6’8, 219 lbs, and hardened under Mike Krzyzewski’s system at Duke; Jalen Johnson is the perfect player archetype every team needs. Johnson is athletic, lengthy, has good instincts, and knows how to play his role. He can shoot threes, finish around the rim, and playmake. The best part about it all is that he can do these things at any time. Get JJ at the top of the key. Pump fake, toss the dime to a cutting Capela. Pump fake, drive toward the basket, and slam that home. Pump fake, and hit the three over his defender. Pump fake, handoff-screen pass to Trae, and roll out for the alley-oop.
Before we get on with why other teams could use a player like him, let’s talk about JJ’s defense. All that’s necessary is a 2-2 zone box 1. That box is Jalen Johnson. He can guard the other team’s best player all of the time, whether they are a shifty guard like Stephen Curry, an uber-athletic freak like Giannis, or a point-center like Jokic, JJ can get them trapped. That’s right, These presumably unguardable players have all been locked up by the beast that is Jalen Johnson. With all of these traits, why isn’t Jalen Johnson in all-star conversations?
Let’s talk about some players who have similar traits as Jalen Johnson. Lebron James, Kawhi Leonard, especially Kawhi Leonard. So if Johnson has star aspects, why isn’t he one? His usage within the Hawks system isn’t meant that way. Sure he probably could be a star if he hogged the ball a little more and took on some more playmaking duties. But they already have Trae Young to do those things. Instead, JJ has taken on a suporting role that helps his team win basketball games. Sure, the Hawks aren’t great right now, but Jalen Johnson plays into his role really well, and that’s all that is important right now.
Every team could use a player that buys into their role. Not every team is like the Clippers, who have their superstars making sacrifices to win, and it works. Many teams have issues with their stars and their touches. One example is the Chicago Bulls. They could definitely use Jalen Johnson. Their JJ is supposed to Patrick Williams, but he isn’t playing up to expectations.
The point is, all teams could use glue guys who do everything and buy into the team vision. The ultimate goal is always to win a championship, and Jalen Johnson is the X-Factor that could affect that.
Sebastian A. • Dec 12, 2024 at 7:07 pm
I understand the points that you are trying to make, but there are many key reasons why Jalen Johnson is not the “perfect” player.
Inconsistency in Playing Time
Jalen Johnson, while showing flashes of promise, has yet to establish consistent playing time in the NBA. Despite his talent, he hasn’t been able to carve out a regular role with his team. A “perfect” player typically commands significant minutes and is an integral part of a team’s rotation or starting lineup.
Lack of Offensive Efficiency
While Johnson has some strong offensive skills, such as ball-handling and passing, his shooting consistency—particularly from the three-point line—has been a concern. The modern NBA often requires players to be versatile scorers and shooters. For example, his field goal percentage and three-point shooting could be areas that limit his impact in an ideal, all-around player role.
Defensive Struggles
Although Johnson is athletic and has shown defensive potential, his defense is still a work in progress. The perfect NBA player is expected to be a two-way player—able to contribute on both ends of the floor at a high level. Johnson’s defensive positioning and decision-making still need improvement to consistently guard elite NBA talent, especially when it comes to defensive awareness in one-on-one situations.
Injury Concerns
Like many young players, Johnson has dealt with injury issues in his early career. A perfect player needs to be durable and available, and a history of injuries can hinder a player’s overall impact on a team. If injury issues continue, it would further limit his ability to be considered a perfect player in the NBA.
Not Enough Experience or Success
While Johnson’s potential is clear, he has not yet had the type of success or consistent impact seen in truly “perfect” players. Legends like LeBron James, Kevin Durant, and Giannis Antetokounmpo are perfect in their own right due to their championship success, multiple All-Star appearances, and consistent dominance across seasons. Johnson has shown flashes but hasn’t yet reached that level of accomplishment or sustained excellence.
Still Developing
Jalen Johnson is still a work in progress and is in the early stages of his NBA career. A perfect player is one who has refined their game to the point where they have minimal weaknesses. Johnson’s development is ongoing, and while his potential is high, there are many aspects of his game that still need to be fine-tuned for him to be considered “perfect.”
In conclusion, while Jalen Johnson has the potential to become a highly impactful NBA player, there are several aspects of his game—such as consistency, offensive efficiency, defense, and experience—that prevent him from being considered a “perfect” player at this stage in his career. His ceiling is undoubtedly high, but the title of “perfect player” requires more proven and sustained excellence.