ROUND 1: AJ Johnson - Poll Added

emunney · Post #761 » by **emunney** » Fri Aug 30, 2024 2:38 pm

Bernman wrote:AJ (& Marjon) competing w/ NBA stars. More than held his own...

Watch on YouTube

MarJon continues to scan as a NBA player. Maybe KD feels the same and can talk to James Jones about him.

German Athens · Post #762 » by **German Athens** » Fri Aug 30, 2024 2:53 pm

Was that Mobley that AJ dunked around at the 5:20 mark?

AJ continues to stand out in a crowd, even as the talent of the crowd continues to rise.

Packbuckman · Post #763 » by **Packbuckman** » Fri Aug 30, 2024 5:34 pm

German Athens wrote:Was that Mobley that AJ dunked around at the 5:20 mark?

AJ continues to stand out in a crowd, even as the talent of the crowd continues to rise.

Great pick give him some minutes with big boys this year see how he does!

Post #764 » by **Prez** » Fri Aug 30, 2024 10:25 pm

Crosses Moses Moody then dunk on Evan Mobley. Tight. Tight tight tight.

Read on Twitter

Bernman · Post #765 » by **Bernman** » Fri Nov 8, 2024 4:33 pm

Makes his long anticipated G-League debut tonight. It's free on Tubi. Same time as the Bucks. You can double-screen them.

Post #766 » by **ReasonablySober** » Fri Nov 8, 2024 4:52 pm

Had no idea G League TV was on Tubi. That's awesome, thanks Bern.

Bernman · Post #767 » by **Bernman** » Fri Nov 8, 2024 4:57 pm

No problem. I've never seen a G-league game, but looking at the Herd schedule, most of them are on Tubi or ESPN+ the 1st month.

https://wisconsin.gleague.nba.com/schedule?month=11

chonestown · Post #768 » by **chonestown** » Fri Nov 8, 2024 6:19 pm

He shall sup upon the PCB-laden waters of the Fox River and absorb the teachings of Beano (sp?) Udrow (sp??). His temple will be the Anytime Fitness off 41 and his sustenance shall be bowls of steel. Be strong, Young Buck, and may you acquire finishing skills rivaling the portly Neenahites and Menashians who lay waste to the Golden Corrals of Out-of-Gamie County. One day he shall traverse the rubicon of Lake Butte (sp?) des (fr?) Mortes (wtf) a final time and return to the Valley only upon his own volition and not under the directive of Jon Horts.

rayallenscalves · Post #769 » by **rayallenscalves** » Sat Nov 9, 2024 2:13 am

Watching this Herd game and AJJ plays like someone who's spent a lot of time working on his "bag" but very little time actually shooting the basketball. His finishing makes Jennings look like Kyrie. AJJ isn't much better than a below average And-1 player at this point.

emunney · Post #770 » by **emunney** » Sat Nov 9, 2024 2:31 am

rayallenscalves wrote:Watching this Herd game and AJJ plays like someone who's spent a lot of time working on his "bag" but very little time actually shooting the basketball. His finishing makes Jennings look like Kyrie. AJJ isn't much better than a below average And-1 player at this point.

Is Clark defending him? That guy is a great defensive player. A good welcome to regulation ball.

Bernman · Post #771 » by **Bernman** » Sat Nov 9, 2024 3:39 am

Played OK in the 1st half, running the o sensibly, timing passes, actually finishing at the rim, & holding his own defensively. It went in the wrong direction in the 2nd. Looked more like preseason AJ, disrupted and disjointed. Stopped playing d to boot.

So not an encouraging start. It could be debut nerves. If not, we were almost sure he wasn't NBA ready, but if he's not g-league either, that's pretty alarming.

Bernman · Post #772 » by **Bernman** » Mon Jan 6, 2025 5:00 pm

I'd say for the first half of his g-league season, AJ was a terrible player even there. And he's improved to a mid-level one. It's still not where I hoped he'd be at this stage, but that's real progress.

He's up to 32% from 3, when he was hanging in the low 20's. He's actually shot ft's particularly well - 18 of 19. So that's a good sign for his shooting. He doesn't get very good shot quality in the run of play, in part because of who his teammates are.

Fairly consistently he's been able to get around the basket in the halfcourt. Started out finishing terribly. That's upgraded to a degree. Figured his speed is functional strength, pushing guys back. He's stopping more than throwing up a wild lefty hook. But it's hard at his speed, and he's still not navigating the d. His in-between game is non-existent, to the pt he doesn't even take them. Then tries to do too much on passes & turns it over. Decision-making's still a problem. Not a guy you ideally want to be bringing it up against pressure. But he's functional at running a team in the halfcourt.

Defensively he's not a total pushover, but it's been a little disappointing. He's lacked some anticipation & gumption. And opposing players have started to bully him. He's not much of a factor on the boards in spite of his height & athleticism. I think there's some sheepishness due to his frailty. His body looks relatively unchanged. Would like to hear what they're doing to build him up.

A lot of non Herd commentators hype him up fwiw. But he still has a long way to go to be a useful NBA player. Has improved 1 level, but still probably 1-2 to go, & more to be a difference-maker, if he can get there.

Here are some highlights:

Watch on YouTube

chonestown · Post #773 » by **chonestown** » Mon Jan 6, 2025 5:06 pm

Elite posting, Bern.

msiris · Post #774 » by **msiris** » Mon Jan 6, 2025 7:37 pm

Bernman wrote:I'd say for the first half of his g-league season, AJ was a terrible player even in that league. And he's improved to a mid-level one. It's still not where I hoped he'd be at this stage, but that's real progress.

He's up to 32% from 3, when he was hanging in the low 20's. He's actually shot ft's particularly well - 18 of 19. So that's a good sign for his shooting. He doesn't get very good shot quality in the run of play, in part because of who his teammates are.

Fairly consistently he's been able to get around the basket in the halfcourt. Started out finishing terribly. That's upgraded to a degree. Figured his speed is functional strength, pushing guys back. He's stopping more than throwing up a wild lefty hook. But it's hard at his speed, and he's still not navigating the d. His in-between game is non-existent, to the pt he doesn't even taken them. Then tries to do too much on passes & turns it over. Decision-making's still a problem. Not a guy you ideally want to be bringing it up against pressure. But he's functional at running a team in the halfcourt.

Defensively he's not a total pushover, but it's been a little disappointing. He's lacked some anticipation & gumption. And opposing players have started to bully him. He's not much of a factor on the boards in spite of his height & athleticism. I think there's some sheepishness due to his frailty. His body looks relatively unchanged. Would like to hear what they're doing to build him up.

A lot of non Herd commentators hype him up fwiw. But he still has a long way to go to be a useful NBA player. Has improved 1 level, but still probably 1-2 to go, & more to be a difference-maker, if he can get there.

Here are some highlights:

Watch on YouTube

How is he going to get that 3pt shot off in the Nba unless he is wide open? It is so low and too much in front of him Too easy to defend.

Ron Swanson · Post #775 » by **Ron Swanson** » Mon Jan 6, 2025 8:05 pm

I guess he's hit 12 of his 13 FT attempts so that's a positive sign? Honestly have no clue how/if he's gonna translate still. I don't think he really has good passing instincts as much as he's a dude that can just effortless blow by a defender and create these "drive and kick" opportunities.

The shot mechanics aren't terrible but we really need to see him crack 30% from 3 at some point. The complete lack of touch is still the most worrisome thing for me. Hitting the weights and getting stronger will help turn some of those awful rim lays/finger-rolls into dunks, but right now he's just a springy athlete with a great handle. Taller Ish Smith vibes?

Frank Nova · Post #776 » by **Frank Nova** » Tue Jan 7, 2025 12:22 am

Is the Dejounte Murray comparison still holding up?

drone3 · Post #777 » by **drone3** » Tue Jan 7, 2025 1:10 am

Bernman wrote:I'd say for the first half of his g-league season, AJ was a terrible player even there. And he's improved to a mid-level one. It's still not where I hoped he'd be at this stage, but that's real progress.

He's up to 32% from 3, when he was hanging in the low 20's. He's actually shot ft's particularly well - 18 of 19. So that's a good sign for his shooting. He doesn't get very good shot quality in the run of play, in part because of who his teammates are.

Fairly consistently he's been able to get around the basket in the halfcourt. Started out finishing terribly. That's upgraded to a degree. Figured his speed is functional strength, pushing guys back. He's stopping more than throwing up a wild lefty hook. But it's hard at his speed, and he's still not navigating the d. His in-between game is non-existent, to the pt he doesn't even take them. Then tries to do too much on passes & turns it over. Decision-making's still a problem. Not a guy you ideally want to be bringing it up against pressure. But he's functional at running a team in the halfcourt.

Defensively he's not a total pushover, but it's been a little disappointing. He's lacked some anticipation & gumption. And opposing players have started to bully him. He's not much of a factor on the boards in spite of his height & athleticism. I think there's some sheepishness due to his frailty. His body looks relatively unchanged. Would like to hear what they're doing to build him up.

A lot of non Herd commentators hype him up fwiw. But he still has a long way to go to be a useful NBA player. Has improved 1 level, but still probably 1-2 to go, & more to be a difference-maker, if he can get there.

Here are some highlights:

Watch on YouTube

Great break down burn... Highlights are fire

soxperry · Post #778 » by **soxperry** » Tue Jan 7, 2025 11:48 am

The last thing you hear on the highlight video is an announcer saying, "when i see that speed and athleticism, i think of Josh Primo."

Cool

Anyway...this guy may be a much more long term project than most of us were hoping when we drafted him. And even then, he may still be a poor nan's version of Tyrese Maxey.

Packbuckman · Post #779 » by **Packbuckman** » Tue Jan 7, 2025 12:38 pm

Cool update! The thing with him is when he gets stronger how his finishing changes at his size and length he should be dunking those drives. That’s where the difference between him and Maxey should change he a much bigger player. Hope that coaching staff has him on the Giannis plan to build up his body to get to at least 200 or so.

Bernman · Post #780 » by **Bernman** » Tue Jan 7, 2025 4:44 pm

Ron Swanson wrote:I guess he's hit 12 of his 13 FT attempts so that's a positive sign? Honestly have no clue how/if he's gonna translate still. I don't think he really has good passing instincts as much as he's a dude that can just effortless blow by a defender and create these "drive and kick" opportunities.

The shot mechanics aren't terrible but we really need to see him crack 30% from 3 at some point.

I said what his actual #'s are and for some reason you ignored that and relayed his fake ones. There are 2 segments to the season. If you combine them, he's already cracked 30% from 3 (31.7). And he's 18-19 from the line. He's entered respectability.

Way Too Early Snap Judgment