State of the Hornets: Linton Johnson

June 1, 2007

The 6-foot-8, 205-pound Linton Johnson is perhaps the Hornets’ most versatile defender, with the ability to block a shot in the paint or guard a quick backcourt player on the perimeter one-on-one.

Linton Johnson

NBA experience: Four seasons (one with Bulls, one with Spurs, two with Hornets).

Age: Turns 27 on June 13.

Games played (starts): 54 (0).

Key statistical averages: 4.2 points, 3.0 rebounds.

What we expected: The 6-foot-8 forward was a virtual afterthought in a February 2006 trade-deadline deal that also included Marc Jackson and Bostjan Nachbar, who was dealt to New Jersey. However, Johnson made a surprising impact over 27 appearances for the Hornets after the trade, averaging 5.3 points and 4.3 rebounds in just 18.1 minutes a night. The Tulane University product entered 2006-07 projected as an eighth man or ninth man who would provide energy, hustle, defense and hard-nosed rebounding for the Hornets’ reserve unit.

What went right: Johnson began the campaign as a member of Byron Scott’s rotation, appearing in 10 of the season’s first 11 games and averaging 4.2 points and 2.9 rebounds in November, while logging just 10.3 minutes per contest. When he received playing time, Johnson established himself as one of the team’s best on-ball defenders, as well as an outstanding per-minute rebounder. He averaged a rebound every 4.41 minutes, which equates to 10.9 boards per 48 minutes.

What went wrong: Byron Scott had no reservations about explaining to the media why he removed Johnson from his rotation in 2006-07 on multiple occasions. Scott said Johnson fired too many ill-advised perimeter shots and did not understand his role, which led to over 20 DNPs due to coach’s decision. Johnson eventually cemented a residence in Scott’s “doghouse.” Following a three-minute stint in New York on March 16, the Chicago native appeared in only one of the Hornets’ final 16 games. At the peak of his first lengthy spell on the bench in December and January, Johnson dropped so far out of the rotation that he did not even get into the game in a 35-point blowout vs. San Antonio.

The future: Johnson is an unrestricted free agent. He’s played on three different teams in his four NBA seasons and figures to be hard-pressed to find a club that will sign him to more than a one-year deal in 2007-08. At his best, he’s a nice contributor off the bench while playing about 15 minutes per game, but Hornets coaches have stressed that he must stick to his strengths in order to maximize his value as an NBA player.