Is Dermarr Johnson really that good?

[HOOP-T]

I have heard a lot of talk about how the Rockets need to draft this kid (and he is a kid). Trouble is, I am not convinced he is worth it. Don't get me wrong here, I think the kid has some skills and was a stud in high school, but let's take a look at some stats and other facts:

G- 32
MPG- 27.5
FG%- .478
3FG%- .371
FT%- .737
RPG- 3.8
APG- 1.40
TOPG- 1.44
BPG- .94
SPG- .97
PPG- 12.6

With that having been said, let's ask ourselves, do we want a young kid with potential? Sure. Do we want to draft a kid with potential that has a decent scoring average, weak rebounding numbers, not even a block or a steal per game average, slightly more turnovers than assists per game, and an average 3 point shooting percentage?

I am not sure we use our top pick this year on him even if he comes out. I know he plays on a solid Cinci team with a fantastic starting five, but he is young, inexperienced, has height but not much strength, and has shown me that he is nothing more than a role player on the team he was on this year. He needs to stay in school and develop his game and his body before we go spending a high pick on him. I agree the kid has unlimited potential and draft picks are a gamble, but wouldn't we want to gamble on something better?

It's just my opinion, doesn't mean it's right!




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HOOP-T

Hey Shaq, Acme called, and they want their bricks back!

[rocketsfan34]

<h2>YES</h2>

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[Drag-On 88]

http://bbs.clutchcity.net/ubb/biggrin.gif TRUE DAT http://bbs.clutchcity.net/ubb/biggrin.gif ... if he wasn't on Cincy, he would be scoring much more... he got game!!!

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[triplebogey]

I do like Dermarr Johnson. I think that he's an enticing prospect for a bunch of teams because he has some really unique skills for a guy his size. His top 3 strengths are:
1) Shooting stroke: he shoots with ease and with range; great looking shot
2) Size: he's a long 6'10" to 11" small forward (I don't think that he can play shooting guard in the NBA)
3) Youth: he's only a freshman this year

His top 3 weaknesses-
1) THIN: yes, he's only 19 or 20, but his body isn't anywhere close to being able to handle the NBA game
2) Athleticism: okay, hear me out on this...he's certainly not athletically challenged like Bullard, but he's NOT in the mold of McGrady or even Jonathan Bender. Both those guys were extremely quick leapers with, at the very least, great defensive potential. Johnson is athletic to the extent that it isn't a liability, but I get the impression that some think he's of the TMac variety. No...
3) Thin: oh, have I already mentioned that? perhaps it's worth mentioning twice.

Soooo, I'd take him this year IF we are not in the top 5. I think he'll go top 10, so I'd take him in that range. If our pick is top 5, I'd look elsewhere or trade the pick.


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[aelliott]

triplebogey,

Nice analysis. Johson is 6'9", but other than that I agree completely.

I knew the guy was thin, but I never realized just how thin until I saw him standing next to Kenny Younger. Wow!

You're right on with your suggestion that he'll be a 3 in the NBA. He simply doesn't handle the ball well enough and could never guard an NBA 2.

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