In the first few games of the 2023–2024 NBA season, Jalen Johnson of the Atlanta Hawks has drawn the interest of fans from all over the league. Let’s examine his play more closely, starting with the offensive end of the court.CrimeThis season, Jalen Johnson has not only met but also exceeded expectations in the offensive category. His amazing stat line over the first 14 games includes 14.6 points, 7.7 rebounds, 2.5 assists, 1 block, and 1.1 steals per game. With a 59 percent total efficiency, he is among the top 10 players in the NBA. But what stands out the most is how well he shoots three points.
completing 2.7 attempts per game at 42.1 percent from beyond the arc. Johnson isn’t considered a sharpshooter just yet, but he has shown that he can make three-pointers. With this proficiency, he is ranked 34th in the league overall, a considerable increase above his 28.8 percent on 1.5 attempts per game from the previous season. In terms of three-point percentage, his growth puts him in the 83rd percentile.
In addition to his three-point shooting prowess, Johnson leads the team in effective field goal percentage (95th percentile) and true shooting % (96th percentile) among starters.
Johnson has been a standout playmaker for the Hawks at power forward in addition to his scoring prowess. His ability to invent plays has been a great advantage for him and his teammates. His influence in fast-break scenarios, where he shows up as a serious threat at the rim, is one of his strongest suit. Throughout the season, Johnson has demonstrated his ability to run the court independently on numerous occasions, which has added a dynamic aspect to the Hawks’ offensive scheme.
Not only is Johnson capable of scoring on his own, but since game one, he has made significant progress in making quick decisions. He chooses to manage his speed and give Onyeka Okongwu a lob, as seen above.
Even if he isn’t very good at offensive rebounding, Johnson has still given the Hawks a plenty of opportunity to score on second chances. He trails Saddiq Bey, Onyeka Okongwu, and Clint Capela in the team rankings with an average of 1.4 offensive rebounds per game.
Johnson’s offensive ability has shown through, surpassing his efforts on the offensive boards and exhibiting notable growth from the previous campaign. His range of scoring is impressive, and in the off-season, he added a midrange shot to his repertoire. This gives his game a whole new dimension.
In addition to giving his attack more diversity, his ability to score well from midrange makes him harder for opponents to defend and more unpredictable. This is encouraging for Johnson’s overall effect on the offensive side of the ball.
Protection
Johnson’s importance on the defensive end is maybe even more significant than his unquestionable part in the Hawks’ offensive success. With 1.1 steals and 1 block per game on average, Johnson’s defensive skills should get better as the season goes on. For blocks per 75 possessions, he is currently in the 78th percentile; for steals per 75 possessions, he is in the 62nd percentile. This section’s percentiles are all adjusted to remove guards and are tested against starters.
Johnson, who is well-known for his disruptive presence on the defensive line, has a toolkit that goes beyond disruption. The Hawks have struggled defensively generally, even though they are skilled at forcing mistakes. Nonetheless, Johnson has the ability to improve the team’s defensive standing by developing into a superb point of attack defender because to his adaptability and switchability.
Johnson’s better pass anticipation is a noteworthy defensive development, as shown by his back-to-back two-steal games against the Pacers and Nets. Johnson’s defensive contributions will be essential to the Hawks’ success as the season progresses.As the season goes on, Hawks fans should anticipate seeing more shot-blocking from Johnson.
When it comes to rim contests per 75 possessions, Johnson is in the 82nd percentile, which may be quite detrimental to opponents. He is in the 84th percentile among starters with 7.7 defensive rebounds per game. Because he can throw the ball straight on the floor and go in transition, Johnson’s ability to get defensive rebounds is a huge plus for this team.
Johnson is one of the Atlanta Hawks’ bright spots, even though the club hasn’t lived up to preseason predictions. What we’re witnessing right now is probably a raw Jalen Johnson playing regular minutes in his rookie NBA season. The Hawks will have a unique player as he develops, ideally one they decide to retain for a very long time. The title of NBA Most Improved Player could be within his grasp.
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