wes johnson SLAMMED

[HOFCeluck]

If Wes had Dion's ego he'd be unstoppable.

 

[jordoo]

If Wes had Dion's ego he'd be unstoppable.

Possibly but more likely he'd be a turnover machine. There is a very good reason he rarely puts the ball on the floor. Dion has always been able to get by guys at every level because of his handle and strength, yes he has the star mentality that you have to have but he's also got ball handling skill that Wes will never have.

 

[HOFCeluck]

Possibly by more likely he'd be a turnover machine. There is a very good reason he rarely puts the ball on the floor. Dion has always been able to get by guys at every level because of his handle and strength, yes he has the star mentality that you have to have but he's also got ball handling skill that Wes will never have.

Yeah, that too.

 

[DoctorBombay]

Possibly but more likely he'd be a turnover machine. There is a very good reason he rarely puts the ball on the floor. Dion has always been able to get by guys at every level because of his handle and strength, yes he has the star mentality that you have to have but he's also got ball handling skill that Wes will never have.

What I can't understand is why he hasn't gotten much better at using his handle then when he was at SU. I watched Blake Griffin throw up an awkward looking, but very effective jumpshot during these playoffs- something he obviously needed to take him to another level. I've never understood why certain athletes, and you'll find them in most every sport, never seem to improve on glaring weaknesses in their game.
If Wesley developed even a "decent" handle, he'd be able to face up, go by his man, and slash to the basket. With that lethal jumper, he'd take his efficiency to a whole 'nother level. I just don't get why he, as well as many others, never seem to get past certain limitations...

 

[jordoo]

What I can't understand is why he hasn't gotten much better at using his handle then when he was at SU. I watched Blake Griffin throw up an awkward looking, but very effective jumpshot during these playoffs- something he obviously needed to take him to another level. I've never understood why certain athletes, and you'll find them in most every sport, never seem to improve on glaring weaknesses in their game.
If Wesley developed even a "decent" handle, he'd be able to face up, go by his man, and slash to the basket. With that lethal jumper, he'd take his efficiency to a whole 'nother level. I just don't get why he, as well as many others, never seem to get past certain limitations...

Because that's exactly what separates the great players from good players and good players from average players. Mike or Kobe or any number of others could have been good players without ever changing their games, without ever putting the effort in on their weak aspects. Fact is they are the type that work the hardest off the court to become complete players. Thus they became great players. Just like loads of average players have put in the work to become good players even if they lack the ability to ever become great players. Blake Griffin wants to be a great player and expects to be.

 

[DoctorBombay]

Because that's exactly what separates the great players from good players and good players from average players. Mike or Kobe or any number of others could have been good players without ever changing their games, without ever putting the effort in on their weak aspects. Fact is they are the type that work the hardest off the court to become complete players. Thus they became great players. Just like loads of average players have put in the work to become good players even if they lack the ability to ever become great players. Blake Griffin wants to be a great player and expects to be.

True dat.
I just always figured that Wes had the character to wanna be a GREAT player. Oh, well. :noidea:

 

[weepeel]

"Swaggy p" and Jeremy Lin don't exactly look for him at all on the court...if Wesley was more assertive and actually given more offensive opportunities he could be putting up something in the range of 15 ppg, 6rebs, 4 assists a game...making him a solid asset.

 

[OrangeDW]

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.

The Clippers might still be playing if they had Wesley Johnson or someone similar. There's not an athletic 6'7 swingman type to be found on that entire roster.

Those Rockets role player forwards like Ariza, Brewer, Smith, and Jones killed them.

 

[doc05]

4th pick in the draft -- you kind of knew that was real high for him given his complete lack of a handle. At least he's made some good money and is at least a fringe NBA player.

 

[OrangeAl]

What I can't understand is why he hasn't gotten much better at using his handle then when he was at SU. I watched Blake Griffin throw up an awkward looking, but very effective jumpshot during these playoffs- something he obviously needed to take him to another level. I've never understood why certain athletes, and you'll find them in most every sport, never seem to improve on glaring weaknesses in their game.
If Wesley developed even a "decent" handle, he'd be able to face up, go by his man, and slash to the basket. With that lethal jumper, he'd take his efficiency to a whole 'nother level. I just don't get why he, as well as many others, never seem to get past certain limitations...

Some limitations are absolute ceilings. If I trained all day long and dribbled up and down stairs blindfolded, I'd still not have a decent NBA handle. Wes has a good attitude, but he is who he is and those limitations are his ceiling.

 

[MadNY3]

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

To me, the writer nails it. He was the #4 pick in the draft. He's been a bust.

 

[CusefanATL]

To me, the writer nails it. He was the #4 pick in the draft. He's been a bust.

I think there is a difference in being a bust of a #4 pick and "playing himself out of the league"

 

[shandeezy7]

What I can't understand is why he hasn't gotten much better at using his handle then when he was at SU. I watched Blake Griffin throw up an awkward looking, but very effective jumpshot during these playoffs- something he obviously needed to take him to another level. I've never understood why certain athletes, and you'll find them in most every sport, never seem to improve on glaring weaknesses in their game.
If Wesley developed even a "decent" handle, he'd be able to face up, go by his man, and slash to the basket. With that lethal jumper, he'd take his efficiency to a whole 'nother level. I just don't get why he, as well as many others, never seem to get past certain limitations...

I think his handle problem is two-fold: lack of strength and the fact he is so long and lanky. A high dribble without much strength will get eaten up in the NBA. Wes also seems to have the Hakim Warrick body type where no matter what he does, he is unable to put on a substantial amount of weight. I think he should completely forget about trying to improve his handle and focus on getting his 3 point shooting numbers up around 40%.

There are plenty of guys in the league who are super one-dimensional (shooters). Wes has the possibility of being a 3 point specialist, but also someone who isn't a liability on defense and rebounding like so many of the one-dimensional shooters are.

 

[sufandu]

I think his handle problem is two-fold: lack of strength and the fact he is so long and lanky. A high dribble without much strength will get eaten up in the NBA. Wes also seems to have the Hakim Warrick body type where no matter what he does, he is unable to put on a substantial amount of weight. I think he should completely forget about trying to improve his handle and focus on getting his 3 point shooting numbers up around 40%.

There are plenty of guys in the league who are super one-dimensional (shooters). Wes has the possibility of being a 3 point specialist, but also someone who isn't a liability on defense and rebounding like so many of the one-dimensional shooters are.

He's no skinnier than Reggie Miller was, and, although nobody will confuse him with Tim Hardaway, had a decent enough handle.

I really think there is no specific reason for it. It just is what it is. Some guys will never be great shooters no matter how hard they work at it. Wes will just never have a very good handle.