Celtic great DJ's nephew, Nick Johnson, proving that he belongs
First there was the questionable move to not pick up Chandler Parsons option. Parsons would have made less than $1 million in 2014-15 but instead signed a three year $46 million dollar deal with the Mavericks that Houston didn’t match.
Then there was the decision by Chris Bosh to stay in Miami as opposed to signing with Houston. If the Rockets had been able to land Bosh they would have potentially been serious title contenders this season.
It hasn't all been horrible for Houston and Morey however, considering they got what's looking like may be the steal of the draft at pick #42 in Arizona's Nick Johnson.
Johnson, in fact, took being selected this late in the draft personally and played with chip on his shoulder throughout the Vegas summer league.
As Lang Whitaker for NBA.com reported:
Then, on the evening of the Draft, Johnson sat to wait for his name to be called. The first round — with the accompanying guaranteed contract — came and went. Eventually, the Rockets drafted Johnson in the second round, 42nd overall, and the eighth player from the Pac-12 selected.
“It was a long night,” Johnson admits. “I’ll tell you, there’s not 41 players better than me in this year’s draft. And I don’t know anywhere the player of the year has seven players in his same conference get picked before him.
Johnson, who is the nephew of deceased Celtic great Dennis Johnson, reminds me somewhat of Avery Bradley in that they're about the same size and both are unbelievable athletes as well as lock down defenders.
Johnson was able to display that athleticism with some jaw dropping plays these past few weeks:
About the difference between the NBA and college games Johnson had this to say:
“I think my game fits really well,” Johnson says. “In the NBA, I have the ability to use my athleticism a lot more than I did in college. I believe that the floor, the spacing is a lot wider with so many shooters around. I saw that a little bit in both of these summer leagues. And with my ability to make plays and get after it on the defensive end, I feel it will translate pretty well.”
Celtic nation is rooting for you Nick.
Follow Clint on Twitter @ClintCorey
