[Wavy BagelsParticipant]

Is James Johnson the right guy at the SF position for the Toronto Raptors? He’s a great shot-blocker with an underrated passing ability. Although he may not show up scoring wise and finds it hard to stay on the court (foul-prone), in time, I believe those two things can be worked on. His size at 6’9 235 lbs., commintment on defense, athletecism and passing skills are appeasing, especially since getting traded from Chicago motnhs ago. If not JJ, Then who? Which kind of SF do the Raps need?

[boshjonesfordParticipant]

Ive watched all the raptors game….i like Kliza more he is (only two years older) — he didnt play the whole season but when he did he was amazing + he had come of amizing euro fiba stint where he put up 20 something points per game…really good scorer, decent rebounder and decentent defender just was injured all season

hears a mix of his game with the raptors (although he didnt play that many + according to news he is healthy right now)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hapWQIqickw (.52 he owns paul pierce lol) 

[aamir543Participant]

I went to a Raptors-Warriors game last spring, and even though the Warriors routed the Raptors, (45 points in the first quarter!)  Johnson played well in the begining. He has a nice midrange game, and has the size to post up. He is a bit of a tweener, and even though he has good athleticism, he still needs to work on defensive rotation. Overall, I can see him fitting somewhere, but I don’t think that the Raptors will wait for him to develop, so he’ll probably have to try elsewhere.

[PaulsJayhawksParticipant]

Nobody the Raps have is their guy, they will get him in next years draft though.

[kngojcParticipant]

 I think the only way he can crack the starting rotation or even get consistent playing time is if he works hard during the lock out. He’s still very far away from being a solid all around contributor even to a bad team. As a one dimensional player he is good enough to be on the floor but not for extended minutes. like aamir said, he is a bit of tweener so if he can work with a better trainer about getting the skill set he needs to succeed, he could have a chance to be their starter, and that’s even if they get a good draft pick (I’d honestly invest it into a better PG for them. I mean when Bayless is your potential PG of the future, thats asking for problems.)

[Snubs15Participant]

Johnson was starting at the end of last year, and i can definitely see him in the rotation. Hes a good defender. Actually shut KD down one game and helped the Raptors beat OKC. Played 28mpg and averaged 9pts, 5rbs, 3asts, 1blk, and 1stl. Not bad numbers for a backup sf. Raps need to get a better small forward to start games.

[MJBrownParticipant]

I like Johnson’s game, but not to start at the 3. He’s a nice guy to come off the bench, d up, and make a few shots here and there. I perfere Kleiza as well, but realistically with the youth movement they have going on right now, they’ll find their future 3 in the draft, hopefullly this coming year.

[OhCanada-Participant]

Kleizas defense was extremely sluggish, and his game seemed to be bad for Toronto’s overall chemistry offensively. It was the same story with Barbosa…when they played well the team played horribly and when the team played well they played horribly.

[ProudGrandpaParticipant]

Who else shoots threes (well) and blocks shots?  Other than yao Ming on Backyard Basketball

[Bmore_DCParticipant]

James Johnson will be in the league for a long time…i really dont see him starting on a good/contending team but i would rather have him than Kleiza…if James can develop a nice jumpshot and better ballhandling he can def become a starter…

for now he is an above-average defender with tons of athleticism and potential…

[omphalosParticipant]

I want the Raptors to target Kidd-Gilchrist in the draft over Miller. Miller has that scoring attitude, but Gilchrist’s aggressive defensive mentality and non-stop motor will serve the Raptors better in my opinion. Also, Gilchrist is a better fit with DeRozan than Miller, who will fight him for touches. I’m higher than DeRozan than most people, and I think with time he can be a legitimate 1st option, but he needs the right cast around him, and Bargs as a secondary scorer with Gilchrist as that lockdown defender, Valanciunas guarding the paint and getting put-backs, the Raptors have a decent outlook.

They’d have three solid defensive players in Bayless, Gilchrist and Valanciunas, and two above average scorers in DeRozan and Bargnani, with Davis coming off the bench as an inside presence and hustler at the PF.

That said, if they can land Barnes, who is not only a great defender and hard-worker, but also a great scorer/legitimate first option then obviously, I’d go for him, DeRozan be damned.

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