Welcome to the HAWKS - Jalen Johnson

[Jamaaliver]

Summer league rookie scouting reports: Standouts and Surprises



Jalen Johnson, Hawks

I have never really been as high as the consensus public opinion of Johnson at any level he’s played at, including this past season at Duke. I thought he was careless on defense and didn’t provide any value on that end for the Blue Devils, and really was much more ineffectual on offense than you’d expect due to his lack of burst and inability to get past anyone. His shooting also leaves major room for concern. I ranked Johnson outside of the lottery all year, and at No. 25 on my personal big board pre-draft. NBA teams seemed to be closer to my take than the public consensus, given that he fell to No. 20 on draft night.

But Johnson looked really good at summer league, playing in a role that makes a lot more sense than what he was asked to do at Duke. Here, he was able to just get out in transition, finish plays, and make easy decisions while using his obvious gifts of size and athleticism. He’s uncannily coordinated for his size at 6-foot-9, with tremendous balance and body control. That balance filtered through his contact balance as well, as he regularly showcased the ability to finish through contact at the event. He made first-team All-Summer League, averaging nearly 20 points and 10 rebounds. More importantly, he showcased more confidence stepping into open 3s than he’s ever showcased at any level of his play to this point.

That jumper is the critical skill for him. If he shoots it from the corners and at the break, he’ll be an effective player for the Hawks. If he doesn’t shoot it, the fit gets a bit murkier. I do think the overall up-and-down nature of summer league helped him to a greater extent than it does most players. Few of his buckets came out of NBA-style halfcourt sets. A lot of them came with him leaking out early, as nearly 40 percent of his points came in transition. He also posted a 1-to-2 assist-to-turnover ratio, having a bit of a messy handle in tight quarters while also making some questionable passing reads when given the freedom to expand his game. While fixing that part of his game, I would expect him to spend a lot of time in College Park with the Hawks’ G League team this season.

Having said all of that, the fit with Atlanta makes it genuinely the perfect place for him to start his career. I love the fit for him within this Atlanta scheme. If he can shoot he’ll be able to play the 4 next to a big, while also occasionally coming up and setting screens for Trae Young, then acting as something of a release valve in short-roll settings due to his ability to pass and take advantage of 4 on 3 scenarios when teams decide to trap the all-star point guard. Insofar as fit informs how players’ careers end up, I think Johnson is much more likely to make it in Atlanta than he would have been just about anywhere else. And this summer league start certainly puts him on a pathway to doing it. This was a very positive start for Johnson, and I would rank him much higher in a post-draft big board following this performance and knowing he’s with the Hawks.

The Athletic

[Jamaaliver]

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[graymule]

Will Jalen Johnson stay with the Hawks? Or, will he first go to the Skyhawks and join Cooper? His history doesn't speak well for him. Yet, he seemed to show some real talent in summer League. Can he mature with Atlanta? How much time will he get on the floor? Playing with the Skyhawks means he plays a lot.

Without injury or sickness, the Hawks open the season, deep at every position. JJ needs to play. His history was spotted but he explained and the Hawks believed. Some NBA teams didn't and he fell to Atlanta in the draft.

Hawk fans sincerely believe that their two draft picks were much, much better than where they fell in the draft. We believe that we got, not one, but two lottery picks in JJ and Cooper! Hawks don't have to throw these two into the fire and hope they survive. We have a good team already. After a terrible start, Hawks made the playoffs and went far. They are better this season.

If both draft picks start off with the Skyhawks, bench players will know that, if they mess up a lot, their replacement is available for call up. The Skyhawks being very good is insurance for a great year for the Atlanta Hawks !!

[jayu70]

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[Jamaaliver]

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I do wonder if Jalen's emergence and positional versatility makes any of our other Forward options more expendable...
Okongwu and Cam better get healthy and solidify their spots in the rotation.

[HMFFL]

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I do wonder if Jalen's emergence and positional versatility makes any of our other Forward options more expendable...
Okongwu and Cam better get healthy and solidify their spots in the rotation.

A healthy Okongwu will see time on the court. I hope he has bulked up somw from last season. Cam needs to be consistent. That's one of the main things I would like to see from Cam.

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[graymule]

[/quote]A healthy Okongwu will see time on the court.


Nope. Out until January 2022 - recovering from surgery.

[Jamaaliver]

Predictions for 1st-Round NBA Draft Picks

Jalen Johnson (Atlanta Hawks, PF)

Prediction: Bench energizer

ROY Odds: +3400

Johnson flashed steal-of-the-draft potential in summer league, but it will likely take an injury to one of Atlanta's forwards for him to see regular minutes this season.

He should get a chance at different points with his ability to give the frontcourt a different look. The NBA's space and pace can bring out Johnson's open-floor athleticism and face-up ball-handling.

Bleacher Report

[jayu70]

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[HMFFL]

Predictions for 1st-Round NBA Draft Picks

Jalen Johnson (Atlanta Hawks, PF)

Prediction: Bench energizer

ROY Odds: +3400

Johnson flashed steal-of-the-draft potential in summer league, but it will likely take an injury to one of Atlanta's forwards for him to see regular minutes this season.

He should get a chance at different points with his ability to give the frontcourt a different look. The NBA's space and pace can bring out Johnson's open-floor athleticism and face-up ball-handling.

Bleacher Report

+3400

I'd put some money on him if I actually thought he would play enough and have enough touches.

I will be a spectator and hope he has a successful rookie season.

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[Jamaaliver]

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Keep that game ball, JJ.

[graymule]

Not good enough! In the draft, he was passed on 19 times before the Hawks had their turn @#20.

[hawks_fan25]

I'm really hoping he gets comfortable in the system and Nate quickly gets comfortable playing him so that he can take all the minutes that would go to Solo. Tremendous upside that won't be realized this year, but the flashes we can see this year should help our team more than what Solo brings.

[Jamaaliver]

I don't love this sentiment from Nate.

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[tbhawksfan1]

I don't love this sentiment from Nate.

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I don't think that it's sentiment...just reality. If everyone is healthy there are just no minutes for JJ. Better he plays than sit on the bench getting DNPs

Now that we're down three wings...maybe he can be of help

[HMFFL]

I hope to see him play more sooner than later. When our team is healthy I understand why he won't play significant minutes but I hope we get a glimpse of what he can do at some point.

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[Jamaaliver]

The first-round picks and G League standouts ready to be called up

Jalen Johnson | 6-9 | Forward | Atlanta Hawks | Age: 20.0 | No. 20 pick



Johnson had an up-and-down showing in Vegas, posting big box score numbers with 19 points, 16 rebounds, 6 assists and 5 steals in an overtime win over Memphis while proving he has room to improve as a shooter (0-for-2 from 3), finisher, team defender, and decision-maker (8 turnovers). When at his best, Johnson is a rarity at the G League level - a 6-9 forward who can impact the game all over the floor on both ends when engaged and not trying to do too much. The fact that Johnson is shooting 38% from 3 on almost 50 attempts is a welcome sign for his long-term outlook. He's not out of place physically in an NBA game either, which bodes well for his potential to earn spot minutes after the new year.

With that said, as we saw glimpses of during his 15 minutes of action against the Knicks on Christmas Day, Johnson (now in COVID-19 protocols) still isn't a consistent threat in spot-up situations, either struggling to make shots or turning down open looks and gravitating toward the dunker. He still has room to grow into the versatile defender his tools suggest, also, even if he's proven capable of checking players ranging from Julius Randle to RJ Barrett over the course of a game. If Johnson can continue growing in those two areas, particularly his shooting, he certainly has the physical ability and talent to evolve into an eventual rotation player for the Hawks.

ESPN Insider

[graymule]

Jalen Johnson continues to be up and down between College Park and Atlanta. Yet he gets no meaningful minutes in Atlanta. G League team says he's matured a lot this season. Will he get any meaningful time on the floor with the Hawks this season? Has he grown enough? Keep an eye on this for the remainder of the season.

[Jamaaliver]

A big night for Jalen. And man, the foot work on his post moves and face up game is really impressive. The time away from the big league team has been put to good use.

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[jayu70]

This guy can't get spot minutes over Knox and TLC? smh.

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