ROUND 1: AJ Johnson - Poll Added

neiLz · Post #441 » by **neiLz** » Thu Jun 27, 2024 2:15 pm

like the home run, but as a win now team this doesn't do **** for next year. wish bucks found a way to trade back, get picks for the future (any numbers of 2nds) and still take this guy. but alas, this is the bucks.

PG Graveyard · Post #442 » by **PG Graveyard** » Thu Jun 27, 2024 2:17 pm

We definitely have a thing for guys that perform well in the nba draft combine game. Not sure how relevant that is though.

Ron Swanson · Post #443 » by **Ron Swanson** » Thu Jun 27, 2024 2:19 pm

RogerMurdock wrote:The good thing about this draft is we're almost to the point where I can point at one of these draft picks, turn to my kids, and say, "Look at him, he's as old as you are and is getting drafted into the NBA. When are you going to do something with your life?"

Your kids bumping into AJ Johnson at Summerfest:

RogerMurdock · Post #444 » by **RogerMurdock** » Thu Jun 27, 2024 2:20 pm

I have no real opinion on the kid, since I really don't know anything about any of these players. Most of them won't amount to anything, so I'll just hope AJ becomes a successful, career Milwaukee Buck. My main problem with the pick is that it sounds like he could have been available at #33.

chonestown · Post #445 » by **chonestown** » Thu Jun 27, 2024 2:25 pm

SirChurros wrote:When are we going to stop calling guys unique prospects because they’re 6’7” and can make plays off the dribble?

There's a dozen "generational" players in the NBA right now.

Stay tuned for the launch of "OT: Devaluation of Language" and watch it do numbers.

raferfenix · Post #446 » by **raferfenix** » Thu Jun 27, 2024 2:26 pm

Maybe the Bucks have a win now player in mind who they think will be available at #33 so decided to just take AJ to make sure they got both.

Or we trade that pick in a win now deal.

Horst sure talked up how hard they were working considering all options like trading #23.

Bucks need to make some bigger moves outside whatever we did with that pick. Waiting to see what happens.

Bernman · Post #447 » by **Bernman** » Thu Jun 27, 2024 2:27 pm

PG Graveyard wrote:We definitely have a thing for guys that perform well in the nba draft combine game. Not sure how relevant that is though.

It worked out w/ DiVo. I think that's the only 1st rd pick for us who played in it.

And of around the 12 guys who were listed as the main standouts the last 2 editions, they've already included Jalen Williams, Andrew Nembhard, Brandon Podziemzki, Tristan Vukcevic, Ben Sheppard, & Scottie Pippen Jr.

So I'd say it's pretty relevant.

If you judge on straight scrimmage performance, Johnson was just outside the top 6 this yr, more like top 10. But he was one of the youngest & toolsiest. So from a prospect standpoint, top 6 easily. It's just cause for optimism.

Matches Malone · Post #448 » by **Matches Malone** » Thu Jun 27, 2024 2:29 pm

Watch on YouTube

RogerMurdock · Post #449 » by **RogerMurdock** » Thu Jun 27, 2024 2:30 pm

Ron Swanson wrote:
RogerMurdock wrote:The good thing about this draft is we're almost to the point where I can point at one of these draft picks, turn to my kids, and say, "Look at him, he's as old as you are and is getting drafted into the NBA. When are you going to do something with your life?"

Your kids bumping into AJ Johnson at Summerfest:

Hell, a couple kids mowed my lawn yesterday who walked their high school hallways with one of last night's draft picks. Probably sat at the table next to his in the cafeteria.

Matches Malone · Post #450 » by **Matches Malone** » Thu Jun 27, 2024 2:31 pm

Read on Twitter

Bernman · Post #451 » by **Bernman** » Thu Jun 27, 2024 2:33 pm

JayMKE wrote:Ajax to AJ Automatic to Athletic AJ

"AJ Athletic"!

If this prompts Lisa to lean into another cheesy nickname, it'll all be worth it.

tydett · Post #452 » by **tydett** » Thu Jun 27, 2024 2:36 pm

chonestown wrote:
SirChurros wrote:When are we going to stop calling guys unique prospects because they’re 6’7” and can make plays off the dribble?

There's a dozen "generational" players in the NBA right now.

Stay tuned for the launch of "OT: Devaluation of Language" and watch it do numbers.

People using words incorrectly has really decimated the English language.

craig · Post #453 » by **craig** » Thu Jun 27, 2024 2:39 pm

Who knows. I like going for an upside guy, Bucks will need to create one somehow or other, sooner or later.

The paradox with the young/raw/developmental pick is that it's hard to develop skills when you never play in real games. Not sure how much real development happens in the D-league. Or playing in scrimmage/practice with the Bucks against the same guys all the time. Especially an ancient roster like ours, where all the vets save whatever energy they have for games, and never practice or scrimmage with actual game-like intensity. Just hard to really develop well without stacking lots of games.

Major league baseball, with it's broad minor-league system, is kinda way better for providing real games and real developmental opportunity for teenagers.

Turk Nowitzki · Post #454 » by **Turk Nowitzki** » Thu Jun 27, 2024 2:40 pm

I'll be interested to see him in summer league for sure. There's so little meaningful tape out there for him but I feel like you can usually get a sense if there's something real there to work with even if a guy is raw.

MartyConlonOnTheRun · Post #455 » by **MartyConlonOnTheRun** » Thu Jun 27, 2024 2:41 pm

pifhluk23 wrote:How is this dude 6 "4.25" and only 167lbs??? Not one person in his life told him he needed to add at least 20lbs?

For comparison Dame is 2 inches shorter and weighs 194...

Dame is also 34. I gained about 10 pounds of - I like to think - good weight between 18 and 21. Look at Giannis between 18 and 23. That is when guys put on muscles. Sure, some remain sticks for ever but I don't think it is a total red flag that kid who spends his whole life doing cardio is a little weak.

Bernman · Post #456 » by **Bernman** » Thu Jun 27, 2024 2:42 pm

ANTETOKOUNBROS wrote:DJ Wilson, Marjon Beauchamp, Thon Maker, Rashad Vaughn ---> AJ Johnson

Same guy, different name. First round bust

FWIW, I had a serious distaste for all those prospects at the time, except Johnson. My main issue here is him not projecting to be NBA ready.

If I had made a top 23 list, trying to distance myself from the group-think, & from the guys I knew enough about, Johnson would probably have been on it.

Vecenie had him 32, so not much of a reach in a vacuum in his eyes. I agree w/ him that Johnson is a better prospect than George, who many here seemed to want as a swing. George wasn't good anywhere (at least AJJJ had the combine scrimmages & some other settings), & was even worse in a lesser league abroad. He also has better tools, attributes, dimensions to his game.

PG Graveyard · Post #457 » by **PG Graveyard** » Thu Jun 27, 2024 2:42 pm

midranger wrote:
SirChurros wrote:When are we going to stop calling guys unique prospects because they’re 6’7” and can make plays off the dribble?

Especially when they’re 6’5

I heard he was still growing.

jakecronus8 · Post #458 » by **jakecronus8** » Thu Jun 27, 2024 2:44 pm

I’m beginning to wonder if the first scouting Horst did all season was at those combine scrimmages.

Either way, the trying to look like the smartest guy in the room gimmick is getting tiresome. Not being able to identify and develop young talent is the reason we end up with our one single fart in the wind title.

Giannis’s greatness made a lot of people a lot of money.

Turk Nowitzki · Post #459 » by **Turk Nowitzki** » Thu Jun 27, 2024 2:45 pm

MartyConlonOnTheRun wrote:
pifhluk23 wrote:How is this dude 6 "4.25" and only 167lbs??? Not one person in his life told him he needed to add at least 20lbs?

For comparison Dame is 2 inches shorter and weighs 194...

Dame is also 34. I gained about 10 pounds of - I like to think - good weight between 18 and 21. Look at Giannis between 18 and 23. That is when guys put on muscles. Sure, some remain sticks for ever but I don't think it is a total red flag that kid who spends his whole life doing cardio is a little weak.

He should definitely be able to pack some decent weight on that frame but Giannis was a once in a lifetime case and not something I would ever cite as a comparison for anyone else.

Bernman · Post #460 » by **Bernman** » Thu Jun 27, 2024 2:47 pm

MartyConlonOnTheRun wrote:
pifhluk23 wrote:How is this dude 6 "4.25" and only 167lbs??? Not one person in his life told him he needed to add at least 20lbs?

For comparison Dame is 2 inches shorter and weighs 194...

Dame is also 34. I gained about 10 pounds of - I like to think - good weight between 18 and 21. Look at Giannis between 18 and 23. That is when guys put on muscles. Sure, some remain sticks for ever but I don't think it is a total red flag that kid who spends his whole life doing cardio is a little weak.

Haliburton is a similar height and style, & he came in at 175 at the combine. It's just 8 lbs heavier. And he was a yr older. 'Burton's listed at 185 now. That's attainable for Johnson in a few yrs & should be the template. 'Burton was useful instantly anyway.

I think Haliburton is also another good example of how being slender can be overcome w/ speed, craft, & vision; some elements which Johnson has. And I think the NBA, w/ defensive 3 secs, & a longer 3 pt line, will be good for him spacing-wise.

Way Too Early Snap Judgment