CHICITYSPORTS – Chicago Sports  Blog – News – Forum – Rumors – Fans
  • BEARS
  • BULLS
  • BLACKHAWKS
  • CUBS
  • WHITE SOX
  • MESSAGE BOARD
Navigation
  • About Us
  • Chicago Sports Podcasts
  • ChiCity+
  • CHICITYSPORTS – Chicago Sports Blog – News – Forum – Rumors – Fans
  • Get In Touch
  • Join Our Group
  • Newsletter
  • Our Writers
  • Privacy Policy
  • Want to Write for ChiCitySports?
Facebook Twitter Instagram
Trending
  • Will Anderson Jr. the dominant player Bears need to jumpstart rebuild
  • What To Expect From Super Bowl 57
  • Tee Higgins to Bears trade rumor ramps up after report
  • Report suggests Chicago Bears already receiving offers for No. 1 pick
  • BREAKING: Chicago Bears Coaching Staff Changes Announced For 2023
  • Great American Football Scholarships in 2023
  • Bears Insider: Pro Bowl OL Most Realistic Option In 2023 Free Agency
  • Patrick Mahomes’ father reveals pre-draft tidbit from Chicago Bears in 2017
  • About Us
  • Contact Us
  • Our Writers
  • Want to Write for ChiCitySports?
CHICITYSPORTS – Chicago Sports  Blog – News – Forum – Rumors – FansCHICITYSPORTS – Chicago Sports  Blog – News – Forum – Rumors – Fans
  • BEARS

    Will Anderson Jr. the dominant player Bears need to jumpstart rebuild

    February 4, 2023

    Tee Higgins to Bears trade rumor ramps up after report

    February 3, 2023

    Report suggests Chicago Bears already receiving offers for No. 1 pick

    February 3, 2023

    BREAKING: Chicago Bears Coaching Staff Changes Announced For 2023

    February 1, 2023

    Bears Insider: Pro Bowl OL Most Realistic Option In 2023 Free Agency

    January 31, 2023
  • BULLS

    Chicago Bulls are on the way to the top this 2023

    January 26, 2023

    3 possible trade targets for the Chicago Bulls

    January 19, 2023

    Air Jordan 11 ‘DMP’ to get Holiday 2023 release?

    January 19, 2023

    Chicago Fans’ One Wish for Every Team in 2023

    December 31, 2022

    Zach LaVine trade rumors: 3 possible destinations

    December 30, 2022
  • BLACKHAWKS

    Comparing the Dynamic of Two Rebuilding Clubs

    January 25, 2023

    Chicago Fans’ One Wish for Every Team in 2023

    December 31, 2022

    Blackhawks’ Sam Lafferty returns to line-up vs. Jets

    December 9, 2022

    Blackhawks recall Lukas Reichel from Rockford

    December 6, 2022

    Phillip Danault: A Player Extraordinaire

    November 29, 2022
  • CUBS

    Chicago Cubs still sculpting their bullpen

    January 17, 2023

    Chicago Cubs 2023 prospect watch: Matt Mervis

    January 15, 2023

    Cubs add three shortstops through International Prospect signing day

    January 15, 2023

    Cubs and Trey Mancini agree to a two-year deal

    January 14, 2023

    Cubs hot stove: With Nick Madrigal as the odd man out, could the Cubs trade him?

    January 13, 2023
  • WHITE SOX

    Chicago White Sox 2023 prospect watch: outfielder Oscar Colas

    January 18, 2023

    Chicago Fans’ One Wish for Every Team in 2023

    December 31, 2022

    MLB analyst pitches insane White Sox Yankees trade

    December 22, 2022

    Outfielder Andrew Benintendi signs with White Sox

    December 16, 2022

    Analyst Reveals Poor Grade For White Sox Offseason So Far

    December 12, 2022
  • MESSAGE BOARD
Facebook Twitter Instagram
CHICITYSPORTS – Chicago Sports  Blog – News – Forum – Rumors – Fans
Home»Bears»The James Johnson Factor
Bears

The James Johnson Factor

Z PBy Z PFebruary 12, 20114 Mins Read
Facebook Twitter Reddit Tumblr Email
jjdunk600
jjdunk600
Share
Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Pinterest Email

The Chicago Bulls sent James Johnson down to the Iowa Energy(The Bulls D-League affiliate) on January 27th. Mixed reports told us that the move was to give Johnson more playing time, or this being a cap move of some sorts as a precursor to a trade. Either or, his rights still belong to the Bulls and with the trade deadline coming up, lets take a look in on James Johnson’s progress and weigh in on possible scenarios.

Shedding 20lbs over the off-season and looking reasonably more athletic in the preseason, James Johnson looked like he was going to be a promising player after a disappointing rookie year. He was seldom used in his second year as a Bull, disappearing to the final bench seats for games before he subbed back onto the court. Naysayers started to come around, after a few solid displays. Then JJ came into what looked to be a lost cause at Phoenix on November 24th. He was able to come into the game and made plays on 5 straight Sun’s possessions and a tie the game a minute later. This was the first real glimpse of what James Johnson could be for the Bulls, although he has yet to come close to that performance.

Playing in 12 games for the Bulls, James Johnson was posting 3.5pts/2reb/1.2ast/0.8blk and 0.7stl in a hair over 10 minutes per game. Much of which was obtained in garbage time in a few Bulls blow-outs this season.

In Iowa, JJ has had the opportunity to get minutes under Coach Nick Nurse and the Iowa Energy. Through 7 games, JJ is posting 20.3pts/8.1reb/4.1ast/2.4blk/0.9stl in 31.3 minutes per game. 4 of 7 games came against the Vipers(NBADL’s 2nd best team, Iowa is currently ranked #1).

[You can see the box score and a video recap here of JJ’s best performance in Iowa so far. ]

Also, if you check out the D-League website, take note of the Futurecast site, in case you want to watch free D-League live streams. I watched a few Energy games this year for the sole purpose of JJ, and he really could do whatever he wanted on the court on these guys. He looks out of place in the NBADL.

So now that we have a better idea of what we have in James Johnson. I’m going to go on a limb here and say that he isn’t motivated to improve. It’s not about his skills or athleticism, because he has that. It isn’t about his basketball smarts, because he knows where to go and what to do. Scottie Pippen has no problem speaking his mind about anyone in the league, and had a lot of praise for James Johnson and his potential. What’s the catch here?
When you make it to the highest stage of a sport, there needs to be a sense of urgency that drives you to compete and find new levels of your game. James Johnson was playing down to his opponents in D-League, he finished games barely breaking a sweat. Something is not right with this kid’s heart and mind when it comes to the great privilege he has been given. But that’s merely my opinion. What can we do with JJ from here?

Let’s flip to it and see

Scenario 1: The long term investment. We drafted him, he’s ours. We hope something sticks with him and he can bloom into whatever role the team needs. We bring him back up as soon as it makes sense and give him more attention.

Scenario 2: Buy High, Sell Low. Find someone who has their eyes on James Johnson, see if we make something happen. With only a few weeks before the deadlines, it’s likely that JJ will only go as part of some package deal.

 

Really? Buddy Jesus?

Scenario 3: Sayonara Mr. Karate Champion! Rot in D-League. You’re performing well amongst the NBADL Elite. Stay there and spend your NBA rookie salary wisely.

Scenario 4: Replace Neil Funk with JJ. Why not? Stacey King was every bit as hyped as JJ when he was a Bull, but I know I’m glad he’s commentating on games for us now. Stacey and James calling the game, now that might be a real way to salvage this guy. JJ seems to be a real likable personality, so why not. Just tell Chuck Swirsky to watch out for that roundhouse kick.

James Johnson was taken 16th overall from Wake Forrest in the 2009 draft.

For More Great Chicago Sports Content

Follow us on Twitter at @chicitysports23 for more great content. We appreciate you taking time to read our articles. To interact more with our community and keep up to date on the latest in Chicago sports news, JOIN OUR FREE FACEBOOK GROUP by CLICKING HERE

Chicago Bulls Iowa Energy James Johnson Karate Nick Nurse
Share. Facebook Twitter Pinterest LinkedIn WhatsApp Reddit Tumblr Email
The Worst Things Bart Simpson Has Ever Done Ranked
Z P
  • Twitter

Chicago sports.

Related Posts

Bears February 4, 2023

Will Anderson Jr. the dominant player Bears need to jumpstart rebuild

Bears February 3, 2023

Tee Higgins to Bears trade rumor ramps up after report

Bears February 3, 2023

Report suggests Chicago Bears already receiving offers for No. 1 pick

Bears February 1, 2023

BREAKING: Chicago Bears Coaching Staff Changes Announced For 2023

Bears January 31, 2023

Bears Insider: Pro Bowl OL Most Realistic Option In 2023 Free Agency

Bears January 30, 2023

Patrick Mahomes’ father reveals pre-draft tidbit from Chicago Bears in 2017

Leave A Reply

  • Facebook
  • Twitter
  • Instagram
  • YouTube

Team Message Boards

bears TP
bulls TP
cubs TP
sox TP
hawks TP
we want you to write
Facebook Twitter Instagram YouTube
  • Home
  • Message Board
  • About Us
  • Contact Us
  • Our Writers
  • Want to Write for ChiCitySports?
© 2023 ChiCitySports. Designed by Dope Guys Who Run ChiCitySports.

Type above and press Enter to search. Press Esc to cancel.