[valentine]

I’m the only one here not buying into the Brice Johnson hype? To me, that top 10 projections are ridiculous. He’s a first round talent for sure, but that’s sounds too much.
At first, he’s a senior, you can label it as a late bloomer, but college seniors’ numbers are often inflated compared to the teenagers because of age, experience and physicality. 
Today’s NBA demands outside shooting from not just their wing players, but also from their PFs, which Johnson is unable to do, as he rarely do anything outside of the paint. 
He’s very efficient inside in the college level, but at 6’9, without a great frame he’s undersized on the interior. He lacks physicality and shies away from contact with his opponents under the basket, what won’t help to make up for his lack of size. 
His rebounding numbers are also looks much better than his actual rebounding skills, thanks to UNC’s team construction, and defensively he’s also not belonging to the elite.

Undersized non-shooting bigmen withouth strength rarely translates well to the NBA level. I mean he’ll be a great rotation player and he has a good chance to carve out a long career in the League, but I’ll doubt teams picking in the lottery should consider him, as normally a lottery team should try to land a star not good role players. 
I’m also not sure he’s gone trought a great improvement in his four years. The areas, where he’s good now, he did those always well, just in lesser minutes and in a much lesser role.
To me that won’t scream top 10 potential, weak draft or not.

[Dazzling Dunks and Basketball BloopersParticipant]

 I agree with you. I don’t see him as a lottery talent. The one elite skill he has is his ability to get offensive rebounds due to his incredibly quick leaping ability, but even that gets neutralized at times by his lack of strength. Hes not a great rim protector even at the college level despite his athleticism. Id be more convinced if I’d seen more offensive development in his time at UNC but he still struggles to do much outside the paint or facing the basket. He would have a quickness advantage over most bigs at the next level, but doesn’t have the skills to use it to his advantage. I basically just see him as an energy guy off the bench at the next level.

[ncballer]

 Outside of developing a 3 point shot, what other offensive development did you want to see?  He is shooting now close to 76% from the free throw line and has developed a soft touch from the mid range.  While his face-up game is still developing it has gotten much better since last season.  He has also improved LEAPS and BOUNDS as a passer and now has the strength to back more people down.  Since coming to UNC his offensive development has sky rocketed.  I think the most important thing is that his mental lapses have diminished significantly.  Not to say he doesn’t have weaknesses and I agree with his defensive shortcomings, I don’t think offensively the adjustment will be that bad for him.  In his prime I see him as a high energy 3rd big for a high level team.

[ncballer]

 Outside of developing a 3 point shot, what other offensive development did you want to see?  He is shooting now close to 76% from the free throw line and has developed a soft touch from the mid range.  While his face-up game is still developing it has gotten much better since last season.  He has also improved LEAPS and BOUNDS as a passer and now has the strength to back more people down.  Since coming to UNC his offensive development has sky rocketed.  I think the most important thing is that his mental lapses have diminished significantly.  Not to say he doesn’t have weaknesses and I agree with his defensive shortcomings, I don’t think offensively the adjustment will be that bad for him.  In his prime I see him as a high energy 3rd big for a high level team.

[Dazzling Dunks and Basketball BloopersParticipant]

 I agree with you. I don’t see him as a lottery talent. The one elite skill he has is his ability to get offensive rebounds due to his incredibly quick leaping ability, but even that gets neutralized at times by his lack of strength. Hes not a great rim protector even at the college level despite his athleticism. Id be more convinced if I’d seen more offensive development in his time at UNC but he still struggles to do much outside the paint or facing the basket. He would have a quickness advantage over most bigs at the next level, but doesn’t have the skills to use it to his advantage. I basically just see him as an energy guy off the bench at the next level.

[Lebron’s HairlineParticipant]

 Brandon wright clone 

[Lebron’s HairlineParticipant]

 Brandon wright clone 

[RUDEBOY_Participant]

 Amen!

 He’s not a very good defender either..Commits to many senseless fouls..Becuz of his slender built, i doubt he’ll be able to rebound at the next level like he’s doing now..But he’s a good athlete,great finisher,rim protector and finds ways to score inside..But not a lottery talent.Late 1st to early 2nd rounder in my book…

[RUDEBOY_Participant]

 Amen!

 He’s not a very good defender either..Commits to many senseless fouls..Becuz of his slender built, i doubt he’ll be able to rebound at the next level like he’s doing now..But he’s a good athlete,great finisher,rim protector and finds ways to score inside..But not a lottery talent.Late 1st to early 2nd rounder in my book…

[Kokayne_DawkinzParticipant]

 Brandon Wright is at least a elite shot blocker 

[Kokayne_DawkinzParticipant]

 Brandon Wright is at least a elite shot blocker 

[SamCarlsonParticipant]

But there is something to be said about a guy that improves every year. He has legitamately gotten better every year. Came in at 6’9" 187lbs listing and is now listed 6’10" 230. While not great on d he has gotten better, elite rebounder in college, makes his free throws and has great touch inside. I think he is a top 20 prospect and will develop into a solid 3rd big on a good NBA team 

[SamCarlsonParticipant]

But there is something to be said about a guy that improves every year. He has legitamately gotten better every year. Came in at 6’9" 187lbs listing and is now listed 6’10" 230. While not great on d he has gotten better, elite rebounder in college, makes his free throws and has great touch inside. I think he is a top 20 prospect and will develop into a solid 3rd big on a good NBA team 

[TarHeelRavenParticipant]

There is no way Brice Johnson should be taken in the lottery.  I believe he will be an energy bench guy to start and possibly an NBA starter down the road.  He wasn’t a top 10 recruit, but he improved every year and should be an all-american and first team acc guy this year. 

[ItsVictorOladipoParticipant]

There is no way Brice Johnson should be taken in the lottery. I believe he will be an energy bench guy to start and possibly an NBA starter down the road. He wasn’t a top 10 recruit, but he improved every year and should be an all-american and first team acc guy this year.

————————————————-

Honestly it seems like a lot of the posters on here seem to have too high expectations for lottery picks. Later lottery picks/mid first round players are usually not stars with a few exceptions. If Johnson is immediately an energy bench guy and turns into an NBA starter then he is absolutely deserving of a pick in the #12-18 range.

 

 

 

[ItsVictorOladipoParticipant]

There is no way Brice Johnson should be taken in the lottery. I believe he will be an energy bench guy to start and possibly an NBA starter down the road. He wasn’t a top 10 recruit, but he improved every year and should be an all-american and first team acc guy this year.

————————————————-

Honestly it seems like a lot of the posters on here seem to have too high expectations for lottery picks. Later lottery picks/mid first round players are usually not stars with a few exceptions. If Johnson is immediately an energy bench guy and turns into an NBA starter then he is absolutely deserving of a pick in the #12-18 range.

 

 

 

[TarHeelRavenParticipant]

There is no way Brice Johnson should be taken in the lottery.  I believe he will be an energy bench guy to start and possibly an NBA starter down the road.  He wasn’t a top 10 recruit, but he improved every year and should be an all-american and first team acc guy this year. 

[CavFanPRParticipant]

 I’d take him in the lottery. He’s a late bloomer as someone else mentioned. Could be the next Tristan Thompson.

[CavFanPRParticipant]

 I’d take him in the lottery. He’s a late bloomer as someone else mentioned. Could be the next Tristan Thompson.

[DanielcmccartyParticipant]

 Theres always a spot on an NBA team for an athletic, pogo stick energy guy. No team will be running plays for him or mistake him for being Tim Duncan. I think best case this guy can be another Taj Gibson if he expands his skill set a bit. Worst case he fills out a roster for 7-8 years. Either way, theres a spot in the league for this guy. 

[DanielcmccartyParticipant]

 Theres always a spot on an NBA team for an athletic, pogo stick energy guy. No team will be running plays for him or mistake him for being Tim Duncan. I think best case this guy can be another Taj Gibson if he expands his skill set a bit. Worst case he fills out a roster for 7-8 years. Either way, theres a spot in the league for this guy. 

[r377Participant]

I am not sold on Brice Johnson being a good starting pro.

From last month

http://www.nbadraft.net/forum/brice-johnson-4

Does he have an outside game ?

I currently have him late in the first, similar draft position right next to Ben Bentil.

From my draft notes….Plays around the rim and a bit of bully ball. I dont know how much skill he has actually got but his playing style will struggle in the pros. With Meeks injured, I think his stats were slightly inflated.

[r377Participant]

I am not sold on Brice Johnson being a good starting pro.

From last month

http://www.nbadraft.net/forum/brice-johnson-4

Does he have an outside game ?

I currently have him late in the first, similar draft position right next to Ben Bentil.

From my draft notes….Plays around the rim and a bit of bully ball. I dont know how much skill he has actually got but his playing style will struggle in the pros. With Meeks injured, I think his stats were slightly inflated.

[mamadouParticipant]

 Another Tar Heel back up big men, Wright(8), Davis(13), Hansbrough(13), Zeller(17), Henson(14).

I think the lowest he will be drafted in the 1st round, the better nba player he will be, "winning teams", pogo stick off ball.

Hawks, Clipps, Raps, 15 mins behind Griffin ?

 

 

[mamadouParticipant]

 Another Tar Heel back up big men, Wright(8), Davis(13), Hansbrough(13), Zeller(17), Henson(14).

I think the lowest he will be drafted in the 1st round, the better nba player he will be, "winning teams", pogo stick off ball.

Hawks, Clipps, Raps, 15 mins behind Griffin ?

 

 

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