Why Jajuan isnt playing

[TA9]

“Well, it’s tough because we need him,” said Rivers, the man with the key to the
court. “The execution part of it is where he’s struggling. I think the basketball part,
in some ways he’s ready, not defensively, but offensively he’s clearly ready. He’ll
play in this stretch, but he has to earn everybody’s trust, not just the coaches.”

Not surprised, JaJuan needs to bulk up. Hopefully he will get stronger during the Off Season

[jojowhite10]

I always think it's funny when people use the excuse that someone needs to bulk up as an excuse for not playing. I think it's clear that JJJ is lost on defense, and sporadic at best on offense. Sure he could stand to add some lower body strength, but that is in no way the inhibiting factor in his lack of playing time.

[pearljammer10]

I guess the only thing that is going to help JJJ is playing time, yet, at the same time, he is just not ready or good enough at this point to contribute to our playoff push.

[clover]

I thought it notable how Ray waxed eloquent about Stiemer's coming in and not thinking he knows everything already as a rookie, being open to input from the vets and actually learning from them.  

Ray's point was that that is very rare, and I couldn't help but wonder if he saw it in contrast to the young Boilermakers.  Stiemer has of course had more exposure to pro basketball, so he presumably understands better what is expected, and at 26, he knows he doesn't have several years luxury in figuring it out.

I think the trick is getting enough of the defensive schemes down so Doc will put you out there--and then you have the chance to have it really sink in.

[SHAQATTACK]

He has talent no doubt. This kid really really really needed the pre- season to get the defense drills and become familuar with Docs system.  He does look lost on defense I'll have to admit.  But thats ok young and learning is fixable , because like AB the physical gifts are there ,he'll be valuable NBA player couple seasons down the road.
I think he will be at least as good as Jeff Green , probally better. NBA is alot about ATTITUDE and CONFIDENCE , ake D WADE...   He needs to assert himself and play his way into the lineup.

I think with Doc , you have to really earn your playing time.  Especially if you are a rookie. 

[CelticHooligan3]

Where do you get bulk up? I thought "execution" was where he's struggling. No?

[azzenfrost]

Doc said in an interview that he has the talent (offensive) but still needs to work on execution especially on the defensive end. I think if the season wasn't so short and that they could actually practice, these kids would be so much better for us.

[WeMadeIt17]

I figured the same thing. JJJ just wasn't getting something. But I want to hear something for Moore. When Bradley was struggling and Dooling was out, Moore stepped up. He can flat out shoot and for the future let him play with Bradley cause we need to spread the floor, and he can do that.

[Jon]

I really think execution is the key.  Doc has routinely trotted out small forwards at the 4 spot over the years (Posey and Pietrus), so clearly it isn't bulk that's the issue.  

I really think defensive execution is so key.  Say what you want about the shortcomings of this team, but they are still one of the elite defensive teams in the NBA, and that's because Doc puts enormous stock in team defense.  I really think that has more than anything else to do with some young players not getting PT with Doc (but let's not pretend it's all young players).  And team defense is one of the hardest things for young players to master.

And that also applies to Moore (not to mention that he was a second round pick in a weak draft).

[Q_FBE]

Jajuan and Etaun Moore were locked out and could not get up to speed this year on what the Celtics do. Plus there is not enough prac tice time available to get the kids integrated into the system.

[thestackshow]

Doc is a defensive coach, if you dont play defense at an elite level, unless your name is Ray Allen you arent seeing the floor.

[letsgoblue86]

I think the lack of playing time for JaJuan is hurting his progression.  As we saw last night, the play where KG had the ball and the lane opened up for Jajuan, he didn't read the defense.

If he would have made that simple cut when KG drew two defenders he would have had a wide open dunk.  I think his lack of experience has hindered his play.

[Chris]

I think the lack of playing time for JaJuan is hurting his progression.  As we saw last night, the play where KG had the ball and the lane opened up for Jajuan, he didn't read the defense.

If he would have made that simple cut when KG drew two defenders he would have had a wide open dunk.  I think his lack of experience has hindered his play.

This is where it gets so hard to analyze situations like this.  Because, we can say all we want that the lack of experience is hindering his ability to think the game and feel comfortable...and then Doc can say that he cannot put him on the floor if he is not comfortable and thinking the game.

And both sides may be right. 

I will say though, I would give Johnson much more leniency if he wasn't a 4-year college player.  He shouldn't be struggling with the system at this point, even if it is all from practice, film study, and getting extra work with the coaches when they don't have practice. 

Plenty of guys have been able to come in and learn the system without a ton of playing time (and he has had some playing time).  If he is slower at picking it up, fine, but he needs to work within the system to learn it.  Nothing good will come from having a guy on the floor that the other guys don't trust to be where he is supposed to be. 

[Evantime34]

I don't expect anything from him this year but in his first year he has speed us he can run the floor, shoot midrange jumpers and block shots. By next year I expect him to have gained 10-20  lbs, got the rotations down pat and be in the regular big man rotation.

It seems like Doc is harder on rookies for making mental mistakes than he would be on a very for the same mistake. While this might sound unreasonable in their first year it is the best way to train the rookies with good habits that will last.

[Chris]

It seems like Doc is harder on rookies for making mental mistakes than he would be on a very for the same mistake. While this might sound unreasonable in their first year it is the best way to train the rookies with good habits that will last.

Yeah, I think a big part of this is that he believes that if you throw a young player in before they are ready, then it will do more damage than good to that player.  And I think it has much more to do with the mental part of the game than the physical part of the game. 

I think he believes that guys can improve physically by playing the game.  But, if they don't understand the system and rotations, they are just going to compound the problem on the floor.