The real questions about JuJuan Johnson.

[ScoobyDoo]

How does he look as a prospect paired up with Dwight Howard in the 2013 season?

I for one am convinced that Danny Ainge is definitely going to make a run for Dwight Howard. As a GM, he would not be doing his job if he didn't at least take a shot at him.

Dwight Howard also, jokingly perhaps, says he's going to workout with Doc Rivers and Rondo. As they say, whether it's true of not, there is a little truth in every joke. If nothing else Doc and Rondo are on Dwight's radar. That tells me enough.

Because I believe Ainge will make a run at Dwight, I believe that keeping an eye on his draft picks and trades and what kinds of players he's bringing in right now will also tell you how confident he is about his chances to lure Dwight.

Therefore, per the post, I ask the question: what kind of fit is JuJuan Johnson next to Dwight Howard and also playing along side Rondo as a guy who can really motor up and down the court at the 4 spot?

Ainge is putting together a "high Octane" team, piece by piece, to put around Rondo within the next 2-3 seasons.

And I can tell you, if I'm Dwight Howard and JuJuan Johnson starts looking like he can be a solid PF and I've also got Rondo, I know I'm only a step or two away from annual championship contention.

Moving forward after the Pierce,KG & Ray run...

Dwight Howard
JuJuan Johnson
Jeff Green
Clipper Pick / DWest
Rondo / Bradley

+ Our picks, mid levels, LLE, etc...

Not a bad young crop.

[Marcus13]

Impossible to know but as a person who has seen most of Purdue's games, I think he has an opportunity to become a very good roleplayer in this league.  He'll get himself open for a lot of 12 footers and he is athletic and will involve himself in plays moving off the ball...which works well with Dwight because he attracts the double team

[mctyson]

The only problem with this scenario is the lack of perimeter offense (outside of Pierce who I assume is still on this roster.)  Also, in crunch time you will have 2 horrible FT shooters in Rondo and Howard on the floor.

Green and/or JJ have to become high-teens average scorers for this to work, unless that Clips pick is something really special.  Can't depend on those.

[diconzo]

Dwight Howard
JuJuan Johnson
Jeff Green
Clipper Pick / DWest
Rondo / Bradley

+ Our picks, mid levels, LLE, etc...

Not a bad young crop.

You don't have to say Clipper Pick, we're all thinking Austin Rivers

[Marcus13]

The only problem with this scenario is the lack of perimeter offense (outside of Pierce who I assume is still on this roster.)  Also, in crunch time you will have 2 horrible FT shooters in Rondo and Howard on the floor.

Green and/or JJ have to become high-teens average scorers for this to work, unless that Clips pick is something really special.  Can't depend on those.

Green can't be part of a re-build with JJ, Dwight, and Rondo.  That just doesn't work.  He needs to be moved for a 2-guard with some perimiter offense or another big man

[clover]

The only problem with this scenario is the lack of perimeter offense (outside of Pierce who I assume is still on this roster.)  Also, in crunch time you will have 2 horrible FT shooters in Rondo and Howard on the floor.

Green and/or JJ have to become high-teens average scorers for this to work, unless that Clips pick is something really special.  Can't depend on those.

Nah, Rondo's up to 67% FT next year and 72% by the time Howard joins him.  Not a problem.

[syfy9]

Dwight Howard
JuJuan Johnson
Jeff Green
Clipper Pick / DWest
Rondo / Bradley

+ Our picks, mid levels, LLE, etc...

Not a bad young crop.

You don't have to say Clipper Pick, we're all thinking Austin Rivers

TP, I would kill to have Rivers on the team.

[ScoobyDoo]

Agreed re the Jeff Green pairing with JJ, I just put them in there because it's our current roster. But here are my thoughts:

1. I believe we're going to go after Dwight and I think he knows it as well.

2. When you have a dominating phsiucal presence at center, you don't need a dominating physical presence at PF "necessarily. You could almost get away with Robert Horry at PF when Shaq was in his prime...

3. So if JJ can turn into a 12 and 8 guy at PF who flies up and down the court and plays good D along side Howard.

4. We, as an example, trade Jeff Green and a resigned Big Baby for a good young SF who can score NOW.

5. Use our pick, the clipper's pick and another player to move up and draft Austin Rivers... ( an idea I also love...)

Howard / LLE
Johnson / KG
Young small forward ( BBD, JG trade )/ Pierce
Austin Rivers ( Clipper pick and ours + futures and a player - I guess whatever it took...) / Ray or DWest
Rondo / Bradley

Does that look attractive to Howard?

If we don't get Howard, you can still put another center, and a good one, in his place...

But that's a good team.     

[GreenEnvy]

Dwight Howard
JuJuan Johnson
Jeff Green
Clipper Pick / DWest
Rondo / Bradley

+ Our picks, mid levels, LLE, etc...

Not a bad young crop.

You don't have to say Clipper Pick, we're all thinking Austin Rivers

Unless he has a very underwhelming season at Duke, I doubt he lasts past 5, let alone 10 (where the pick is protected to).

The situation would have to get a little wild and he holds out (a la Kobe?) and whoever has his rights trades him to us for our pick in the teens + cash + fillers. Seems a little far-fetched, but ya never know.

I also doubt he is that desperate to come play for his father. The Rivers' don't look like the types to do that, but Ainge definitely is that type of guy lol, so who knows how much influence he can have.

[erisred]

There are going to be plenty of very good 2/3's in the 2012 draft besides Rivers. I think the C's will get a Ray or Pierce replacement next year from the Clipper's pick...might trade that pick + something to get a good young vet, might use the pick to get Lamb, Gilcrist, Thomas, Jones...or someone like that.

To the original question, though, yes, I think JJ (and KG, too, for that matter) could play very well with Howard. And I'd be thrilled if we get to find out for sure.

[PosImpos]

The only problem with this scenario is the lack of perimeter offense (outside of Pierce who I assume is still on this roster.)  Also, in crunch time you will have 2 horrible FT shooters in Rondo and Howard on the floor.

Green and/or JJ have to become high-teens average scorers for this to work, unless that Clips pick is something really special.  Can't depend on those.

Nah, Rondo's up to 67% FT next year and 72% by the time Howard joins him.  Not a problem.

I'm not sure which is more wishful thinking -- that Rondo will make a giant leap in free throw percentage after so long in the league, or that the Celtics will be able to land Dwight Howard.

[cman88]

The only problem with this scenario is the lack of perimeter offense (outside of Pierce who I assume is still on this roster.)  Also, in crunch time you will have 2 horrible FT shooters in Rondo and Howard on the floor.

Green and/or JJ have to become high-teens average scorers for this to work, unless that Clips pick is something really special.  Can't depend on those.

Nah, Rondo's up to 67% FT next year and 72% by the time Howard joins him.  Not a problem.

I'm not sure which is more wishful thinking -- that Rondo will make a giant leap in free throw percentage after so long in the league, or that the Celtics will be able to land Dwight Howard.

why do you seem to need to point out that we wont get dwight howard in every thread?

theres no sure thing we will land dwight howard...but we definitely have a chance to...as good of a chance of any other team. Danny's not clearing cap space in 2012 for nothing if we have a 0% chance...

[CoachBo]

The only problem with this scenario is the lack of perimeter offense (outside of Pierce who I assume is still on this roster.)  Also, in crunch time you will have 2 horrible FT shooters in Rondo and Howard on the floor.

Green and/or JJ have to become high-teens average scorers for this to work, unless that Clips pick is something really special.  Can't depend on those.

Nah, Rondo's up to 67% FT next year and 72% by the time Howard joins him.  Not a problem.

I'm not sure which is more wishful thinking -- that Rondo will make a giant leap in free throw percentage after so long in the league, or that the Celtics will be able to land Dwight Howard.

There's a greater chance that Bill Russell starts at center next winter for the Celtics than Rondo becomes competent at the foul line.

[StartOrien]

If you can acquire Dwight Howard, you don't worry about much else.

[OsirusCeltics]

Dwight Howard
JuJuan Johnson
Jeff Green
Clipper Pick / DWest
Rondo / Bradley

+ Our picks, mid levels, LLE, etc...

Not a bad young crop.

You don't have to say Clipper Pick, we're all thinking Austin Rivers

TP, I would kill to have Rivers on the team.

TP for the Sam Cassel photo