Vinny Del Schizophrenic on James Johnson
Nov 21st from Sam Smith's blog: [thanks to BG7 from realgm for finding this quote for me as I couldn't remember where I saw it]
"I'm trying to incorporate him now at four (power forward)," said
Del Negro. "He's getting more comfortable and he can help us there.
He's a good kid who is working hard and has a good attitude."
Nov 23rd from the Tribune:Del Negro said learning both
forward positions has limited Johnson's progress and that he now plans
to use him strictly at small forward.
The first quote made me so happy only to have those hopes dashed by K.C. Johnson. I really don't know what to think of hearing the two quotes so closely together.
It's like he got hit in the head with a hammer temporarily increasing his intelligent 100 fold and then right before he could actualize his plan the hammer hit him again reducing him back to his normal self.
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13 Comments
Newskoolbulls said:
seems like it has something to do with Vinnys love affair with Taj. I like the fact that James is now only learning one position because its less confusing for him, he is a rookie lets not forget.
Doug Thonus said:
I'd feel a lot happier if the one position was PF rather than SF.
Newskoolbulls said:
He does have the body for the 4 spot and he can create mismatches with his perimeter skills for sure. I guess they view him as a backup to Luol at the 3 though.
Simeon2UC said:
Vinny Del Negro is losing it if you ask me.
Newskoolbulls said:
Can you give us a reason why you think that? and dont tell me its just this. I think Vin is doing a solid job, he is going into games with 8 man rotation due to injuries and guys on the team who cant play (Jerome and Lindsey), and lets not forget having to work with an offense that lost its 20ppg scorer.
Doug Thonus said:
I'm also quite happy with Vinny so far.
JimmyBulls said:
Well, it looks like Vinny is going in the sit, watch, and lose weight in the off season direction with Johnson. It would be nice to see JJ get some run at the backup power forward position. But I've seen Johnson play in the summer league and preseason, and he didn't seem all that interested in being a physical presence. I think his skills is more suited for the four, but this is more speculation on my part than something James Johnson has consistently showed with his performances.
Honestly, JJ has no one but himself to blame. If he was hell bent on playing on the perimeter, he should've gotten himself into better physical condition. When Blair was dropping all that weight during draft prep, what in the world was JJ doing with his time?
Simeon2UC said:
I know for a fact that James Johnson can outplay Kenyon Martin. Sadly, his background isn't setting on the hardwood floor. I want to see more grind and less finesse. I think we'll see more moves as he get playing time. Go get it JJ! Holla!
Newskoolbulls said:
You know for a fact? did JJ play K-Mart in a private one on one held in your back yard?
Cyrus the Great said:
I distinctly remeber reading in one of the Chicago papers (or perhaps Sam Smith's column) that JJ saw himself as a three. By the way, Tyrus sees himself that way also.
The problem then becomes, you can lead a horse.....well, we all know how that saying goes. And it is probably why Tyrus resists banging the boards and hanging around the basket.
Also, as pointed out above, if JJ wants to be a three he needs to lose weight. In addition, if he wants to be a force in the NBA he not only needs to lose weight, but needs to hit the weight room. I could be wrong, but from what I can see of this kid, he doesn't look like he has spent much time working on his figure.
Bigway said:
Del Bimbo is still Del Bimbo and he just plain coaches scared.
and as a result, Johnson, when he even makes it to the court plays scared.
There are very few coaches in any sport that actually help their players get better, most coaches ruin their players one way or another, and Del Bimbo is definately in the second category.
At this point none of us have any idea whether Johnson can play in the NBA, but we all know that Gibson is not a starting calibre power forward in the NBA, and he likely will never be, best case he becomes a journeyman in the Joe Smith mold, albiet a shorter one.
As I said earlier in the day, lets dump all the bad contracts, Deng, Hinrich and Salmons, play the kids and hit the double max contract lottery in the summer of Lebron.
There really is no point in watching this team, it looks like a bunch of children being coached by a child against men being coached by men.
Richard said:
VDN the Communicator
When VDN was hired, I believe it was Paxson or Reinsdorf who commented on Vinnie's excellent communication skills.
Vinnie is normally a walking collection of basketball/sports cliches.
So Vinnie flip flopping in 2 days on James Johnson being a PF and then a SF is a little disturbing.
I don't care where Vinnie plays him, just as long as he plays him.
brw said:
The concern for me at this point is the decision making / management of the team.
Tyrus sees himself as a 3, we are paying Deng a lot to be our 3, James Johnson is going to be made a 3, Salmons was a 3 and is playing the 2.
Pargo and Hinrich are 1 size and often have to play 2...
We constantly are playing people out of their natural position and then can't match up properly. Surely the mangement need to rethink their strategy. We got rid of Brand because he was too small and then we trade away Aldridge (at 6'11") for a an undersized PF in Tyrus.
Also VDN is showing more faith in Taj on the court than he ever has in Tyrus who has way more potential....I just don't get it.....
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