[Video] Nick Johnson Full Highlights vs Pistons (SL) (7.5.14)

It's only one highlight of a d-league game, but for me, nothing stands out so far.

His size will definitely be a disadvantage, and he doesn't seem to have the freakish athleticism or speed etc. to compensate for it.

Usually, a role player has to show at least one quality that can be developed to an elite level, which the team could use to their advantage and which would also help cover his deficiencies. And I don't see what that would be with this guy (yet).

 

You honestly don't believe that right?

 

Looks like a promising player. Hopefully his play can improve and translate into real NBA games. Remember MCW? he looked horrible last year but ended up being ROY, while others looked promising early on but faded quickly. It's a real toss up and only time will tell, but so far he does look promising.

 

This dude has Avery Bradley written all over him.

Definitely a steal in the second round.

 

Not to rain on people's parade but I remember enough summer leagues to be cautious about making too much of it. John Lucas III played like an MVP one summer. Donte Greene had a 40 point game. A bunch of us from Clutchfans were in the stands watching DMo, TJones, Jeremy Lamb and Royce White killing it in summer 2012 and talking about how Morey shouldn't trade these guys for a possible rental of Dwight Howard.

Obviously having a player do well in the summer league is better than having him suck. But while having a player suck is a warning sign that the kid is likely not NBA ready right off the bat, having a player do well often does not suggest immediate NBA readiness.

 

Yeah.....James Harden looked like a scrub in SL but look at him now...a bonafide superstar.

 

Yah I do. He's of course incredibly athletic as most NBA players are compared to the average joe, but it's nothing as eye-popping as some here are making him out to be. He's going to have to bring something else at an elite skill level, but I don't yet see what that can be.

That's just my opinion of course.

 

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I'm not sure I'd use the college's numbers, they have more reason to exaggerate the results.

The combine results for him were 41 and 33, which to me sounds closer to what he's showing on the court. 47 is insanely high. He would be making trick dunks look a lot easier at that number.

As for lack of height, of course it matters. A great vertical comes in handy over the course of a game, but body length does as well. A vertical isn't going to save you when contact keeps you from getting a clean take off or when you need to put back a shot quickly , while surrounded by defenders. Like someone else mentioned, if this guy were 6'6 we'd be comparing him to Brandon Roy and he would have been a lottery pick, easily.

 

You are obviously right. But, I'd add that Johnson demonstrated some NBA level attributes that should make a difference on our squad. Hustle, athleticism, IQ, range and tenacity should readily translate to the big stage.

 

I've never expected him to be a star, those that are expecting that are gonna be disappointed.

He's gonna be a player right away. Great defensively, and can knock down the long ball. I think he will be able to play a lot of point with us given how Harden dominates the ball. Although I think he can handle himself as an undersized 2 as well.

Patrick Beverly is a worst case scenario

 

Defense.

 

what would be interesting to watch would be him playing with beverly and parsons.

 

I want Lin gone too but quit being a hater, Lin was a beast in the d-league too lol.

 

One good game in D League and People start overreacting.
Come on now. Dude isn't NBA ready as you make it out to be.

 

Well, I'd like to see how he does at the NBA level, when many of his opponents will outsize him.

I know I sound overly pessimistic about Johnson after just one D-league game, and I'd be happy to be proven wrong.

 

So... the next Jameer Nelson?

 

Fellas, fellas. I gotchya man. One D-League dunk does not make a player. Hell, 2 summer leagues ago D-Mo looked like the best thing out of Europe since Dirk.

But that said, Nick Johnson wasn't nicknamed "Bunnies" for no reason. And his father wasn't named "Jumpin' Joey" Johnson on a fluke either. His dad purportedly had a 52" vertical, and one of his tricks for show was to dunk on a 11'7" rim.

Below are some measurements of last year's Rockets PGs and similar NBA guys:

Nick Johnson w/o shoes 6’-1.5”, w/ shoes 6’-3”, wingspan 6’-7.25” (+5.75”), 47” vertical
Jeremy Lin w/o shoes 6’-3”, w/ shoes 6’-4”, wingspan 6’-5” (+2”), n/a vertical
Patrick Beverley w/o shoes 6’-0.25”, w/ shoes 6’-1.5”, wingspan 6’-6.5” (+6.25”), 37” vertical
Isiah Canaan w/o shoes 5’-11”, w/ shoes 6’-0”, wingspan 6’-4.5” (+5.5”), 40.5” vertical

Derrick Rose w/o shoes 6’-1.5”, w/ shoes 6’-2.5”, wingspan 6’-8” (+6.5”), 40” vertical
Kirk Hinrch w/o shoes 6’-2.75”, w/ shoes 6’-3.75”, wingspan 6’-6” (+3.25”),33.5” vertical
Monta Ellis w/o shoes 6’-2.25”, w/ shoes 6’-3.25”, wingspan 6’-2.75” (+0.5”),31.5” vertical
Steve Francis w/o shoes 6’-2.5”, w/ shoes 6’-3.5”, wingspan n/a, 43” vertical

Dude is a total chase down artist with his stupid bounce...
Clutch game winning block
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Another clutch, game winning block (I sense a trend here…)
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Chase down block immediately followed by a standing block @3:33
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Daddy was a bball guy. Uncle was Dennis Johnson. Coached under a good system. Played 3 years college ball. Not too far-fetched to hope he can contribute from the bench in his rookie year. McHale usually has a tight leash on rooks, but we saw him give meaningful minutes to a rookie Parsons, and a rookie Beverley (if you consider Beverley a rook coming out of the Ukraine).

 

All he has to do is be able to play with Harden better than Jeremy does. And this kid is extremely athletic. He was doing in game 360 two hand dunks. Arizona has a history of pumping out decent NBA guards _ he may be the next.