Draft Countdown: James Johnsson

[Saciid11]

James Johnsson is exactly the type of small forward that can complement the bigs we have in Bargnani and Bosh...So if BC is thinking about buying pick around 15-25, I hope he is looking Johnsson rather than Terrence william..

"Johnson is a 6-foot-8, 235-pound small forward/power forward type who averaged 15.0 points and 8.5 rebounds. He's an athlete, considered a good perimeter defender. He can face up, has a post game. He comes with a list of negatives, too: He needs strength, bulk, a better foul shot, more focus and assertiveness.
But there is one real appeal: He may be the toughest prospect in the upcoming draft."


"Johnson isn't the best player in the draft but his story is one of the most interesting. One of Wake Forest's assistants got a tip from a former college teammate about Johnson, then at a Wyoming high school. He gave a different scouting report, according to SI.com: "The kid's a black belt and at 6-8, 230, can do a standing backflip. He can run at the wall, put his foot on it and flip backwards. And his hands are lethal."




James Johnson



College: Wake Forest

Class: Sophomore

Position: PF/SF

Height: 6’9”

Weight: 245lbs



Accolades: Third Team All-ACC (08), ACC All-Freshman Team (08), Honorable Mention All-Freshman Team - CHN (08).



Scouting Report: A versatile, athletic combo forward.





Strengths: Very athletic, strong & tough - practiced martial arts his whole life. Versatile - can play multiple positions. Able to take his man off the dribble. Can hit the face-up jumper. Able to absorb contact and still score. Good wingspan. Very good size for the NBA. Explosive leaper. Good shot blocker. Gets plenty of steals.



Weaknesses: Inconsistent. Foul prone. Needs to work on his post moves. Still inexperienced - hasn’t been playing organized basketball for very long. Not good at drawing fouls. His game didn’t progress much from his freshman to sophomore seasons. Is already 22-years-old.



Projected 2009 Draft Range: Late first round pick.



Consensus: No doubt James Johnson has a future in the NBA. His combination of skills and size are rare, but the fact that he is already 22-years-old and hasn’t shown great improvements over his two years in college are red flags.

[Saciid11]

STRENGTHS:
- Mismatch Potential
- Scoring instincts
- Timing
- Transition play
- Versatility
- Ability to create own shot
- Ability to create w/either hand
- Excellent Touch
- Nimble footwork
- Ability to get in passing lanes
- Activity level
- Versatility to defend multiple positions
- Basketball instincts
- Solid passer
- Ability to finish around basket
- Body control
- Solid frame

WEAKNESSES:
- Ability to get to free throw line
- Out of control at times
- Settles for bad shots
- Stuck between 3 and 4
- Defensive awareness
- Defensive fundamentals
- Lateral quickness
- Focus
- Fundamentals
- Lacks discipline
- Older than class peers
- Average athleticism
- Conditioning
- 3-point shooting percentages
- Pull-up jumper

[ayo_23]

smells like Joey

[TheDunc]

Interesting to say the least. If he turns out to be a really good athlete then i would be very interested

[Saciid11]

smells like Joey

I watch this guy in college and I can tell you that he is nothing like Joey, for starters he has skills like ball handling and scoring instinct...something Joey never developed in his 4 years in the league. I think if you want to compare him to someone than Al Harrington or Ryan Gomes is better comparism...

[Saciid11]

Interesting to say the least. If turns out to be a really good athlete then i would be very interested

Think of Ryan Gomes, Al Harrington or even Carmelo type of small forward...

[ayo_23]

smells like Joey

I watch this guy in college and I can tell you that he is nothing like Joey, for starters he has skills like ball handling and scoring instinct...something Joey never developed in his 4 years in the league. I think if you want to compare him to someone than Al Harrington or Ryan Gomes is better comparism...

ah, i c. alright.
i only mentioned joey because some of the strengths/weaknesses sound similar. lol

[Saciid11]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oosTj8_2lHk&feature=related

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Q-FYIC6fEJ0&feature=related

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=N2O_d4E2RfE&feature=related

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0N6aqPyXdmc&feature=related

[theSkinny]

You his agent Saciid?

[barrist]

You his agent Saciid?

or the player himself? hah

[ZeriousLy]

smells like Joey

He's a better shooter and ball handler than Joey.

[Hypz]

You his agent Saciid?

Why would his agent bother posting on a forum that plays no real part in deciding where his client will be drafted?

[theSkinny]

You tell me?

[Saciid11]

You his agent Saciid?

No I'm not his agent, but I think he is way to underrated on this board...especially considering he would be much better fit for Raps than any other small forward in this draft..including Derozen who I see as nothing more than glorified Gerald Green.

[sh00n]

Why would his agent bother posting on a forum that plays no real part in deciding where his client will be drafted?

Because it was sarcasm?

[akaFlip]

Would've hated to spar this guy.

[Hypz]

No green, no sarcasm!

[Dalek]

He's better than Earl Clark too! The only thing is that he is not a leader, and I think that TWill would bring that.

[5DOM]

This guy is no Joey Graham.
Tyler Smith is

[s e n s i]

Judging by the thread title, you'd think he was a Swede. I keep pronouncing it 'Yonsson'.