What Can We Expect From Amir Johnson?

[Smitty77]

IMO Amir was a nice addition. He and Zeller will provide a nice rotation in the middle. Amir should do well when we go small too, and can slide over to PF against bigger lineups. Let's face it, we needed help in the paint. 

He's not the rim protecting, center we needed, but I'm glad he's aboard.

Notice his numbers in Detroit vs. Toronto?  Granted he was younger with the Pistons, but he averaged about 1.3 block in 15 minutes of playing time for his last three seasons in Detroit.  Then those numbers dropped due to a new system in Toronto, especially his blocks per minute. 

http://espn.go.com/nba/player/stats/_/id/2769/amir-johnson

Smitty77

[PhoSita]

<10 pts <10 reb <1.5 blks <1.5 stl > 50% fg, solid defense

[SHAQATTACK]

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[hwangjini_1]

to benefit from playing in a CBS system.

[Smitty77]

<10 pts <10 reb <1.5 blks <1.5 stl > 50% fg, solid defense

Agree with most, but I feel strongly that Amir will average a career high in points thanks in part to being able to play with IT.  I am going to go out on a limb and say 13-14 points, which is 3-4 higher than his career best.

Smitty77

[Eja117]

to benefit from playing in a CBS system.

this

[Csfan1984]

I think AJ is better as a PF as he has decent mobility still and has good size for the position. I don't want to be undersized even more at Center than we already are. Also think if C's copy Grizz offense Zeller and AJ could be effective in the offensive roles of Gasol and ZBo.

[Smitty77]

I think AJ is better as a PF as he has decent mobility still and has good size for the position. I don't want to be undersized even more at Center than we already are. Also think if C's copy Grizz offense Zeller and AJ could be effective in the offensive roles of Gasol and ZBo.

What offensive center is the East makes this problematic?  I think Amir can guard virtually ALL the centers in the Eastern conference.  Out West, there are more issues, but thankfully we don't play these teams but twice each.

Smitty77

[CelticsFan166]

I think AJ is better as a PF as he has decent mobility still and has good size for the position. I don't want to be undersized even more at Center than we already are. Also think if C's copy Grizz offense Zeller and AJ could be effective in the offensive roles of Gasol and ZBo.

What offensive center is the East makes this problematic?  I think Amir can guard virtually ALL the centers in the Eastern conference.  Out West, there are more issues, but thankfully we don't play these teams but twice each.

Smitty77

Agreed. Also, I'm not sure 6'11 is "undersized" and he's athletic enough and long enough to do just fine at Center.

[Csfan1984]

I think AJ is better as a PF as he has decent mobility still and has good size for the position. I don't want to be undersized even more at Center than we already are. Also think if C's copy Grizz offense Zeller and AJ could be effective in the offensive roles of Gasol and ZBo.

What offensive center is the East makes this problematic?  I think Amir can guard virtually ALL the centers in the Eastern conference.  Out West, there are more issues, but thankfully we don't play these teams but twice each.

Smitty77

Agreed. Also, I'm not sure 6'11 is "undersized" and he's athletic enough and long enough to do just fine at Center.

First off he is listed at 6'9
And for Smitty77, are you kidding me Raptors, Nets, Magic, Pistons, Wizards, Bobcats, Cavs, Bucks, Bulls, Heat all have Centers that will crush AJ in the post and on the boards. Then add in 76ers with Noel and Hawks with Hordford in at Center. That is almost every team in the East.  Also add in scrappy Robin Lopez is now in NY. AJ just can't compete at Center long stretches as a starter. Maybe going small ball 20 mins a game here or there but not even that can be too often.

[Smitty77]

I think AJ is better as a PF as he has decent mobility still and has good size for the position. I don't want to be undersized even more at Center than we already are. Also think if C's copy Grizz offense Zeller and AJ could be effective in the offensive roles of Gasol and ZBo.

What offensive center is the East makes this problematic?  I think Amir can guard virtually ALL the centers in the Eastern conference.  Out West, there are more issues, but thankfully we don't play these teams but twice each.

Smitty77

Agreed. Also, I'm not sure 6'11 is "undersized" and he's athletic enough and long enough to do just fine at Center.

First off he is listed at 6'9
And for Smitty77, are you kidding me Raptors, Nets, Magic, Pistons, Wizards, Bobcats, Cavs, Bucks, Bulls, Heat all have Centers that will crush AJ in the post and on the boards. Then add in 76ers with Noel and Hawks with Hordford in at Center. That is almost every team in the East.  Also add in scrappy Robin Lopez is now in NY. AJ just can't compete at Center long stretches as a starter. Maybe going small ball 20 mins a game here or there but not even that can be too often.

I disagree.  Brook Lopez will NOT play an entire season, almost guaranteed.  Drummond is not exactly an offensive juggarnaut and cannot hit FT's.  Gortat is not a great offensive player.  Greg Monroe is NOT a match up problem for Amir, as they are about exactly the same heighth.  Big Al is OLD, but he can still score IF healthy.  The Bulls centers are dinosaurs.  Amir will actually have a height advantage on Al Horford.  Robin Lopez cannot score 20 in any empty gym.

Smitty77

[Celtics4ever]

First off he is listed at 6'9

Guys absolutely grow while in the league.  That may be his height in shoes as all guys list it differently thought the majority go the taller height with shoes.   He was 6'7" when drafted.   There has been a lot of speculation that he is taller than 6'9" though.

http://www.pistonsforum.com/threads/the-amir-johnson-height-conspiracy.4141/

http://forums.realgm.com/boards/viewtopic.php?t=938089

Clear examples of guys who were taller than their height was Bill Walton and KG.  Both we taller than their listed height.   There have been plenty of guys who were shorter than their listed height too, like Barkley.

A listed height is just that, what they are listed at.   The player can basically say what they want.  He can play and  he can run the floor so that is all that matters.

[D.o.s.]

Lots of defense, lots of scowling.

[Csfan1984]

I think AJ is better as a PF as he has decent mobility still and has good size for the position. I don't want to be undersized even more at Center than we already are. Also think if C's copy Grizz offense Zeller and AJ could be effective in the offensive roles of Gasol and ZBo.

What offensive center is the East makes this problematic?  I think Amir can guard virtually ALL the centers in the Eastern conference.  Out West, there are more issues, but thankfully we don't play these teams but twice each.

Smitty77

Agreed. Also, I'm not sure 6'11 is "undersized" and he's athletic enough and long enough to do just fine at Center.

First off he is listed at 6'9
And for Smitty77, are you kidding me Raptors, Nets, Magic, Pistons, Wizards, Bobcats, Cavs, Bucks, Bulls, Heat all have Centers that will crush AJ in the post and on the boards. Then add in 76ers with Noel and Hawks with Hordford in at Center. That is almost every team in the East.  Also add in scrappy Robin Lopez is now in NY. AJ just can't compete at Center long stretches as a starter. Maybe going small ball 20 mins a game here or there but not even that can be too often.

I disagree.  Brook Lopez will NOT play an entire season, almost guaranteed.  Drummond is not exactly an offensive juggarnaut and cannot hit FT's.  Gortat is not a great offensive player.  Greg Monroe is NOT a match up problem for Amir, as they are about exactly the same heighth.  Big Al is OLD, but he can still score IF healthy.  The Bulls centers are dinosaurs.  Amir will actually have a height advantage on Al Horford.  Robin Lopez cannot score 20 in any empty gym.

Smitty77

It's not all about defense there is offense and also rebounding. AJ shouldn't be a starting center.

[DarkAzcura]

I think AJ is better as a PF as he has decent mobility still and has good size for the position. I don't want to be undersized even more at Center than we already are. Also think if C's copy Grizz offense Zeller and AJ could be effective in the offensive roles of Gasol and ZBo.

What offensive center is the East makes this problematic?  I think Amir can guard virtually ALL the centers in the Eastern conference.  Out West, there are more issues, but thankfully we don't play these teams but twice each.

Smitty77

Agreed. Also, I'm not sure 6'11 is "undersized" and he's athletic enough and long enough to do just fine at Center.

First off he is listed at 6'9
And for Smitty77, are you kidding me Raptors, Nets, Magic, Pistons, Wizards, Bobcats, Cavs, Bucks, Bulls, Heat all have Centers that will crush AJ in the post and on the boards. Then add in 76ers with Noel and Hawks with Hordford in at Center. That is almost every team in the East.  Also add in scrappy Robin Lopez is now in NY. AJ just can't compete at Center long stretches as a starter. Maybe going small ball 20 mins a game here or there but not even that can be too often.

His listed height was when he was 17-18 years old. Johnson is most definitely at least 6'10" out there and no shorter than players like Dwight Howard, Al Jefferson, or DeAndre Jordan.  There has been plenty of speculation and articles written about this very topic as it relates to Johnson. He is definitely not 6'9".

Also, why would you add Raptors to that list? Amir started at PF for the Raptors, but he was actually their best center last year (just talk to most Raptor fans) by the eye test and advanced statistics on both the defensive and offensive end. Really not seeing how Johnson is going to get killed out there while playing center. He is ridiculously athletic, long, and has enough height.

Regardless, the Celtics don't seem to pigeonhole players like that anyway. They classify players as guard, swings, and bigs. Regardless of position, Amir will probably see time with Sully, KO, and Lee. Not one of those three can cover the paint, roll to the rim, or set picks/screens like Amir can. If those three are PFs, then Amir is a C, and even if KO or Lee are actually listed as "centers," Amir will likely be the one covering the paint and defending the opponent's best post player. Then there is Zeller also. These are the two guys who will be covering the opponent's best offensive post player and covering the paint.