Summer Quandaries: Chris Johnson Is The Most Painful Cut

by **bobheckler** Mon Sep 15, 2014 7:47 pm

http://celticsgreen.blogspot.com/2014/09/sq14-52-chris-johnson-is-most-painful.html

Summer Quandaries: Chris Johnson Is The Most Painful Cut SQ%2B2

I’ve had two titles awaiting a column for weeks. Both have to do with this long bundle of energy with the smooth 3-pt shot. There are at least three players who look to be locks for a roster slot, for which I would gladly swap out Chris Johnson. I also think that likely changes in the team’s style would maximize Johnson’s usefulness, with some slight alterations to Chris’ game. For me no other player currently on the horizon holds such allure.

As I have pored over the roster, slots, positions, guaranteed contracts, needs, and potential, I keep coming back to the one players that I will really hate to see cut. Yes, with Evan Turner the Celtics would have 15 guaranteed contracts, the maximum number of slots on an NBA roster. Yes, Johnson is not guaranteed and play last season tailed off at the end (and got no better in summer league). Yes, there are a lot of players who can play shooting guard (Chris’ best position in my opinion) expected in training camp. However, the Celtics need long-distance shooting and energy and an eagerness to run; and those are the top three line items on Johnson’s resume.

It has also occurred to me that Boston did not make full use of Johnson’s premier qualities last spring. John Havlicek leveraged an incessant motor into a devastating offensive weapon. By staying in constant motion he wore down the opponent’s best wing defender, created open opportunities by outworking his defender who just could not keep him covered for 24 seconds and for his teammates by drawing help defenders, and just generally demoralized defenses who were constantly frustrated by their inability to keep him controlled even when they made him a priority. Johnson ran to a corner . . . and generally stayed their using his outside shot threat to spread the floor. To me, Chris should be the definition of a motion offense, adding slashes to the basket and along the baseline as regular features of his court activity.

The Celtics look to have a team well suited to a running game. This, plus the motion offense play to Johnson’s strengths (as well as Rondo, Bradley, Smart, Green, and Zeller, perhaps more). I’d like to see Johnson add a stop-and-pop as well as improve his finish around the basket. Adding some upper body strength would probably improve both as well as his defense.

Here's hoping that Danny Ainge comes through with that roster consolidation/clearing move.

Only 12 more days until training camp

bob
MY NOTE: I agree. If we want an uptempo game, Chris Johnson is perfect. He's a greyhound.

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by **Sam** Mon Sep 15, 2014 8:54 pm

I really like the kid. I don't think I saw his defense mentioned, but he has good defensive instincts and the agility to pull off stops.

The problem is that mobility is only part of what's needed to fit into a good uptempo system. The ability to finish is a must, whether out of transition or being opportunistic out of a motion offense. Chris simply has not displayed that ability. There's not a lot of call for a 6 6" guy whose principal basketball is to run into the corner and shoot threes at a 34% rate.

However, it's very possible that he worked on that skill this summer; and I'm very fond of saying that the past is not the present.

As for a roster slot, I'm still hoping Danny will make a two-for-one trade before or during training camp.

Sam

Summer Quandaries: Chris Johnson Is The Most Painful Cut

Summer Quandaries: Chris Johnson Is The Most Painful Cut

Re: Summer Quandaries: Chris Johnson Is The Most Painful Cut