has Amir Johnson made a difference?

[greece66]

Compare him with Bass' last season and IMO it is obvious he made a difference.

The key thing is that he is a much better presence against strong opponents- Bass piled up empty stats against weak teams.

Returning to the initial question, if the NBA was a meritocracy Johnson should clearly not be our highest paid player  , but even so his contract is p good, esp considering we decide whether to renew it.

[Phil125]

He has helped a great deal, but he is not the solution.  I see him as the solid backup to a guy like Al Horford or someone of that caliber.

He is definitely overpaid for what he provides.  Luckily we have the cash to spare.

[saltlover]

so with the overwhelming positive response, pick up the team option for next season?

Almost by default because the market is slim and there is a ton of cash to spend by teams.

The one issue I have with him is that he can't sustain a lot of minutes.  We need depth behind a player like that, so we will need to retain Zeller as well.  While Amir may be "cheap" at $12 mil, Zeller will certainly get a hefty raise so in effect we are paying more for Amir.

You could also a) see Jordan Mickey pick up more minutes, b) pick someone like Poeltl in the draft in the 4-6 range, and/or c) sign a free agent 3/4 hybrid player, such that you're going small ball more often when Amir is off the court.  I do agree it'd be better if he was more of a 28-30/minute per game player rather than 22-24, but there are alternatives to Tyler Zeller, and some of them may already be on the roster/in the draft pick pile.

[greece66]

so with the overwhelming positive response, pick up the team option for next season?

Almost by default because the market is slim and there is a ton of cash to spend by teams.

The one issue I have with him is that he can't sustain a lot of minutes.  We need depth behind a player like that, so we will need to retain Zeller as well.  While Amir may be "cheap" at $12 mil, Zeller will certainly get a hefty raise so in effect we are paying more for Amir.

You could also a) see Jordan Mickey pick up more minutes, b) pick someone like Poeltl in the draft in the 4-6 range, and/or c) sign a free agent 3/4 hybrid player, such that you're going small ball more often when Amir is off the court.  I do agree it'd be better if he was more of a 28-30/minute per game player rather than 22-24, but there are alternatives to Tyler Zeller, and some of them may already be on the roster/in the draft pick pile.

Really not sure about Poeltl, very unpolished offensively.

Other than Bender I cannot think of a big in the coming draft who would both make a difference and has the right offensive skills to fit with the team. (And Bender might choose to stay with Maccabi for a couple more years).

[Quetzalcoatl]

so with the overwhelming positive response, pick up the team option for next season?

Almost by default because the market is slim and there is a ton of cash to spend by teams.

The one issue I have with him is that he can't sustain a lot of minutes.  We need depth behind a player like that, so we will need to retain Zeller as well.  While Amir may be "cheap" at $12 mil, Zeller will certainly get a hefty raise so in effect we are paying more for Amir.

You could also a) see Jordan Mickey pick up more minutes, b) pick someone like Poeltl in the draft in the 4-6 range, and/or c) sign a free agent 3/4 hybrid player, such that you're going small ball more often when Amir is off the court.  I do agree it'd be better if he was more of a 28-30/minute per game player rather than 22-24, but there are alternatives to Tyler Zeller, and some of them may already be on the roster/in the draft pick pile.

Really not sure about Poeltl, very unpolished offensively.

Other than Bender I cannot think of a big in the coming draft who would both make a difference and has the right offensive skills to fit with the team. (And Bender might choose to stay with Maccabi for a couple more years).

He was last year, but now?  He's made huge strides and is at 18 ppg right now.  He's got really good hands, too

[Chief]

Amir is a huge upgrade over Bass.

[CFAN38]

so with the overwhelming positive response, pick up the team option for next season?

Almost by default because the market is slim and there is a ton of cash to spend by teams.

The one issue I have with him is that he can't sustain a lot of minutes.  We need depth behind a player like that, so we will need to retain Zeller as well.  While Amir may be "cheap" at $12 mil, Zeller will certainly get a hefty raise so in effect we are paying more for Amir.

You could also a) see Jordan Mickey pick up more minutes, b) pick someone like Poeltl in the draft in the 4-6 range, and/or c) sign a free agent 3/4 hybrid player, such that you're going small ball more often when Amir is off the court.  I do agree it'd be better if he was more of a 28-30/minute per game player rather than 22-24, but there are alternatives to Tyler Zeller, and some of them may already be on the roster/in the draft pick pile.

Really not sure about Poeltl, very unpolished offensively.

Other than Bender I cannot think of a big in the coming draft who would both make a difference and has the right offensive skills to fit with the team. (And Bender might choose to stay with Maccabi for a couple more years).

He was last year, but now?  He's made huge strides and is at 18 ppg right now.  He's got really good hands, too

I agree poeltl isn't an elite post scorer but he passes the ball well, has gray hands and seems to finish quick around the hoop. I really don't think Amir has poeltl beat by much in terms of offensive polish

[Johnny Mic]

Amir is a huge upgrade over Bass.

Mickey is an upgrade over Bass.   Amir is the upgrade over Zeller -- the Amir/Zeller center combo sure can run the floor!

[crimson_stallion]

He's been great.

Amir Johnson is a lot like Olynyk, but different (if that makes sense). 

He's unlke Olynyk in that he has a very different skill set...but he's like Olynyk in that he doesn't put up amazing box score numbers, but he does so many little things when he's on the court and he almost ALWAYS makes the team better while he is out there. 

Just an incredibly high BBIQ guy on is incredibly efficient on both ends of the court and has incredible veteran savvy.  Reminds me of KG but without the talent.  Even though KG had amazing numbers through his career, I always felt he was a guy who impacted the game more than his numbers showed.  He never led the league in blocks (or even close to it) but he altered so many shots in the paint, he was always in the right place at the right time, he seemed to win every 50/50 play while he was on the court, he got so many critical clutch rebounds, and he was extremely unselfish offensively and a really good passer. 

I feel like if you take a 2008 KG, shrink him by 2-3 inches and take away his deadly midrange jumper...then you pretty much have Amir Johnson.

Olynyk on the other hand reminds me of a hyper-skilled Brian Scalabrine.  Scal was one of the least talented NBA players I've probably ever seen, but he had such high BBIQ and somehow found a way to impact games just by making the right play and being in the right place at the right time.  Olynyk is kinda like Scal with talent and stretched by 3 inches.

Best way I can describe those two guys! haha

[dreamgreen]

If he has it's not by much. He looks old, slow, uncoordinated, bad hands, no real offensive game, fragile. All in all I'm not a big fan I hope Danny can upgrade him and Fat boy, 1-3 we are pretty good with good young depth, 4 & 5 not so much!

[Celtics4ever]

I hope Danny can upgrade him and Fat boy, 1-3 we are pretty good with good young depth, 4 & 5 not so much!

I think we have good bench players at the four and five, trouble is they are starting.   I agree we need upgrades more at those two.   I am really pleased with 1-3 but one can always upgrade.

[crimson_stallion]

If he has it's not by much. He looks old, slow, uncoordinated, bad hands, no real offensive game, fragile. All in all I'm not a big fan I hope Danny can upgrade him and Fat boy, 1-3 we are pretty good with good young depth, 4 & 5 not so much!

I'm not sure how you come to these conclusions.

Defensively he has been outstanding:
* 1.1 steals per 36
* 1.7 blocks per 36
*101 Def Rating
* +2.74 Defensive Real Plus Minus (8th among PFs)
* +3.3 Def Box Plus Minus

Offensively he has very productive despite never having plays called for him:
* 11.6 Points Per 36
* 57% FG
* 59% TS%
* 70% FG inside 3 feet
* 1.32 PTS/FGA
* 2.7 Assists Per 36
* 11.0% Assist Percentage
* 1.8 Turnovers per 36
* 1.5 Assists Per Turnover

He is rebounding well:
* 3.6 Off Reb Per 36
* 6.2 Def Rebounds Per 36
* 9.8 Tot Rebounds Per 36
* 14.5% Rebound Rate (his highest since 2010/11)

His overall impact has been positive according to every advanced stat I've seen including:
* +15 Net Rating
* +2.83 Real Plus Minu
* +3.1 Box Plus Minus
* 15.9 Per

He's been absolutely fantastic when he's been on the court, both statistically and by the eye test.  If you think Amir (who has started in 95% of the games he's played in this year) isn't a big part of why we have such a good record, then I think you are missing a hell of a lot of the things he does for us.

There is a reason why Amir has been the only big on this team who has been able to hold on to a consistent starting role all season long.  While he's been on the court, he has been as productive as any big on this roster.

I agree we need an upgrade in the front court (only because of Amir's health concerns leading to him not being able to play major minutes) but Amir has been fantastic.

[Celtics4ever]

nice work Crimson, TP, great stats.

[mmmmm]

If he has it's not by much. He looks old, slow, uncoordinated, bad hands, no real offensive game, fragile. All in all I'm not a big fan I hope Danny can upgrade him and Fat boy, 1-3 we are pretty good with good young depth, 4 & 5 not so much!

I'm not sure how you come to these conclusions.

Defensively he has been outstanding:
* 1.1 steals per 36
* 1.7 blocks per 36
*101 Def Rating
* +2.74 Defensive Real Plus Minus (8th among PFs)
* +3.3 Def Box Plus Minus

Offensively he has very productive despite never having plays called for him:
* 11.6 Points Per 36
* 57% FG
* 59% TS%
* 70% FG inside 3 feet
* 1.32 PTS/FGA
* 2.7 Assists Per 36
* 11.0% Assist Percentage
* 1.8 Turnovers per 36
* 1.5 Assists Per Turnover

He is rebounding well:
* 3.6 Off Reb Per 36
* 6.2 Def Rebounds Per 36
* 9.8 Tot Rebounds Per 36
* 14.5% Rebound Rate (his highest since 2010/11)

His overall impact has been positive according to every advanced stat I've seen including:
* +15 Net Rating
* +2.83 Real Plus Minu
* +3.1 Box Plus Minus
* 15.9 Per

He's been absolutely fantastic when he's been on the court, both statistically and by the eye test.  If you think Amir (who has started in 95% of the games he's played in this year) isn't a big part of why we have such a good record, then I think you are missing a hell of a lot of the things he does for us.

There is a reason why Amir has been the only big on this team who has been able to hold on to a consistent starting role all season long.  While he's been on the court, he has been as productive as any big on this roster.

I agree we need an upgrade in the front court (only because of Amir's health concerns leading to him not being able to play major minutes) but Amir has been fantastic.

TP.

The modest minutes he has been used is literally the only "down" aspect with Amir.

[Evantime34]

If he has it's not by much. He looks old, slow, uncoordinated, bad hands, no real offensive game, fragile. All in all I'm not a big fan I hope Danny can upgrade him and Fat boy, 1-3 we are pretty good with good young depth, 4 & 5 not so much!

I'm not sure how you come to these conclusions.

Defensively he has been outstanding:
* 1.1 steals per 36
* 1.7 blocks per 36
*101 Def Rating
* +2.74 Defensive Real Plus Minus (8th among PFs)
* +3.3 Def Box Plus Minus

Offensively he has very productive despite never having plays called for him:
* 11.6 Points Per 36
* 57% FG
* 59% TS%
* 70% FG inside 3 feet
* 1.32 PTS/FGA
* 2.7 Assists Per 36
* 11.0% Assist Percentage
* 1.8 Turnovers per 36
* 1.5 Assists Per Turnover

He is rebounding well:
* 3.6 Off Reb Per 36
* 6.2 Def Rebounds Per 36
* 9.8 Tot Rebounds Per 36
* 14.5% Rebound Rate (his highest since 2010/11)

His overall impact has been positive according to every advanced stat I've seen including:
* +15 Net Rating
* +2.83 Real Plus Minu
* +3.1 Box Plus Minus
* 15.9 Per

He's been absolutely fantastic when he's been on the court, both statistically and by the eye test.  If you think Amir (who has started in 95% of the games he's played in this year) isn't a big part of why we have such a good record, then I think you are missing a hell of a lot of the things he does for us.

There is a reason why Amir has been the only big on this team who has been able to hold on to a consistent starting role all season long.  While he's been on the court, he has been as productive as any big on this roster.

I agree we need an upgrade in the front court (only because of Amir's health concerns leading to him not being able to play major minutes) but Amir has been fantastic.

My biggest issue with Amir is that he is only playing 22 minutes a game. That is the 7th most minutes per game on the team.

If he's going to have this small of a role, then paying him $12 MM a year doesn't make a whole lot of sense.

He's absolutely made a difference, but not as much of a difference as I was hoping.