With the trade of erstwhile starting center Kendrick Perkins to the Oklahoma City Thunder last February, the retirement of the legendary Shaquille O’Neal and the recent signing of Nenad Krstic with CSKA Moscow, the Boston Celtics suddenly found themselves severely lacking in the number five position. With an urgent need of a big man in the middle, the Celtics went for JaJuan Johnson, who was drafted 27th pick over-all by the New Jersey Nets in the 2011 NBA draft, in exchange for number 25 pick, guard Marshon Brooks. The 6-10 Johnson played four years for the Purdue University Boilermakers. He had impressive norms of 20.5 points, 8.6 rebounds and 2.3 blocks in 34 outings with Purdue last season. The Indianapolis native was named the recipient of the Pete Newell Big Man award during his senior year and led the Boilermakers to a 26-8 win-loss record in the 2010-11 season, which was good for second place in conference play. A noted NBA scout says the Celtics did a great job in landing Johnson, who said to have a great mid-post game, is very athletic for his height and have a 39-inch vertical leap, according to the Boston Herald.
“The Celtics did a great job. This guy should have gone before. Danny (Ainge) did a really good job when he identified this kid. He can play. People up there might think I’m crazy, but JaJuan Johnson is a great replacement for Kendrick Perkins.
“I’m not saying he’s going to step in and be a star, but this kid can help that team. And he’s going to get better. He has real skills. You’re going to love his mid-post game. He knows how to get the ball in good position, and he can turn over both shoulders. And he runs like a deer. We tested him, and he’s an unbelievable athlete. He has a 39-inch vertical leap and he was beating guards up and down the floor. (Rajon) Rondo and Delonte West are going to love playing with this kid.”
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