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Hardwood Paroxysm: 7 young players we’re excited to watch in 2015-16

By HP Basketball Network

Dec 9, 2014; Oklahoma City, OK, USA; Milwaukee Bucks forward Jabari Parker (12) drives the ball against Oklahoma City Thunder guard Anthony Morrow (2) during the second quarter at Chesapeake Energy Arena. Mandatory Credit: Mark D. Smith-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 9, 2014; Oklahoma City, OK, USA; Milwaukee Bucks forward Jabari Parker (12) drives the ball against Oklahoma City Thunder guard Anthony Morrow (2) during the second quarter at Chesapeake Energy Arena. Mandatory Credit: Mark D. Smith-USA TODAY Sports /
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Feb 13, 2015; Seattle, WA, USA; Arizona Wildcats forward Stanley Johnson (5) shoots against the Washington Huskies during the second half at Alaska Airlines Arena. Arizona defeated Washington, 86-62. Mandatory Credit: Joe Nicholson-USA TODAY Sports
Feb 13, 2015; Seattle, WA, USA; Arizona Wildcats forward Stanley Johnson (5) shoots against the Washington Huskies during the second half at Alaska Airlines Arena. Arizona defeated Washington, 86-62. Mandatory Credit: Joe Nicholson-USA TODAY Sports /

Stanley Johnson Makes Three-pointers, Consider Yourself Warned

Ian Levy (@HickoryHigh) — Hardwood Paroxysm

As a draft prospect, Stanley Johnson had the full package–great size and athleticism for his position, tenacious defensive chops, a versatile, multi-faceted offensive game and a plus faux hawk. The only question was whether he could shoot well enough from the outside to help the Detroit Pistons untangle their rubber band ball of offensive spacing. Johnson hit 37.1 percent of his threes last season at the University of Arizona. That’s a respectable number but his form and mechanics weren’t always consistent. It was also a huge improvement from his poor shooting as a prep and scouts were uncertain how sustainable that number was.

Other than Jodie Meeks, the Pistons rotation featured mostly below-average shooters at every position. It dragged on their overall efficiency, choked off driving lanes for Reggie Jackson and made everything just a little bit harder for Andre Drummond, still finding his way to a productive offensive role. Detroit added some modest frontcourt shooting with Ersan Ilyasova and Aron Barnes, but getting it from the wing is much more important.

In his five appearances at the Orlando Summer League, Johnson scored, rebounded, ran the floor, and played engaged and disruptive defense. He also made five of his twelve three-pointers. His stroke looked smooth and balanced. It wasn’t just impressive that he shot so accurately, but also that he took good shots in the flow of the offense (as much as a summer league offense can have a flow).

If Johnson can shoot this reliably in the regular season, there will be no excuse for Stan Van Gundy not playing him big minutes. Johnson helps Detroit’s defense, allows them to effectively play a faster pace, and adds flexibility to their rotations. If he really can shoot as well as he did at summer league, it opens up a world of offensive possibility as well.

Next: Clint Capela

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