Wesley Johnson Tourney/NBA Ready??
by HoodLife on Feb 22, 2010 12:09 PM EST
16 comments
NBADraft.net has Johnson going 3 right now to Golden State - the funniest part about it is that they compare him to Demarr Johnson pre-injury. Johnson is going to be a great NBA player, but #3? seems a little too high. No doubt he's going to help us if we want the Title this year but I don't know how much leadership ability he has, especially compared to Rautins. Dime profiled him today and nailed it - he's got the athleticism, NBA-readiness, and even the fundamentals, but how high is his ceiling? That's what i'm worried about come Tourney time.
I wonder if Cousins will be a better NBA-er
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I wonder about Wes
Does he have the frame to really hang with the NBA guys? I know he’s got time to develop still, but…it’s the difference between being a Durant and a Hak.
Troy Nunes Is An Absolute Magician - The Syracuse blog that cares.
The only difference is
Durant has 2", 30lbs, and better ball handling skills on WJ. Two of those things you can change (three if your name is Mickey and you’re a Seinfeld character).
I am having a hard time differentiating between him and Donte these days
Except that Wes is more committed to defense (shot blocking) and rebounding (at times).
His ability to score on high-percentage shots other than dunks has eroded as the season has gone along. Right now, his shot options are dunks, 16-footers from at or near the foul line, and 3-pointers. His ability to drive and dish has not been on display lately.
This team will go as far as its biggest men will take it. If RJ and AO are dunking and rebounding, we are in good shape. If WJ and KJ are passing as much as they are shooting, we are in good shape.
For all the goofiness and inconsistency of Triche and Scoop, getting 40+ points in the paint (without having 2+ or more missed layups and dunks, and without also having 4+ turnovers due to poor hands, traveling, charges) is the key. When Wes is part of that… he seems like an NBA player.
Just my two cents.
by ezcuse on Feb 22, 2010 12:33 PM EST reply actions 1 recs
Why does #3 seem high?
He has been projected as a Top 5 pick all season long. His recent slump has come off some lingering pain from his big fall (which could prove worrisome in the NBA), so it’s not like he’s struggled for no reason. I think his athleticism and skills deservedly put him that high. Whether or not his body can hold up is certainly a valid concern, but I don’t know how much it’s gonna drop him come draft time. Bad teams will love what he is capable of.
He's got holes in his game
He can’t create for himself other than the one dribble pull-up jumper. His jump shot is good, but not great. He’s got a slighter frame and I’m not sure he’ll be able to handle the NBA grind. I think he’s a bit of a tweener too since he’s what 6’6", 6’7"? He won’t rebound in the NBA like he does here, and won’t be able to match up against bigger Small Forwards. He’d be a good SG if only he had a better handle.
I don’t know if he can get all that much better.
~K
"As the governor of Louisiana once said, the only way Chris Kelsay can lose his job is if he got caught in bed with a dead girl or a live boy."
I agree
I love Wes. Very happy to have him and I have no ill will towards him at all. However, Kurupt is right. I think he will be able to rebound well at the next level (only thing I disagree with) but he has no post up game and no off the dribble game. Remember that reverse he tried against Uconn? He drove towards the basket, went up and had no idea what to do after that. I think he has a chance to stick on roster and be a valuable NBA player. But he wont be a star. I like how he was compared to Demarr Johnson. If he is a Demarr Johnson, why would anyone take him at 3??? Also remember….he is 23!! Its crazy to consider that old, but if he was 19 doing what he is doing this year, he would get drafted top 5 because of potential. At 23, how much better is he going to get? I know it sounds crazy, but GM’s do look at that.
by Mike Will is DoubleDown on Feb 22, 2010 2:26 PM EST up reply actions
At the same time
80% of NBA G.M.s are clueless. Upside is nice… how about playing for “right now” though? For every player who reaches his upside, there are 15 that don’t. The Wes Johnson we know has more value than a lot of players currently languishing in the NBA.
Again, is that worth a top 3 pick?
A role player with limitations shouldn’t go 3rd…
~K
"As the governor of Louisiana once said, the only way Chris Kelsay can lose his job is if he got caught in bed with a dead girl or a live boy."
Yes...but
Who are drafting these players? GM’s…so, got to think like one. It may not be right, but they are the ones making the decisions. Therefore, I do not see him top 5 at all. I hope i’m wrong. I really do. I hope everyone looks back at my post and calls me an idiot.
by Mike Will is DoubleDown on Feb 22, 2010 3:03 PM EST reply actions
Shawn Marion
I think that’s Wes Johnson’s upside. Marion doesn’t have much of a dribble game, athletic as hell, can jump out of the gym and rebounds based on that. He can hit the 3 sometimes also.
If Wes can get on a team that plays up tempo with a good point guard he could be Marion. If Don Nelson wasn’t messing up Golden State that could be a good spot for him with he and Curry. Is that top 5 worthy? I would think so. I think at worst Wes is Hakim Warrick and thats not a bad place to be.
I think that's the best comparison
Not saying he will be as good as Marion, but that is where his skills can take him.
I will admit though, I might of underestimated Rautins’ NBA potential. He has proven a lot these last few games. Maybe he can have a starting NBA role next year.
Go Orange(men)!
Maybe for the Nets
But for everyone else he’d probably be a 7th or 8th guy at best.
Without Gerry McNamara we wouldn't have won 10 f-- games, not 10
by PoetryInMoten on Feb 23, 2010 11:00 AM EST up reply actions
Shawn Marion is a good comparison
I was thinking more of a Tayshaun Prince. He is definitely a top 5 pick I think that is 100% justified no doubt. You gotta figure very rare in the NBA Draft do you get a guy that is a complete franchise changer. The 2003 class was the last loaded class with game changers with Lebron, DWade, Melo. I don’t think Wes is going to be an all-star but he could be a very good player for a team. Definitely crack a starting lineup.
The frame is fine. Marion, Prince, Durant are all similar sizes. Durant a bit skinner (and he is doing quite well).
If JJ Reddick can make it in the NBA (even start at one point) Andy Rautins can make it in the NBA.
Wes does not have Marion's frame, yet
Prince is closer frame wise, but not the same game. I don’t know how Wes’ frame can handle Marion’s style with those big dudes in the NBA over an 80 game season.
Hopefully Wes “grows up” in the NBA. I am sure the improvement in physical training and in chemistry improvement will surely help in that.
As for Rautins, earlier in the year I was making the case Rautins would be lucky to be a bench warmer due to his limited, shooter only, game. He’s listed as 6’4" and was expecting to play SG, meaning he would have to cover the Kobe/McGrady/Johnson of the league. Good luck with that, however, seeing his overall game improve as much as it has I can see be more of a PG/SG type player, and hopefully become successful.
Go Orange(men)!
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