Wesley Johnson vs Thaddeus Young

[philly262]

I was having a discussion on another board about Wesley Johnson, and I was comparing him to Thaddeus Young.

What, if anything makes Wesley Johnson a better prospect than Thaddeus Young.

Thaddeus Young is younger than Wesley Johnson, and has proven that he can play in the NBA, also Thaddeus Young put up very similar numbers to Johnson, as a college freshman, while Johnson is putting them up as a junior.

Besides being a much better rebounder than Thad, what makes Wesley Johnson a better prospect than Thaddeus Young.

[ponder276]

He's a much better shooter than Thad was in college, and generally looks more comfortable away from the basket. Thad managed to hit a decent number of 3s in the NCAA, but always looked best in the post, Johnson has a great stroke and should easily be a shooting threat from day 1 in the NBA.

[EddieJonesFan]

I think Johnson is going to be a very good shooter.

[Joel Embust]

Wes Johnson reminds me a bit of Granger minus the creating. Long, athletic, versatile, good shooter, ability to defend multiple positions, rebounder, good at contesting shots etc.

[Cammo101]

Aminu reminds me a lot more of Young than Johnson does. Young is a combo forward who plays SF with a PF mentality. Johnson is more of a true wing.

[ponder276]

Wes Johnson reminds me a bit of Granger minus the creating. Long, athletic, versatile, good shooter, ability to defend multiple positions, rebounder, good at contesting shots etc.

I highly doubt he'll be as good as Granger, but that's probably his absolute upside. I see him as more of a JRich with better d.

[Esohny]

Wes Johnson reminds me a bit of Granger minus the creating. Long, athletic, versatile, good shooter, ability to defend multiple positions, rebounder, good at contesting shots etc.

I highly doubt he'll be as good as Granger, but that's probably his absolute upside. I see him as more of a JRich with better d.

Johnson needs to improve his handle, but a rich man's J-Rich isn't a bad suggestion for his upside (and would be a darn nice player). Luckily, Johnson doesn't seem to be a knucklehead.

[longfellow44]

Wes Johnson is the Wing version of Shawn Marion but with better range.
Young is a pretty nice young player but he's a PF/SF and plays much more in the post and as a slasher, that's a great thing but I think Johnson and Young approach the game with totally different mentalities. Young wants to make his way to the bucket and finish. Johnson wants to catch the ball on the perimeter and make a decision at that point as to weather to shoot or drive.

as said Young=Aminu

[ExplosionsInDaSky]

I don't really see the comparisons either.... Most of you have pointed out their differences.
As for the question itself. It's argumentative that Johnson is a better prospect than Young but I personally give him a slight edge on Young. He's a better shooter, a better defender, and a better basketball player. Young is the better athlete I think and Young is the better overall scorer I think.
At the best I like the Shawn Marion comparison and at the very worst I think Johnson can be Tracy Murray if any of you remember him.

[Fred Williamson]

Wes Johnson reminds me a bit of Granger minus the creating. Long, athletic, versatile, good shooter, ability to defend multiple positions, rebounder, good at contesting shots etc.

Granger can't create for others.

Well, actually we don't really know because he's chucking 3's like there's no tomorrow.

[ManualRam]

I don't really see the comparisons either.... Most of you have pointed out their differences.
As for the question itself. It's argumentative that Johnson is a better prospect than Young but I personally give him a slight edge on Young. He's a better shooter, a better defender, and a better basketball player. Young is the better athlete I think and Young is the better overall scorer I think.
At the best I like the Shawn Marion comparison and at the very worst I think Johnson can be Tracy Murray if any of you remember him.

tracy murray was a terrible wing athlete and couldnt really do anything other shoot.

young's a fair comparison

[SJSF]

I would be happy with a WJ and then we can have a real SF for the next 10 years. Trade Iggy and Thad for a real SG. Along with a Jrue and WJ this team would have a nice future.

[mattg]

Wes Johnson reminds me a bit of Granger minus the creating. Long, athletic, versatile, good shooter, ability to defend multiple positions, rebounder, good at contesting shots etc.

Granger can't create for others.

Well, actually we don't really know because he's chucking 3's like there's no tomorrow.

i thought he meant create his own shot. Johnson can't dribble at all and therefore is going to have a tough time scoring on anything that isn't assisted or a very simple move. One or two dribbles in a straight line attack to the rim, cuts to the basket/transition finishes/spot ups will be how he scores. Reminds me of a mix between Rasual Butler/Travis Outlaw.

[ExplosionsInDaSky]

No, sorry Young and Wes Johnson do not compare to eachother other than their height with shoes on. Their games are totally different in my opinion.

[F-Stop]

People seem to forget that what you saw with Wes was a guy who didn't play Man to Man D for the last 2 years of his college career. 3 if you count the transfer year. What happens when he has to use his energy on defense chasing guys around and his legs go. You can't assume with the amount of energy needed to go from zone to man to man that it will not affect Johnsons game.

Between that and him about to enter his physical prime as a rookie I can't see him doing all that well.

[Ruzious]

People seem to forget that what you saw with Wes was a guy who didn't play Man to Man D for the last 2 years of his college career. 3 if you count the transfer year. What happens when he has to use his energy on defense chasing guys around and his legs go. You can't assume with the amount of energy needed to go from zone to man to man that it will not affect Johnsons game.

That's a big reach, imo. Everyone with his kind of athleticism can adjust to man to man. And there is plenty of zone defense going on in the NBA. Hell, even when it was illegal, teams played zone defenses.

[F-Stop]

I agree that he has the Athleticism for it however if you haven't done it in a while and it coincides with your offensive uptick playing NBA level D may take away from said uptick.
NBA does play Zone but Syracuse is a 2-3 zone only school. Nobody plays exclusive zone in the NBA. Working hard on defense will take away from your offense.

[ponder276]

I agree that he has the Athleticism for it however if you haven't done it in a while and it coincides with your offensive uptick playing NBA level D may take away from said uptick.
NBA does play Zone but Syracuse is a 2-3 zone only school. Nobody plays exclusive zone in the NBA. Working hard on defense will take away from your offense.

In the NBA the energy he puts into d will have to go up, but the energy he puts into offense will go down, as he projects to more of a role player, 3rd or 4th option kind of player, while at Syracuse he's the 1st option. Doubt his conditioning will be a problem, he seems to be in excellent shape.

[Krapinsky]

Wes Johnson reminds me a bit of Granger minus the creating. Long, athletic, versatile, good shooter, ability to defend multiple positions, rebounder, good at contesting shots etc.

Granger can't create for others.

Well, actually we don't really know because he's chucking 3's like there's no tomorrow.

Granger has a pretty good pull up J though, which makes a pretty big difference.

[_BBIB_]

I'll take Wesley Johnson to replace Joe Johnson. ANyway we can sign and trade?