With a tantalizing 2-way skillset can NBA Draft prospect Alize Johnson grow his came to become an integral part of a team’s system?
In the modern game players who can fill multiple roles on either side of the floor are essential. In Alize Johnson the NBA Draft prospect could very well project to become precisely that type of player.
There are flaws in his game, mostly tied to him not doing one specific thing well. But, when you are looking at second round prospects do you focus on a player who possibly could develop one asset in time? Or do you focus on a player with a demonstrated skillset to do multiple things well and with the right coaching improve each area?
That will be the questions GM ask themselves prior to drafting Alize Johnson who potentially could become a solid complimentary teammate. Initially, Johnson was expected to be right in the OKC Thunder range, but recent rumblings have the youngster moving up in the draft.
If that occurs General Manager Sam Presti may not get the opportunity to select him when the Thunder finally get to make their picks at 53 and 57.
Yet, if as you’ll see below AJ offers such an intriguing upside and full tool box it makes a solid argument to keep this youngeter on the Thunder’s short list.
Player specifics:
- Height: 6’9″
- Weight: 217 lbs
- Wingspan: 6’8.75”
- Position: Power Forward
- Age: 22.3
- College: Missouri State
- Home town: Williamsport, Pennsylvania
Statline:
| Season | Conf | G | MP | FG | FGA | FG% | 2P% | 3P | 3PA | 3P% | FT | FTA | FT% | ORB | DRB | TRB | AST | STL | BLK | PTS |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2016-17 | MVC | 33 | 30.2 | 5.1 | 10.5 | .488 | .531 | 1.2 | 3.1 | .388 | 3.3 | 4.9 | .677 | 3.3 | 7.3 | 10.6 | 1.9 | 0.6 | 0.2 | 14.8 |
| 2017-18 | MVC | 33 | 31.2 | 5.2 | 12.1 | .430 | .516 | 1.2 | 4.4 | .281 | 3.3 | 4.4 | .759 | 3.2 | 8.5 | 11.6 | 2.8 | 0.5 | 0.4 | 15.0 |
| Career | 66 | 30.7 | 5.2 | 11.3 | .457 | .523 | 1.2 | 3.8 | .325 | 3.3 | 4.6 | .716 | 3.2 | 7.9 | 11.1 | 2.4 | 0.5 | 0.3 | 14.9 |
Provided by CBB at Sports Reference: View Original Table
Generated 6/19/2018.
Skills:
When dialed in the potential is undeniable. Few prospects can serve up games of 20-20 and Johnson not only accomplished this, but made it look easy doing it.
Johnson has a versatile offense although he’ll need to improve both his efficiency and moves using his weaker left hand.
In today’s game his skillset could blossom since he is a decent ball handler and distributor as a big. Moreover as you’ll see in the following video he’s not averse to grabbing the rebound and going end to end. With the increased pace and systems who employ multiple ball handlers Johnson projects to be an intriguing add on quite a few teams.
Defensively, Johnson is a bit frustrating. One day he’ll grab 20 rebounds and defend using his footwork, lateral speed and athleticism. Then on antoher day he’ll get bodied in the paint, lose focus of his teammates (read: doesn’t share the ball) and defensively doesn’t provide effort.
If he combines his focus in concert with his skill he projects to be a player who could be a 2-way player in this league. That alone would make him a candidate for a long pro career.
Weaknesses:
Defensively Johnson has a long way to go before he can truly measure up to the 2-way category. Although he’s earmarked to be precisely that – a 2-way contributor. This came via his double-double showings. That said Johnson still needs to refine much of his game to reach that pinnacle.
Specifically, Johnson has a tendency to take care of his own game and forget his assets work to improve those he’s on the court with. So, mindset is something he’ll need to work on. That sounds simple, but for a player used to ‘getting his’ it’s not as simple as it sounds.
Like most rookies he needs to add strength and size to deal with the bigger NBA bodies. And, for as dominant as he’s shown himself to be on the boards (at times) his skillset projects to make him a far more talented rebounder, rim protector and defender than he’s demonstrated.
Awards and honors:
- MVC Newcomer of the Year (2017)
- 2× First-team All-MVC (2017, 2018)
- Mr. Pennsylvania Basketball (2014)
as per wikipedia
Pro comparison:
Kevin O’Connor offers up James Johnson, Dorian Finney-Smith and Jonas Jerebko as his comparable NBA talents to Johnson.
The most intriguing of these is James Johnson. Much like Alize, James has a complete game where he can effect play on either side of the floor. And, the two also have the tendency to lose focus.
I’ve witnessed games where James Johnson was the best player on the court and his overall skills led to wins. I’ve also witnessed games where James seemingly disappeared or made terrible turnovers which cost his team the win.
Whoever lands Alize needs to pull up game film of James Johnson to demonstrate just how effective and tragic this combination can be.
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Current ranking:
ESPN/DraftExpress: 60th
The Ringer: 53rd
Draft Net: 55th
CBS Sports: 70th
Sports Illustrated: 61st
Basketball Insider: 62nd
Fit with OKC Thunder:
Listen, for as much as I’ve witnessed both sides of James Johnson the reality is having a player of his ilk on a team is a big plus. While part of the knock on Alize is he does a bunch of things well but nothing great. With a young prospect that can be a blessing and a curse. But, let’s view this from another perspective. many of these prospects do one thing well and are negatives in most other areas.
With Alize Johnson he already has made strides in multiple categories. Project that into a professional system where the development coaches can concentrate his efforts to build specific areas from decent to stellar. Moreover, putting those items on a timetable will also serve to focus his work to fit the team’s system.
Depending on how comfortable you are with the OKC Thunder development staff and Billy Donovan that makes Alize Johnson an extremely intriguing prospect.
Next: Top 15 NBA Draft picks in OKC Thunder franchise history
I guess Magic Johnson may view Alize the same way as I do because rumors out of LA are Magic is covetous of landing the big man later in the draft. But, if Johnson remains on the board at 53 or 57 he definitely warrants consideration by Sam Presti.