Doc Will Make JaJuan Johnson Earn It
by Jeff Clark on Feb 12, 2012 10:00 PM EST
in Boston Celtics Articles
Email
PrintWith the rash of injuries and the kiddie pool depth at the center spot, you'd think that Doc would be willing and eager to try out his rookie big man JaJuan Johnson. Not so much. Here were Doc's words before the game.
But Johnson isn't ready to play meaningful minutes in big games for the Celtics, according to coach Doc Rivers. "Not yet," said Rivers. "I think he's getting close. You've got to execute when you're on the floor. That's an area he has to improve on. He's talented, but there's a level to me of intensity that you have to play with every night, and focus. And he's inconsistent. But he's getting there, and he's a great kid, and he will be there."
On the other hand, actions sometimes speak louder than words. Johnson played 33 minutes and scored 12 points on 6 of 13 shooting and added 4 rebounds (3 offensive!) and a blocked shot too. So, all is well right? The lid is off and he will play more now right? Again, not so fast.
Johnson picks up play to help lift Celtics - CNNSE
"He’s got to keep doing it," said Rivers. "One game doesn’t make a star. One season doesn’t make a star. So you’ve just got to keep doing it and he’s got to do it consistently. He will, like I keep saying. He’s a great kid and he wants to do it. He’s young and he’s still learning focus and all that. But he’s a good player."
I think Doc is trying to walk the fine line here. He wants to praise his player for having a good day but he also wants to challenge him.
Remember that it was reported that he was one of the guys that Doc lit into during his tirade the other day. I get the feeling that the kid was not in the right spots and Doc needed to make sure that he woke up and got to where he needed to be. Of course nobody but the Celtics can tell you exactly what happened so I'm just guessing there. The good news is that it seems like JaJuan took the criticism for what it was and took it to heart.
On Friday night JaJuan Johnson walked off the court and was greeted by an unhappy Doc Rivers during an ugly loss to the Toronto Raptors. The rookie took all of it in and remembered it for the next game, a Sunday afternoon match up against the Chicago Bulls. “I’m not really the type to get down on myself if the coach yells at you or anything like that,” he told CSNNE.com prior to the Celtics 95-91 win. “You’ve just got to take it and learn from it, and the next time you’ve just got to do better. Hopefully that’s the case.”
He also admits to not knowing the playbook as well as he should - which was one of the key points in Doc's rant.
Bottom line is, Doc is saying he needs to be more consistent. I'll bet that he means with more than just his shooting touch too. He has to rotate on defense the right way every time or the defense collapses on itself. It must be hard for a coach to watch KG's all world defense on one play and then sub in a green rook the next time down the court.
With that said, I can't help but be excited about this kid's potential. In particular when I see him running the break with Rondo and flushing an alley oop. Might be a sign of things to come, ...as long as he can win over Doc consistently.
54 comments
|
0 recs |
Do you like this story?
Comments
"the kiddie pool depth at the center spot"
great use of words jeff!
nice article too
I don't follow rules, I let the rules follow me.
A nice turn of phrase.
Lygafe
Lionel Gaffen / Fotomix | International Hockey Forums > Europe > ISRAEL
Israel Recreational Hockey Association 2009-2010 & 2010-2011 [ Lygafe ] | Israel Ice Skating Federation - From the Media [ Lionel Gaffen ]
doc says...
You’ve got to execute when you’re on the floor. That’s an area he has to improve on. He’s talented, but there’s a level to me of intensity that you have to play with every night, and focus. And he’s inconsistent. But he’s getting there, and he’s a great kid, and he will be there. He’s young and he’s still learning focus and all that. But he’s a good player.
Was doc talking about jjj or Rondo? LOL, these quotes are almost verbatim as to the quotes made about Rondo in 2007, 2008 and 2009. Hopefully jjj takes docs advice to heart better than Rondo did, LOL :-)
oh yeah, meant to give props for the post:-)
I too, hope we see more of jjj in the near future…
That's the standard, huh?
…but there’s a level to me of intensity that you have to play with every night, and focus. And he’s inconsistent.
If Doc demanded consistency, intensity, and focus out of his players before they got playing time, I don’t think a single player would be getting time.
All the negativity in this town sucks. It sucks, and it stinks, and it sucks. - Rick Pitino
hard to "execute on the floor" unless you get some time "on the floor" He gets it now...only due to injury
same old story….
Is it Soup Yet?
Yeah...
Outside of KG, Johnson is the only big we have that at least has potential on offense and defense. It’s probably time to make sure he gets consistent minutes.
All the negativity in this town sucks. It sucks, and it stinks, and it sucks. - Rick Pitino
I think Wilcox has potential
to play well on both ends. This is the first time in his whole career I think where he’s been asked to play in a defense like this. He’s such a great athlete, I think that eventually he’s going to start paying off on the defensive side as well.
That said – I basically agree with you. JJ has tremendous upside on both sides of the court and he needs extended minutes to begin to realize that.
NBA Officiating - Corrupt? Incompetent? Which is worse? Does it matter? It sucks.
Absolutely so, Po
’ts called growing pains. Time to let go, coach. At this time would prefer enduring jJJs miscues than same from JON etc.
"Celtics bring order and structure to a chaotic world"
I love JJJ .... DA should have been drafting young kids like this over the last few years instead of
wasting money and valuable time on players like Mikki Moore, Shaq, always hurt JO, and at least half of dozen other old terrible big men….
Is it Soup Yet?
I agree, he drafted a lot of perimeter guys and it was a failure
Bill Walker, Lester Hudson, JR Giddens, etc. Harangody was a big but that didn’t work out. Erden was the only decent one until JJJ and decent feels kind of high.
Harangody and Erden are pining away on Cleveland's bench, and the fans curse every time one of them gets put into a game.
Erden might have worked out better over here, with the help of K.G., but over there, he’s sunk in the mud.
Lygafe
Lionel Gaffen / Fotomix | International Hockey Forums > Europe > ISRAEL
Israel Recreational Hockey Association 2009-2010 & 2010-2011 [ Lygafe ] | Israel Ice Skating Federation - From the Media [ Lionel Gaffen ]
master po... wisdom is priceless...
Should have been drafting young talented players for at least the last three years. AGREE!!!
definitely should have kept erden...
Worth more to us than a Cleveland 2nd any day… just saying…
He was injured at the time, and his spot was needed for someone who was healthy.
Lygafe
Lionel Gaffen / Fotomix | International Hockey Forums > Europe > ISRAEL
Israel Recreational Hockey Association 2009-2010 & 2010-2011 [ Lygafe ] | Israel Ice Skating Federation - From the Media [ Lionel Gaffen ]
Big Men take at least 3-4 years to play within themselves, and do it consistently. JJ will be alright, I just don't like his body language.
Has any one ever noticed that E’twaun looks like D Wade? lol
It would be cool if he could develop into a Gilbert arenas type player.
you're body language...
Would probably be in conflict with your mind and your natural instincts if you knew that when you made an error you were going to get yanked. Doc runs a very exacting type system that is hard to learn when you have a regular pre-season, plus games spaced at a normal rate over 82 games, to trying to learn a system & perform in a season with an abbreviated trading camp and multiple games played per week with almost no practice time to learn the Playbook. I think the rookies are doing a great job under the circumstances of this crazy season…
by greensince72 on Feb 12, 2012 11:37 PM EST up reply actions
No argument there
Doc is so hard on the rookies, maybe that is an old school thing trying to train them properly I don’t know. Popovich has always been the best at managing minutes and part of that is doing a great job getting the young players involved. Not sure if Popovich is just as hard on his rookies but the Spurs draft better players so it works out, or if he gives them more freedom and they respond to that (more confidence, more comfortable, etc.). One mistake and your getting pulled is not a great environment to develop players, especially bigs.
The Playbook is There
Learn it. Play how the coach expects you to play. Bring it.
One game doesn’t make a star
Doc would say that to Big Baby all the time, because he would get high on himself after one good game and play outside of the system for the next week of games. I understand what he’s trying to do, but Johnson has a much better head on his shoulders than Glen Davis.
by jackscompletelackofsurprise on Feb 12, 2012 11:24 PM EST reply actions
both turned into pretty good nba players...
Maybe docs onto something :-)
He needs to more breakfast lunch and dinner.
Wasn’t D Howard just like him in his rookie season?
by CBleedsGreeN on Feb 12, 2012 11:43 PM EST via mobile reply actions
if this doesnt get you excited about JJ
by JuJuan some moore on Feb 12, 2012 11:45 PM EST up reply actions
i tried to find a photo but i couldnt
so ill just tell you
when JJ came to purdue he was so skinny we thought he was gonna have his bones snap just jumping. but by the time he left he was one of the strongest players in purdue history. he used to be shoved around by everyone but when he left he was a top 5 player in the nation. he put on over 10 pounds of muscle at purdue. i think he will end up as a quality starter for a long time
by JuJuan some moore on Feb 12, 2012 11:57 PM EST up reply actions
Just trust the coach I say...
…there is a reason why a lot of players (and coaches) in and out of a C’s uniform, give praise to Doc.
Just not true, Doc
“One season doesn’t make a star.” One season has OFTEN made stars of newbies. The difference is all those guys got playing time. One rule that IS true is that you can’t get to be a star without PT. I agree that JJJ has strong potential… now let him get there, Doc. Don’t rein him… unless you have to, of course.
Shut up please
Can Doc just shut up. Why does he feel the need to tell everyone what JJJ’s status is. Its an ego thing… like he has to remind him that HE has the power. I don’t care if he needs more time— or that he is not ready for "big’ games—- please. Just say— “he played a good game” or “he’s maturing slowly but surely” and leave it at that. How about a pat on the back as a motivator every now and then… instead of tearing people down in public. Do what you want in practice— but STFU in the media.. it gets old. As far as giving credit to Doc for this approach with Rondo and Jefferson… both are hugely inconsistent. Is that a product of a lack of confidence from the coach, or could they have been better if handled differently?
+1
I think JJJ to me has earned himself PT pretty well, he is way better than JO’s corpse right now, I really feel JJJ has more to offer this team but he is just afraid of doc yelling at his ear. Release the kid and let him be himself. Him and Rondo are gonna be insanely good on the fastbreak..
rondo and jefferson are inconsistent....
But doc isn’t the player on the floor, putting out the effort or not…
by greensince72 on Feb 13, 2012 9:22 AM EST up reply actions
please
do you want our championship coach to start giving rookies backrubs?
Doc was honest. And he’s dealing with men, not kittens.
pathetic.
"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 Feb 13, 2012 1:09 PM EST up reply actions
I think Doc just said 3J is going to be a star:
“One game doesn’t make a star. One season doesn’t make a star. So you’ve just got to keep doing it and he’s got to do it consistently. He will, like I keep saying.”
Funny how some people missed that last little bit. The most important bit in all of what Doc said.
Folks are too eager to jump on other fragments.
NBA Officiating - Corrupt? Incompetent? Which is worse? Does it matter? It sucks.
if you want to see how jajuan and etwaun developed over the last four years
http://youtu.be/7PWEbiLzwuU
this video was a tribute for purdue fans that goes through the years its kind of long but worth it
one of my favorite parts happens at 9:45 where you see JJs speed
by JuJuan some moore on Feb 13, 2012 3:31 AM EST reply actions
He'll get consistent minutes when he's shown that he can handle consistent minutes.
That is to say; as good a game as he has, or had, Rivers is trying to keep him focused by giving him enough praise to motivate him, while saying that he shouldn’t get a swelled head, since there’s lot’s of room for improvement.
Lygafe
Lionel Gaffen / Fotomix | International Hockey Forums > Europe > ISRAEL
Israel Recreational Hockey Association 2009-2010 & 2010-2011 [ Lygafe ] | Israel Ice Skating Federation - From the Media [ Lionel Gaffen ]
Sounds to me a little like Parcells saying of Curtis Martin "Don't put him in Canton yet" after his first NFL game.
Oh, what’s that Curtis Martin ended up saying about Parcells when he did get voted into the HoF?
“I’m not even close to this position, I actually don’t think I’d play more than four or five years without Bill Parcells,” Martin said, indicating he will have his former coach present him for induction on Aug. 4 in Canton, Ohio."
What? He plans to have Parcells at his side for the ceremony too? http://abcnews.go.com/Sports/wireStory/martin-linemen-make-hall-fame-15514564#.Tzjv4sXwt2A
Good catch of an analogy.
NBA Officiating - Corrupt? Incompetent? Which is worse? Does it matter? It sucks.
I wonder if
Doc remembers Danny Ainge being flown off the field of the Blue Jays right on to the court for the C’s (almost literally). I’m doubting he “earned it”!
Don’t play games. Let talented players play, and let talented young players grow. Based on early season games, I seriously doubt JJ has missed more assignments or made more mistakes, than anyone else on this team!
Good comments above
Doc is too “old school”, ie Veterans keep you employed, rookies get you fired. Even though he’s set financially, he’s wired the way he’s wired. Screaming at JJ in the Toronto game and Wilcox too when the game was getting away due to lack of heart by the veterans is a coaching weakness.
Where would Jeremy Lin be on a Doc Rivers team? Still nailed next to Tyron Lue would be my guess.
I’m loyal to Doc. He’s a good family man, very professional, no ex-Celtics draft picks have gone on to great things elsewhere, he was the best possible coach for the Big 3 championship year. All good stuff. I prefer a guy like Doc over a guy like Belichek but a little Belichekian experimentation would be how Doc can grow as a coach. Danny should nudge him that way.
If Doc Is Such A Weak Coach
Why do the players love to play for him. Whey do former players always come to him after the game and talk with him. Yes, Doc yells, but we saw JuJuan’s comments above. He yells, less now at Rondo.
Think instead of Doc’s yelling meaning that he cares. And by caring this is the way he expresses himself. Doc does not yell at players who do not try. He yells at players who have potential and is pushing them to achieve that potential. Al Jefferson once said, the time to worry is when Doc is not yelling at you.
If Jeremy Lin was on this team and can’t take Doc yelling at him then he just doesn’t get it. And Doc doesn’t always yell. Sometimes he doesn’t say a word. After the Toronto game he purposely didn’t talk t the players for half an hour. I would thing that’s more stinging to his players than having Doc yell at them after they know they played poorly.
"I don't come to play, I come to WIN"--Larry Bird
"Criminally Negligent Officiating"--Tommy Heinsohn
Doc's rep is that he very rarely yells. And that when he does,
it’s because it is so rare that it really gets their attention.
I agree with all your points though. It’s funny to see how many internet bloggers seem to believe they know more about coaching these players than Doc.
NBA Officiating - Corrupt? Incompetent? Which is worse? Does it matter? It sucks.
yelling is necessary at times
Coaches yell…. big deal. But coaches don’t have to share every thought to the media. You just don’t see coaches saying “he hasn’t earned minutes” or not ready for big games" about their players TO THE MEDIA! Repeat: Do what you want as coach (it might be right to tell JJJ this to his face), but there are just as many players who respond to a coach pumping up his players as there are that respond to yelling/criticism. JUST KEEP IT IN THE LOCKER ROOM. If we did our homework drafting, JJJ doesn’t seem to be the “swell-headed” type anyway.
Doc is just filling the air to give the media something to write here.
Ultimately he (and his players) know this sorta filler means nothing. After all, what did he say? He said it was only one game, that JJ did some good things, that JJ isn’t a ‘star’ yet and that Doc things he will be.
Not exactly controversial stuff.
NBA Officiating - Corrupt? Incompetent? Which is worse? Does it matter? It sucks.
JJJ has a lot of potential
He also apparently doesn’t fully understand the playbook or proper rotations. That is very evident watching him play.
And at this point, his overall game is not better than JO/Wilcox/Bass/KG. And that is why he is behind them in the rotation, and deserves to be.
I was down on JJ, but it looks like I was dead wrong. He looks to me to be a legit NBA player. But he is still learning the game, and has to prove himself in practice.
So many message board talent evaluators, but I’ll still take doc playing the best available players to help us win games.
And again, I hope JJ earns those minutes
"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 Feb 13, 2012 1:13 PM EST reply actions
sarcasm with a hint of truth:
1. At the end of games I imagine that all those players on the floor fully understand the playbook—- yet we struggle repeatedly.
2. JJJ may be the only person who DOESN"T know our plays…. opponents included.
Comments For This Post Are Closed
Secondary Sidebar
User Tools
NBA Playoffs Content Module
Related FanPosts on CelticsBlog
Related FanShots on CelticsBlog
FanPosts
Community blog posts and discussion.
Recent FanPosts
In Association With
Ball Don't Lie - NBA - Yahoo! Sport
- Behind the Box Score, where the Boston Celtics are moving on to the conference finals
- NBA Playoffs Fan Fiction: San Antonio Spurs vs. Oklahoma City Thunder
- The Indiana Pacers? Gone till November
- Shaquille O’Neal is in a Chinese beer commercial, too (VIDEO)
- ‘Deep Thoughts’ and Cheap Thoughts: San Antonio Spurs vs. Oklahoma City Thunder
