Amir Johnson - legit starting PF?

[Eric Akshinthala]

Always thought Amir was a good player but not worth the money. This year has been a different story though and I hope it's a sign that he's coming of age. So far this year, he's earned every cent of his salary and has shown a lot of maturity. He's starting to remind me of Oakley(on Court only). Only hope this continues.

I don't see him as a day to day starter though. Once in a while yes but I think he's better suited to come off the bench.

[blackjitsu]

In this system, with the speed they are playing Amir can start. Is it playoff winning basketball? Not sure. Also having Acey, and him being the first, serviceable big BCo has drafted from the second round gives us time to find the perfect fit instead of trading Bargs for a sack of basketballs.

[ReubenJRD]

Amir is a WARRIOR.

[phiLLy]

Amir's work effort >>>>>

[AJ360]

Amir does make a great 1st big off the bench, but in time, if Amir were to keep starting, I could see Acy having that role.

Amir is definitely a +++ defender, as witnessed by his D on Griffin tonight.

[Miekenstien]

great game tonight amir. great game.

[mcHAPPY]

I am not sure if I would want Amir as starter long term. I love him as first big off bench tho despite great game tonight

[ReubenJRD]

I think a line up of Lowry, Derozan, Gay, JOHNSON, JV is better than
Lowry, Derozan, Gay, BARGNANI, JV. Maybe the spacing isn't as good, but there certainly are more shots to go around for everyone else, and you have some scoring coming off the bench with bargs.

I am a GIANT Amir fan, and it's great that he has the ability to play either PF or C, and start at either position in a pinch. That said, if you want to go deep in the playoffs it's better to have him as your first big off the bench. If we don't trade bargs,then start amir and have bargs come in as the first big off the bench, but I think most of us would like to see bargs traded, which means we need another big. I'd rather try to land someone better than Amir as the starting PF/C to start along side Jonas. Amir does a tremendous job as the first big and provides insurance in the case of injuries (aka this year!)

Spacing isn't great tonight, but ball movement has been great, forcing defense to rotate, and finding someone open.

[ezz_bee]

I think a line up of Lowry, Derozan, Gay, JOHNSON, JV is better than
Lowry, Derozan, Gay, BARGNANI, JV. Maybe the spacing isn't as good, but there certainly are more shots to go around for everyone else, and you have some scoring coming off the bench with bargs.

I am a GIANT Amir fan, and it's great that he has the ability to play either PF or C, and start at either position in a pinch. That said, if you want to go deep in the playoffs it's better to have him as your first big off the bench. If we don't trade bargs,then start amir and have bargs come in as the first big off the bench, but I think most of us would like to see bargs traded, which means we need another big. I'd rather try to land someone better than Amir as the starting PF/C to start along side Jonas. Amir does a tremendous job as the first big and provides insurance in the case of injuries (aka this year!)

[ReubenJRD]

But this year he's shown he can hit that long jump shot. As long as he's given the five seconds he needs to get it off.

More like 5 minutes.

[JimiCliff]

spacing.

But this year he's shown he can hit that long jump shot. As long as he's given the five seconds he needs to get it off.

[Hugmenot]

spacing.

+1

[BasketballCrush]

I don't mind him coming off the bench, as long as he gets 30 minutes, him starting is not a big deal. The first few minutes of games can be aggressive, guys need to get the blood flowing, everyone is fresh end everyone is giving 110%(sorry for the cliche and bad math), then things settle down, and the players and refs get used to the flow.

It's just a way to avoid those quick 2 fouls, that always seem to hurt us with Amir.

[Nilanka]

I have HIGH expectations for JV and TR, specially JV. This is why i like the Gay deal so much. Raptors are getting a young all-star caliber, franchise player in Gay. And if JV and TR develop properly and live up to the expectations then this team imo has a chance to be something special.

We can't afford uber slow development times like DeRozan. We need Ross and Jonas to take significant steps forward next year.

If the goal is to build around the foursome of Lowry, Gay, Ross, and Jonas, we need to see how these guys play together soon. Next year is Lowry's contract year, and a decision will need to be made to extend him, or go in a different direction.

[Chr1s1anL]

Hollinger

Scouting report
+ Long big man who is a very effective finisher at the basket. Good shot-blocker.
+ Foul-prone due to lack of strength and high base. Illegal screens a problem.
+ Can make midrange set shot. Little post game or ball skills. Good rebounder.

Analysis
The Raptors' renewed focus on defense was perhaps most apparent with Johnson, who was dramatically more effective at that end than in previous seasons. While he still occasionally gets pummeled in physical matchups, Johnson rated among the top quarter of centers, according to Synergy, and the Raptors gave up 3.2 points per 100 possessions fewer with him on the court, according to 82games.com.

Johnson still fouls too much -- nearly once every seven minutes last season -- but he had strong rates of blocks and rebounds, especially for a power forward. (He was often forced to play center last season.)

Offensively, his numbers dropped off a bit, but he remains a potent finisher (72.4 percent in the basket area). His biggest problem now is his penchant for illegal screens on high screen-and-rolls, which caused his turnover ratio to nearly double from the season before. Johnson's slow-release push shot from midrange wasn't quite as accurate as the previous season, either, but overall he posted his fourth straight season with a true shooting percentage greater than 60 -- an impressive accomplishment.

Given that efficiency, he doesn't need to provide that much defense to be a worthwhile player. He has the chops to provide it as a full-time 4 this season, so if he can just cut out the illegal screens, he'll have a lot of value.