Jalen Johnson captured the attention of basketball fans last season with his impressive growth as a scorer and playmaker. The fifth-year player has experienced two consecutive breakout seasons, but both were cut short due to injury.
With a new supporting cast, Johnson has a slightly different role this year. This change will primarily come on the defensive end of the floor, where he is now playing next to Kristaps Porzingis. While Porzingis is a strong defender in the paint, he isn't as agile as an Onyeka Okongwu, creating a need for both mobile perimeter defense and secondary rim protection at the four.
This area of his game is where Sam Vecenie hopes Johnson can improve. Vecenie asks, "Can he be kind of a wrecking bull in help defensively... you're gonna have Jalen Johnson be the low many more consistently and always make that rotation." Concerning his perimeter defense, Vecenie said, "There are really good reps from Jalen Johnson in space I think at times, and then there are other times where you're like 'well that didn't go super well' like what's going on here?"
Johnson's defense could radically change the outcome of this season
Johnson is an elite athlete who has the tools to play excellent defense on the perimeter, both on and off the ball. He uses his athleticism and IQ to make plays on the defensive side of the ball, averaging 1.6 steals and 1.0 blocks a night last year.
It goes without saying that someone who averages 2.6 stocks a night has real defensive talent. Johnson now needs to apply this talent to a different, less sexy role.
This year, he is tasked with more than just wreaking havoc. Johnson must demonstrate consistency and discipline as a defender, perhaps at the cost of not racking up steals and blocks.
There is no reason to believe that Johnson cannot pick this role up quickly. He has developed at an extraordinary pace through his short NBA career, playing at a near All-Star level last season despite being the 20th pick just four years ago.
If he can succeed in this secondary rim protection role, the Hawks will be in a fantastic position to exceed expectations this season. The question looming over the squad heading into the new season is not if they have the talent, but if they can play well enough together (and stay healthy).
Porzingis is an incredible player, but he has his weaknesses. He is not the agile seven-footer he used to be. While he has game-changing strengths, he will need assistance to cover his shortcomings. He also misses a lot of games, so adding a second rim protector next to Onyeka Okongwu could be the difference between a lackluster defense and a dangerous small-ball lineup.
If Johnson cannot take this step forward, the Hawks' season isn't over by any means. But if he can develop the ability to switch between defensive playmaking and fundamental defense, Atlanta could develop into a juggernaut that teams fear in the postseason.