Cam Johnson, a forward who recently made headlines with his performance in Brooklyn, is gearing up for what many expect to be a breakout season with the Denver Nuggets. A year ago, Johnson scored 18.8 points per game while shooting an eye-popping 47% from the floor. Now, he finds himself in a major role on a controversial new-look second unit. His acquisition was one of the big moves that the Nuggets made during the offseason. With Fred VanVleet recovering from an ACL tear, he’s more than proven prepared to assume greater leadership tasks in the backcourt.
Johnson’s Denver appointment sits at the heart of the team’s efforts to stay ahead of the curve in the fiercely competitive Western Conference. With an impressive skill set that includes offensive versatility and secondary playmaking abilities, Johnson is anticipated to make significant contributions alongside his new teammates. He’ll form a backcourt with Reed Sheppard, who was acquired by Denver in a trade during this offseason. Collaboratively, they are looking to create a fluid playing identity in their new environment.
Johnson’s Transition to Denver
It’ll be sad to see Johnson go, but he will easily flow from Brooklyn to Denver. He proved his ceiling as a player during his time with the Nets. Last summer, he proved that’s the case with his scoring on all three levels. He recorded an impressive 39.2% clip on three-point attempts for his career. He struggled mightily last season, converting under 29% of his threes. Nonetheless, his overall scoring ability remains a major strength in his game.
On those occasions, Johnson showed secondary playmaking skills that will serve him well in Denver. He recorded at least five assists in 15 games last season, showing his potential to set up scoring chances for teammates. To build the desired chemistry with fellow superstars Nikola Jokic and Jamal Murray, this will be the most important continuation of his game. Both players are integral parts of the Nuggets’ offensive gameplan.
Once Johnson gets more comfortable with how to fit himself into the team movement, he’ll have more opportunities to display the rest of his skill set. His further predisposition to make plays out of secondary actions marries so well with Jokic’s passing ability and Murray’s scoring prowess. The Nuggets hope that Johnson can fill the void left by Michael Porter Jr., whose skill set shares similarities with Johnson’s own.
Expected Impact in the Backcourt
And with Fred VanVleet out with an ACL tear, Johnson fills that gap. He’ll need to assume even more of a load in the backcourt moving forward. His performance in this role will be closely monitored, as many believe it could define his career trajectory over the upcoming season. The Nuggets’ coaching staff has expressed confidence in Johnson’s abilities, focusing on maximizing his strengths while developing his game further.
Johnson’s offensive versatility will be most valuable as Denver enters this transitional period with their roster. He provides a formidable mix of scoring and playmaking that can go a long way in providing the perfect complement to the team’s complementary offensive sets. The opportunity to share the court with Jokic will improve his development, as the two would likely create several mismatches with each other against unsuspecting defenses.
Of course, with Johnson and Sheppard getting used to their new situation, developing chemistry will be critical. Their combined ingenuity might create more impressive basketball choreography resulting in better offensive rhythms and scoring opportunities for the Nuggets. As they navigate through training camp and preseason games, both players will aim to establish a rhythm that can translate into regular-season success.
Looking Ahead
Johnson’s stats from last season paint a picture of where he can grow. He was a liability at the free-throw line, making just 68% of his tries. His bottom line stats don’t wow you, but a deeper dive shows that he’s got success written all over him. The Nuggets are hoping he to be a shot-maker on the offensive end of the floor and a difference-maker defensively.
The NBA’s rapidly approaching 2023-24 season carries considerable promise and potential for Johnson, who enters this exciting new chapter with Denver. Fans and analysts alike are curious to see how well he’ll be able to fit in to a roster already built for a championship run. If he’s up to the task as a first-time starter, his level of play will help determine how far this team can go with championship aspirations.
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