Wesley Johnson expectations

[dunkonu21]

I was looking up some information on what position scouts thought Wesley would be playing, and found this interesting article by Joseph Treutlein. Which explains in detail the role he had in the NBA with the Wolves vs. The role he had in Syracuse:

"In his lone season at Syracuse at the college level, Johnson played a style where he contributed in virtually every aspect of the game for his team, making full use of his outstanding physical tools by aggressively putting them to work all over the floor. From a stylistic standpoint, Johnson has been a completely different player at the NBA level, making a move from the combo forward position to seeing almost all of his minutes at shooting guard and being utilized in far fewer ways on the offensive end.

According to 82games.com, Johnson is seeing roughly 84% of his minutes at the shooting guard spot thus far this season, with the remainder coming at small forward and virtually none of his minutes coming at power forward. Compared to how many projected him to be utilized in the pros, this is a somewhat unexpected development.

Beyond pure position, Johnson's possession distribution has also changed drastically, which can easily be illustrated by looking at his half-court offensive numbers according to Synergy. Last season Johnson attempted 170 jump shots compared to 140 shots around the basket for the Orange, whereas this year he's already taken 184 jump shots compared to just 35 shots around the basket, being transformed into essentially a one-dimensional role player.

Further, three-pointers make up 43% of his field goal attempts this year compared to 30% in college, his usage or percentage of team possessions used has been more than cut in half, and his FTA/FGA have dropped from a respectable 0.35 to an abysmal 0.14, one of the lowest rates in the entire league.

Studying his film, it appears that Johnson's role is essentially to park himself behind the three-point line the vast majority of the time on offense in both half-court and up tempo situations. He mostly serves as just a cog for passing and shooting when the ball comes to him, and when he does make moves towards the basket both on and off the ball, it's from further out and with noticeably less aggressiveness than he showed as a college junior."


http://www.draftexpress.com/profile/Wes ... nson-1215/

This article will really shine on how Wesley was used last year and how maybe his disappointing season, was really not that disappointing.

[dunkonu21]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_detailpage&v=M4X5jFMOrzA

this video he says he only started playing basketball in eighth or ninth grade.

[moss_is_1]

I could really see him becoming what we hoped this season. Rambis used him as just a spot up guy last year, which he can be quite good at...but with Adelman I think he could be used in the ways that Peja was. Back cuts, running off of screens, stuff like that. Wes has the athleticism and he's a smart player with a quick stroke like Peja so hopefully he can really blow up with an actual coach and a passing PG.

Also he has a post up game which I hope to see more of this season. With his size/length as a 2 he can really create a problem on the block with his quickness.

[southern wolf]

It was frustrating watching him spot up all the time last season, hopefully under Adelman, and with improved handles, he gets a bit more freedom to be creative and attack the basket more.

[Grits n Gravy]

i think wes has a chance to be one of those super role player guys down the line, sort of like a shawn marion or ak47...those guys were all stars, but were just super intangible guys...defense, rebounding etc, i think wes can and will be the answer at the 2 for us and i certainly hope and am very sure he will be used more creatively by adelmon on offense. agree with moss about post game...i said a while ago i hope kobe has been rubbing off on him and he at least comes in with a turn around jumper. at 6'7 with a 7 foot wingspan and crazy athletic ability, he should be putting his mis match in size to use. i think a lot is on wes himself to simply become more aggressive and get out of his comfort zone and attack the basket rather than settling for his comfort zone jumpers. i look forward to seeing a big jump from wes this season.

[Esohny]

I'll believe in these "improved handles" when I see them.

[teven_1]

I could really see him becoming what we hoped this season. Rambis used him as just a spot up guy last year, which he can be quite good at...but with Adelman I think he could be used in the ways that Peja was. Back cuts, running off of screens, stuff like that. Wes has the athleticism and he's a smart player with a quick stroke like Peja so hopefully he can really blow up with an actual coach and a passing PG.

Also he has a post up game which I hope to see more of this season. With his size/length as a 2 he can really create a problem on the block with his quickness.

I like this. It is kind of a waste to relegate a lengthy, athletic, wing scorer, to spot up shooting.

I think he could be great moving plenty off the ball.

[Krapinsky]

For me they are very low. I don't think he's our long term answer at any position. I'd like to see him moved in a package with Tolliver and Pekovic/Miller before his value declines any more.

[Dewey]

I'd move Beas any day of the week before Wes. Wes isn't as naturally gifted, but he's not a chump and will simply be a better team player long-term.

[Yes We Kahn]

I'd move Beas any day of the week before Wes. Wes isn't as naturally gifted, but he's not a chump and will simply be a better team player long-term.

Wes is definitely not a chump, but I wouldn't necessarily call Beasley a chump either. He's young and makes some bad decisions, but seems like an overall good guy in interviews.