wes johnson SLAMMED

[CusefanATL]

http://www.silverscreenandroll.com/...kers-wesley-johnson-free-agency-season-review

 

[NYCorange]

It's a little harsh, but also a little true. I imagine that he'll pick up a role at the end of a bench somewhere. That said, there's absolutely no shame in what he's done. 4 years and counting in the NBA. I'd be willing to be he makes it to 7 years. More was expected because of his draft position, but he's had a decent NBA career.

 

[CusefanATL]

It's a little harsh, but also a little true. I imagine that he'll pick up a role at the end of a bench somewhere. That said, there's absolutely no shame in what he's done. 4 years and counting in the NBA. I'd be willing to be he makes it to 7 years. More was expected because of his draft position, but he's had a decent NBA career.

hes actually made it 5 years now. 2 with minny, 1 with pho, 2 with lakers

and most impressively has started 269 of 349 games. somehow, he has never averaged double figures.

 

[jordoo]

This is why in most cases you should go to the NBA if you are getting guaranteed money as a lottery pick. Wes had limitations with his handle making it hard for him to have a future as a 2 or 3 where he projected in the NBA. He did however have a great shooting season and possessed some elite athleticism. He cashed in on his strengths

 

[HOFCeluck]

Based on what little I've seen and what I've read here, that's a pretty accurate take.

 

[longislandcuse]

A little harsh imo, but not out of bounds. Wes probably won't be battling for practice squads and probably will be on a bench somewhere with relative ease. If he's out of the league i'd be very, very suprised.

 

[Cusefan0307]

That article is a little harsh. He's been part of some of the worst NBA teams since he joined the league, it really isn't fair. Byron Scott is one of the worst coaches in the league. He's trying to play a 1990's style in 2015.

I think he's got all the tools to be an elite 3 and d guy for a contender. The Clippers are rumored to be interested. Maybe he works harder for a good team.

 

[LennX6]

I saw him play early April vs the Clippers and he had 16 pts and played 40 min...

 

[Melancer46]

It's just a strange article...

1. What was the inspiration to write a piece about someone they view as a fringe NBA player?
2. The very fact that they argue that he's a replacement level player kinda goes against their own point that he's not really NBA-worthy. Replacement level players make up the majority of the league. If you have a guy on the floor that doesn't hurt you, but doesn't help you, as the article states, then you have a guy worthy of having on your roster, and a guy that's better than a ton of players currently on rosters.

 

[HOFCeluck]

It's just a strange article...

1. What was the inspiration to write a piece about someone they view as a fringe NBA player?
2. The very fact that they argue that he's a replacement level player kinda goes against their own point that he's not really NBA-worthy. Replacement level players make up the majority of the league. If you have a guy on the floor that doesn't hurt you, but doesn't help you, as the article states, then you have a guy worthy of having on your roster, and a guy that's better than a ton of players currently on rosters.

It's a Lakers site.

 

[NineOneSeven]

The definition of an average player

Last I checked, the league was full of them

That being said, the guy was in a great situation last year given the type of offense and the (little to no) competition for minutes

 

[rrlbees]

Eh. Not everyone becomes a star. He's been in the league for 5 years and started 75% of the games. Plenty of players have done much worse and many are still in the league.

 

[HOFCeluck]

He started for the Lakers because someone HAS to start at the small forward position.

 

[OttoinGrotto]

He started for the Lakers because someone HAS to start at the small forward position.

I'd take the job for the veteran's minimum.:noidea:

 

[stuckinbig11]

and the credentials of the guy who wrote the story?

 

[NYCorange]

I think he's got all the tools to be an elite 3 and d guy for a contender. The Clippers are rumored to be interested. Maybe he works harder for a good team.

I think that's a major stretch, but we can all hope. Also, the fact that the Clippers are interested in him has me more worried than any other news (only half-joking). Doc Rivers has to be possibly the worst GM in the league. A fine coach, but his terrible front office moves left the clips with the worst bench by a title hopeful that I can remember.

 

[Brooky03]

He's the definition of a journeyman. I bet we'll see him on some championship caliber rosters as a role player when he's an old man.

 

[Cusefan0307]

I think that's a major stretch, but we can all hope. Also, the fact that the Clippers are interested in him has me more worried than any other news (only half-joking). Doc Rivers has to be possibly the worst GM in the league. A fine coach, but his terrible front office moves left the clips with the worst bench by a title hopeful that I can remember.

35% from three the last two years. His block, rebound and steal rate is better than Matt Barnes. Remember, they are looking for a 3 and D guy, Not an all star.

 

[jordoo]

35% from three the last two years. His block, rebound and steal rate is better than Matt Barnes. Remember, they are looking for a 3 and D guy, Not an all star.

And he would have much more room to shoot playing for the Clippers.

 

[Millhouse]

http://www.silverscreenandroll.com/...kers-wesley-johnson-free-agency-season-review

i think this is totally fair. the nba is incredibly difficult, you have to be great to stick around this long, it's no insult. the money is so nuts that we start thinking that 13 million bucks isn't that much

it's hard to get used to a guy that's 6'7" and shoots 35% from three being ordinary but it just goes to show how amazing the shooting is in the NBA now

everyone in the nba is amazing

 

[Full_Rebar]

If Clippers keep Jordan, they will need cheap bench guys. If you watched the lack of depth they had this year, you'd see why Wes would be an upgrade for them.

I do agree that Doc is a horrible GM.

 

[sufandu]

"However, aside from catch and shoot possessions and fast breaks, Johnson hasn't given the Lakers any production that would separate him from the most average guys in the league."

"On catch and shoot? Put backs? Fast break dunks? No problem, as the former Orangeman can finish. However, if it's off the dribble? Or in a double team? Forget about it."

These are the two quotes that stuck out for me. I feel like they describe the player he was when he was here. I was surprised when he was drafted as high as he was because I always thought his lack of game off the dribble would hurt him. Having said that, there's no shame in carving out a short career in the NBA, and he will surely have the opportunity to find work overseas when his stint in the NBA is over.

 

[Cusefannotindc]

On Zach Lowe's podcast I believed they mentioned that Portland was interested in him.

 

[moqui]

I think he's got all the tools to be an elite 3 and d guy for a contender.

"elite" is stretching it . . . a lot

sure, he's got the tools, but he has had plenty of opportunity to define himself with those tools . . . and he has. He'll probably be a minimum deal player for 2 or 3 more years.

 

[sufandu]

"elite" is stretching it . . . a lot

sure, he's got the tools, but he has had plenty of opportunity to define himself with those tools . . . and he has. He'll probably be a minimum deal player for 2 or 3 more years.

I think it's easy to confuse speed, jumping, and spot up shooting ability with "having all the tools." Having those tools doesn't guarantee he'll have all the others. He was on one of the, if not the, least selfish, most balanced, and best passing teams we had here. But it was clear even back then that he wasn't comfortable creating his own shot or handling the ball in traffic. He benefited from our balance by getting lot's of open looks from 3 and from our defense by getting lots of runouts for dunks. Like you say, he has defined his role. He can be the same type of guy on a team where he won't be depended on for anything more than spot up jumpers and filling the lane on the break. Hopefully he can find a team that will allow him to fill that role.