This is the player I want Houston to get the most. Good LUCK JOE. ------------------ "Break off the block like Maurice Green" --- Steve Francis President of the Moochie Norris fan club.
I agree, Francis3. This is one of the guys I'm most high on, and I would love to see him in a Rocks uni this fall. Good luck, Joe! ------------------
Joe-Jo with the Go-Jo! good luck joe johnson! i'd love to see him here, too. either him, r-jeff-, j-rich or even shane! really, as long as we pick one of these four, i don't think we can lose at the 3.
joe mo and the fro ------------------ "Wahooo"-homer I'm not only a fan but I'm also the bartender at clutchcity chat For the last time I'm not Tybrave!!!!!
Who has seen him play a lot? I have a question, since I have blind skepticism based on my knowledge of Nolan Richardson. I know nothing about college basketball anymore nor have I seen Joe Johnson play. But let me help frame a critique of him, given that Nolan Richardson's program has never produced a star NBA player (whom I'm aware of), much less many starters worth mentioning. Nolan Richardson's system historically does not require a point guard, much less a tall playmaker. Typically Nolan runs a classic 4 out 1 with a perimeter of shooter/slashers and simple ball-movement to flatten zones and free up a big man underneath to one-on-one coverage. He does not need NBA star talent to win it all. He just needs 8-10 athletic shooters. Question: Can anyone tell me if Nolan adjusted his offense to tailor it after the skills of a 6'9 playmaker who can, by all accounts, run any offense from the point or the wing? If Richardson changed his offense to suit Johnson, that is about the highest compliment you could ever give an Arkansas player, imo. And I have so much respect for Richardson, that if he did get lucky to finally land a once-in-a-lifetime player from Little Rock Central High, and redesigned his offense for him; I would go so far to say we can bank on Joe Johnson being an NBA stud. One thing to consider: did Johnson get his assists in transition as the point man on the break (to include the secondary break), or did he get them out of half-court sets. If he got most of them in transition, and via the speed and design of Nolan's athletic offense to get off shots before zones set, then I'd be more inclined to say the Magic and Odom comparisons are premature, as usually they are. If Nolan handed the half-court offense over to Johnson as well, well...I have not seen Richardson have that kind of confidence in a player before. Remember: Arkansas does not produce very good NBA players, considering their expectations. This is one of those coaches who picks certain players for his system, to push his high-octane system down your throat, and his player's stats show it. btw: Clutch, you have Johnson at both 6'8 and 6'9, which appears to be spreading throughout the net. We seem to be 50-50 on his size. [This message has been edited by heypartner (edited May 31, 2001).]
I'd like the Rockets to trade up for Johnson, actually. Someone recently asked why Houston would give up two picks to move up just 5 places or so... this is why! At #13, our chances of getting him are small. At #9, they would be fairly decent. ------------------ A few years back on the Senate floor... Phil Gramm: "If Democrats could, they'd tax the air we breathe." Ted Kennedy (jumping up): "By God, why didn't I think of that sooner!" Boston College - NCAA Hockey National Champions 2001
Where did you hear that? ------------------ President of the Steve Francis, Jamal Crawford,Larry Hughes, and Charles Woodson fan club.
Live, Steve Smith? When sites like nbadraft.net compare playmakers to the likes of Magic and Odom, I can't help but compare them to the other ones similar to them who didn't make it to stardom. I'm thinking of the Wizard, of course, who was a 7th pick in the best draft of the 90's featuring Shaq and Mourning. Johnson, sounds more like a Maryland Walt Williams to me...maybe slightly more athletic at equal age, but not the shooter. Anyone care to compare Johnson to the Maryland "Wizard"...we should forget the MSU "Magic" like nbadraft.net compares him to. This is from Maryland fans who remember the legend...the Wizard.. His pre-injury accolades had him as an athletic, dribbling, passing, shooting playmaker at 6'8...plus, Johnson already has one ankle injury in the bank, showing more similarities to Walt. And before people say (he is a better defender than Walt), did you see the Wizard in action at Maryland. He was referred to as "immensely talented". I believe he led the team in every statistic category at least once in his career. [This message has been edited by heypartner (edited May 31, 2001).]
Yes, HeyP, Steve Smith. He may not quite have Smith's touch, but he seems like a better athlete to me. But they both have a similar frame, size, versatile enough to play the 2 & 3 with some spot duty at the 1 (like Smith, I wouldn't play Johnson at PG, but he's fine as a backup or in an emergency role). Interesting that you brought up Walt. The main problem I think Walt has is that he's a 'tweener. He's not big enough to play the 4, but not quite fast or athletic enough to start at the 1, 2, or 3. Actually, he would be at his best coming off the bench (hey, isn't that what Rudy had him doing towards the end of the season, HMMM...? ), providing solid ball-handling and the ocassional 3. Johnson, on the other hand, is a much better athlete than Walt, and health permitting, will have a much better career. ------------------
Question for you: why isn't Johnson a tweener then in your eyes. The Wizard actually played guard in college, and you saw Johnson play PF. I guess my point is to compare Johnson to Walt when Walt was drafted. Walt was an athletic stud at Maryland, but slowed by injuries since, much like Penny Hardaway (another person people compare Johnson to). Johnson already has one ankle operation in the bank, and (according to Richardson) he had a slowed 1/2 season this year because of it. Who can name an NBA star wing playmaker that had a major leg injury, ankle surgery or ACL surgery? That is an honest question. I have no idea.? Injuries slowed both Walt and Penny and Grant Hill had to sit back down after coming back. [This message has been edited by heypartner (edited May 31, 2001).]
That's a good point Heyp...I think both Jim Jackson and Jamal Mashburn have had ankle surgery, and they haven't lived up to their draft spots, although Mashburn has done well with Charlotte this year. One thing that stood out with Johnson when I watched him, though, is that he was really quick with the ball in his hands. When he wanted to get to the hole, he made real quick, decisive dribble moves. ------------------ Lisa, I'd like to buy your rock...
Joe Johnson is a great player and I would be ecstatic if we somehow managed to get him. He's a solid investment IMO, and comes from a good program. If the Rockets are serious about drafting a very good small forward, and want the pick of the litter, I would imagine they would try and swing a deal with New Jersey for the 6th pick. If they are interested in a big man, I think they go after Detroit's 9th pick because Boston and Seattle are both looking to draft big. ------------------
