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Rookie Adjustments: Wesley Johnson

Most players that eventually get the opportunity to suit up for a NBA franchise typically come from star studded backgrounds filled with pages upon pages of individual accomplishments.

Yet, year after year we constantly see a list of former "can't miss" prospects that continue to struggle finding a niche in the pro game. One of the biggest adjustments that these players struggle with is the speed at which the NBA is played.

T'Wolves rookie and No. 4 overall pick in the 2010 draft, Wesley Johnson, doesn't believe he'll be a victim to the "speed" learning curve. But he readily admits that making the adjustment to the various intricacies of the pro game is still a challenge.

"I'm fine with the speed of the game and everything, but it's more so the different little bitty rules like the defensive three (second) and the other small technicalities," Johnson explained to HOOPSWORLD. "Other than that the speed I'm pretty much fine with. If I had to choose (which would be more difficult) it'd be on the offensive end. Trying to run your (offensive) sets with the 24 second shot clock are the probably the main things (to get adjusted to)."

The next obstacle in making the adjustment to life in the NBA is the hectic travel schedule. HOOPSWORLD recently spoke with Atlanta Hawks rookie guard Jordan Crawford and he advised that the constant travel sometimes left him not sure of what day of the week it truly was.

Johnson was quick to agree with Crawford's assessment.

"Yes it is (tough). I talked with people back home through text message and I look at my timeline (on my cell phone) and it says Monday and I'm like hold up – I could've sworn it was Saturday," Johnson told HOOPSWORLD with a laugh. "We travel so much, different cities, so it's definitely hard to tell."

Helping aid in the transition is T'Wolves small forward Corey Brewer, who Johnson credits with providing game preparation and travel advice pointers.

"He's (Brewer) taken me under his wing," commented Johnson. "He tells me how to play different guys and how to find my shot in the offense. It's definitely been Brew."

Despite the two playing similar positions don't expect any locker room turmoil over playing time, besides ultra competitive sessions in practice.

"That's what type of team it is," Johnson told HOOPSWORLD with a smile. "Everybody isn't out for self. Everybody is out to benefit the team and help each other win. If I'm on the court and we're on the court together we accommodate each other. If I'm on the court (and Brewer is on the bench) he tells me what to look out for. If I see something he doesn't see then I do the same for him."

http://www.hoopsworld.com/Story.asp?story_id=17915

Klomp wrote:5 Wes Johnson : Minnesota Timberwolves
Johnson continues to start for the Wolves, and continues to impress. He's one of only four rookies to average double-digits scoring (10.2 points) and he leads all rookies in 3-pointers made (15). Before Monday's four-point showing, he had scored in double-digits in three straight games. Most impressive, Johnson has just nine turnovers over the Wolves' last eight games.
-- Nov. 17, 2:35 a.m. ET

http://www.nba.com/rookieladder/

Klomp wrote:

Rookie Adjustments: Wesley Johnson

Most players that eventually get the opportunity to suit up for a NBA franchise typically come from star studded backgrounds filled with pages upon pages of individual accomplishments.

Yet, year after year we constantly see a list of former "can't miss" prospects that continue to struggle finding a niche in the pro game. One of the biggest adjustments that these players struggle with is the speed at which the NBA is played.

T'Wolves rookie and No. 4 overall pick in the 2010 draft, Wesley Johnson, doesn't believe he'll be a victim to the "speed" learning curve. But he readily admits that making the adjustment to the various intricacies of the pro game is still a challenge.

"I'm fine with the speed of the game and everything, but it's more so the different little bitty rules like the defensive three (second) and the other small technicalities," Johnson explained to HOOPSWORLD. "Other than that the speed I'm pretty much fine with. If I had to choose (which would be more difficult) it'd be on the offensive end. Trying to run your (offensive) sets with the 24 second shot clock are the probably the main things (to get adjusted to)."

The next obstacle in making the adjustment to life in the NBA is the hectic travel schedule. HOOPSWORLD recently spoke with Atlanta Hawks rookie guard Jordan Crawford and he advised that the constant travel sometimes left him not sure of what day of the week it truly was.

Johnson was quick to agree with Crawford's assessment.

"Yes it is (tough). I talked with people back home through text message and I look at my timeline (on my cell phone) and it says Monday and I'm like hold up – I could've sworn it was Saturday," Johnson told HOOPSWORLD with a laugh. "We travel so much, different cities, so it's definitely hard to tell."

Helping aid in the transition is T'Wolves small forward Corey Brewer, who Johnson credits with providing game preparation and travel advice pointers.

"He's (Brewer) taken me under his wing," commented Johnson. "He tells me how to play different guys and how to find my shot in the offense. It's definitely been Brew."

Despite the two playing similar positions don't expect any locker room turmoil over playing time, besides ultra competitive sessions in practice.

"That's what type of team it is," Johnson told HOOPSWORLD with a smile. "Everybody isn't out for self. Everybody is out to benefit the team and help each other win. If I'm on the court and we're on the court together we accommodate each other. If I'm on the court (and Brewer is on the bench) he tells me what to look out for. If I see something he doesn't see then I do the same for him."

http://www.hoopsworld.com/Story.asp?story_id=17915