It took time for everything to click for Johnson, but he finally put the pieces together in 2023-24. The success carried over into this year before a season-ending shoulder injury derailed his stellar campaign. But patience is a virtue, and the Hawks learned that in the best way possible with the former No. 20 overall pick.
- Lior Lampert
FanSided Staff Writer
What pops off the screen when watching Johnson is his eye-opening blend of size, strength and athleticism. At 6-foot-9, 220 pounds, with a seven-foot wingspan, he's easy to identify on the court, especially given his effortless gliding up and down the hardwood. Like a gazelle when in transition, someone as big as Johnson shouldn't move as fluidly as he does. The well-built wing has a boundless motor, constantly running the floor. As a physical specimen, fittingly, he's an incredibly bouncy dunker and lob threat. You'd think there were springs underneath the court the way his head clears the rim on virtually every slam. Once he rises up, he has an uncanny ability to finish forcefully with either hand.
Johnson's 3-pointer is a work in progress, but he’s improved as a spot-up shooter on considerably increased volume compared to his first two years as a pro. This signals he can continue building on the welcomed development. As defenses must respect him more from long distance, he can maximize his strong suit as a human pogo stick and vertical scorer. It makes staying in front of him unbelievably challenging. Defensively, Johnson combines marvelous tangible traits with infectiously abundant energy levels to guard nearly anyone. Thanks to his absurd length, no matchup is daunting for him. He knows how to make the most of his natural tools and excellent conditioning, regularly poking at the ball or picking a pocket.