The Jalen Johnson hype train is full-steam ahead

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An excerpt from ESPN Insider:

NBA 25 under 25

Top young stars, ranked by future potential

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[jayu70]

Lots of JJ talk.

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[atlantabbq99]

Jalen should make the all stars this year. If he maintains his current pace, he should be able to beat out Siakam for the last forward spot in the east.

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[jayu70]

Jalen Johnson Is Having the NBA’s Most Meaningful Glow-Up
If you aren’t familiar with the Atlanta Hawks’ rising star, you will be soon. “That **** can do whatever he wants out there,” says teammate Onyeka Okongwu, “and there’s nothing people can do about it.”

A seemingly simple question is posed to Atlanta Hawks forward Jalen Johnson, the ascendant 23-year-old human fireworks display who’s currently enjoying what might be this NBA season’s most meaningful glow-up: What is your role? 

Johnson pauses: “I’d describe it as … trying my hardest to … I mean, my role would be …” He starts to laugh and takes another stab at it. “I know this is cliché. I know plenty of people have probably said this in interviews with you. But I just try to impact winning in every way possible.” 

The question gets to the heart of what makes Johnson as singular as he is impressive, a rising star whose game contains no caveats. He can do pretty much everything that matters on a basketball court. There’s no concerning “yeah, but” to his skill set, he unleashes his talent using a powerful, effervescent 6-foot-9 body, and he’s comfortable and confident in just about any scenario. 

The expanded role was never explicitly communicated before this season began, though. “It was one of those things that I think everybody just kind of knew,” Johnson says. On October 21, he signed a five-year, $150 million contract extension that confirmed his role as an integral building block for an organization that had been heading in the wrong direction. But Johnson’s fourth season didn’t start smoothly. In his first three games, he shot just 29.7 percent from the floor, and that stretch culminated in a blowout loss to the Oklahoma City Thunder in which he scored a season-low seven points. Looking back on it, Johnson says he put too much pressure on himself. “I was overthinking what I do,” he says. “When I’m not overthinking anything and when I’m not predicting what’s going to be next, that’s when I’m at my best.”

Constructive talks with coaches and teammates encouraged him to trust his instincts and all the work he put in during the offseason. Since then, he hasn’t looked back, averaging 20.4 points, 9.9 rebounds, and 5.9 assists per game since November 1, with a 59.7 true shooting percentage. 

https://www.theringer.com/2024/12/19/nba/jalen-johnson-atlanta-hawks-trae-young

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What happens when Jalen is named an All Star and Trae isn't?

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Hawks need a backup PF in the worst way.

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[jayu70]

Hawks need a backup PF in the worst way.

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And a backup PG.

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Spoiler:

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Jack of all trades...Master of None.

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[Jamaaliver]

Looks like Giannis has worked intently to improve his midrange jumper (instead of fruitlessly jacking up 3-pt shots).

I'd like to see Jalen work on this as well. Mid range shooting + a post game (to abuse guards who get switched on him) would go a long way towards making him a more consistent scorer in half court situations.

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[Jamaaliver]

Are any of these criticisms fair?

I do lament his lack of a polished post game or a pull up mid range jump shot.

Simply becoming above-average in those two aspects would make Jalen Johnson largely unguardable one-on-one in the half court.

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[jayu70]

Are any of these criticisms fair?

I do lament his lack of a polished post game or a pull up mid range jump shot.

Simply becoming above-average in those two aspects would make Jalen Johnson largely unguardable one-on-one in the half court.

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Development of those things listed require availability to practice them. Spending time rehabbing vs polishing one's game will put one behind the 8-ball. 56 and 36 games played, last and this year. It matters for continued development.

[HMFFL]

Looks like Giannis has worked intently to improve his midrange jumper (instead of fruitlessly jacking up 3-pt shots).

I'd like to see Jalen work on this as well. Mid range shooting + a post game (to abuse guards who get switched on him) would go a long way towards making him a more consistent scorer in half court situations.

Spoiler:

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Which is nice to see about his game. Giannis at 30 years old is only getting started. The Bucks ownership needs to provide him with a #2. Lillard to me has always been a #3.

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[HMFFL]

Just hear to say I miss Jalen Johnson

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