Kevin Garnett Takes On JaJuan Johnson As Apprentice

by Jeff Clark on Dec 20, 2011 9:50 PM EST in Boston Celtics News & Links

You have to love this.

Quick hits from Celtics practice - Boston Celtics Blog - ESPN Boston

It may seem minor, but JaJuan Johnson appears to have already earned the trust of Kevin Garnett and that's huge for him moving forward. Garnett only gives newcomers one chance early on to take his guidance and rookie Johnson appears to have passed the test. "Kevin is clearly taking JaJuan under his wing. You guys have been around -- he gives you the one shot and if he thinks you’re paying attention, he spends the year around you, and you can see JaJuan obviously has passed the test," said Rivers. "Which is good news for everyone, because it makes it a bad year for that guy."

Johnson couldn't find a better fit as a mentor. The guy has KG's build and offensively he has the same kind of game and even the same looking jump shot. Nobody has the maniacal energy that KG has, but if Johnson can pick up some tips from him, he'll be well on his way to being a solid and valued player on this team for years to come.

Also see: He's a rookie, but Johnson has a following

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Love reading stuff like this. Not only will KG’s tutelage help JJJ this year, but the things he learns will hold him in good stead for the rest of his career.

"Can't eat sushi in Utah, brother. Landlocked."

by IsItTheShoes on Dec 20, 2011 8:31 PM EST via mobile reply actions

Totally Agree

Part of the bad deal that Jeff Green got is that he’s missing out on this opportunity, at least temporarily hopefully. When he came to Boston he was given a locker and asked that his be moved next to KG. That’s one of the reasons I think Jeff will become a very good player.

Although we haven’t seen much of JJ I think his atitude is such that he will also be quite good.

Actually we haven’t seen too much of anyone.

"I don't come to play, I come to WIN"--Larry Bird
"Criminally Negligent Officiating"--Tommy Heinsohn

by TrueGreen on Dec 20, 2011 10:45 PM EST up reply actions

This is only a good thing

by kuekuatsheu on Dec 20, 2011 8:39 PM EST via iPhone app reply actions

JJ Paying Attention.

Unlike Paddy and the (absentee) Landlord. Attentiveness is good. Shows beginners mind and due respect. As Gov. Pappy O’ Dan said to Ulysses McGill in O Brother, “Son, you’ll go far”

"Celtics bring order and structure to a chaotic world"

by Tenacious D on Dec 20, 2011 9:12 PM EST reply actions

after KG retires

Trip J gonna dominate…yes?

by SDK on Dec 20, 2011 9:23 PM EST reply actions

This is why the sports pundits are wrong

Like a lot of the bloggers here, the sports pundits read other sports nerds statistics and data on wingspan and blah, blah, blah. When what we also have are these very unique intangibles. KG wouldn’t waste time with him, he couldn’t fake it, if Johnson didn’t have something. Such things make the Celtics unique. Ray hit a shot in the Toronto game that 35 year olds just don’t make. That’s fun.

by Wildblu1 on Dec 20, 2011 9:32 PM EST reply actions

Contrast this to POB...

http://sports.yahoo.com/nba/blog/ball_dont_lie/post/Patrick-O-Bryant-did-not-feel-Kevin-Garnett?urn=nba-276384

All the negativity in this town sucks. It sucks, and it stinks, and it sucks. - Rick Pitino

by Roy_Hobbs on Dec 20, 2011 10:19 PM EST reply actions

Some guys just don't have the heart.

Do you feel me?

"Phil is obviously a good coach. You don't win that many games without being a damn good coach, ... Remember one thing: He's been very fortunate. He picks his spots. That's all I can say." - Red Auerbach

by Sizzlack on Dec 21, 2011 2:34 PM EST up reply actions

i've said it before...

I know we don’t want to overpay, but Ainge should make keeping KG around in some capacity for years to come a high priority. Let him ease slowly into retirement with the C’s, coaching the young guys and just being around the organization. i am going to go out on a limb and say that no player has ever turned a basketball team around like KG and to a lesser extent Ray ray have, can you imagine this team in years to come WITHOUT these guys around? i can’t. don’t want to.

by JunkyardDawg on Dec 21, 2011 1:33 AM EST reply actions

TRI-J

Tri-j will benefit from this and ima say it now he’s gonna be a spark off the bench this season if he gets a chance just like moore will be. Just hopin KG’s intensity rubs off on him he already has the talent and skills to be a solid contributor

by celticsgreen4lyf on Dec 21, 2011 5:07 AM EST reply actions

+1

Agree 100%

Having KG mentor JJ can be nothing but a good thing for JJ.

I also think JJ will not just help the C’s down the line as a possible future replacement for KG, but can also help the C’s this year if he gets some minutes, which I hope he can get even considering the log jam at the 4 position.

by fordescort on Dec 21, 2011 8:36 AM EST up reply actions

JJ will be perfect as KG's Padawan learner

I knew that would be a perfect match!

A futile crusade to prevent mass ignorance

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by BoilerTMill on Dec 21, 2011 7:57 AM EST reply actions

Now Ray Alln needs to mentor E'Twaun Moore

Smooge and JJ would be perfect to step into their roles in a few years.

A futile crusade to prevent mass ignorance

HammerAndRails, SBNation's Boilermaker Blog

by BoilerTMill on Dec 21, 2011 7:57 AM EST up reply actions

wish Rondo would shoot with Ray

could you imagine the almost adequate jump shot Rondo could have had by now if he would do Ray’s entire shooting routine with him every day? It stupifies me that he does not do this when all of his other skills are Hall of fame caliber and he is a well below average shooter.

by bewareofdware on Dec 21, 2011 8:56 AM EST up reply actions

Guy’s got big hands. Really big hands. It makes maintaining a shooting stroke as sweet as Ray’s rather difficult.

"Can't eat sushi in Utah, brother. Landlocked."

by IsItTheShoes on Dec 21, 2011 10:17 AM EST up reply actions

It's ironic, but there's so many similarities already.

Ray has already said how he’s been impressed with how composed Smooge is. He seems to have that edge that takes a good shooter, and makes him great.

Mechanics of the shot are the same for anyone, anyone can learn them. Time practice, repetition, you’ll learn to snap the wrist, follow through, get lift in the legs and keep your body into the shot. It can be learned. But what can’t be taught, quantified, practiced, or preached is that innate ability to miss 12 shots in a row and still think “F it, next ones going in.” Or better yet, not to even have any thought at all, and just shoot.

Ray has that, all the great shooters do. It’s way to early to tell, but initial impressions on Smooge is he might just have it too.

by Sizzlack on Dec 21, 2011 2:37 PM EST up reply actions

You know, we have another guy that will be available in June

6’8" white guy from Indiana, had a tumultuous college career, lives in a gym, can shoot the three, is a solid forward and does all the Little Things well.

I’d love to see Robbie rejoin his teammates and go after the title his knee denied him in college.

A futile crusade to prevent mass ignorance

HammerAndRails, SBNation's Boilermaker Blog

by BoilerTMill on Dec 21, 2011 5:13 PM EST up reply actions

I just hope Johnson and Moore get some minutes this season. Doc never plays the rookies, but given these guys extensive experience in college, maybe they’ll be given an opportunity. I wish Moore could play the point, because both Dooling and Bradley don’t look like good options right now behind Rondo.

by Bird to DJ on Dec 21, 2011 8:14 AM EST reply actions

I also THINK

that this is a good thing, but i’m not as certain as everyone else. I imagine some young players might be hindered by KG screaming in their faces constantly.

Again, I like the idea of KG mentoring JJ, but just because KG is an awesome ball-player and superintense does not mean he is a teacher or role model.

That said, I think he was an awesome influence on perk, but I could see him breaking a young kid also.

"Chemistry is something that you don't just throw in a frying pan and mix it up with another something and throw something on top of that and then fry it up and put in a tortilla and put it in microwave, heat it up, give it to you and expect it to taste good. You know? If y'all don't know what I'm talking about then you can't cook and this doesn't concern you."

by KGHurtYourFeelings on Dec 21, 2011 10:51 AM EST reply actions