JaJuan Johnson has me excited

[mctyson]

JJJ was a late 1st round draft pick, which in the NBA basically means you are slightly above the cut line in terms of rookie talent

the best the celtics could hope for out of JJJ is that he has a Tayshaun Prince-like career: experienced college player with NBA ready talents (length/athleticism), not-so-NBA rated physique (which is why he was drafted late IMO: you can't be a junior or senior in college and still be a toothpick), who develops into a defensive standout and reliable scoring option, either as a starter or 6th man

I will be too.  I stand by my comment though and I am not expecting much.

Johnson was also a very late bloomer. He didn't grow until late or start playing basketball until late. He made major strides each of the four years he was in college and he might continue to improve more than most four year college men do...or he might not.

We will just have to wait and see.

if JJJ ends up being as a PF what Tayshaun is as a SF, I will be VERY pleased.

[Jon]

The thing is, JaJuan doesn't have to be special to help this team.  All he needs to do is hit open jumpers, finish alleyoops, and play adequate team defense to help this team.  And by all accounts he can do the first two and KG will probably scare him enough to at least be adequate on defense.

Remember how many players out Core Four have made to look good by just hitting open shots (Posey, House, Baby, Shaq). And JaJuan has the skillsets to make it work.

[Cman]

I haven't been this excited about a rookie in a long time. A 6'10 powerforward who runs like a gazelle, a shot blocker, has range, and remind of young Garnett. Ainge shouldn't include JJJ in any trade. I'm Glad David West trade rumors broke down.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uYJbOiD8W7I
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jPzSTWi_jd4

TP to the OP.
If all else fails this season, I'm sure there'll be some good highlights of Rondo to JJJ alley-oops.

[ImShakHeIsShaq]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7f9R5t205Xg




Let's go 3J!

[Celtics18]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7f9R5t205Xg




Let's go 3J!

Thanks for posting that.  I'm partial to guys in green uniforms anyway, but I like that guy. 

[BostonArizona]

Loved JJJ before the draft, still love his skill set.

Probably wont be an overall difference maker, but with his physical tools along I dont see why he couldn't crack the rotation for us as long as his defense is atleast adequate.

Would love to see a run and gun lineup come out when we need a scoring lift of:
rondo
ray
green
JJJ
KG
shooters and finishers all over the floor...could be good.

[RyNye]

I am pretty optimistic about JJJ. We don't need him to be Rookie of the Year for him to contribute.

And for those of you arguing he could never be a solid player because he was drafted so low, ever heard of Dennis Rodman? He was the 27th overall pick in the 1986 draft. Look at that draft, it was not very deep at all.

[ImShakHeIsShaq]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7f9R5t205Xg




Let's go 3J!

Thanks for posting that.  I'm partial to guys in green uniforms anyway, but I like that guy. 

NP! "bostonceltics" and "espnforsberg" have videos of interviews/training camp everyday on youtube.

[Edgar]

Loved JJJ before the draft, still love his skill set.

Probably wont be an overall difference maker, but with his physical tools along I dont see why he couldn't crack the rotation for us as long as his defense is atleast adequate.

Would love to see a run and gun lineup come out when we need a scoring lift of:
rondo
ray
green
JJJ
KG
shooters and finishers all over the floor...could be good.

Specially without mr black hole davis

[LooseCannon]

In general, veteran-dominated playoff contenders almost never have minutes to spare for rookies.   Unless there are injuries.   Thus last year, Bradley got no playing time but Semih Erden and Luke Harangody did.

Just look at the rosters of all the playoff teams each year and check how many minutes rookies get.  Unless a team truly has no alternative, most playoff teams give almost NO minutes to rookies.  But if they have no alternative, then yeah, they will.

These teams are also more likely to have lower draft picks, so they have less talented rookies on average than other teams and they probably are more likely to spend that late pick on a project who needs a few years to develop, since they usually don't have available playing time and have an easier time attracting veterans for the minimum who want to chase a ring.

[vjcsmoke]

I'm excited too!  You never know what you get with rookies until you run them through camp and throw them to the lions once in a while and see what they can do.  Sure more great players tend to come out of the lottery but there have been great players coming late too.

Not so long ago we passed over Monta Ellis.  He was picked #10 in Round 2 of his draft.  Do you think we'd like to have a do over right now?  Us and a lot of teams in the NBA. 

What is exciting about 3J or Triple J or JJJ as some are calling him is his length and athleticism.  He also appears to be a defensive minded shotblocker.  You can never have too much defense in the NBA!  And he has the chance to learn from the best at the position.  KG.  Unlike BBD, size and athleticism or lack therefore won't be a ceiling that caps his growth.  But the final determination of his success is himself.  Can he step up to the challenge that KG and Rivers will present him, can he use and develop his gifts to the very peak.  That still remains to be seen.  But still the potential is there and so there is reason for optimism and excitement!

Now, if we can just get ourselves a solid 5 man, then we're looking at a serious title run this year.