Johnson is skilled enough to help the Celtics this season. He averaged 20.6 points last year for Purdue with an impressive offensive arsenal, but with his lean frame (221 pounds), he will merely serve as an appetizer for legitimate NBA centers, so Johnson will stay on the perimeter for now.
“Up and down, he’s getting beat up,’’ Rivers said when asked about Johnson’s progress in practice. “He’s excited when he actually gets the [scrimmage] refs to come on the floor, I’ll tell you that. But he did a couple of good things today. He’s starting to learn who he is. He knows he’s a jump shooter and he’s starting to become comfortable enough to take that shot.’’
Johnson added 8.6 rebounds and 2.3 blocks a game last season in being named Big Ten defensive player of the year, but much of that was accomplished on athleticism and anticipation. Most NBA big men are loaded in those categories, so the goal is to allow Johnson to gain comfort and use his skills away from the basket.
This cram session can be overwhelming at times, especially when your primary teacher is Kevin Garnett, who refers to Johnson by two terms: “Rook’’ or “New.’’ Johnson is unsure if Garnett knows his first name, and Garnett is notoriously hard on rookies. Garnett offered assistance to rookie J.R. Giddens in 2008, and after being brushed off, never offered it again.
The sponge mentality Johnson is carrying through training camp is almost essential in the presence of three future Hall of Famers. There is not a tinge of arrogance and bravado in the Indianapolis native, only humility.
“It feels great, it’s a huge learning experience and you learn something every day,’’ he said. “I definitely feel like I’m going in the right direction, learning something new every time I step on the court with these guys. So it should do nothing but help my game.’’
Assistant coach Mike Longabardi gave an instructional session on the Celtics’ defensive philosophies Tuesday to all who wanted to take part, and that included Johnson, who realizes that the club needs his defensive contributors more than his scoring.
