KF Kings Prediction Poll #15: James Johnson in the House

[Bricklayer]

Prediction Poll #15.

So we got a new guy, yet another candidate for the eternally vacant SF position. What are your expectations for him oin either side of the ball?

Previous Polls

Poll #1: How Will Reke Do This Year?
Poll #2: TRob's Rookie Season
Poll #3: How Does Our PG Position Play Out
Poll #4: Marcus Thornton's Future Role
Poll #5: Will DMC Be an All Star This Year
Poll #6: Where Will We Finish in the West This Year
Poll #7: Jimmer's Future in the League
Poll #8: How Will The Kings Do On Defense?
Poll #9: What Kind of Start to the Season Will the Kings Have?
Poll #10: What Will Salmons Role Be This Season?
Poll #11: What Will The Kings Record Be Against the Lakers This Year?
Poll #12: Boogie's Numbers?
Poll #13: Cisco's Future With the Kings?
Poll #14: How Long Does Coach Smart Last?

 

[HndsmCelt]

Bare minimum he will bring a challenge/competition for starting. I think he ought to take a bite into Slamon's mins, and may force T Rob to step up as well.

 

[DesertFox]

Offensively I don't really know what to expect. Voted for the 11 and 6, becuase I think he will be a 25-30 min guy. But I hope his numbers will be a little short of that, as he will spend more time defending the perimeter at SF (hurting his boards) and rely on wide open 3's/ cuts to the basket for points.

I would much rather prefer a quiet 9 and 5 to a jumper heavy 13 and 7 playing a lot at PF.

Defensively, chose for a few all defense votes. The accolades/reputation usually lag behind the performance by a year, and JJ just started to build a rep. I expect big (3+ blocks/steals combined) stats and shutdown performances that will go largely ignored except for the stathead reporters.


Donte Greene is the worst case scenario here, and JJ has even started getting involved in the community. I really like this move and think JJ has the tools to be a championship role-playing 5th starter.

 

[blackice]

I don't expect much from him really. I really don't know what his game is like because I never cared to observe it. I just hope he defends and doesn't shoot any jumpers. Let's see if he's Donte Greene part deux.

 

[jcwkings]

I don't know much about him, but from what i have seen on youtube he seems like a 3/4 tweener who apparently is a good defender. Only 24 so hopefully his career is just taking off. Raptor fans seemed to like him. I say 7pts, 5 reb, 1.5 blk, being our best overall defender playing 25-30 min a game. Thats about the most i'm expecting from him, anything better would be great. The starting SF spot seems to be his for the taking, unless Salmons turns back the clock 4 years. Fire Smart if our starting lineup consists of Thomas, Thornton, Evans.

 

[jcassio]

He's no lock, but Johnson has an opportunity here to become an NBA starter as a role-playing SF, and it's an opportunity for the Kings to fill a big gap. So let's hope the opportunities can be realized and not snuffed out by a misguided instinct to play small ball. I know a lot of us would like to trade for a bigger name to fill that gap, but my preference would be to give Johnson the opportunity, and instead trade for a backup center who can protect the basket.

 

[bajaden]

Johnson was the best shotblocking SF in the NBA last season, so he has that going for him. He was also a good isolation defender, and a good rebounder for the SF position. Those are the good things. His downside is his outside shot. And although it improved last season, it was still nothing to write home about. If he can improve that shot, and put up similar numbers everywhere else, he'll be an improvement at the SF position. Offensively he should try and model his game after Melo's. Melo is a great post up player and he's a good midrange shooter.

Please folks! Spare me the "I'm comparing him to Melo posts". OK! I'm not. I'm simply saying that Johnson is a good post up player already, since he played PF most of his life. So if he can improve his midrange game, he can become an effective offensive player. And don't misunderstand. I'm not saying the Kings need him to become an offensive threat. But they do need him to be good enough that you have to guard him.

 

[HereWeBoogie]

i think James Johnson is definitly gonna surprise people. i dont think a lot of people expect much out of him.