He doesn't need to be the next KD. He just needs to be similar to Battier (lock-down D, hit the open shot). Supposedly, JJJ runs the court well and has the athleticism to play the three. The shot's not there yet however. I think playing SF is the best chance he has considering his build.
Patrick Patterson IS a 'Young'. He hasn't even been on the team for two full seasons. It's pretty common knowledge that a player's third season is usually their breakout season and that it often takes longer for bigs to develop than guards. I have no idea why you've already given up on Patterson. Clearly the Rockets organization hasn't.
You have never seen Johnson play one minute if you think he can play small forward. Also, you have probably not seen him play one minute if you think he can play in the NBA. He's turrible.
^This. exactly my prediction, and I have a feeling machado and smith will be the first players to be sent to RGV. same could be said about DMo and White (but crossing my fingers that it won't happen and they show the world they're on another level :grin
Im pretty sure we've had this conversation before, but if his niche is as a wing defender he's not going to make THIS team much less others. He's just too far behind on his development offensively to really get rotation minutes as a wing. If Johnson wants to make this squad, or potentially get another team to really want to give him a shot if the Rockets release or trade him, he really needs to be focused on what he he can do to give teams what they really need... paint protection, rebounding, and shot blocking/altering. That skill is very hard to find in the NBA, and if he can do that he's going to get on the court much faster. Versatility to guard the perimeter can just be an added bonus to a team that wants to give him a shot. As a wing stopper, the market for NBA players of this calliber really comes from resume, reputation, and proven gameplay. Plus most of the teams looking for that kind of player are contending teams that really dont have the roster spots to use on developing a raw talent like Johnson. Most wing stoppers came into the league with something else intriguing scouts and coaches. Even Shane Battier himself didn't come into the league as just a wing stopper. He had a unique skillset, could do a little bit of everything really good, was a winner, could shoot the 3 & jump hook, etc. etc. He didn't make the NBA as just a wing stopper. Johnson looks the part right now of about 50 other NBA players to draw comparisons to, but what skill does he possess that those other 50 guys dont have??? Thats Johnson's problem right now. Right now he looks the part, but he just doesn't have any particular skillset that teams just really need right this second, and no team is going to want him taking up a roster spot to develop for 3+ years right now.
For the 3: Height, length, and athleticism. Also, his short comings at the 4 become (in theory) strengths at the 3 - postup, rebounding, post D. nbadraft.net: Is a legit 6'10" in shoes with a long 7'2" wingspan. Has the speed to play the small forward position at the next level Has a smooth and refined turnaround jumper... Shane may have come into the league with those skills, but, with regard to doing "everything really good," when I watched him as a Rocket, I saw defense, general bball IQ, and 3pt shot. Everything else was mediocre imho. JJJ doesn't handle the ball well which I believe will be his toughest challenge to playing the three. He's also not a great passer. He may never play 3, but I think it's his best chance to see playing time. Whether he plays the three or four, he's unlikely to see the court this year as a Rocket.
We need a back up C. Not a fan of playing small upfront. Pat and D-More are better suited at PF. Smith is just not ready to primary backup. Johnson is crap. Lin/Douglas/Livingston Martin/Forbes/ Parsons/Delfino/ Pat/Brockman/ Asik/?????/????? Machado, Lamb, White, Jones and D-Mo should be gradually involved. Just don't know about Morris.
As the season draws closer. All the anticipation i had after the draft is gone. I doubt we play lamb, white or jones or motie much. Were still going to try and barely make the playoffs and miss. We end up with 14th pick in draft again. There's no point in playing a bunch of scrubs with no upside.
For whatever it's worth, the ESPN depth chart has Livingston right after Lin, and D-Mo after Asik. http://espn.go.com/nba/team/depth/_/name/hou/houston-rockets
You are most likely wrong. All of the recent Rocket first round picks have ended up in the D-league at some point. Brooks, Patterson, Morris. Chances are good that 1 of their 3 picks will spend some time there this year.
Lol people saying white... is not in rotation or going to d League... White is the most nba ready of rookies...!!!
If no one is traded, I think this will be the rotation a month or so into the season. 1) Jeremy Lin / Scott Machado 2) Kevin Martin / Jeremy Lamb 3) Chandler Parsons / Carlos Delfino 4) Patrick Patterson / Royce White / Terrence Jones 5) Omer Asik / Donatas Motiejunas
Has played every game in college.... lets assume his able to play full season.... If he can then i rate him top 5 rookie easily... Play him off the bench as 4 or even 5.... where he can be under the basket post defending and rebounding...his strengths... then he can run the point/.. fast breaks etc..
I figure the Rockets will keep the rotation fairly tight at least to start the season, maybe 8 guys only. Just so the basic 5-man combos cam get used to playing with each other for a significant stretch. Thus, I think the rotation will be: Lin Martin Parsons Patterson Asik as the starting 5, with Douglas, Delfino and Jones coming off the bench. Douglas and Delfino are experienced and have looked decent in practice. Jones seems to be the most ready at this point in terms of NBA body/skill set among the rookie bigs. There is probably room for a 9th guy somewhere, maybe Morris.
