JaJuan Johnson has me excited

[dmny5000]

GMs passed over Rondo but I don't see them getting fired. They make mistakes all the time. I don't know what he's going to amount to and nobody really does but I like his chance of being a pretty good player.

The difference is that nobody was arguing that it was readily apparent Rondo would be a top-5 point guard.  Nobody was comparing his passing skills to Deron Williams and Chris Paul.  Basically, Rondo is a surprise.  Those are the guys who slip in the draft.

On here (this thread and elsewhere) people are suggesting that JJ (a college senior) has the very apparent skill set to be in the conversation with a lot of those other guys.  If Celtics fans can see it, but the GMs missed it after watching this guy for four years, then yes, they should all be fired.

That doesn't mean that JJ won't be good, but there's a very, very slim chance that he ever develops into even David West, let alone any of the other names being tossed about.

I'm not trying to suggest that he has a very apparent skill set to be compared to those guys. I get that some are and I don't get that really. I'm saying he's got an unpolished skill set that I think will translate well in the NBA. I'm not trying to say that he's shown reasons to believe he's going to be David West.

I'm aware that it is unlikely but I just mean I think he has a much better chance than a lot of other guys that get picked in the 20's. I was very high on Rondo when he came in the league when most were just complaining that he cant shoot. I'm not high on all rookies but sometimes a guy just seems like he's got something special.

The talent is there. As for the GM's getting fired I think I could make a case why almost all of those guys should be fired for several different reasons. Making mistakes is just something GM's do. JJ was too risky for a GM to take in the top 20 cause it wouldn't have been a popular move and it would have looked very bad if it didn't work out.

I should be a GM. Please don't bring this up when he's a bust though  

[dmny5000]

Jeez, high expectations, anyone?

I've seen this kid compared to Kevin Garnett, Kevin Durant, Marcus Camby and Taj Gibson, and called better than David West.

Gibson, maybe.  The other guys, though, no way is that a fair comparison at this stage.  If it's readily apparent that JJ will be on the level of any of those players, 26 NBA GMs should be immediately fired, because JJ should have gone #1.

I don't think people are really saying that he's going to amount to KG. I think his game is just a lot like KG's but I would be surprised if anyone expects him to be on that level.

GMs passed over Rondo but I don't see them getting fired. They make mistakes all the time. I don't know what he's going to amount to and nobody really does but I like his chance of being a pretty good player.

So much of KG's game when he was JJJ's age relied on his handle and elite athleticism. I don't seem them as similar other than both are lanky PFs who can shoot.

I would say JJ has elite athleticism or at least up near there. I also think his defense is one of the reasons he's being called similar.

Overall it's the body, the shooting, the defense and the athleticism. He's not going to be KG but maybe more like KG's second cousin haha.

[Fafnir]

Jeez, high expectations, anyone?

I've seen this kid compared to Kevin Garnett, Kevin Durant, Marcus Camby and Taj Gibson, and called better than David West.

Gibson, maybe.  The other guys, though, no way is that a fair comparison at this stage.  If it's readily apparent that JJ will be on the level of any of those players, 26 NBA GMs should be immediately fired, because JJ should have gone #1.

I don't think people are really saying that he's going to amount to KG. I think his game is just a lot like KG's but I would be surprised if anyone expects him to be on that level.

GMs passed over Rondo but I don't see them getting fired. They make mistakes all the time. I don't know what he's going to amount to and nobody really does but I like his chance of being a pretty good player.

So much of KG's game when he was JJJ's age relied on his handle and elite athleticism. I don't seem them as similar other than both are lanky PFs who can shoot.

I would say JJ has elite athleticism or at least up near there. I also think his defense is one of the reasons he's being called similar.

Overall it's the body, the shooting, the defense and the athleticism. He's not going to be KG but maybe more like KG's second cousin haha.

You and I have very different definitions of elite athleticism. JJJ might be an elite athlete compared to me and you, but for the NBA he's nothing special.

KG is right up there with LBJ, Shaq, MJ, Domnique Wilkins as being an all time athletic talent in NBA history.

[Evantime34]

Jeez, high expectations, anyone?

I've seen this kid compared to Kevin Garnett, Kevin Durant, Marcus Camby and Taj Gibson, and called better than David West.

Gibson, maybe.  The other guys, though, no way is that a fair comparison at this stage.  If it's readily apparent that JJ will be on the level of any of those players, 26 NBA GMs should be immediately fired, because JJ should have gone #1.

I don't think people are really saying that he's going to amount to KG. I think his game is just a lot like KG's but I would be surprised if anyone expects him to be on that level.

GMs passed over Rondo but I don't see them getting fired. They make mistakes all the time. I don't know what he's going to amount to and nobody really does but I like his chance of being a pretty good player.

So much of KG's game when he was JJJ's age relied on his handle and elite athleticism. I don't seem them as similar other than both are lanky PFs who can shoot.

I would say JJ has elite athleticism or at least up near there. I also think his defense is one of the reasons he's being called similar.

Overall it's the body, the shooting, the defense and the athleticism. He's not going to be KG but maybe more like KG's second cousin haha.

You and I have very different definitions of elite athleticism. JJJ might be an elite athlete compared to me and you, but for the NBA he's nothing special.

KG is right up there with LBJ, Shaq, MJ, Domnique Wilkins as being an all time athletic talent in NBA history.

I think he has above average or good atheletecism, good length solid post moves and a decent jumper. Players have turned out very good careers with those attributes and continued improvement.

[Fafnir]

I think he has above average or good atheletecism, good length solid post moves and a decent jumper. Players have turned out very good careers with those attributes and continued improvement.

Indeed they have, but there is a world of difference between elite and "averge to good".

That difference is shown in what Blake Griffin compared to Tyler Hansborough can do to impact the game.

[dmny5000]

I think he has above average or good atheletecism, good length solid post moves and a decent jumper. Players have turned out very good careers with those attributes and continued improvement.

Indeed they have, but there is a world of difference between elite and "averge to good".

That difference is shown in what Blake Griffin compared to Tyler Hansborough can do to impact the game.

Yeah you are right, I was going a little overboard with elite athleticism but I do think his athleticism is underrated.

[Evantime34]

I think he has above average or good atheletecism, good length solid post moves and a decent jumper. Players have turned out very good careers with those attributes and continued improvement.

Indeed they have, but there is a world of difference between elite and "averge to good".

That difference is shown in what Blake Griffin compared to Tyler Hansborough can do to impact the game.

It's true, but at this point if we get a Hansborough type performance from JJJ it should help us a lot (Psycho T from last year not his rookie year).

[Fafnir]

I think he has above average or good atheletecism, good length solid post moves and a decent jumper. Players have turned out very good careers with those attributes and continued improvement.

Indeed they have, but there is a world of difference between elite and "averge to good".

That difference is shown in what Blake Griffin compared to Tyler Hansborough can do to impact the game.

It's true, but at this point if we get a Hansborough type performance from JJJ it should help us a lot (Psycho T from last year not his rookie year).

Oh yeah, Hansborough was inconsistent (his below average athleticism means some games he's just overmatched) but he was a solid backup PF for sure. Even showed flashes that he could be a servicable starter in the future.

[tunafish]

I believe JJJ does possess some attributes of elite athleticism. He has below average strength, and although strength is a COMPONENT of athleticism, it is not the end all be all of it. For his height he possesses elite speed, agility and 'ups'. If he does not experience too much of a drop off in these other qualities after adding 15-20 lbs (hopefully more) of muscle to his base, then he will most certainly be considered an elite athlete in every sense of the word.

[indeedproceed]

I believe JJJ does possess some attributes of elite athleticism. He has below average strength, and although strength is a COMPONENT of athleticism, it is not the end all be all of it. For his height he possesses elite speed, agility and 'ups'. If he does not experience too much of a drop off in these other qualities after adding 15-20 lbs (hopefully more) of muscle to his base, then he will most certainly be considered an elite athlete in every sense of the word.

Where did you get that he has elite jumping ability and agility?

[tunafish]

I believe JJJ does possess some attributes of elite athleticism. He has below average strength, and although strength is a COMPONENT of athleticism, it is not the end all be all of it. For his height he possesses elite speed, agility and 'ups'. If he does not experience too much of a drop off in these other qualities after adding 15-20 lbs (hopefully more) of muscle to his base, then he will most certainly be considered an elite athlete in every sense of the word.

Where did you get that he has elite jumping ability and agility?

" Tied for having the highest maximum jump reach in the 2011 NBA Draft Combine, getting as high as 12'1.5" " -nbadraft.net

Also read he has the speed to play the 3 at the next level (just not the handle), in other words, he's very agile.

Edit: Here's another link with all the stats from the combine in one place, so you can compare his numbers to... Kemba Walker.. for instance:

http://www.draftexpress.com/nba-pre-draft-measurements/?page=&year=2011&source=All&sort2=DESC&draft=0&pos=0&sort=1

[indeedproceed]

I believe JJJ does possess some attributes of elite athleticism. He has below average strength, and although strength is a COMPONENT of athleticism, it is not the end all be all of it. For his height he possesses elite speed, agility and 'ups'. If he does not experience too much of a drop off in these other qualities after adding 15-20 lbs (hopefully more) of muscle to his base, then he will most certainly be considered an elite athlete in every sense of the word.

Where did you get that he has elite jumping ability and agility?

" Tied for having the highest maximum jump reach in the 2011 NBA Draft Combine, getting as high as 12'1.5" " -nbadraft.net

Also read he has the speed to play the 3 at the next level (just not the handle), in other words, he's very agile

Being 6'10 and getting that high is impressive, but it doesn't make him an elite leaper by any stretch of the imagination. Darko Milicic had a 12 ft max reach vert.

He's a good combine athlete. He seems to be able to block shots at the college level so that tells you that maybe he has some good instincts there with his timing.

He's a nice prospect. But, labeling him an elite athlete based on combine numbers is a bit premature.

[Fafnir]

I believe JJJ does possess some attributes of elite athleticism. He has below average strength, and although strength is a COMPONENT of athleticism, it is not the end all be all of it. For his height he possesses elite speed, agility and 'ups'. If he does not experience too much of a drop off in these other qualities after adding 15-20 lbs (hopefully more) of muscle to his base, then he will most certainly be considered an elite athlete in every sense of the word.

Where did you get that he has elite jumping ability and agility?

" Tied for having the highest maximum jump reach in the 2011 NBA Draft Combine, getting as high as 12'1.5" " -nbadraft.net

Also read he has the speed to play the 3 at the next level (just not the handle), in other words, he's very agile

Being 6'10 and getting that high is impressive, but it doesn't make him an elite leaper by any stretch of the imagination. Darko Milicic had a 12 ft max reach vert.

He's a good combine athlete. He seems to be able to block shots at the college level so that tells you that maybe he has some good instincts there with his timing.

He's a nice prospect. But, labeling him an elite athlete based on combine numbers is a bit premature.

The ability to quick jump is just as important as how high you can get.

We'll just have to see how the kid plays, he'll get minutes with our depth issues.

[tunafish]

The ability to quick jump is just as important as how high you can get.

We'll just have to see how the kid plays, he'll get minutes with our depth issues.

From all accounts he seems to possess a good amount of explosion, but yes, it's obviously too early to tell how good of a player he will be at this level. Doesn't hurt to raise the expectations though Makes the offseason more fun 

[Fafnir]

The ability to quick jump is just as important as how high you can get.

We'll just have to see how the kid plays, he'll get minutes with our depth issues.

From all accounts he seems to possess a good amount of explosion, but yes, it's obviously too early to tell how good of a player he will be at this level. Doesn't hurt to raise the expectations though Makes the offseason more fun 

It makes it more aggrevating when people get upset that he isn't getting 20+ minutes a night when people raise expectations without any foundation.