Wear him out?! He's worn out already if you haven't noticed. That's why McHale rested him a week. At 37 years old, if he's playing 20 minutes against starting points he may be on the IR before the playoffs begin.
The only way you can bash McHale for NOT starting Nick Johnson is if you first advocate that he does. 1) Call for something that won't happen 2) Bash McHale when he doesn't do it 3) Profit You can ride that train for years because no one will be able to prove that you were wrong.
I know he's worn out. But I meant that his minutes better not go up just because he moves into the starting lineup. Play Terry no more than 20 minutes. Play Pepperoni 10-15. Nick Johnson 5-10. And the rest of the time go with Harden at the 1, Brewer at the 2, and Ariza at the 3. I get the feeling come playoff time that the latter option will be the one McHale goes with in crunch time.
Bad comparison. Sam was ready and had the skills to run a team. Johnson has looked like an unprepared rookie every time he's seen floor. The offense needs more help than the defense and Johnson is shooting 34%. I like him, mind you - but I'll hold the same position on him I held on Canaan (who I liked but was called a hater for wanting him to move from 12th man to backup instead of 12th man to starter). Get Nick some backup minutes posthaste and let him earn it from there as he polishes his game. Don't just chuck him into the starting five. My idea of a good PG minutes distribution if Beverley is unavailable: Prigs - 24 Terry - 15 (+picking up a few SG minutes beside Prigs) Johnson - 6 Harden - 3 (only allowed with the Brewer-Ariza combo)
I'd like us to see the kid get a chance. He's our best option on defense for the pg spot. I think you need to play all 3 guys (Pablo, Terry & Nick) around 15 mins per night.
I'm definitely all for seeing what Nick Johnson can do. Looking forward to the Summer League and Preseason.
I do want to see what Nick can do and do think he can be very good defensively. But by throwing him into the pit-fire which is the playoffs with almost no playing time under his belt prior to it.....is asking for trouble. Could backfire strongly for him as well as the team. We are not in the East either, where the 1st round could be a weak opponent so you could ease him in. Everyone is going to come at 100mph at him from the tip off of 1st game of the first round.
I think he's quick enough and big enough to where he wont get bullied by opposing PGs. Assuming we stick with the 3 seed, we are likely playing Tony Parker or Rondo. I would not hesitate to put him on Rondo. Parker might give him fits though.
I think we need to at least try it in the regular season. Either: -Johnson is able to prove himself and earns a spot in the playoff rotation like Daniels did last year, or -He doesn't prove himself, but we were at least able to spare the 37 year olds, Ariza, and the Greyhound from chasing PGs around so they're fresh for the playoffs.
The only thing stupider than starting a totally unproven rookie for a playoff contender is thinking that a fan petition might magically make that happen.
