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Wesley Johnson Key to Lakers Success

By Matthew Patterson

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In last year’s playoffs, Spurs forward Kawhi Leonard was consistently relied on to guard the other team’s best player.  Whether it was Dirk Nowitzki, Damian Lillard, Russell Westbrook, Kevin Durant, or Lebron James, he had pretty much seen it all by the end of the postseason.  Kawhi Leonard showed the importance of having a versatile defender, who can guard positions 1-4, and then spread the floor on the other end.  Take this as a hint as to what Wesley Johnson‘s role for the Lakers will be this season.

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    • Jeremy Lin, Kobe Bryant, Carlos Boozer.  If that does not sound pleasing to an opposing offense I don’t know what will.  Wesley Johnson is the lone defensive-minded player in this starting lineup, besides Jordan Hill.  But the versatility of Johnson on the defensive end is what sets him apart from all of his teammates.  Whether Ronnie Price or Lin gets the starting PG spot, the Lakers will still have a very poor defensive back court.  While Lin and Kobe Bryant should have no problem producing offense, they will struggle to match up on the other end with elite, young guards such as Eric Bledsoe, James Harden, or Stephen Curry.

    Johnson, game-by-game, may just have to take the responsibility of guarding the other team’s best perimeter player.  Whether it is a point guard, shooting guard, or small forward, he will be the only player who can match up against any of those positions on the defensive end.  On top of that, Lin and Bryant are going to have to save most of their energy for offense, as they will be the main ball handlers and distributors.

    To start out the game on Tuesday against Phoenix, we saw Johnson guarding Goran Dragic, while Bryant took the assignment of Marcus Morris.  We may see a lot of that this year.  Players guarding different positions, just to assure Johnson is guarding the other teams biggest offensive threat on the perimeter.  Johnson shows elite athleticism that nobody else in the starting lineup can come close to, which is why we might see him guarding some of the fast, athletic point guards in the league this year, like Dragic.

    Now, some of the players who can guard the 1-3 in today’s league: Lebron James, Kawhi Leonard, a healthy Paul George, Nicolas Batum, and Andre Iguodala.  The only factor keeping Johnson from this list is confidence.  He has all of the physical tools; the vertical ability, the speed, quickness, and length.  Even Byron Scott has noticed Johnson’s lack of confidence, especially on the defensive end:

    Johnson just has to believe in his abilities.  He has to realize that he has what it takes to be an elite perimeter defender in this league.  If he was more aggressive, and got into his man’s face, he would be a nightmare match-up.  This what what the Timberwolves saw in Johnson when they drafted him: a gifted athlete who can be an excellent defender one day.  Well Johnson is 27, and that day has to be now.  With the Lakers defensive issues, especially on the perimeter continuing to show throughout the preseason, as the Warriors and the Suns exploited there back court, Johnson has to step up.

    Other than being the best defender in this starting lineup, he might be the best shooter as well.  Coming off a career high in 3-point percentage, Johnson continues to work on his jumper so he can be a threat on both ends.  When Kobe was pulled out of the game on Tuesday in overtime against the Suns, Wesley showed his shot making abilities, especially from deep range.  Although he seems to be lacking confidence on defense, he definitely has shown that he is comfortable taking outside jumpers off the dribble, or spotting up.

    Byron Scott is receiving a majority of the blame for Lakers lack of 3-point attempts, but part of the reason is the personnel.   Especially with the absences of Nick Young, Ryan Kelly, and Steve Nash, the Lakers simply don’t have the shooters to chuck up 20 3’s per game.  But you have to at least keep a defense modest.  With Lin preferring to drive,and Bryant hanging around the 15 foot range posting up, the defense could easily pack the paint and make it a lot tougher to score.  But if Johnson can establish himself as a dangerous 3-point threat, the defenses will have to guard him, giving Lin and Kobe more room to work.

    That is all this Lakers team will ask of Johnson.  Elite perimeter defense, and consistent three point shooting.  If Johnson could raise his confidence on the defensive end, while continuing to improve on his jump shot, he can be just as important to this year’s team as anybody.

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