot of Artest in Moore's game, so if he has even half a sane mind, we might have got a 2nd round steal as well.

Danny get's an A on this draft, where I wasn't expecting to be the least bit excited.

[energyking1]

johnson had the highest jumping reach at the combine. He can reach more than 12 feet.

[IrishGreen]

This kid is going to grab rebounds for fun. Absolute beast at blocking out. I still think he's a bit raw on the offense end, even though he seems like he has a good turn around jumper and mid-range game. He needs to work on passing out of the block and his ball handling in tight situations.

With saying that, PLEASE get rid of Big Baby. He is a pie. End of.

[CelticsFanNC]

  If Johnson can get a few rebounds that don't drop into his lap he will help as Rondo is the only guy we have who gets rebounds out of his area with any regularity.

  I just wonder with what is likely to be a shortened training camp and preseason if he will ever find much of a roll in Doc's rotation this coming season.