FOLLOW @JAVIERJMORALES ON TWITTER!
[rps-paypal]
Congratulations to @Air_Zona13 on being selected by the @HoustonRockets in the 2014 @NBADraft! #APlayersProgram pic.twitter.com/bDcLKle3L8
— Arizona Basketball (@APlayersProgram) June 27, 2014
[ezcol_1half id=”” class=”” style=””]
Nick Johnson’s undefined position at the next level — point guard or shooting guard — affected his draft status tonight as he was taken in the second round of the NBA Draft by Houston as the 42th pick overall.
Johnson has a specialized skill — defense — that can enable him to make those who passed on him think about their potential mistake. He is listed at 6’3″ and 198 pounds, the general size of a point guard in the NBA but he played at shooting guard at Arizona.
Some NBA scouts also reportedly had questions about Johnson’s consistency as a jump shooter.
There is no denying Johnson’s athleticism and ability to be a shut-down defender on the perimeter (defending the point guard, shooting guard or wing).
[/ezcol_1half]
[ezcol_1half_end id=”” class=”” style=””]
[/ezcol_1half_end]
Some quick facts about Johnson’s second-round selection:
— He becomes Arizona’s 24th player chosen in the round. Of the previous 23, the average career length in the NBA is 4.1 years. Five players have lasted double-figure years in the NBA — Steve Kerr, Jud Buechler, Sean Rooks, Gilbert Arenas and Luke Walton. Kerr, Buechler and Walton combined for 10 NBA titles.
— Johnson’s uncle, Hall of Famer Dennis Johnson, was also a second-round pick in 1976 as the 29th pick overall. The NBA had only 22 teams in 1976-77. The elder Johnson went on to be a three-time NBA champion and five-time All-Star selection.
HOW ARIZONA’S SECOND-ROUNDERS HAVE FARED IN THE NBA
DNP-Did not play. HNP-Has not played.
[table=”desc”]
Player,Year,Pick,Team,Career,Yrs
Eric Money,1974,No. 33,Detroit,1974-1980,6
Al Fleming,1976,No. 30,Phoenix,1977-1978,1
Bob Elliott,1977,No. 42,Philadelphia,1978-1981,3
Herman Harris,1977,No. 43,Philadelphia,DNP,0
Tom Tolbert,1988,No. 34,Charlotte,1988-1995,7
Steve Kerr,1988,No. 40,Phoenix,1988-2003,15
Jud Buechler,1990,No. 38,Seattle,1990-2002,12
Sean Rooks,1992,No. 30,Dallas,1992-2004,12
Ed Stokes,1993,No. 35,Miami,1997-98,1
Joseph Blair,1996,No. 35,Seattle,DNP,0
Ben Davis,1996,No. 43,Phoenix,1996-2000,4
Reggie Geary,1996,No. 56,Cleveland,1996-1998,2
Miles Simon,1998,No. 42,Orlando,1998-1999,1
A.J. Bramlett,1999,No. 39,Cleveland,1999-2000,1
Gilbert Arenas,2001,No. 31,Golden State,2001-2012,11
Michael Wright,2001,No. 39,New York,DNP,0
Loren Woods,2001,No. 46,Minnesota,2001-2008,6
Luke Walton,2003,No. 32,L.A. Lakers,2003-2013,10
Salim Stoudamire,2005,No. 31,Atlanta,2005-2008,3
Hassan Adams,2006,No. 54,New Jersey,2006-2009,2
Marcus Williams,2007,No. 33,San Antonio,2007-2009,2
Chase Budinger,2009,No. 44,Detroit,2009-2014,5
Grant Jerrett,2013,No. 40,Portland,HNP,0
Nick Johnson,2014,No. 42,Houston,HNP,0
[/table]
[ezcol_1half id=”” class=”” style=””]
Nick Johnson is a 6'3" 198lb SG. He'll compete with Troy Daniels for Harden's backup position.
Good pick. Good night.
— Houston Rockets Fans (@Rockets_Fans_) June 27, 2014
[/ezcol_1half]
[ezcol_1half_end id=”” class=”” style=””]
[/ezcol_1half_end]
ALLSPORTSTUCSON.com publisher, writer and editor Javier Morales is a former Arizona Press Club award winner. He also writes articles for Bleacher Report and Lindy’s College Sports.
Recommended for you
