I feel sick for Damian Johnson.

[thebarnsback]

He did nothing but give his heart and soul to this program for his whole time here. He was atrocious his Freshmen (R) year, works his ass off and becomes the team's most valuable player. As you all know he stated in the paper today (or was it yesterday) that at the begining of the season he would have thought that we would have been undefeated up to this point. (Unrealistic but you get the point). This was his last shot to win a game in the NCAA tourny and possibly go pretty far in it. He would have gotten more scouting attention, and more looks by the NBA. But due to a few boneheads, he got screwed. We're now likely out of the tournament and for Damian, he possibly won't get as much scouting attention. He hasn't had the season everyone expected of him but that is mostly due to him playing out of position and being accountable to do the dirty work inside. I know this has been brought up before but for a kid who has given more than his heart to this program, it makes me absolutely sick to my stomach.

Sorry for ranting but the kid has to feel the same..though he is too classy to admit it!

 

[Zeppelin Gopher]

He's blameless for what is going on right now? Where is the senior leadership? He's regressed from last season.

 

[gopherbadgerman]

He's blameless for what is going on right now? Where is the senior leadership? He's regressed from last season.

I applaud his effort, but agree with this poster - nice kid it seems, hard worker, but face the cold hard, facts - he is not that good, and hardly a leader. Just had a horrible intentional foul with about 30 seconds left in this game, and really, what has he improved on from last year?

 

[EG#9]

How do you know what kind of leader Damian Johnson is? His intentional foul at the end had NOTHING to do with the outcome of the game.

 

[gopherbadgerman]

How do you know what kind of leader Damian Johnson is? His intentional foul at the end had NOTHING to do with the outcome of the game.

How is he a leader? Not vocal, does not lead with his play? IMO, he sure does not seem like one. Maybe he is in the locker room and at practice though...I have no idea...

 

[BrooklynBadger_Gopher_Fan]

He's blameless for what is going on right now? Where is the senior leadership? He's regressed from last season.

your just being nasty; if not, man you are way off... people who truly understand basketball, know that DJ has improved every year and is a fantastic all around player

 

[Tubby Tyme]

DJ has been great, but has also disappeared in big games. I am thankful for his determination and effort, but I did expect more from him this year.

 

[Roland Brooks]

Damian

I like Damian he is a team guy who has heart.... No chemistry on this team....

I look back to the team with Hagen, Lawson and Lil A and company they played for each other and played as one... Hopefully Trevor sticks around and he can be the blue collar guy on the block I would take J'son Stamper right now- guys with heart

 

[Tubby Tyme]

I like Damian he is a team guy who has heart.... No chemistry on this team....

I look back to the team with Hagen, Lawson and Lil A and company they played for each other and played as one... Hopefully Trevor sticks around and he can be the blue collar guy on the block I would take J'son Stamper right now- guys with heart

It heart wins, I'll take it. Hell, I'll take crooked Clem as coach if it meant winning (I am that desperate).

 

[pmgz]

He's blameless for what is going on right now? Where is the senior leadership? He's regressed from last season.

Where is his leadership? 11-12 pts/game, lots of blocks/game, always D-ing up on the toughest opponent, many steals per game.

BB is a team game - just think if Tubby could get the "star" recruits to play to DJ's level.

 

[underground629]

His shooting

I applaud his effort, but agree with this poster - nice kid it seems, hard worker, but face the cold hard, facts - he is not that good, and hardly a leader. Just had a horrible intentional foul with about 30 seconds left in this game, and really, what has he improved on from last year?

 

[camken78]

Where is his leadership? 11-12 pts/game, lots of blocks/game, always D-ing up on the toughest opponent, many steals per game.

BB is a team game - just think if Tubby could get the "star" recruits to play to DJ's level.

I agree. Anyone that doesnt think Damian is a blessing to have on this team is an idiot. He deserved better. I dont think he"ll be drafted but if he is in the NBDL next year I cant wait to see his stats.He can lock down the best scorer on any NBDL team right now. He will be on an NBA team within 2 years. Its gonna be hard to fill his role from a heart and coachability standpoint.

 

[gopherbadgerman]

I agree. Anyone that doesnt think Damian is a blessing to have on this team is an idiot. He deserved better. I dont think he"ll be drafted but if he is in the NBDL next year I cant wait to see his stats.He can lock down the best scorer on any NBDL team right now. He will be on an NBA team within 2 years. Its gonna be hard to fill his role from a heart and coachability standpoint.

I am not denying he is a great kid and gave his heart to the program, and is playing hurt...but for the life of me, I cannot understand how people think he is an NBA player...

 

[gopherbadgerman]

Where is his leadership? 11-12 pts/game, lots of blocks/game, always D-ing up on the toughest opponent, many steals per game.

BB is a team game - just think if Tubby could get the "star" recruits to play to DJ's level.

10.3 PPG, 3.9 RPG, 2.0 BPG, and 2.1 SPG

Good all around numbers - although rebounding is a little low - I agree that if we got "star players" to play with his intensity that would be great. But he does not have the ability to carry a team for any stretch of a game, IMO...he would be a nice compliment on a good team, nothing more, nothing less.

 

[Pewterschmidt]

He's efficient and a well-rounded player. The Gophers are losing in spite of Johnson's constant effort and play.

This is a stupid conversation. Whoever said he's "not very good" has a "not very good" take. He's the one player on this team that every team in the country wish they had and I mean every team in the country. He does things that few can do: ie play good defense against both people bigger and smaller than he is. He's easily an above average BT player and the effort his puts forth makes him the least of our concerns at this point.

I too feel bad for him. He deserves more from his teammates and coaches.

 

[98VQueens]

I like Damian he is a team guy who has heart.... No chemistry on this team....

How about when Cobbs made that dumb turnover when he expected DJ to roll and then yelled at him. Maybe he DJ should have cut, but it was still Cobbs mistake and he tops it off by yelling at the senior co-captin? I'm way down on Justin right now.

 

[The Truth]

Decent college player who has worked hard but he'll make his living playing overseas. I doubt he'll ever see an NBA roster.

And to be frank for a moment, if you want to get to where you want to be Damian Johnson should be a role player/hustle guy/fourth option on a team than a prime time player. Would Johnson start for Michigan State? Purdue? Ohio State? Illinois? A nice player on a lower level Big 10 squad but not the type of player Minnesota needs to elevate to the upper echelon of the conference.

 

[gopherbadgerman]

Decent college player who has worked hard but he'll make his living playing overseas. I doubt he'll ever see an NBA roster.

And to be frank for a moment, if you want to get to where you want to be Damian Johnson should be a role player/hustle guy/fourth option on a team than a prime time player. Would Johnson start for Michigan State? Purdue? Ohio State? Illinois? A nice player on a lower level Big 10 squad but not the type of player Minnesota needs to elevate to the upper echelon of the conference.

100% agree with this. Right on IMO...

 

[gopherbadgerman]

he did have one decent play today - kicking it out to Blake for a three, besides that, WTF???

Where is that poster that was talking about his NBA future? Wow...