After reading all your descriptions about D.J., and looking at his pictures, he reminds me a lot of Lamar Odom. His ability to handle the ball, shoot the ball and his physique seem very similar to Odom. I don't know about his passing abilities though. I realize that Odom is a lot better than D.J. But is it fair to compare these two together as the same type of players? ------------------
I dont think Odom and Johnson are that similar, but I can see where the comparisons are coming from. Body wise they are pretty similar, and they both are capable of handling the ball and are athletic. However, Odom is a better ball handler, passer and has more post up abilities. The area Johnson has an advantage is his outside shooting. It is really difficult to find a good comparison for Johnson as there is no one single player that mirrors him perfectly. Let's say you took Steve Smith, gave him a 40 inch vertical leap, better ball handling abilities with better lateral movement on defense but with less post up abilities, that would be a pretty close representation of Johnson imho. ------------------ Check out the Best Source for Draft Info Draftsource.net [This message has been edited by MManal (edited June 17, 2000).]
well, didnt smith used to play a point forward type game when he was with miami ? In his prime, steve was one of the best sg/sf in his league. if dermarr ends up being as good as steve, i would be surprised. ------------------ "Don't they get cable in Canada ?" Keith olbermann, after watching hakeem block terry catledge's shot 5 times.
MManuel, I am going to have to disagree on your assessment of Steve Smith. Smith only started at PG for almost every game in Miami, making the Dream Team #2 in 1994. He was definately a better ball handler than Dermarr. I have always regarded Steve Smith as a very good post up guard ever since he slid to the 2 guard position in Atlanta. He has never been a good defensive player but Dermarr Johnson hasn't flashed any defense prowess either. Smith was a very good athlete in his prime before his knee injuries robbed him. Who was/is the better athlete is a subjective dilemma? Smith has always been one of the best shooters in the league since his rookie year. But I think Steve Smith would be a fair comparison for Dermarr Johnson. ------------------
DaMan, I agree that Steve Smith has a better post game than DerMarr Johnson. I said that in my post. As far as the perimeter shooting thing, I think Johnson will be a very elite shooter just like Smith is. He may not have shown that consistently at Cincy this yr, but his mechanics are very good and there were games (Lousiville, early season St Louis game, etc) where he simply shot the lights out. Johnson was billed as a lights out shooter coming out of HS and that billing seems like its legit. Considering that Johnson had a transition yr fitting in and all, 48% from the field and 38% from behind the arc is still pretty solid. As far as the athletic issue. I dont remember even a pre-injury Steve Smith as having the kind of vertical leap and explosion that Johnson has. DerMarr Johnson has a 40 inch vertical leap. He touched the top of a 12 1/2 foot bar at a Hawks workout. The reason I believe that Johnson is an underrated defender is that his lateral movement is good (his shuffling on defense is smooth not lumbering), and he has a long wingspan. Smith's lateral movement on defense was never much to speak of. I think DerMarr Johnson has the potential to be a better player than Steve Smtih, and Smith has had a very successful career. I think this is why teams and scouts including the Rockets are very interested in him. It looks like the Rockets draft should come down to DerMarr Johnson or Jerome Moiso. ------------------ Check out the Best Source for Draft Info Draftsource.net
