I like me some Armon Johnson.

[BLAZINGGIANTS]

Who said they don't like AJ? We're all of 20 minutes into the season, but I like what I see. Do I expect him to have his ups and downs? Yes. But from some of what I saw in preseason, and what I see here early, he could be a serviceable backup PG. If nothing else, in his first game in the NBA, he's shown he can run the team.

Now, if he burns out after 20 games, oh well. But let's not bash the guy, when he's a rookie (drafted in Round 2) that hasn't even played a real NBA game until now. I like what I see, and everything I've read he works very hard at his game.

 

[BGrantFan]

I like him better than Miller already. Dragic just drains a 3 because Miller had to switch on the pick and roll.

 

[BLAZINGGIANTS]

He works hard on D. Is he the best defender? No. But damn. He works hard. That isn't usually enough to get my attention, but in the NBA, where 99% of players take it easy on defense, I appreciate a guy that looks like he's busting tail on the D side.

And what the hell, he looks like he knows how to run on the offensive end.

 

[Carden]

I do too. He is WAY better than Payless!

 

[BrianFromWA]

I like that it looked as if someone has taught him a defensive crouch at some point of his life. Most players don't seem to care to.

 

[Nikolokolus]

Hopefully he gets his spirit crushed soon, otherwise he's going to start getting a big head and get funny ideas about PT

 

[Pinwheel1]

I get the feeling he has a lot of leadership potential.

 

[Blazinaway]

I like him better than Miller already. Dragic just drains a 3 because Miller had to switch on the pick and roll.

and Miller's lack of an outside shot is a huge liability

 

[BrianFromWA]

to be fair, we haven't seen Armon attempt a shot outside of 10 feet, either. I've heard he's not exactly Pistol Pete incarnate.

 

[Weav]

I like him better than Miller already. Dragic just drains a 3 because Miller had to switch on the pick and roll.

I was thinking the same thing...I know Miller will warm up as the season goes along, but damn, AJ ran the second unit really welll

 

[BGrantFan]

to be fair, we haven't seen Armon attempt a shot outside of 10 feet, either. I've heard he's not exactly Pistol Pete incarnate.

Touche', but then again, the Blazers didn't have to switch on the pick and roll when Johnson was in the game.

 

[Eastoff]

S2 has an 'ardon for Armon

 

[BLAZINGGIANTS]

AJ won't be counted on as an offensive force. They need him to come in for a few minutes, make it tough on the opposing PG, and run a basic offense. From what I've seen of him, he can do that. JB couldn't do either, though he could come down and play 1-on-5 like no other.

 

[Pinwheel1]

to be fair, we haven't seen Armon attempt a shot outside of 10 feet, either. I've heard he's not exactly Pistol Pete incarnate.

This is true. And it is also true that teams will adjust to him once they see him a few teams. But what I have seen from him he is a better outside shooter than Rondo. (And no I am not comparing his over skill set to Rondo......yet) But he appears to have decent form with his outside shot. So he can improve. All he needs is to be able to hit a wide open 20 footer to keep defenses honest. Because he can attack the basket.

 

[Further]

Very happy with AJ. Sure, he missed a few open lanes and made some mistakes on D, and we still don't know about his outside shooting, but he was poised and ran the offense well. For a second round pick, as a rookie, I don't think I could realistically ask for anything more. I have no idea if he will become the PGoTF on this board, but for this point in time, I am pleased.

Way to go AJ, you beat the odds, made it to the NBA and played like you belonged.

 

[BlazersBlood]

and Miller's lack of an outside shot is a huge liability

We still don't have a PG with an outside shot, so I'm not sure where you are going with this.

 

[Nikolokolus]

from the game comments over at "Bright side of the sun: http://www.brightsideofthesun.com/2010/10/26/1776843/game-thread-overflow-2-suns-at-blazers#comments

I hate Armon Johnson already.
Freaking pest

by Scott Howard on Oct 26, 2010 9:14 PM PDT reply actions

Bayless reincarnated.

by keify34 on Oct 26, 2010 9:15 PM PDT up reply actions

Exactly
Face is less aggressively annoying though

by Scott Howard on Oct 26, 2010 9:15 PM PDT up reply actions

At the moment.
I still want to punch him though.

Funny.

 

[BlazersBlood]

from the game comments over at "Bright side of the sun: http://www.brightsideofthesun.com/2010/10/26/1776843/game-thread-overflow-2-suns-at-blazers#comments



Funny.

Instant classic. Nice find!

 

[HailBlazers]

Armon Hammer!

 

[BBert]

It took Armon one fast break to show why the Blazers traded Bayless. Pretty good first game overall.

 

[Wizard Mentor]

Funny BlazersEdge quote:

Armon Johnson is what Jarrett Jack was supposed to be. Big, quick, smart, limits turnovers, goes hard, and, most importantly, can get into offensive sets with a calm demeanor on the ball. By the way, for the NBA advance scouts that are reading this trying to get a feel for the rookie's game, let me save you some film time. HE'S GOING LEFT.

 

[Kaydow]

Armon Johnson is what Jarrett Jack was supposed to be. Big, quick, smart, limits turnovers, goes hard, and, most importantly, can get into offensive sets with a calm demeanor on the ball. By the way, for the NBA advance scouts that are reading this trying to get a feel for the rookie's game, let me save you some film time. HE'S GOING LEFT

Sort of. He's all left hand, but he doesn't always go to his left. The play he shook Dragic on the wing and found Rudy in the corner he went right, and he went right again against Dragic in the 4th for a little bank shot in the lane off the glass. It's not so bad to be all left hand, as long as you're not going left every time to boot.

 

[mook]

Roy's three point shot looked really damned good last night, and he buried 4-6. He's still a young, developing player.

I think because of the career path of Wade and Kobe there's kind of an assumption with Roy that he'll never be much more than a passable three point shooter, which means you have to have a great shooting PG next to him.

But look at Ray Allen. He was only a decent three point shooter in his first three years, and then pretty good in his fourth. It was his fifth year before he was hitting 200+ of them a year at a .400+ clip.

Roy's already had 2 season of shooting a .377 clip. Kobe's only beaten that once in 14 seasons, and Wade has never been close. That may be the next big part of his game to expand. Given his injury history, I'd sure like to see him make more of his points with an improved three point shot.

And if he makes that a bigger part of his game, suddenly you've got a lot more options at PG.

 

[Pinwheel1]

Roy's three point shot looked really damned good last night, and he buried 4-6.

I thought it did too. It seemd like it was.......easier. Not sure how to explain it, but his 24 ft shot looked effortless. Aside from the one to beat the buzzer I thought I noticed it to be flatter. The less arch, the less room for error? Not sure but it did look improved.

 

[BGrantFan]

I thought it did too. It seemd like it was.......easier. Not sure how to explain it, but his 24 ft shot looked effortless. Aside from the one to beat the buzzer I thought I noticed it to be flatter. The less arch, the less room for error? Not sure but it did look improved.

Theoretically, the less arc, the more room for error, as it basically decreases the size of the basket. I though his shot looked perfect, though. Seemed 'softer' than in the past, if that makes any sense.

 

[Paxil]

Nice opening game for the rook.

 

[Pinwheel1]

Theoretically, the less arc, the more room for error, as it basically decreases the size of the basket. I though his shot looked perfect, though. Seemed 'softer' than in the past, if that makes any sense.

Interesing. I believe you (Geometry was never my strong suit) but when I see guys with these high arching shots it looks like they are shooting the ball 5 feet further than those who don't. (Although it worked out pretty well for Purvis Short)

A flat shot I understand is not wise. But I would think from 24 feet you would simplify it. I thought Martel started shooting it with too much arch his last year. Anyways..............Roy's shot does look softer from that distance.

 

[Paxil]

Interesing. I believe you (Geometry was never my strong suit) but when I see guys with these high arching shots it looks like they are shooting the ball 5 feet further than those who don't. (Although it worked out pretty well for Purvis Short)

A flat shot I understand is not wise. But I would think from 24 feet you would simplify it. I thought Martel started shooting it with too much arch his last year. Anyways..............Roy's shot does look softer from that distance.

I read something about a physics professor being asked about how to shoot before FTs... and his answer was to shoot higher... not only like you said... does it make the decrease the size the ball can go through, but it also reduces the errors... coming straight down a ball 3-4 inches off will deflect right in the hoop... where a flater shot is going to deflect agains the backboard. The may be the reason smaller NBA players (in general) shoot better FTs. Tall players usually are shooting much flater.

 

[MIXUM]

http://blogs.thescore.com/tbj/2010/10/27/ep-595-lukewarm-debut/

these guys loved johnson too

 

[MickZagger]

I read something about a physics professor being asked about how to shoot before FTs... and his answer was to shoot higher... not only like you said... does it make the decrease the size the ball can go through, but it also reduces the errors... coming straight down a ball 3-4 inches off will deflect right in the hoop... where a flater shot is going to deflect agains the backboard. The may be the reason smaller NBA players (in general) shoot better FTs. Tall players usually are shooting much flater.

Very true. I remember Pooh Richardson used to have ridiculous arc on his shot. It almost looked like it was going out of the camera view at times.