Johnson Wants Harris Back to Where He Was -- Playing Like Rondo
by Net Income on Jun 16, 2010 5:27 PM EDT
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Avery Johnson made light (we think) of his point guard's suggestion that he can be a "bit of a dictator" if things don't go well. Sticking around New Jersey for draft workouts, Johnson responded to Devin Harris' comment.
"More than anything Devin is a better point guard so I won’t have to dictate as much," Johnson said.
"It’s a luxury when you can sit down a lot of the game and allow the point guard to play because he knows the system, he knows how to handle pressure situations. A lot of games I was sweating."
Johnson also reiterated that Harris needs some re-education. "He was doing a lot of what Rondo is doing now - Quick hands, quick feet, charges. We have to get him back to that."
Ironically, the first workout on Johnson's first full day as coach featured two point guards, named Johnson -- Armon and Anthony. Armon Johnson is indeed in the "discussion" for the picks at #27 and #31, Tom Barrise noted. Epke Udoh and Greg Monroe, two lottery bound PF's. were also...in case the Nets trade down. The Nets like both, but Udoh apparently more.
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I hope so...
…I’d rather he play like Rondo instead of getting taken to school by Rondo, which has become the norm.
"No one stands on the top of the world. Not you, not me, not even gods. But the unbearable vacancy of the throne in the sky is over. From now on...I will be sitting on it."
I'm assuming he means playing like Rondo at Kentucky
or rookie rondo. cause even dallas harris wasn’t as good as Rondo now
I wonder if Carl Everett believes Jamie Moyer exists.
I am high on Jones also...
Ford has us getting Crawford, which would also be sweet.
I wish Thorn would stop the crap and just take Favors...
Enough of this Cousins and Johnson talk.
Devin as the fourth option
The biggest challenge will be finding enough offense so that Devin can become the fourth option like Rondo. Not required to hit a jumper. Drive when the opportunity exists.
I think the reality will be more like Rondo. Back to the defensive stopper but still looking for his own offense more than Rondo does (or needs to on the Celtics).
awesome post.
This is my vision for Harris as well. Focus on d, get into the paint, get others involved, and play some 2 guard when needed.
"No one stands on the top of the world. Not you, not me, not even gods. But the unbearable vacancy of the throne in the sky is over. From now on...I will be sitting on it."
by MrDollarBills on Jun 16, 2010 5:56 PM EDT up reply actions
When the Celtics are at their best, Rondo is attacking nearly every possession, and scoring 20 ppg. That puts him as the #1 option. I live in Boston, I have unfortunately had the displeasure of watching a LOT of Celtics games. When Rondo is the “4th” option the Celtics have to rely on a guy that’s “hot,” and that’s a pretty bold move as a coach to say that your game plan is to make Rondo vanish and hope to find a guy that’s hot. When you assign people an “option” it takes away from the most important player, the PG. I would much rather the simpler instruction of having Devin drive to the cup, and let him decide if the best “option,” be it shoot it himself, or find the open man. Team ball, not best player, then the next best play, then the next best player ball.
I think Avery is on the exact track he needs to be on though. I love him to death! He is going to bring Devin back to the culture that he will have no choice but to play hard and run, or he will be on the bench!
Team Ball first
I agree.
I don’t want Harris to shy away from his scoring ability. He needs to pick and choose his spots better.
"No one stands on the top of the world. Not you, not me, not even gods. But the unbearable vacancy of the throne in the sky is over. From now on...I will be sitting on it."
by MrDollarBills on Jun 17, 2010 10:45 AM EDT up reply actions
“He was doing a lot of what Rondo is doing now – Quick hands, quick feet, charges. We have to get him back to that.”
Sweet music to my ears.
Harris just needs to play better d on the ball
Harris has quick hands and long arms himself, he is the far superior offensive player, but T-Will is actually more like Rondo, I think Avery is going to be surprised when he really gets a good look at him.
Memo to Avery Johnson:
TWill is better than Devin Harris. The sooner Avery realizes this, the better off we’ll be.
memo to pawley
you are insane, a rookie who had a very up and down season is better than an all-star caliber pg??
T-Will isn't better than Harris....
….yet. Experience also counts and we need to see a full year of T-Will playing at or above the level he finished the season off at before we start saying stuff like that.
What can be said, is that the ball moves around a lot better when it’s in T-Will’s hands for the most part. T-Will does a great job of getting others involved.
"No one stands on the top of the world. Not you, not me, not even gods. But the unbearable vacancy of the throne in the sky is over. From now on...I will be sitting on it."
by MrDollarBills on Jun 17, 2010 10:46 AM EDT up reply actions
Epke Udoh
Has anyone seen much of his game in college?
Udoh is probably a better defender right now. He’s more athletic, got more shots at the rim…. A little raw offensively. He competes, plays hard. He was terrific against Duke. He went after the big guys pretty good. He’s one we like."
Yea, Udoh is sick
Terrific athlete and shot blocker that actually has a decent midrange game. He’s probably gonna go lotto though.
by UltimateNetsFan on Jun 16, 2010 8:38 PM EDT up reply actions
maybe they trade down to get him
- and Humphries to Sacto for #5 and Nocioni who wants to be traded. He would fit like a glove in Avery’s system.
Interesting they like Udoh more than Monroe.
I don't think Hump can or would be traded during the draft because he could become a FA 1 week later.
There would have to some advanced agreement between Hump and new team, which I didn’t think was possible right before the draft?
yeah since it's a player option we can't trade him
I wonder if Carl Everett believes Jamie Moyer exists.
I see Devin more as second or third scorer. In his breakout year he was still the second option after VC and flourished in that role. I suppose Brook was probably third back then. Obviously Brook is likelyto be the first option on offense next year again. Whether Devin is second o third option depends on the quality of the player we will be hoping to sign to be an impact scorer in the starting lineup. Lebon pish, think Rudy Gay if we could get him on a reasonable deal. But depending on that sign Devin is too talented a scorer to waste as the fourth option he should be second or third. But I pretty much agree with your assesment of what his role (defense getting guys involved etc. should be if he’s an active part of the offense.)) I just don’t see anyone besides from a signing to be talented enough to be third option on offense. Even if we made too which is unlikely that would probably be a David Lee type who would score off hustle points. Yeah I don’t think I want any part of Amare or Boozer.
Also during his beakout year Devin was a much better scorer than Rondo is now and probably still is. Why well Rondo gets point on fast break and hustle. Devin was an excellent mid range jump shooter which Rondo is not and he’s also much better at getting to the fould line and converting. Defense wise Rondo right now is probably better than Dallas Devin Harris but I’m not sure.
+1
he is defintely a better scorer than rondo !!!! other teams play 10 feet away from the guy and he still cant score, devin has an above average mid range but just not a great three, rondo has absolutely no shooting ability he only makes lay-ups
Does anyone know why Nets would be working out 2 players who would go around 8-10 in draft if Favors is a lock to be a star/superstar?
Afterall, Johnson should be the backup choice for #3.
There are only 2 explanations I can think of.
1. They are having doubts about Favors becoming a star in a few years;
2. They may trade UP to around 8-10 spot by using future draft pick(s) and the #21 pick and possibly a player such as Yi/CDR?
I don’t see why the Nets would trade DOWN the #3 pick if Favors is destined to become a superstar.
Avery Johnson said in his interview in response to a question (aimed at Favors/Cousins) that it is worth waiting a couple of years for a superstar type player. Implying that if Favors isn’t a sure thing to be a big star, then go with Cousins (or Johnson).
It was clear from Avery’s discussion that Favors has been the favorite in the past (he said the team has done a lot of research), but present doubts and Cousins’ rise could easily change that viewpoint.
No one said Favors is a lock
And no matter who you are, no matter where you’re drafting, you don’t limit yourself to 1 or 2 players. You take a good look at everyone to see if anything pops up. It’s called due diligence, you don’t want to get caught napping.
Wiz and Phila. have limited themselves and Nets know who will be available when they draft - Turner rejected Nets and Wiz workout but Thorn would still take Turner if available.
The mock drafts and reporters have led us to believe Favors is a lock, yet Thorn’s remark about “a work in progress” is not consistent with that.
There should be more discussion.
Usually when a player (in this case Cousins) is on the rise before draft, and that player is also agreed to be NBA Ready and the Best Player Available, then Thorn takes him, even if he isn’t the perfect fit.
It will be a difficult decision IMO.
Rondo is a 4th option in offense in Boston..
Harris was forcing shots last season. He’s more like trying so hard that he missed a lot of shots that he was supposed to be making (except the three pointers of course.) I don’t recall rondo being a defender.. he barely makes a jump shot, and a free throw. If Harris could pair up with another All-Star he might come back to a All-Star caliber guard.. and for those saying that twill is better than harris.. U guys are insane.. what do you want AJ to do?? put Twill as our starting guard??? He had a good month thats all..
we don't light the stars, we simply fade with them..
Harris isn't even on the same plane of existence as Rondo.
"No one stands on the top of the world. Not you, not me, not even gods. But the unbearable vacancy of the throne in the sky is over. From now on...I will be sitting on it."
by MrDollarBills on Jun 17, 2010 10:52 AM EDT up reply actions
I do agree Rondo is better than Harris.. :)
What i’m saying is Harris can improve a little.. to become an All-Star Caliber guard..
we don't light the stars, we simply fade with them..
by silenthero07 on Jun 17, 2010 4:22 PM EDT up reply actions
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