BTBP Roundtable #2: Spacing, Point Guards and Big Men
By Adam McGee
May 1, 2014; Oakland, CA, USA; Golden State Warriors guard Jordan Crawford (55) dribbles the basketball during the second quarter in game six of the first round of the 2014 NBA Playoffs against the Los Angeles Clippers at Oracle Arena. The Warriors defeated the Clippers 100-99. Mandatory Credit: Kyle Terada-USA TODAY Sports
With Chris Johnson’s second ten-day contract continuing to tick down, do you feel the Bucks should sign him for the rest of the season or explore other options? Possibly even a guy like Jordan Crawford who could add an extra offensive spark.
AMcG: I’ve been really impressed by Johnson and think he’s a good complement for what Jason Kidd is trying to do. We’ve just spoken about potential floor spacing problems, so why would you let go of a deadeye shooter? Crawford is a creator, and belongs in the NBA but I’m not sure it’s here. Any decision to bring somebody else in would be more a reflection of more pressing Bucks’ needs elsewhere than Johnson’s ability.
TW: I’d rather see the team keep CJ personally. He’s younger, he’s been quite good in some high pressure situations for Milwaukee, and he’s most likely cheaper than Crawford would be.
DG: Well, as mentioned, the Bucks need 3-point shooting, and Chris Johnson definitely has shown that he can at least hit threes at an acceptable clip (33.3 percent), but right now, the most important thing for the Bucks is to get into the playoffs and get some experience for Giannis and Middleton. I will also stand by this: Despite playing in the CBA and currently on the Ft. Wayne Mad Ants, Jordan Crawford has shown time and time again that he has NBA-level talent. Maybe he needed a lot of coaching from Brad Stevens to get that Eastern Conference Player of the Week award last season, but he’s well worth the risk of a ten-day contract. He’s an underrated playmaker and he’s not afraid to shoot.
JT: I think the Bucks should sign Johnson for the rest of the season. He’s mainly just a shooter but he’s a great athlete and has fit well defensively, which is the Bucks’ strength. He doesn’t need to be a playmaker, with Ennis and Bayless being assigned that role when he comes into play and at this point, with Mayo and Dudley out for the foreseeable future, the Bucks need Johnson on the court.
AL: I’d like to see them give someone else a shot. That’s not meant to be a knock on Johnson, who’s played well for what’s been asked of him, but Johnson is going to be redundant next year when Damien Inglis finally heals up. I’d rather see the Bucks take a flier on a young kid, so not a 26-year-old Jordan Crawford. Seth Curry is still out there…
Next: Bayless or Ennis as Backup PG?