[JNixonParticipant]

34: JaJuan Johnson, 6’10 220, PF, Purdue, Sr.

After a storied career playing at Purdue and developing each year he was in college, JaJuan Johnson has gone from a very raw and skinny 6’10 195 post man to the 2010-2011 Big 10 Player of the Year. Also was the Big 10 Defensive Player of the Year as a Sr. His points and rebounds rose every year he was in college. Physically, Johnson is still the same tall, long and skinny guy he’s always been, but he’s definitely gotten bigger over the past 4 years. His biggest growth has been in the past year, where he packed on about 10-15 lbs of muscle. Still, he’s very narrow and he has an extremely skinny base that lacks lower body strength. Athletically, Johnson is a pretty quick leaper and does have functional quickness and fluidity for a big man. Can be stiff laterally though.

Johnson’s steady improvements over his career are promising. His post game is pretty basic and reminds me of Ed Davis’ last year, very reliant on his length and touch. Johnson likes to use his right-hand jump hook most. Also has a turnaround jumper from as far as 10 feet, and his footwork has gotten better. Not going to go through a series of moves and counters to get his shots off in the post. Lacks the base strength to establish position very often and can be moved out of the post with his back to the basket, and doesn’t have the toughness to fight for position or show much resistance when others get physical with him. Johnson’s main weapon in the NBA, especially early on or until he gets stronger, will be his ability to knock down 15-18 foot shots. Very solid mid-range shooter right now, with a high release point and soft touch. Not a bad free throw shooter at all. Not a great ball-handler or the mismatch threat you’d expect someone with his physical profile to me. Lacks quickness and doesn’t take advantage of the open lanes his jumper sometimes creates as often as you’d like. Nothing special as a passer. Solid offensive rebounder.

On D, Johnson is a shot-blocker 1st and foremost. His quick leaping ability and long arms make him a very nice shot-blocker on ball or on weakside D. Does a good job of hedging on picks. Can contest even if he doesn’t block it, because his length. His lack of base strength limits his ability to defend the post straight up against strong guys, as he can be backed down easily and doesn’t necessarily have the toughness to fight back. Not a very strong defensive rebounder. Johnson will have to get stronger to play the style that he does.

Right now, Johnson has the skill set of a C in a slim PF’s body and with the toughness of a skinny PF as well. He reminds me of Ed Davis, although not quite as big or athletic. I think Johnson will be at best a 4th option guy whenever he’s on the floor, who can space the floor as a face-up 4 and block shots and be a defender as he gets stronger.

33: Lucas Noguiera, 7’0 220, C, MMT Estudiantes (Spain), 18 years old

Noguiera generated a lot of buzz early in FIBA U18 Championship games as an intriguing physical presence who seemed to be oozing with potential as a C with his size, athleticism and the fact that he was 17 years old. Physically, there is a lot to like. Noguiera has a 7’0 frame and a gigantic 7’5 wingspan. His frame is very, very underdeveloped at the moment and he will need a good deal of time to fill it out before he’s ready to see an NBA floor, although he has the frame to definitely add much more weight. A very good athlete for his size, as he possesses great reactive leaping ability, quickness, and nice fluidity and speed for his size.

About as raw a prospect as there is in the draft offensively. Has just about 0% of a post game right now. Won’t establish position down low because he’s too weak. If he does get a move, the jump hook would hands down be most effective for him because of his quick leaping skills and his length. Runs the floor well, and is somewhat of a factor on the offensive glass at times because of his length. Most of his offense at this stage, as a matter of fact, comes from offensive rebound putbacks and running the floor. Does have some touch and could be OK with a 10-15 foot shot if he works at it. Won’t miss many shots close to the basket, if he catches the ball and doesn’t have to deal with a lot of contact. Has potential as a passer, but still is turnover prone and indecisive if forced to make quick decisions. Won’t ever be asked to do much, and appears to be a 5th option on offense no matter what.

On D is where Noguiera shows the vast majority of his upside. His length and athleticism as a 7’ makes him a big-time shot-blocking presence. His weak body and seemingly spacy demeanor make him susceptible to getting outhustled and/or giving up too much space for higher percentage shots for his matchups though. Not very fundamental or smart, and relies on his length to make up for all the other areas of his D that lag behind. Will likely be extremely foul prone until he adds strength, IQ and fundamentals.

Last year, we had Hassan Whiteside. This year, we have Lucas Noguiera. Like Whiteside, Noguiera has big-time length, shot-blocking skills, and a soft shooting touch that made teams think he had the potential to be something offensively. They both are also spacey on the court, very weak, and extremely raw players who lack the polish to play anytime soon. What Noguiera does have over Whiteside is that he’s not hopelessly low in IQ, and he’s not old enough to buy and consume alcohol in the US despite being a college Fr. Noguiera played in 5th Division Spain and didn’t even make much hay in terms of production and development, so I seriously doubt he’ll see an NBA floor and be ready in the near future. Still, he’s interesting as a prospect because of his standout physical tools.

[McDunkin]

This is the man that really does deserve 10,000+ points

[RUDEBOY_Participant]

NO DNYCE is the Man that Deserves 10,000 points..

But he’ll STILL BE in the NEGATIVES…..

[RUDEBOY_Participant]

NO DNYCE is the Man that Deserves 10,000 points..

But he’ll STILL BE in the NEGATIVES…..

[RUDEBOY_Participant]

Teams are high on Johnson ..Some feel he’s a sleeper..I heard 1 scout talking on a Sports Talk Show compared him to Larry Nance…Nance went in the late 1st round and became an all star…

[Author]

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