Wesley Johnson’s Defense Has Kept Him in the NBA
Inside the Loud House looks at one of the many Syracuse alums in the NBA: Wesley Johnson. We explain how his defense has kept him in the NBA.
Prior to what many have considered a solid NBA career so far, Wesley Johnson was a dominant player at Syracuse. In his 2009-10 season, Wesley Johnson played 35 minutes per game, shot over 50% from the field, averaged 16.5 points, 8.5 rebounds, and dished out 2.2 assists, according to Sports-Reference.com. Johnson was rewarded for his tremendous play, winning the 2010 Big East Player of the Year honors, according to Syracuse.com.
In the 2010 draft, Johnson was selected with the fourth overall pick by the Minnesota Timberwolves, according to ESPN.
Most expected that Johnson’s game would take off in his rookie season the following year. However, Johnson spent just two years with the Wolves, but then spent the 2012-13 season with the Phoenix Suns. Over his first three years in the league, Johnson never averaged more than 9 points per game, but consistently posted at least 2.5 rebounds per game.
Johnson has spent his last four seasons in Los Angeles, the first two with the Lakers, and the past two with the Clippers. Johnson averaged nearly 10 points in his two years with the Lakers, and after posting a career low 6.9 points per game in the 2015-16 season, he averaged just 2.7 this past year, according to Basketball-Reference.com.
While many are quick to conclude that point production is the most important statistic, I believe that Johnson’s efficiency this past season was on full display, especially on the defensive end.
Johnson averaged just 2.9 field goal attempts per game when on the floor, according to Basketball-Reference.com, but he used the majority of his energy on the defensive end. Averaging the highest block and rebounding percentage of his career; Wesley Johnson became an important part of Los Angeles’ bench success this year.
Since Johnson didn’t take many unreasonable shots on offense, his defensive success has resulted in, what I believe, has been a solid season for the 29-year-old. Wesley Johnson averaged the least minutes per game of his career this past season, and because of that, wasn’t given much of a chance to play a big role on a guard-heavy Clippers team.
Despite that, Johnson’s consistent ability to quickly shift the defensive momentum of ballgames resulted in many Clipper wins this year. At many points of the season, the Clippers looked abysmal on the defensive end. Wesley Johnson has held opponents to under 44% shooting, and under 33% from three, according to Basketball-Reference.com.
Most believe that the only way to win games is by having all five of your starters score the basketball. Many teams in the NBA have up to three All-Star level scorers starting. Many of them could benefit greatly from allowing less points on the defensive end.
In my opinion, Wesley Johnson should be playing far more frequently. He is in great shape, and is totally able to play lengthy minutes. Johnson showed that when playing for the Syracuse Orange.
Wesley Johnson is a talent that deserves to see more minutes next year. If given the opportunity, he has the potential to mold into a starter.