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MS
Posts: 27065
Alba Posts: 0
Joined: 7/28/2004
Member: #724
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The Grizzles just cut this guy for some reason, I know we have a glut of big bodies on the team, but he is a power guy, might be worth buying out a contract to take a flyer on the kid as a backup center type.
Chad Ford's Analysis: Indiana sent this pick to Portland, which then sent it on to Memphis. Jerry West strikes again! The Grizzlies were seriously considering Johnson at No. 24 and he's a steal here. He is a great athlete for his position and is basically a poor man's Kenyon Martin. I really love the Grizzlies' draft night.
Draft Projection: Mid to late first round
Similarities: A poor man's Kenyon Martin
Positives: Johnson is an interesting prospect that will be watched closely by scouts. He's got the body, toughness, skills and athleticism to be an excellent NBA four. Scouts say Johnson possesses a 40-inch vertical which is pretty amazing for a big guy. He's also shown great speed for a big guy ever since he shed 25 pounds last summer. Despite the weight loss, Johnson remains one of the toughest power forwards in the draft. He uses his body well to gain position in the post and has a soft touch around the basket. He also possesses a nice jumper with range all the way to the college 3-point line.
Negatives: Scouts question his size (he stands about 6-foot-9 in shoes) in part because he possesses just an average wingspan. But his explosiveness off the floor makes up for some of that. Other scouts wonder if he'll continue to keep himself in shape after making the NBA. His weight loss dramatically improved his game. Can he keep it off? The fact that he turned 23 in February also works against him.
Summary: Could Johnson be a first-round pick come draft night? His workouts in Orlando wowed scouts. He's also getting great feedback from NBA teams in individual workouts. There's always a need for athletic, physical fours with good offensive tools. A sleeper. Could go as high as the Bulls at No. 16, the Nets at No. 22, the Mavs at No. 28 or the Rockets at No. 32.
Scouts Inc. Evaluation: Johnson is one of the more underrated power forwards in this year's draft. He has the body, skill and toughness to play the position at the next level. Although Tyrus Thomas and LaMarcus Aldridge have received most of the hype, scouts covet Johnson. Don't be shocked if gets picked a lot earlier than some of the bigger names.
A rugged and strong power forward with excellent hands, Johnson can bump you in the post as well as face up and score from 12-15 feet. He has long arms and is extremely competitive on the block. Think of a less-polished Rasheed Wallace. Although we did not see this at Florida State this year, Johnson has a jump shot with range out to the college 3-point line. The ability to stretch defenses and run pick-and-pops will make him more desirable.
Johnson battled some weight issues early in his career, which slowed down his development, but he trimmed down about 25 pounds. The weight loss really helped his ability to run the floor. Johnson established himself as one of the ACC's top big men this past season and should be drafted in the first round, somewhere in the late teens to mid 20s.
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7/19/2007 2:11 PM