JaJuan Johnson part of the Rotation?

[Professor of Rondology]

I am hearing a LOT of people talking about JJJ getting decent minutes this season, and I am a little curious as to why this is.  His height, length, and athleticism (and his success in college) do give him some upside, but at what point in the 2011-12 season did he show any sign of, well, anything?  

I am more than aware  that a player can make a huge jump between years 1 and 2- AB showed us that this year- but AB came into the NBA as a rookie with an ALL-NBA level skill- defense. It was that skill, and that skill alone, that allowed him to earn minutes.  It was those minutes that allowed the other aspects of his game to flourish.  JJJ does not have an all-NBA level skill to get his foot in the door. The only way he will earn pt this year is if he gives some legitimate indication that he is cashing in on his potential.  He had a full year to work with KG and I haven't seen any real improvement on his part or enthusiasm on KG's part (as a mentor to JJJ, I mean).

A strong summer league showing would be a good indicator that he might get some minutes this year but until that happens, I'm penciling JJJ in for more of what he got last year- garbage time.

[European NBA fan]

I am hearing a LOT of people talking about JJJ getting decent minutes at the 4 this season, and I am a little curious as to why this is.  His height, length, and athleticism (and his success in college) do give him some upside, but at what point in the 2011-12 season did he show any sign of, well, anything? 

I am more than aware  that a player can make a huge jump between years 1 and 2- AB showed us that this year- but AB came into the NBA as a rookie with an ALL-NBA level skill- defense. It was that skill, and that skill alone, that allowed him to earn minutes.  It was those minutes that allowed the other aspects of his game to flourish.  JJJ does not have an all-NBA level skill to get his foot in the door. The only way he will earn pt this year is if he gives some legitimate indication that he is cashing in on his potential.  He had a full year to work with KG and I haven't seen any real improvement on his part or enthusiasm on KG's part (as a mentor to JJJ, I mean).

A strong summer league showing would be a good indicator that he might get some minutes this year but until that happens, I'm penciling JJJ in for more of what he got last year- garbage time.

I agree. I hope he will get some time at the 3 in Summer League, too, since Doc wasn't sure that he is a 4.

[StartOrien]

I am hearing a LOT of people talking about JJJ getting decent minutes at the 4 this season, and I am a little curious as to why this is.  His height, length, and athleticism (and his success in college) do give him some upside, but at what point in the 2011-12 season did he show any sign of, well, anything? 

I am more than aware  that a player can make a huge jump between years 1 and 2- AB showed us that this year- but AB came into the NBA as a rookie with an ALL-NBA level skill- defense. It was that skill, and that skill alone, that allowed him to earn minutes.  It was those minutes that allowed the other aspects of his game to flourish.  JJJ does not have an all-NBA level skill to get his foot in the door. The only way he will earn pt this year is if he gives some legitimate indication that he is cashing in on his potential.  He had a full year to work with KG and I haven't seen any real improvement on his part or enthusiasm on KG's part (as a mentor to JJJ, I mean).

A strong summer league showing would be a good indicator that he might get some minutes this year but until that happens, I'm penciling JJJ in for more of what he got last year- garbage time.

I agree. I hope he will get some time at the 3 in Summer League, too, since Doc wasn't sure that he is a 4.

I don't believe he's anywhere near quick enough to play the 3. 

[Lucky17]

Agreed. Barring injury, I don't think JJJ dresses much this season.

He'll be good to have around for practice though.

[clover]

I think 3J has some NBA-level scoring abilities.

The trouble was his not knowing the defense and getting pushed around too easily.

I agree, it's a lot to expect him to go from not dressing for the playoffs to a rotation player on a contending team.

But we'll see.

What's interesting if Danny sees Sullinger at the 4 and the 5 is that he's set up now for natural rivalries against Melo AND 3J.

[Professor of Rondology]

I hope he will get some time at the 3 in Summer League, too, since Doc wasn't sure that he is a 4.

I don't believe he's anywhere near quick enough to play the 3. 

I was very intrigued when I heard Doc say that about JJJ and I, too, would love to see him play some 3 this summer.  From the game action I've seen JJJ in he didn't look quite quick enough for the 3 but that was also almost entirely garbage time, and during his rookie season to boot.  He might have only looked slow b/c he was adjusting to a new game, new system, etc.  If Doc says he might be a 3 then I think we ought to wait and see, cause Doc ain't stupid and he's seen JJJ play a helluva lot more than any of us.

[Celtics18]

JJJ's NBA level skill is his off-the-charts speed running the floor and his athleticism.  I'm really hoping that Doc can find a way to utilize his skills.  I'd like to see him in the open court with Rondo more this season.  I agree, though, that if he can't get strong enough to defend in the half court, that there's little chance we'll get to see much triple J action this season.

I'm still hoping, though.

[MBunge]

at what point in the 2011-12 season did he show any sign of, well, anything? 

JJJ vs. Chicago on February 12th.
33 minutes.  12 points.  4 rebounds.  1 assist.  2 steals.  1 block.  3 turnovers.  Boston wins 95-91.

And while JJJ never looked like an all-star as a rookie, he never came anywhere close to looking as lost and overwhelmed as Bradley did both as a rookie and at the start of last season.

JJJ seemed to get into Doc's doghouse because he shot the ball when he was open, even though Doc was practically begging other players to do the same, and there's also been some mention of him not working harder on getting the team's offensive and defensive schemes down.  Now, if JJJ is actually that lazy, Doc doesn't have much of a choice.  But let's be fair.  JJJ did show a few flashes last season but mostly never got a chance to look good, bad or indifferent on the court.

Mike

[FrDrake]

I guess we'll all know more (at least a little more) after the NBA summer league...schedule is now online:
http://www.nba.com/news/2012-summer-league-schedule/index.html

[Celtic#9]

I actually would like to see more of him this season. Mostly because i would like to see KG take either some whole games off or play only 10 minutes in some games. He is getting older and needs to rest. If we play the Bobcats or another bottom feeder I would love to see JJJ and Sullinger gets some bigger minutes. Especially since if they prove useful they are bigger trade chips as well.

[Professor of Rondology]

at what point in the 2011-12 season did he show any sign of, well, anything?  

JJJ vs. Chicago on February 12th.
33 minutes.  12 points.  4 rebounds.  1 assist.  2 steals.  1 block.  3 turnovers.  Boston wins 95-91.

And while JJJ never looked like an all-star as a rookie, he never came anywhere close to looking as lost and overwhelmed as Bradley did both as a rookie and at the start of last season.

JJJ seemed to get into Doc's doghouse because he shot the ball when he was open, even though Doc was practically begging other players to do the same, and there's also been some mention of him not working harder on getting the team's offensive and defensive schemes down.  Now, if JJJ is actually that lazy, Doc doesn't have much of a choice.  But let's be fair.  JJJ did show a few flashes last season but mostly never got a chance to look good, bad or indifferent on the court.

Mike

Very good points, Mike. I had totally forgotten about that game, and I do remember being impressed. And yes, JJJ certainly did not look as lost as AB did his rookie year, but one thing to remember is the kid was only 19 years old and JJJ was 22- that's a huge difference right there.  
Celtics18, you are right about JJJ having elite level speed for his size.  Let's hope he can retain that speed while adding some bulk to his frame- until he does that, his speed is useless because he'll be riding the bench.  [But oh man, thinking about a lineup of rondo-bradley-jeff green-jjj-fab melo (a couple years down the road) is giving me goosebumps.  We would run any team in the league out of the gym.  I'm getting way to excited right now. This is not healthy.]   
Overall, I'll admit that I didn't give JJJ enough credit.  I'm going to pray that the laziness rumors aren't true and that he bulks up this off-season.  If so, there is a chance that by seasons end he will be a valuable member of this team.

[StartOrien]

Very good points, Mike. I had totally forgotten about that game, and I do remember being impressed. And yes, JJJ certainly did not look as lost as AB did his rookie year, but one thing to remember is the kid was only 19 years old and JJJ was 22- that's a huge difference right there. 

To play devil's advocate, historically there's a much longer learning curve for an NBA big man than it is for a combo guard.

[Fafnir]

JJJ seemed to get into Doc's doghouse because he shot the ball when he was open, even though Doc was practically begging other players to do the same,

I always assumed it was his complete deer-in-headlights look on defense and the boards that got him in the "doghouse".

[slamtheking]

I'd like to see it  because it would mean he's probably really improved since last year.  Personally, I would take that as a very good thing for the team.  I would not assume Doc would play him just for the sake of playing him (although I think he'd learn faster with some game time in non-critical situations)

[Professor of Rondology]

To play devil's advocate, historically there's a much longer learning curve for an NBA big man than it is for a combo guard.

Truth.

I actually would like to see more of him this season. Mostly because i would like to see KG take either some whole games off or play only 10 minutes in some games. He is getting older and needs to rest. If we play the Bobcats or another bottom feeder I would love to see JJJ and Sullinger gets some bigger minutes. Especially since if they prove useful they are bigger trade chips as well.

An idea I was mulling over is this: for the first half of the season limit KG, Paul and Ray to a strict 30 mpg limit (Doc can let Paul go over every once in awhile, just because PP would freak out otherwise).  Along with that, rest KG for every 4th or 5th game.  Further limiting KG's court time by resting him for entire games does several things- it reduces risk of injury and gives us a fresher KG for the 2nd half + playoffs, it gives KG a ton more time/energy to use instructing the young guys, AND it gives those young guys a chance to get some meaningful minutes they might otherwise not get all year.  And then for the 2nd half of the year revert to a more playoff-like rotation so that everybody get's into their rhythm for the playoffs.  Seems like a classic win-win to me, especially since we have no shot whatsoever of getting one of the top 2 seeds.

Thoughts?