C's Johnson looks for strong summer [3J at the 3?]

[clover]

It took Doc more than a year to see Bradley as a 2 guard:

Celtics assistant coach Tyronn Lue is coaching Boston's summer league team.

He said Johnson will play primarily at power forward, but he'll also experiment with him some at small forward, too.

"Doc (Rivers, Boston's head coach) said, 'we might have a (Kevin) Durant and not even know it.'" quipped Lue.

While Johnson is in no way being compared to Oklahoma City's Kevin Durant, Johnson does have some small forward-like skills that the Celtics would be wise to at least explore this summer.

Johnson is open to playing small forward, power forward, any position that will get him on the floor.

http://www.csnne.com/basketball-boston-celtics/celtics-talk/Cs-Johnson-looks-for-strong-summer?blockID=736554&feedID=10424

[Fafnir]

They may try it, but I don't see it working out.

[clover]

They may try it, but I don't see it working out.

You're probably right, but it is interesting and SL is a good place to try it.  I'm not sure he picks things up quickly enough to make a smooth transition even if it is a fit, but if there are glimmers of promise they could send him to Maine to retool. 

I like Ty Lue's position that he wants to see him playing free.

[Fafnir]

They may try it, but I don't see it working out.

I like Ty Lue's position that he wants to see him playing free.

I don't, its another troubling sign that the coaching staff doesn't think he can hack it at PF.

[Stig]

i hope we don't have to try him as 3, that means he struggles at 4, just like AB struggles at 1.

seriously he's got no small forward skills except long jumper, don't see the point unless he can develop 3 point shooting

[clover]

They may try it, but I don't see it working out.

I like Ty Lue's position that he wants to see him playing free.

I don't, its another troubling sign that the coaching staff doesn't think he can hack it at PF.

Yeah, they are obviously worried about him at the 4, but I think the playing free is just a matter of his not looking over his shoulder, back to the bench, afraid that he's going to get yanked like he was during the season.

[bfrombleacher]

They may try it, but I don't see it working out.

I like Ty Lue's position that he wants to see him playing free.

I don't, its another troubling sign that the coaching staff doesn't think he can hack it at PF.

Yeah, they are obviously worried about him at the 4, but I think the playing free is just a matter of his not looking over his shoulder, back to the bench, afraid that he's going to get yanked like he was during the season.

You guys seem to think that Jajuan is too frail to be a PF in the league. But he defended Boozer and Marc Gasol pretty well, both I would say are pretty strong bigs.

[clover]

They may try it, but I don't see it working out.

I like Ty Lue's position that he wants to see him playing free.

I don't, its another troubling sign that the coaching staff doesn't think he can hack it at PF.

Yeah, they are obviously worried about him at the 4, but I think the playing free is just a matter of his not looking over his shoulder, back to the bench, afraid that he's going to get yanked like he was during the season.

You guys seem to think that Jajuan is too frail to be a PF in the league. But he defended Boozer and Marc Gasol pretty well, both I would say are pretty strong bigs.

They were short of bigs and didn't dress him once for the playoffs.  Now they're experimenting with him at the 3. 

He clearly can score in the league and I hope you're right and he works out as a PF.

[gift]

I'm not in the camp that believes Johnson physically can't play the 3.  If Tayshaun Prince can handle the 3, then physically Johnson should be able to.

It comes down to having the basketball instincts.  We'll see if he has that.  But I'm not one to automatically discount it without trying it.

Johnson's physical limitations at the 4 have as much to do with him being both thin and short for the position (really closer to 6'8", right?).  So at least trying the 3 makes sense.

[bfrombleacher]

I'm not in the camp that believes Johnson physically can't play the 3.  If Tayshaun Prince can handle the 3, then physically Johnson should be able to.

It comes down to having the basketball instincts.  We'll see if he has that.  But I'm not one to automatically discount it without trying it.

Johnson's physical limitations at the 4 have as much to do with him being both thin and short for the position (really closer to 6'8", right?).  So at least trying the 3 makes sense.

Oh, no no no.

Jajuan is 6'9 without shoes with long arms.

I think, if anything, he is one of the few who struggled with the shortened season (for some reason other rookies have done really well last year despite all the annoyances).

[clover]

I'm not in the camp that believes Johnson physically can't play the 3.  If Tayshaun Prince can handle the 3, then physically Johnson should be able to.

It comes down to having the basketball instincts.  We'll see if he has that.  But I'm not one to automatically discount it without trying it.

Johnson's physical limitations at the 4 have as much to do with him being both thin and short for the position (really closer to 6'8", right?).  So at least trying the 3 makes sense.

I'd think he'd really have to work on his handle to play the 3, but I've no doubt he's got the speed and athleticism for the position.

[celticinorlando]

No chance he can play the three. Jjj will be a d league guy. No impact and no part od rotations

[bfrombleacher]

No chance he can play the three. Jjj will be a d league guy. No impact and no part od rotations

YES! People were doubting the crap out of AB last year too!

Keep doubting! Doubt everyone on the team!!!

[Celtics4ever]

They need to find guys who can spread the floor now that Ray has walked.  Ray Allen is not walking through that door.   JJJ can shoot.

[dreamgreen]

I'm seeing his as trade fodder come the trade dead line. Hope he becomes a player, but I have heard nothing to hang on to belief he is.