Just watched a Charlotte-Miami playoff game with a close eye on Johnson to see what his game looks like these days, since I haven't paid that much attention as he's aged in Brooklyn (after watching a regular-season game between Miami and Charlotte a day earlier when Deng still seemed to be in play). Here's a few thoughts (I'm making no pretensions about my analysis abilities -- just some amateur thoughts):
- I'd very clearly have Marvin Williams or Luol Deng over Johnson just basketball wise (with Marvin maybe having the slight edge). Just a different level of awareness, consistent impact than Johnson. That said, and for his age (and for his role/contract on team), I'm plenty satisfied with Johnson.
- Johnson mainly guarded Marvin, though toward the end of the game he guarded Courtney Lee and then Jeremy Lin for a good chunk. Miami didn't switch much this game (perhaps a function of Charlotte's PG-centric offense -- Batum was injured). But when he got switched on either a big or small, he didn't embarrass himself. Though I wouldn't call him a great defender, he should be able to perform well when switched onto most sizes.
- I thought he did decently at on-ball defense. He's not super quick, but seemed to defend with good position for the most part. Doesn't really pose much of a length-threat to shots, however. I was less impressed with off-ball defense. Marvin, especially got the best of him back-door or in other ball-watching situations.
- His activity level wasn't particularly high, compared to many other players on the floor (though that's what I remember from earlier days as well), but I thought he's generally smart in his efforts. At the end of the game (5 seconds left), with Miami down 3, Charlotte missed a 3 pointer. Rebound went long, and he looked as in as good a position as anybody to go for it from out of his position. But he didn't get any kind of a jump on the ball, and Courtney Lee rocketed in and grabbed the offensive rebound -- which was basically the game. I doubt we see the kind of effort plays from Johnson that a similarly aged Richard Jefferson was making in the Finals.
- I wouldn't depend on Johnson as a go-to scorer on the second team or in end-of game situations. He still can get some shots in isos, but I doubt that can be depended on on a regular basis. He'll be one more end-of-game option, but I don't see him leading the way in those situations.
-He's still a bit of a ball stopper, but not as bad as I worried. When he drives or is double teamed he's capable of making good passes; he has some offense initiation capabilities still.
Overall, he should fill the role we seem to have for him very competently, but I wouldn't expect him to lead the Jazz to newly found end-of-game excellence.
- I'd very clearly have Marvin Williams or Luol Deng over Johnson just basketball wise (with Marvin maybe having the slight edge). Just a different level of awareness, consistent impact than Johnson. That said, and for his age (and for his role/contract on team), I'm plenty satisfied with Johnson.
- Johnson mainly guarded Marvin, though toward the end of the game he guarded Courtney Lee and then Jeremy Lin for a good chunk. Miami didn't switch much this game (perhaps a function of Charlotte's PG-centric offense -- Batum was injured). But when he got switched on either a big or small, he didn't embarrass himself. Though I wouldn't call him a great defender, he should be able to perform well when switched onto most sizes.
- I thought he did decently at on-ball defense. He's not super quick, but seemed to defend with good position for the most part. Doesn't really pose much of a length-threat to shots, however. I was less impressed with off-ball defense. Marvin, especially got the best of him back-door or in other ball-watching situations.
- His activity level wasn't particularly high, compared to many other players on the floor (though that's what I remember from earlier days as well), but I thought he's generally smart in his efforts. At the end of the game (5 seconds left), with Miami down 3, Charlotte missed a 3 pointer. Rebound went long, and he looked as in as good a position as anybody to go for it from out of his position. But he didn't get any kind of a jump on the ball, and Courtney Lee rocketed in and grabbed the offensive rebound -- which was basically the game. I doubt we see the kind of effort plays from Johnson that a similarly aged Richard Jefferson was making in the Finals.
- I wouldn't depend on Johnson as a go-to scorer on the second team or in end-of game situations. He still can get some shots in isos, but I doubt that can be depended on on a regular basis. He'll be one more end-of-game option, but I don't see him leading the way in those situations.
-He's still a bit of a ball stopper, but not as bad as I worried. When he drives or is double teamed he's capable of making good passes; he has some offense initiation capabilities still.
Overall, he should fill the role we seem to have for him very competently, but I wouldn't expect him to lead the Jazz to newly found end-of-game excellence.
