Jalen Johnson may be better than De'Andre Hunter and Cam Reddish

[JayBirdHawk]

 

 

[JayBirdHawk]

 

Hawks third-year forward Jalen Johnson’s versatile game has taken the team’s preseason by storm. Through the first three exhibition games, Johnson has looked confident and like he belongs among the starting five.

The 21-year-old spent his summer traveling between Los Angeles and Atlanta, sharpening his skills ahead of what could be a big year. Johnson’s progress on the defensive end last season already instilled some hope in the Hawks that they could pull the trigger on a deal that would eventually move forward John Collins to the Jazz. “But really like the progression of Jalen, especially defensively in the last season really gave us a lot of hope this year where it’s like, ‘okay, can you put him into the more four lineups whether he’s starting or not, and add into those elements defensively, as well as his playing making ability,’” Hawks general manager Landry Fields said at media day earlier this month. “I think for him like, we’re excited for his growth this year.”

For the Hawks, the versatility that Johnson adds, of course opens up so much for them on the offensive end. Through the first three exhibition games, Johnson has averaged 11 points, 4.3 rebounds, 4.3 assists and 1.3 steals. He’s made nearly 62% of his overall shots and 60% of his attempts from 3-point range all in a shorter amount of time. He averaged the same amount of points per game last season but did so in 27 minutes per game, while this preseason he has needed 18 minutes.

With his penchant for getting above the rim, some have wondered if Johnson could become a threat in the pick and roll. Ahead of the Hawks exhibition game against the Grizzlies last Thursday, Hawks coach Quin Snyder was asked when Johnson may learn the art of setting a screen. The Hawks coach initially joked that it’s hard to get reps to set screens as a point forward but he went on to highlight how Johnson’s versatility made a positive impact on the team. Snyder also pointed to where Johnson can continue to improve.

“Jalen is someone that as you mentioned, there’s a versatility to his game that I think allows you to use him a number of different ways,” Snyder said last Thursday. “One of the things that, as you mentioned with the point (forward), you know, when he gets a rebound, you know, let’s run and he and he can push the ball and pass the ball. You know, if he doesn’t have numbers in the break or can attack the rim, I’d like to see him get the ball to the sideline more, so he has better angles to pass, that’s new to him. I don’t think anybody’s told him to break the ball to the sideline and why.” (I love the coaching up from Quin).

Snyder added that Johnson may operate in the pick and roll at times this season because it offers a different matchup versus what they have with centers Clint Capela and Onyeka Okongwu. “But in pick and roll situations, you know, he’ll be in pick and rolls,” he said. “Some of that is our execution in situations. We’ve got a couple of guys that are pretty good at pick and roll, too. But he is different. You know, it’s a different matchup having Jalen in pick and roll than it would be Clint or Onyeka. So, it’s a good question. And I think you’ll see that over the course of the season we’ll try to use him in a lot of different ways because he’s a versatile player.”

Whenever that does happen, Johnson will be ready.

 

[TheNorthCydeRises]

On 8/14/2021 at 7:18 PM, TheNorthCydeRises said:

This is a controversial and bold statement.  But it may be the truth.

Johnson's perimeter and ball handling skills can't be denied.  He's easily the better passer.  And I think he's the better isolation player, although De'Andre has vastly improved his midrange game.  Cam is potentially a better 3 point shooter, but consistency has been his issue from that range.

 

I wouldn't say that he's a better man defender than De'Andre or Cam, but he definitely has a better array of offensive skills than those two.  It's going to be VERY INTERESTING how Nate uses him.  You almost have to play him at the 3, with spot minutes at the 4.  He definitely makes Gallo expendable either during the season, or next offseason.

NBADraft.net ratings

• Athleticism      8
• Size                  8
• Defense            8
• Strength           8
• Quickness         8
• Leadership        7
• Jump Shot         7
• NBA Ready       7
• Ball Handling     8
• Potential            9
• Passing              8
• Intangibles       7

Overall                        93

 

To me, the ratings in red are ridiculous.   The guy is easily one of the 5 best athletes in this draft.  And at 6-9, his size is ideal to put at the 3 and even as a small ball 4 in a quick lineup  He didn't shoot the 3 with enough volume in college, so I can see why people may have had doubts with his long range shooting.  But I'm tempted to even bump him up here. 

He's DEFINITELY NBA ready.  I don't think few people can deny that.   And as far as intangibles, he has that too, with the way he can be a secondary ball handler and be a very good weak side defender. He's also ultra confident, which will help him adjust to the league very quickly.

Nate has a very good problem on his hands.  He has a playoff tested team that has good to great chemistry together.  And he doesn't have to rush putting the kids on the floor in expanded roles.

But how do you keep Jalen Johnson out of this rotation?  I honestly don't think you can.

At minimum, he completely takes over the Solo spot as our 3rd string SF/PF.  At maximum . . . he plays well enough to justify him being the 6th/7th man . . . or even starting, if Hunter and Reddish continue to be hampered by injuries.

And by the start of the 2022 - 23 season, our best wing may be Johnson . . . not Hunter or Reddish.

I still look at those pre-draft ratings in red, and wonder what the hell were they looking at?

This guy's athleticism is eye popping every time I see him play,  even moreso in college.. His size is ideal to play either the 3 or the 4, and his intangibles as a player are through the roof. 

Then again, they probably rated him lower in certain categories so that his overall score wouldn't be higher than someone else that they liked.

At least they gave him a 9 for potential. His potential goes to another level if he starts to consistently hit the 3.

[JayBirdHawk]

 

 

[GameTime]

Even if Jalen is a more efficient Smoove with a jumper we got a steal. Color me impressed.

[JayBirdHawk]

3 minutes ago, GameTime said:

Even if Jalen is a more efficient Smoove with a jumper we got a steal. Color me impressed.

Difference is JJ doesn't try to do too much and understands his limitations.

He'll get to where he needs to be.

[909]

JJ. I was a big fan of Collins, but JJ is looking like a better version of a Ben Simmons type player. 

[JeffS17]

14 minutes ago, 909 said:

JJ is looking like a better version of a Ben Simmons type player. 

I hope so.  But Simmons primary skill is lockdown half court defense first and foremost -- at least it used to be, I haven't followed him much since all the drama and injuries.  JJ actually looks quite good in a lot of 1on1 defense situations, so I'm hopeful he will get there.  He is getting bullied a bit by strong PFs, but the upside is there

[NBASupes]

@AHF delete this thread please.

[JayBirdHawk]

13 minutes ago, NBASupes said:

@AHF delete this thread please.

Why?

We know he's already better than Reddish.

Let's see what Hunter does for this year.

It's a beautiful thread.

 

[Spud2nique]

59 minutes ago, JayBirdHawk said:

It's a beautiful thread.

Devine.  

[macdaddy]

I love Jalen but so far it's looking like Hunter/Jalen are (finally) a good forward combo for us.  

[hylndr11]

On 10/30/2023 at 9:53 PM, JayBirdHawk said:

Difference is JJ doesn't try to do too much and understands his limitations.

He'll get to where he needs to be.

That's where his passing really shines, getting him out of trouble, when he ends up well defended the ball keeps moving 

[Spud2nique]

4 minutes ago, macdaddy said:

I love Jalen but so far it's looking like Hunter/Jalen are (finally) a good forward combo for us.  

Why not both- @JayBirdHawk  

[Spud2nique]

On 10/30/2023 at 6:53 PM, JayBirdHawk said:

Difference is JJ doesn't try to do too much and understands his limitations.

This.

[Final_quest]

[] If he keeps shooting close to 50/40/90 we'll all be celebrating and you guys can finger wag all you want.  It will feel like Christmas to me and the people who assert a lot of self importance to being right will be especially happy.  

[Peoriabird]

1 hour ago, Final_quest said:

[]  If he keeps shooting close to 50/40/90 we'll all be celebrating and you guys can finger wag all you want.  It will feel like Christmas to me and the people who assert a lot of self importance to being right will be especially happy.  

[] No one is crowing about Dre but rather recognizing his improvements in Quinn system thus far []

[Gray Mule]

Some way, somehow this Hawk team is looking better this season.  Players, not just one, seem to be fitting into their slots.  Over all defense has improved.  Shots are beginning to fall.  If this improvement continues we will have a better record than what we had last season.  

[AtLaS]

He's so much better than Collins (post injured finger) it's crazy.  His overall impact is huge.  Better defensively, better passer, better ballhandler.    Addition by subtraction.

[warcore]

3 hours ago, Spud2nique said:

Devine.  

Aye Spud! Why you use the pornstar spelling of divine instead of the traditional??