Jalen Johnson Appreciation Thread

[Wargreymon]

At this point the Hawks trading for Siakam wouldn't make sense anymore now that they have identified their starting PF for the present and future in JJ.

[perempe20]

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[Godymas]

damn what is the ceiling on him? All NBA or All Star?

[Jamaaliver]

damn what is the ceiling on him? All NBA or All Star?

Hawks fans are trying to tamp down expectations.

But it seems reasonable that he's the second coming of Lebron James and will easily be the greatest player of his generation. Easily...

Spoiler:

[turnaroundJ]

this dude is an insane functional basketball athlete. good shot too. sky is the limit.

[jasonxxx102]

damn what is the ceiling on him? All NBA or All Star?

I think he's got all-star potential for sure.

He's taking the 3rd year leap that we see from all the all-star caliber type players. You could see it at the end of last season.

He's a good defender, surprisingly efficient from the field (kind of came out of nowhere), the shot creation is on pace to be elite...

Just look at this YoY efficiency jump. If this is how efficient he's going to be offensively this is easily all-star caliber with any volume.

[cupcakesnake]

damn what is the ceiling on him? All NBA or All Star?

I think if this shooting leap is real...all-star feels safe.
6'8" with a 7'0" wingspan, elite speed and leaping, good enough handles to be a transition playmaker, able to counter into a strong floater game.

The versatility reminds me of guys like prime Thadd Young, Draymond, Pascal Siakam... but he's even more athletic than Pascal, and might be a better shooter than any of those guys. He's not the halfcourt scorer Siakam is, and doesn't yet show the defensive intelligence of Draymond or Thadd. A more skilled 2020 version of Kenyon Martin? Right now he reminds me a lot of Naz Reid, but he has the potential to be a lot more.

I think it's easy to see that the way he moves is pretty elite. The skills he's flashing on top of that physical profile puts him in rarefied air. He's only 22 so it's too soon to put a ceiling on the boy.

[jasonxxx102]

damn what is the ceiling on him? All NBA or All Star?

I think if this shooting leap is real...all-star feels safe.
6'8" with a 7'0" wingspan, elite speed and leaping, good enough handles to be a transition playmaker, able to counter into a strong floater game.

The versatility reminds me of guys like prime Thadd Young, Draymond, Pascal Siakam... but he's even more athletic than Pascal, and might be a better shooter than any of those guys. He's not the halfcourt scorer Siakam is, and doesn't yet show the defensive intelligence of Draymond or Thadd. A more skilled 2020 version of Kenyon Martin? Right now he reminds me a lot of Naz Reid, but he has the potential to be a lot more.

I think it's easy to see that the way he moves is pretty elite. The skills he's flashing on top of that physical profile puts him in rarefied air. He's only 22 so it's too soon to put a ceiling on the boy.

I don't really like any of these comps other than Pascal maybe. Even Pascal never moved like Jalen does, he's not as good of a rebounder, he was never a great defender... etc

Jalen looks to be every bit of an elite shot creator eventually, secondary ball handler type. If the Hawks move on from Dejounte I expect him to take on more ball handling / playmaking duties. I think he's realistically the 2nd best player on the roster.

[cupcakesnake]

damn what is the ceiling on him? All NBA or All Star?

I think if this shooting leap is real...all-star feels safe.
6'8" with a 7'0" wingspan, elite speed and leaping, good enough handles to be a transition playmaker, able to counter into a strong floater game.

The versatility reminds me of guys like prime Thadd Young, Draymond, Pascal Siakam... but he's even more athletic than Pascal, and might be a better shooter than any of those guys. He's not the halfcourt scorer Siakam is, and doesn't yet show the defensive intelligence of Draymond or Thadd. A more skilled 2020 version of Kenyon Martin? Right now he reminds me a lot of Naz Reid, but he has the potential to be a lot more.

I think it's easy to see that the way he moves is pretty elite. The skills he's flashing on top of that physical profile puts him in rarefied air. He's only 22 so it's too soon to put a ceiling on the boy.

I don't really like any of these comps other than Pascal maybe. Even Pascal never moved like Jalen does, he's not as good of a rebounder, he was never a great defender... etc

Jalen looks to be every bit of an elite shot creator eventually, secondary ball handler type. If the Hawks move on from Dejounte I expect him to take on more ball handling / playmaking duties. I think he's realistically the 2nd best player on the roster.

Pascal has the same elite speed, but he was never as bouncy as Jalen.

Going back to the last time Siakam was playing a similar role to current Jalen, it's best to use 2019 Siakam.



Remarkably similar, statistically.
At the time, everyone was very positive about Siakam's defense and rebounding. His motor and physical versatility had everyone drooling. The perception of him in those areas decreased as Siakam's role changed to primary scorer. So with Jalen Johnson currently in the role of hustling, transition playmaker and usually the 4th option on offense, it's no guarantee that a version of Jalen that becomes an "elite shot creator", is still doing the little things we currently love him for.

I still need to see more of his defense before I have a strong opinion on it. He's a strong rim protector for his size, but not super disruptive outside the paint. I havent' seen him in enough matchups to know how versatile he is, and am curious for others opinions on how well he guards on the perimeter. We also need a much fatter sample on his shooting before we know it's here to stay. We have 22 games to go on right now.

[jasonxxx102]

I think if this shooting leap is real...all-star feels safe.
6'8" with a 7'0" wingspan, elite speed and leaping, good enough handles to be a transition playmaker, able to counter into a strong floater game.

The versatility reminds me of guys like prime Thadd Young, Draymond, Pascal Siakam... but he's even more athletic than Pascal, and might be a better shooter than any of those guys. He's not the halfcourt scorer Siakam is, and doesn't yet show the defensive intelligence of Draymond or Thadd. A more skilled 2020 version of Kenyon Martin? Right now he reminds me a lot of Naz Reid, but he has the potential to be a lot more.

I think it's easy to see that the way he moves is pretty elite. The skills he's flashing on top of that physical profile puts him in rarefied air. He's only 22 so it's too soon to put a ceiling on the boy.

I don't really like any of these comps other than Pascal maybe. Even Pascal never moved like Jalen does, he's not as good of a rebounder, he was never a great defender... etc

Jalen looks to be every bit of an elite shot creator eventually, secondary ball handler type. If the Hawks move on from Dejounte I expect him to take on more ball handling / playmaking duties. I think he's realistically the 2nd best player on the roster.

Pascal has the same elite speed, but he was never as bouncy as Jalen.

Going back to the last time Siakam was playing a similar role to current Jalen, it's best to use 2019 Siakam.



Remarkably similar, statistically.
At the time, everyone was very positive about Siakam's defense and rebounding. His motor and physical versatility had everyone drooling. The perception of him in those areas decreased as Siakam's role changed to primary scorer. So with Jalen Johnson currently in the role of hustling, transition playmaker and usually the 4th option on offense, it's no guarantee that a version of Jalen that becomes an "elite shot creator", is still doing the little things we currently love him for.

I still need to see more of his defense before I have a strong opinion on it. He's a strong rim protector for his size, but not super disruptive outside the paint. I havent' seen him in enough matchups to know how versatile he is, and am curious for others opinions on how well he guards on the perimeter. We also need a much fatter sample on his shooting before we know it's here to stay. We have 22 games to go on right now.

Here's what the stats say. I just think his body type and the way he moves lends itself very well to being a versatile defender

[clyde21]

Former Dukee, had him as a top 10 prospect, looks like he's finally coming alive...really intriguing guy...he's kinda like a medium Banchero.

16/10/7 with 6 steals today, averaging 15/8/3 on the year on strong efficiencies.

MIP candidate and a possible x factor moving forward for this Atlanta team.

[zimpy27]

I believe his elevation has triggered the Atlanta restructure they will likely undergo before deadline.

Hawks now have 2 pieces in Trae (25) and JJ (22). Seems like a build around this age range is a smarter option for them.
Hunter (26), Bey (24), Okongwu (23), Griffin and Kobe (20), these guys are fine depth.

Expecting to see Capela, Murray, Bogdan moved on for guys in the 20-26 age range or even draft assets.

[DirtybirdGA]

Probably since they suck, but there is a JJ tribute thread, probably on page 2 or3.

[clyde21]

I believe his elevation has triggered the Atlanta restructure they will likely undergo before deadline.

Hawks now have 2 pieces in Trae (25) and JJ (22). Seems like a build around this age range is a smarter option for them.
Hunter (26), Bey (24), Okongwu (23), Griffin and Kobe (20), these guys are fine depth.

Expecting to see Capela, Murray, Bogdan moved on for guys in the 20-26 age range or even draft assets.

i'd try to get off Trae tbh, and Hunter needs to stay healthy, but I like Jalen Johnson and still believe in Okongwu, Kobe can be a nice piece as well + whatever you get back for Trae.

[_jin]

I believe his elevation has triggered the Atlanta restructure they will likely undergo before deadline.

Hawks now have 2 pieces in Trae (25) and JJ (22). Seems like a build around this age range is a smarter option for them.
Hunter (26), Bey (24), Okongwu (23), Griffin and Kobe (20), these guys are fine depth.

Expecting to see Capela, Murray, Bogdan moved on for guys in the 20-26 age range or even draft assets.

i'd try to get off Trae tbh, and Hunter needs to stay healthy, but I like Jalen Johnson and still believe in Okongwu, Kobe can be a nice piece as well + whatever you get back for Trae.

They'd be in an ideal situation to tank and rebuild around JJ, Okongwu and Bufkin but that Murray trade killed that option, unless they are willing to send Trae to Spurs to get their picks back. But they can't go on a full rebuild without them.

[threethehardway]

People really calling him Thad Young, Kenyon Martin or Siakim?

He's easily plays like Josh Smith without the insane shotblocking if Josh Smith had a PG to set him up and didn't shoot jumpers every chance he got.

JJ has weak shot creation. Doesn't have any moves to blow by his man. Defaults to crappy post up shots if he can't get by his man. Trae Young and him made a connection and has been giving him easy shots off the pick and roll game.

JJ plays hard and is willing to run the floor. He has a good shooting stroke and can catch and shoot. Plays with his head up unlike Kuminga.

Trae Young gets rim runners in position shoot 60 from 2 easily. JJ is playing on easy mode right because he is willing to screen and run.

Take Trae away, he'll look different. He isn't a shotcreator, he's a play finisher with decent passing chops.

[BigGargamel]

This dude is ready. So stoked to watch him this season.

Good call. The Hawks are a disaster but Johnson is a keeper.

What happened to the other Dookie, AJ Griffin though? He's fallen off tremendously hard.

[magee]

Doesn't fit off the bench for them right now.

[threethehardway]

Good call. The Hawks are a disaster but Johnson is a keeper.

What happened to the other Dookie, AJ Griffin though? He's fallen off tremendously hard.

AJ isn't athletic, he can't defend and he lost his touch.

[WentzerWuver]

This dude is ready. So stoked to watch him this season.

Not against the Lakers yesterday or during the in-season tourney Lol