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

[bostonpatriot]

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.

Agreed. Terrible idea.

[Geo123]

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.

You really think those are the only Cons?  Try not enough speed or lateral quickness to play SF and defend Sf's.  Also doesn't have the ball handling skills to play there plus doesn't have a consistent 15 to 20 foot jumper to play the position

[mqtcelticsfan]

He'd be a terrible SF. No athletic advantage over other wings, no ability to drive to the hoop, mediocre shooting range, poor defense. We'd be better off playing Sasha off the bench.

[Evantime34]

With him being one of three healthy bigs I think he'll see time at the four.

[guava_wrench]

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.

Agreed. Terrible idea.

I 3rd that. Makes no sense as a wing. Big players like Odom who can handle the ball can play 3.

[Change]

With him being one of three healthy bigs I think he'll see time at the four.

JJ will get eaten alive by Blake Griffin. Not enough strength to guard PF in the NBA.

[Jon]

With him being one of three healthy bigs I think he'll see time at the four.

JJ will get eaten alive by Blake Griffin. Not enough strength to guard PF in the NBA.

We'll, other than going small or playing KG and Bass the entire game, we're pretty much going to have to play him.  

[Jesus Shuttlesworth #20]

Because you blow on the guy and get rebounding position on him.

[2short]

remember old friend, who we are soon to see, ryan gomes as a small forward?
he did a good job, a tweener with way more foot speed than jjj, if ryan is a starter then you have to have 4 really good other starters, he is a very good sub but not a fast enough sf
(side note when he was here I was accused of a man crush on him  so trust me I like his game)
jjj is an offensive pf, he will give big pf troubles because they have to leave the paint to guard him, i love his offensive game and hope the rest comes next year (as a power forward)

as a sf sub with worse speed than gomes he'd be eaten alive,  better to go with marquis or sasha, even against a big sf (melo or lebron) jjj is to slow to handle the defensive end

is that enough of a NO ?

[nickagneta]

With him being one of three healthy bigs I think he'll see time at the four.

JJ will get eaten alive by Blake Griffin. Not enough strength to guard PF in the NBA.

Then he doesn't have a future in the NBA because if he doesn't have the strength to guard PFs in the NBA, he's useless. He doesn't have the skills to play other position in this league.

[Chris]

Because he is not a small forward?  Does it need any more explanation than that?

He is not quick enough, he is not skilled enough, he would be a total liability, etc.

[Change]

With him being one of three healthy bigs I think he'll see time at the four.

JJ will get eaten alive by Blake Griffin. Not enough strength to guard PF in the NBA.

Then he doesn't have a future in the NBA because if he doesn't have the strength to guard PFs in the NBA, he's useless. He doesn't have the skills to play other position in this league.

Poor guy gets thrown around like a rag doll inside. It's the reason why he is poor rebounder. Other bigs at will move him around.

[Donoghus]

He's not a 3.

[Chris]

With him being one of three healthy bigs I think he'll see time at the four.

JJ will get eaten alive by Blake Griffin. Not enough strength to guard PF in the NBA.

Then he doesn't have a future in the NBA because if he doesn't have the strength to guard PFs in the NBA, he's useless. He doesn't have the skills to play other position in this league.

This is why a long, athletic, 6'10" guy, who was a very productive college player, and was the defensive player of the year in his conference was available in the 20's. 

I do think he is stronger than he looks, but he is always going to have issues in the NBA, because he is not a 3, and can't match up with most NBA 4's. 

[OnyxCashew]

haven't seen much of johnson, but though he appears to be quick for a 4, definitely doesn't have the body to play at the 3.