Why doesn't Doc explore JaJuan Johnson backup Small Forward?

[Change]

Rule number one: Get your best player on the court.

It's been done before where underdeveloped big man slide position down as ease into the NBA. Kevin Durant who has similar frame started out as shooting guard. A young scrawny Kevin Garnett was small forward in his earlier years. JJ isn't an ordinary big man. JaJuan is speedy, agile, athletic big man.


Pros:
Another big to crash the boards
Helps out with bench scoring
protect the rim
Keyon Dooling never gets off the bench


Cons:
Struggles against Lebron James boohoo


The pros outweigh the cons.

[theswitch]

I agree with this mentality in certain situations. There are guys like Ron Artest who only have offensive value because they sit in the corner and make some 3s. If you just have somebody long and athletic who can get there by the time he shoots, then it doesn't matter if he can't guard a conventional 3 - he can guard Ron Artest. Offensively, he'll be able to go right over the top and create a mismatch.

We saw this type of deal last year in the playoffs when Miami would guard JO with James Jones. Is Jones a 5? No. But he can guard JO because it's just not that hard. I don't want JJJ guarding Caron Butler tomorrow night, let alone a star at small forward, but I wouldn't be opposed to him guarding somebody that just requires standing in a corner and chatting about the best coffee shops in the area.

[jdz101]

To be honest I haven't seen 3J score against anyone except junk time floopsies.

Even then he struggles for touches.

Im not sure at this stage where the argument that he would succeed against starter quality  comes from.

Throwing this kid in the deep end against NBA starting talent could be the worst possible thing you could do for his confidence. Even on the bad teams there are some pretty strong, crafty players at the 4 & the 3 that would take advantage of his inexperience at NBA level.

[CelticsFan9]

I don't think it'll work.  First off, KD is a small forward with a small forward body who just happens to be a 7-footer.

3J is a power forward with a small forward body(which isn't very good; he will get stronger in the future) who is about 6-11 to 7 feet.

Perry Jones III would be a better back-up SF because he is built more like KD.

Overall, I hope to see 3J stay as a PF.

[bfrombleacher]

To be honest I haven't seen 3J score against anyone except junk time floopsies.

I thought he went up against Marc Gasol in the Grizz game?

[mctyson]

I still have yet to understand why Dooling plays.  He contributes nothing.  No defense. No offense.  I know it is limited minutes but it is still minutes.

Doc is forced to play Stiemer and guess what?  He's actually productive.  I thought we could have used him in the 4th.

JJJ has to play.  He is too dang tall not to.

Pierce was awful today I am sorry.

[Change]

I agree with this mentality in certain situations. There are guys like Ron Artest who only have offensive value because they sit in the corner and make some 3s. If you just have somebody long and athletic who can get there by the time he shoots, then it doesn't matter if he can't guard a conventional 3 - he can guard Ron Artest. Offensively, he'll be able to go right over the top and create a mismatch.

We saw this type of deal last year in the playoffs when Miami would guard JO with James Jones. Is Jones a 5? No. But he can guard JO because it's just not that hard. I don't want JJJ guarding Caron Butler tomorrow night, let alone a star at small forward, but I wouldn't be opposed to him guarding somebody that just requires standing in a corner and chatting about the best coffee shops in the area.

Thats the thing we would never know unless Doc tries. I believe JJ won't problem with 85% of starting Small Forward. And 100% backup Small Forwards.

[bfrombleacher]

I still have yet to understand why Dooling plays.  He contributes nothing.  No defense. No offense.  I know it is limited minutes but it is still minutes.

Doc is forced to play Stiemer and guess what?  He's actually productive.  I thought we could have used him in the 4th.

JJJ has to play.  He is too dang tall not to.

Pierce was awful today I am sorry.

I wasn't able to catch the game ([dang]) but I've heard good things about Stiems. Is it for real?

[Celtics4ever]

I would like to see what he could do at the three.  I have doubts about his mobility but he seems athletic enough.

[Change]

I still have yet to understand why Dooling plays.  He contributes nothing.  No defense. No offense.  I know it is limited minutes but it is still minutes.

Doc is forced to play Stiemer and guess what?  He's actually productive.  I thought we could have used him in the 4th.

JJJ has to play.  He is too dang tall not to.

Pierce was awful today I am sorry.

Here's the rotation contingent on Chris Wilcox health.

Rajon Rondo/Avery Bradley
Ray Allen/Mickael Pietrus
Paul Pierce/JaJuan Johnson
Brandon Bass/Chris Wilcox
Kevin Garnett/Greg Stiemsma

[KGs Knee]

At first I thought this myself, then I watched Johnson play.  His skill set is just not that of a SF.  Not enough lateral mobility or ball handling skills.

He's a PF not a SF.

[Change]

At first I thought this myself, then I watched Johnson play.  His skill set is just not that of a SF.  Not enough lateral mobility or ball handling skills.

He's a PF not a SF.

And you came up with that conclusion how? JJ will going up against backups mostly. He can use his size on one end, and his mobility on the other end. His skill set is that of a shooter. C's run some PnR action where he spots up to shoot or he cuts to the basket. Besides couple of the big name SF's, majority starting SF spot up in one corner and wait.

[Tai]

I wanna say "Well of course Doc tries stuff like this during practice", but I can see where this topic was going from the beginning. It's no better than that "OUTCOAHCED versus the Lakers today...?" one, and if you wanna know what I mean, just look at my post in that topic.

[KGs Knee]

At first I thought this myself, then I watched Johnson play.  His skill set is just not that of a SF.  Not enough lateral mobility or ball handling skills.

He's a PF not a SF.

And you came up with that conclusion how?

Like I said, by watching him play.

He is too slow laterally to either guard or beat other SF's off the dribble, nor does he posses the ball handling skills.  He has good shooting range for a PF, as a SF he would be average at best.  Spot up shooting SF's need to be capable of making 3's, Johnson has not shown this type of range.

Maybe your eyes are telling you something dofferent than mine are.  That's fine.  Let's just say I'd be more than willing to place a friendly wager Johnson will never see any meaningful time as a SF.

[rocknrollforyoursoul]

It would be nice if Doc would explore ANYTHING. I like Doc, but his aversion to young players is ridiculous. He'd rather stick with a rusty, out-of-rhythm, underperforming Dooling than give E'Twuan another chance--even though E'Twaun's had more good performances than Dooling this season. When I first turned on the game, late in the third quarter I think it was, I saw Stiemsma get two consecutive defensive rebounds amongst the Lakers' trees, and he finished with 4 boards and 3 blocks in only 14 minutes ... yet Doc didn't give him a chance in crunch time. I know he's an offensive liability, but Boston's end-of-game offense is terrible already anyway, so why not try to win it with defense, which is what this team is supposed to be about?

And what's up with Pierce getting ZERO rebounds? It's great when your small forward lays a big ol' goose egg in that category.