JaJuan Johnson has me excited

[Fan from VT]

I would love to be wrong, but after 4 years of college, there's not much upside left. I see Channing Frye with less range at this point. Again, hope to be wrong.

[vinnie]

I love these threads at this time of year 

Is JJJ signed yet?

[the_Bird]

I would love to be wrong, but after 4 years of college, there's not much upside left. I see Channing Frye with less range at this point. Again, hope to be wrong.

If he proves to be a player like Frye, I'd be happy (given where J^3 was drafted).  I remember at the time of the draft thinking that he sounded kind of Taj Gibson-ey; not a guy that's going to be a star, but a guy that's a good, athletic contributor.  

[Moreover]

I would love to be wrong, but after 4 years of college, there's not much upside left. I see Channing Frye with less range at this point. Again, hope to be wrong.

If he proves to be a player like Frye, I'd be happy (given where J^3 was drafted).  I remember at the time of the draft thinking that he sounded kind of Taj Gibson-ey; not a guy that's going to be a star, but a guy that's a good, athletic contributor.  

He cant't rebound or move his feet laterally like Gibson and he can't shoot the 3 like Frye.

He can shoot 2pt jumpers better than Gibson and defend better than Frye.

[Fan from VT]

I think absolute best case scenario if he becomes the max NBA player of his college potential would basically be David West. Okay total rebounding, good defense, very solid in between game.

[gotjoker?]

If you're a power forward who's a finesse player, then you must have a center who can provide a post presence (defense and rebounds) to complement you.

Think Garnett and Perkins.

Boston needs to recreate this dynamic if they expect Johnson to reach his full potential.  But then, Bosh didn't turn out bad and I don't think he has ever played with a center that truly complements his skill set.

[csfansince60s]

Horace Grant is this kid's upside. At least that was Doc's opinion on the first day of training camp. That would be thrilling.

He qualified that by saying that he (obviously) wasn't Grant now, but with his tools, that is the type of player he could become.

JJJ dropped in the draft, especially because of his lack of bulk. His lack of bulk, though belies his  strength. JJJ can bench 330 lbs. Check the other combine numbers. How many other college players who participated did that?

I also remember a certain PF/C out of UMASS in '96 who was even less bulky and less strong than JJJ, but was about the same height and weighed about 10 lbs less when he came into the league than JJJ. And Camby wasn't a good free throw shooter. He did OK.

I believe that even given our depth at PF, due to our lack of a backup to JO, Doc does PF/C by committee and JJJ gets more PT than most of Doc's rookies and gets a great chance to show us what he can do. His four years at Purdue helps him in this regard.

People have to get off the myth that 4 year players have no upside. This kid has it.

[CoachBo]

I would love to be wrong, but after 4 years of college, there's not much upside left. I see Channing Frye with less range at this point. Again, hope to be wrong.

Chuckle. Ahh. Draft pick hyperbole on CelticsBlog.

Who knew?

Decent player, who I'd chuck into a deal for anything of value in the blink of an eye.

[Sketch5]

He's improved a good deal each year of the 4 years. Why can't he in the NBA with one of the best all time Power Forwards teaching him for at least one year.

He might not be a player you build a team around, but he could be one that helps anchor the team.

Bottom line...We just don't know yet.

[Bahku]

Nobody knows how any young player will adapt to the NBA, so time will tell. But anyone who has watched this kid through his college years knows he's a hard worker, has improved with each season overall, has his head on his shoulders and a mature attitude, and is a good deal above average and more than just trade bait. I hope he stays and gets a chance to be tutored under KG and Paul ... nothing wrong with being optimistic about a rookie, Change.

[hwangjini_1]

yep, hyperbole and overrating....the tell tale signs of cb. myself included.  

who knows what 3J will do? unless he is the second coming of KG (and he isnt) doc wont give him many minutes. doc's focus is winning this year, not building kids' experience for 3-4 years from now.

from the two youtube clips - an enchanted land where no one ever misses shots - he seems to have a pretty good offensive game and a nice jump shot.

but with that body and build i dont see him playing tough defense down low or pulling in a lot of rebounds. until he puts on weight i think other power forwards in the nba will push him around and out of position.

but heck, one of the joys of cb is that the celtics only draft hall of fame players.   let's enjoy our fantasies while we can.

[GDAbraham]

I don't think it's hyperbole unless someone says he's an automatic all-star or the next big thing. Most people seem carefully optimistic in his regard. At least to the point that he's got more potential than some of the other recent picks. What that turns into - who knows?

But Doc was fairly honest/on the money when Bradley came in and I suspect the same in this case. Having another big body that can play D, space the floor with jumpshots and run with Rondo to strong finishes is enough to be intrigued. Even on a rookie level that could provide more help/consistency than Baby sometimes gave and that would be fresh. With the proper work ethic and playing next to Garnett, he could easily overachieve. If that simply means an A+ to Baby's B+, that's a [dang] good pick.

[celticinorlando]

i like johnson...think he could be good...but doc won't give him any run...

[clawlin]

JJJ has me more excited than any of these past picks, mainly because he produced in college, unlike many of his Celtics draftee predecessors.  Also, he is on the team with his fellow Boilermaker, E'Twaun, and has high morale going into the season.

Expect Doc to play them together in early-game scenarios or in garbage time, to see their effectiveness together.

[vinnie]

Did someone really compare JJJ to Marcus Camby?