Folks are probably overrating Johnson's readiness to help, at least for next year. Isaiah Canaan was also supposed to be this NBA-ready older prospect and he didn't end up doing much this season-- got some minutes due to injuries and the Brooks trade but eventually wasn't trusted for the rotation due to defensive deficiencies. Johnson is a nice prospect, but a lot of nice prospects, especially later picks, don't end up panning out, and those who do often don't pan out until after their rookie season. The Chandler Parsons scenario where a second round player gets into the starting lineup almost immediately is an exception rather than the norm.
He is more skilled than Canaan. It is going to be tough for him, but it is possible for him to contribute at some point in the upcoming season. I would like to see him in training camp. If he struggles, then a stint in the D-League will be useful.
what you want to hear? he's undersized SG, most PG's in the league are heigher than him and he has no chance on defensive end, also he has limited court vision and lack of ball handling (this is crusial because he won't learn that so fast and he won't become PG), average shooter. And the best part of this he has no room to improve. cool, he can dunk, be high on him because of that but talkin real - if he's not grow another 2-3 inches he would end up as DLeague player or average player overseas in some Germany
Are you from another country? or are you just that bad at grammar? dont see why he wont have a chance on the defensive end guarding their one. he is quick and gets in your face. also can get UP. it IS possible to learn better ball control. and there is ALWAYS room to improve.... what kind of debbie downer, negative nancy, pessimist says you cant improve? from what I have heard he is an extremely hard worker with a lot of energy... that just screams ability and WILL to improve. And lastly..... cruCial* sorry, im a #grammarnazi
I've got a good feeling about the kid. I liked your comment about McHale giving rookies playing time, BIG playing time, in Parsons' case, because of their play on the defensive end. We could see NJ get some minutes this coming season. We need a guy like him on the bench, so it's really up to Nick. If he has the drive, focus, and toughness of his Uncle Dennis, who was a terror anytime the Rockets played against him, Nick's chances this year are decent, and excellent long term, in my opinion. This was a great spot for Nick Johnson to land and luck shouldn't be discounted. Seems like the kid has some. -
theres always should be critics, and yeah - I'm international and learned 4 languages myself without any class
I watched him a lot in college too because of how highly rated he was coming out of HS. He's super quick and athletic, so he's a great on-ball defender. He's a streaky shooter but above-average for sure. The reason he's not Westbrook or D. Rose is that he's not very strong and his lean body keeps him from absorbing contact and finishing in the lane at a high percentage. If he can add strength without sacrificing his quicks/hops, he could be a special combo guard. If not, he'll be Avery Bradley with slightly worse defense but a much better jumper. Not too shabby in the 2nd round, I'd say. Oh also, he adds to our handsome men collection...amirite?
No room to improve? Everybody told parsons has no room for improvement when he came out of college? But look parsons developed into a nice player for us
Touche lol I figured that was the case. Props man im in the process of trying to learn a 2nd and I'm sure it would be way worse than you're doing... But I can see your concern with NJ, I just am really excited about him, I think height is a factor, but if we can train him in the PG position (he said he wants to latch on to Beverly immediately) then I think he will do fine. Height means the least at the PG position, and he has the ups and defense to pull it off IMO. PLUS, he shows good movement off the ball and hard work ethic which should complement Harden pretty well.
I got to watch him a little this year on the west coast, and that's not a terrible comparison. But I think he's more of an innate winner than Bradley, just in his mindset. So the best comparison is still to his own relative Dennis Johnson, who was tough as nails and all about winning. I love this pick for us.
Do you like Beverly ? Sound like he plays the same but can do more & would be a good fit playing next to harden
Carl seems to forget that each draft is different and that this one was deeper with talent than last year. Canaan did okay in spurs against lesser opposition, I can see Johnson breaking into the rotation ahead of him by the all-star break with Lin traded. The thing I noticed is his weaknesses are not things we really need from him as a pg on this roster. I think this is what Morey is doing, getting a group of young pg prospects together. If he can use them in a trade that leads to a big 3 fine, but if not we get a close look at 3 potential back-ups. Cannan gives us three, but we need defense. He gives us that with 3 point shooting. For crying out loud, Daniels ended up being a key rotation peice.
Given that Lin seems to be a goner, I like this pick because it gives Houston another guard that conceivably could fit very well next to Harden (along with Daniels, Beverley), as well as potentially as Harden's backup in spot situations. If he pans outs that would be the third rotation guard in our system on a second round salary. That's how you build depth behind superstars (and not by trading up to get Napier!).
Napier could be a playmaker off the bench, we still won't that when Lin leaves, cannan, nick, bev, Daniels aren't that, and Napier would've been great if Morey gets to sitdown with lebron, he LOVES Napier and has history with bev. Brooks will probably be in play for vet min. again for playmaker or just someone who can run a offense in the 2nd unit
