Could Chris Johnson potentially replace Avery Bradley as the starting SG?

[chambers]

Chris is doing nicely. Solid defender, solid shooter and has size at 6 '6".
23 years old (same as Bradley) and absolutely lit up the D league last year.
He's listed as a guard/forward but seems to play the 2 guard well.
He's on a multi year deal that's been 'stretched', and his size makes him a versatile wing player.
Obviously the sample size is tiny but he's got good instincts and seems pretty comfortable out there.
As Tommy and Mike questioned on tonight's home broadcast...What's the reason behind him getting so few looks/minutes in the NBA?

I love rooting for an underdog, and I also personally don't see Bradley as the long term solution at SG for the Celtics going forward- not at the 7 or 8 million price tag getting thrown around on him this summer.

I also doubt C Johnson is the answer long term, but who knows...
Johnson is a great piece to build up during a 'developmental' season- see what he's got and if he blooms then we have a nice piece as a player and trade asset.

1) Could he play the SG long term if Avery leaves or is traded?
2) Why hasn't he played more time in the NBA? What's his weakness?
3) Does his play in the last few weeks have any effect on Ainge letting Bradley walk a little easier?

Thoughts?

[Mazingerz]

Its still too early to tell; However, with Avry "Chucky" Bradley stinking it up right now, it might be possible;

[PhoSita]

Chris Johnson has done well with his time here, but I don't think he's anywhere close to starter material on a decent team.  He could maybe be a poor man's Danny Green on a good team with a really good offensive system like the Spurs, I suppose.  But I don't think he has the same big-game potential as Green.

[lon3lytoaster]

Anybody but AB at this point. Really developing a strong dislike for Bradley.

[SHAQATTACK]

Avery killed the team tonight .   If he is injured ,  then unless he wants to assist the tank , he should sit out till he is 100 %
Had CJ played all those wasted minutes     The team might have been in a better position to ave won.

Love his defense ,   Want o keep him based on that .   He is horrible passer , and finisher ,  and not a three point shooter......

I'm about done with him

[LooseCannon]

As Tommy and Mike questioned on tonight's home broadcast...What's the reason behind him getting so few looks/minutes in the NBA?

He wasn't drafted and he went to a school (University of Dayton) that isn't a basketball power.

There are a decent number of players like Chris Johnson in the D-League and overseas who could probably step in and immediately be at least a solid backup, even on a playoff team.

[PhoSita]

Anybody but AB at this point. Really developing a strong dislike for Bradley.

I have mixed feelings about Bradley.  I think he's a hard worker, and I don't get the sense that he's a selfish player.  But while his confidence in his improved mid-range jumper is nice, it becomes a problem when combined with his total lack of a reliable outside or inside game.  Bradley really needs a more reliable outside shot or to improve his driving and finishing skills in order to become a valuable offensive player.

[Fafnir]

He'll have to figure out how to play some team defense. I thick he's more of a 2 anyways, too skinny at the 3.

[PhoSita]

He'll have to figure out how to play some team defense. I thick he's more of a 2 anyways, too skinny at the 3.

Yeah, he's a nice hustle guy and he's got the corner three thing down nicely.  He needs to bring some more defense to the table to be worthy of a rotation spot long term, however.  Definitely makes more sense at the 2.

[Tr1boy]

He'll have to figure out how to play some team defense. I thick he's more of a 2 anyways, too skinny at the 3.

Yeah, he's a nice hustle guy and he's got the corner three thing down nicely.  He needs to bring some more defense to the table to be worthy of a rotation spot long term, however.  Definitely makes more sense at the 2.

I guess you didnt notice the block shot or two nice steals he had today. "Chucky" doesnt know when to stop shooting. At least johnson is automatic at the three pt line when he is open. Like ray allen automatic

[Tr1boy]

Its still too early to tell; However, with Avry "Chucky" Bradley stinking it up right now, it might be possible;

+1. What a fitting nickname for AB

[tstorey_97]

Bradley is one of my favorites for his effort/leadership.

Issue for the guy is I don't see him as a starting two. He just doesn't have the offensive "force."

With the big three Rivers used to say we "just let Avery do his defensive thing..." The point was that Bradley spends 95 cents of each dollar on defense. Not a problem with the Big three....kind of a problem without.

This season he has put up a lot of jumpers simply because there was a vacuum. There were a ton of "shot refusals" on the part of his team mates, watch the tapes.

He is not a $7M dollar player. He is a top of the charts defender who would fit on a really good offensive team. I guess that blows his Celtic's future...huh?

This Johnson kid has played about an hour and fifteen minutes so far. He seems to have a better offensive game than Bradley at the moment, but, we haven't watched him start and get torched by anybody good yet. It is difficult to torch Bradley, he is a superb defender.

Looks like a good bench player, which would put him in the same category as about 10 other Celtics "good bench players."

My guess is Stevens is leaning towards the following....Chris Johnson the Boston Celtics one and only "late game three point scoring threat."

The Boston Celtics do not have one, therefore, CJ is it. I really hope he is Ray Allen II for the rookie minimum, but, he has about 2.3 million points to go on that one.

[RockinRyA]

He'll have to figure out how to play some team defense. I thick he's more of a 2 anyways, too skinny at the 3.

Yeah, he's a nice hustle guy and he's got the corner three thing down nicely.  He needs to bring some more defense to the table to be worthy of a rotation spot long term, however.  Definitely makes more sense at the 2.

I guess you didnt notice the block shot or two nice steals he had today. "Chucky" doesnt know when to stop shooting. At least johnson is automatic at the three pt line when he is open. Like ray allen automatic

steals/blocks doesnt mean good defense. There's more to defense than just steals and blocks.

And I mean, come on, I know we all dont like ray that much but johnson's is nowhere close to ray allen.

[2short]

I had actually posted a like thought last night in game thread.
If you don't think Bradley is starter material than Johnson could be a much more affordable guy off bench.  I don't believe Johnson is starting caliber but it would be nice in this "practice" season to have him start and play with rondo to see how hell do.

Bass and Bradley package nets us _______?

[Celtics4ever]

Chris Johnson's rookie play has been better than AB's rookie play.  Who knows.  I think if AB does not sign for reasonable cash then he is gone folks.