While I was at summer league all the talk of James Johnson was wonderous and hopeful. I overheard one Bulls staffer telling someone James Johnson was the second best player in the draft. However, with the media gone, the news leaking out to me hasn't quite so positive.
James Johnson needs to turn it up a notch
The Bulls are privately concerned about his work ethic and attitude which was the one area I had some concerns with myself. With Johnson, the talent is obviously there, but the fact that he gained so much body fat after his college season ended prior to the official NBA predraft workouts planted a red flag on him.
Don't get me wrong though, I still would have taken Johnson and am still glad the Bulls did take him. His talent level vastly surpassed the other options available and most rookies don't work nearly hard enough until they get schooled by NBA players and see how badly they need to. These guys have been kings at every level and frequently have unrealistic expectations for how easy it will be at the next level.
For what it's worth, when I interviewed Johnson he was humble and talked at great length of working hard and not disappointing anyone. However, as we've seen with many players there is sometimes a gap between what is said and what is done. I don't think it's because they're lying or lazy, but rather because the bar for hard work is set so high that they often have no idea how hard they need to work to qualify as "working hard" at this level.
On one occasion, Johnson has tried to cut short a workout, thanking an assistant coach after a few drills and trying to leave only to be scolded that they weren't done yet. One source within the organization said he expects forgotten man Taj Gibson to have a bigger impact than Johnson in their rookie years. There seemed to be an air of pessimism in general over what Johnson will provide out of the gates especially among those working out with him.
However, there's plenty of time for Johnson to prove himself in camp and preseason. At this point, things can turn around quickly especially when Johnson is on the court creating rather than working in a drill/conditioning environment. One thing's clear though, Johnson's going to have to earn his minutes. There's certainly no entitlement minutes and a healthy Bulls team might struggle to squeeze him into the rotation if he doesn't pick it up a notch.
Don't get me wrong though, I still would have taken Johnson and am still glad the Bulls did take him. His talent level vastly surpassed the other options available and most rookies don't work nearly hard enough until they get schooled by NBA players and see how badly they need to. These guys have been kings at every level and frequently have unrealistic expectations for how easy it will be at the next level.
For what it's worth, when I interviewed Johnson he was humble and talked at great length of working hard and not disappointing anyone. However, as we've seen with many players there is sometimes a gap between what is said and what is done. I don't think it's because they're lying or lazy, but rather because the bar for hard work is set so high that they often have no idea how hard they need to work to qualify as "working hard" at this level.
On one occasion, Johnson has tried to cut short a workout, thanking an assistant coach after a few drills and trying to leave only to be scolded that they weren't done yet. One source within the organization said he expects forgotten man Taj Gibson to have a bigger impact than Johnson in their rookie years. There seemed to be an air of pessimism in general over what Johnson will provide out of the gates especially among those working out with him.
However, there's plenty of time for Johnson to prove himself in camp and preseason. At this point, things can turn around quickly especially when Johnson is on the court creating rather than working in a drill/conditioning environment. One thing's clear though, Johnson's going to have to earn his minutes. There's certainly no entitlement minutes and a healthy Bulls team might struggle to squeeze him into the rotation if he doesn't pick it up a notch.
21 Comments
Richard said:
They're just young men...
We forget these athletes are just very young men. This is where coaching and a previous comment of mine come into play.
Coaching is 1/3 player development, 1/3 team development, and 1/3 game management.
Good coaching from the Chicago Bulls could help JJ and Taj get off to a good pro NBA career. Every young man who can dunk a basketball either hand thinks he's a god, until he meets up with a Kevin Garnett and gets schooled.
In time we'll see who James Johnson and Taj Gibson become as young men and pro athletes. It's like you've said Doug, this is August and NBA basketball news is slow.
Simeon2UC said:
I think he's going to play it smart and try his best to move Deng out the picture come training camp. He said in a interview recently that he would love to play on the perimeter with Derrick Rose. I saw some of his games and when he feels it from downtown... he's feeling it. I don't see why he can't beat Deng out of the starting line. He's tough, which Deng isn't; he can score in ways Deng wish he could and his talent level has no limits unlike Deng. I really like this kid now unlike before. I feel he can contribute much more than Deng can but we have to wait and see.
Doug Thonus said:
Johnson's not a good shooter relative to Deng from any spot on the court. I think you tend to really overestimate young players relative to established veterans.
TheStig said:
Well I guess we found our scapegoat. I was wondering who would pick up the job now that BG is gone and TT's days are numbered. Its August, JJ has no obligation to work out with the bulls yet. Its the middle of the summer in a new town, his focus isn't really there yet.
Doug Thonus said:
I don't think Johnson has a big enough role on the team to be scapegoat. I also think management wants this particular rumor to spread.
TheStig said:
Why would they want this rumor to be spread? Wouldn't it hurt his value?
Mike Gonzalez said:
If they were looking to trade him, yes. If they're hoping that a bit of negative press about his work ethic might motivate him to work harder, then I'm sure they don't mind any potential small loss in value.
Doug Thonus said:
I misspoke completely.
I meant, I don't think management wants this particular rumor spread. So more or less the exact opposite of what I said.
Bigway said:
It is rare that you get world class talent and a world class work ethic in the same player, that is why there are so few Jordans, and Kobes.
Not saying that either guy is world class in either category, but it looks like Johnson is the talent guy and Gibson is the work ethic guy.
Doug Thonus said:
Yeah, I'd probably agree with that as long as we're aware that we're talking about relative strengths and not world classness.
Though if it weren't for Johnson's red flags, he'd have never have fallen. I think he's a risk, but if the work ethic and attitude pan out, then the talent makes him a potential steal in this draft IMO.
Justin said:
I wonder how much of Johnson gaining weight was to try and show teams that he has the size to play PF.
It does concern me that with millions of dollars on the line, he didn't get into the best shape possible in the time between the NCAA season and the NBA draft.
Doug Thonus said:
I don't buy into that rationale at all, because he views himself as a SF, and he clearly didn't develop strength. At 245 he'd have been heavy enough to play PF as it was.
v-man said:
Gaining weight and gaining muscle is two different things!
Bigway said:
Doug, can't find a good place to ask questions, so I'll drop it hear.
there are rumors that Q Richardson will be on the move from Minny within the week.
He has only one year left on his contract, and happens to make $9.4 million this season, almost an exact match for Hinrich's salary.
The Bulls supposedly discussed a Hinrich salary dump to Minny around the trade deadline. Any chance they might be the target for Q's departure.
The Bulls, I assume would immediately try to buy him out and/or send him home.
Not necessarily in favor of this move, just asking.
Doug Thonus said:
I don't think the Bulls would be willing to sacrifice wins that much this season in order to move Hinrich's contract.
I've got no personal info on that, just speculation.
v-man said:
I believe Kurt is the most important guard on the team this season. Losing Ben was hugh! His points were game changing, emotionally upliftng!John Salmons is a very good player and I believe he will do a good job. But he scores quiet points!
You don't know his contributions until you look at the stat sheet. But Kurt provides you with much more that is necessary
to win the game! Know what I mean?
Doug Thonus said:
Kurt? Kurt? You've been hanging around Vinny too long.
Where's Hinrichpolice?!
I like Kirk more than Salmons myself, but clearly Rose is still the most important guard on the team.
docksquad said:
Nice post. He definitely looks like he put on a lot of weight. Did you guys see the video of him dancing at that rookie photo shoot? I hope the trainers and nutritionists can work on him when they start back up...
Doug Thonus said:
I saw it and thought it was hilarious.
v-man said:
I think all of the comments about JJ have been acurate. JJ said the same thing all atheletes say during the draft "God I'll do anything to play in the NBA". Everyone says that! There are those
who do it, and those who don't. Either way we will find out in no time! Its not that they don't work hard! Some just can't do whats necessary to achieve at this level! I'm pulling for him though!
Doug Thonus said:
I agree, you have to have worked really hard to get this far, but the bar goes up. Hard for some guys at this level is still a lot harder than for other guys.
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