Relying on rookies

[MickZagger]

Hint (red font)

I'm not really up on what different color fonts mean.

But, last I read green was sarcasm?

 

[KingSpeed]

No they didn't. He barely played. It was 2nd year player Leon Powe who played those important minutes. Baby averaged 8 mpg in garbage time, and he didn't even play in the 6 closest games of the playoffs. Learn the game, then post.

In a game against the Lakers that season, he led the Celtics in scoring. Learn the game, then post.

 

[44Thrilla]

In a game against the Lakers that season, he led the Celtics in scoring. Learn the game, then post.

A regular season game, maybe. I'm talking about the playoffs, which is what really matters. He played in one game of the NBA finals that year, and it was all garbage time of a 39 point win. That shows you how much the coach trusted the rookie in meaningful minutes. But sure, if you're comfortable with a rookie having a good game in the regular season then completely disappearing in the playoffs, then good for you.

 

[LameR]

There is a difference between playing rookies as backups and relying on rookies. I'm fine with rookies as backups (and starters if they deserve it), and Armon is a pleasant surprise thus far.

 

[KingSpeed]

A regular season game, maybe. I'm talking about the playoffs, which is what really matters. He played in one game of the NBA finals that year, and it was all garbage time of a 39 point win. That shows you how much the coach trusted the rookie in meaningful minutes. But sure, if you're comfortable with a rookie having a good game in the regular season then completely disappearing in the playoffs, then good for you.

Fair. But what about Sam Cassell? He hit the game winning shot in Game 3 of the 1994 NBA Finals and he was a rookie.

 

[KingSpeed]

Also- Baby didn't disappear in the playoffs. They brought in PJ Brown late in the season and gave him Baby's minutes.

 

[Kaydow]

Well AJ looked pretty good to me last night. Is he the "PG of the Future" as Mike Rice said? Maybe, maybe not. I already feel more comfortable with the ball in his hands than I ever did Bayless. JB has more natural scoring ability and athleticism, but not much else. He looked good running the break last night. He looked good taking it to the basket with the weak defending Dragic guarding him (in the 4th quarter none the less). He looked pretty good running the offense - that play where he brought the ball up, tossed it to the wing, cut to the baseline, got the ball back and shook Dragic out of his shoes and threw a bounce pass to Rudy for a 3 was impressive. He needs to not get caught in the air with no where to go, as we saw a couple of times last night. One play he jumped and nothing was there so he darn near threw it out to half-court where Roy tracked it down. But Bayless did stuff like that every night.

The bottom line is we saw more of a true PG from Armon Johnson in 9 minutes last night then we saw from JB in 2 years. Better handles, better court vision, better decision making, and better running the break. I'm sure that teams are going to do to him what they did to JB - make him beat you from the outside. While he'll never win a 3 point shooting contest, his stroke LOOKS decent. He could end up being a Derek Fisher type of guy who couldn't shoot a lick when he came into the league, but with hard work became respectable. You watch some guys, and you just know they will never shoot a lick (Andre Miller, Sessions, Rondo, etc.) but AJ looks like he could develop into a decent shooter. I'm mildly excited about this guy.

 

[MickZagger]

Johnson's really shifty with his dribble and can get by a defender at ease. Kinda has a little Kenny Anderson in his game.

 

[Charcoal Filtered]

Hint (red font)

glad you got it and it should have been green.

See you on the plane!

 

[MickZagger]

Armon,

You aren't supposed to be a competent player because you went to a small school that didn't make the tourney.

Knock it off!

 

[Natebishop3]

Armon,

You aren't supposed to be a competent player because you went to a small school that didn't make the tourney.

Knock it off!

Why doesn't anyone know that his nicname is Hammer?

 

[KingSpeed]

He was incredible tonight. Reminds me of Greg Anthony. Just think how good he'll be come playoff time.

 

[Nate Dogg]

They wouldn't trade Bayless if he couldn't play people

How is Bayless playing so far these days?