Last night, Arizona Wildcats freshman forward Stanley Johnson declared for the 2015 NBA Draft. There was a lot speculation going around that Johnson might return for his sophomore year as he did not finish on a winning note, losing to the Wisconsin Badgers in the Elite Eight.
With Johnson now officially in the draft, he will most likely be a lottery pick. On the other hand, the Philadelphia 76ers finished the season with an 18-64 record, which is third worst in the NBA. Currently, they have a 15.6 percent chance of landing the number one overall pick, but if they do not obtain it then they will most likely stay at the third spot.
But weirder things have happened in the draft lottery. If you remember in the 2010 draft lottery, the Sixers were supposed to be picking eighth and ended up with the second overall. If somehow, the Sixers do not get a pick in the top three and end up in the 5-7 range, they need to draft Johnson.
Currently on the Sixers roster, they have three small forwards (Robert Covington, Jerami Grant, and Luc Mbah a Moute). All three small forwards played well this season with Covington standing out. He led the team in scoring with 13.5 points per game and shot 37.4 percent from three-point range.
Grant, who was a second round pick in last summer’s draft, found a niche within the Sixers and did well. His length and athleticism is something that can still be developed over time as next season could be a breakout year for him. But with that being said, this roster is still not done being completed and adding a piece like Johnson could help them go to the next level.
This season, the Sixers allowed 101.0 points per game, which was ranked, 20th in the NBA and averaged 42.9 rebounds per game, which ranked them at 19th in the league. Stanley Johnson can help bring those numbers up tremendously as he is not afraid to play in the post, boxing out and grabbing rebounds.
Johnson, is 6-foot-7 and 245 lbs with a 6-foot-11 wingspan which helps him to rebound the ball as he grabbed 6.5 rebounds per game. His length also helps him on the defensive end as the Sixers will need to improve in terms of scoring defense.
On defense, Johnson was a good defender in college and I believe that he can be an elite defender in the NBA. His motor and toughness helps him on defense. He puts pressure on whoever he is defending and can maneuver through screens.
Finally, when it comes to Johnson on the offensive side of the ball, I believe he can fit right into Brett Brown’s system as he can score and shoot the ball pretty well. At Arizona, he scored 13.8 points per game but shot 36.9 percent from three-point range. That would be third best behind Covington and Hollis Thompson. Then when it comes to two-point field goals percentage, he shot 48 percent. That would be fourth on the team behind Henry Sims, JaKarr Sampson, and Furkan Aldemir.
Other than his statistics, Sixers fans will love his game as he is physical, not afraid of contract, on the fast break you better move out his way, has a quick release from three-point range, and is a winner. Johnson hates to lose and that is the kind of player, you want on this team that is still in the process of rebuilding.
Lastly, the only things that concern me about Johnson’s game is that he needs to be a better finisher at the rim and the “it” factor. He has the size and strength to dunk the ball with power and not playing finesse. I also need to see the “it” factor more, as I said before Johnson is a physical specimen and the Sixers need that guy, can he be it? Without a doubt but I need to see it more.
With the draft lottery set to happen next month, we will find out where the Philadelphia 76ers will be picking but just remember if it is between 5-7 remember Stanley Johnson’s name.
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