Phoenix Suns: Opportunity knocks for Cameron Johnson

The Phoenix Suns will have a lot to play for in their final eight games of the regular season, but Cam Johnson has an opportunity to breakout.

When the season starts back up in late July and goes into August, rookies will no longer rookies. If this were normal circumstances, a rookie playing in August playing some pickup games or for his national team would be considered a sophomore already. At this point, they know what to expect when it comes to the speed of the game and should be fairly comfortable with NBA life. This is the case for Phoenix Suns swingman, Cameron Johnson.

After James Jones reached for him in the 2019 draft, the 23-year-old (dinosaur age for a rookie) sharpshooter has performed better than many fans expected. Even though he was regarded as one of the best (if not the best) shooters in the draft, his 39.7 percent marksmanship from behind the arc is impressive.

At Disney with Kelly Oubre out, Johnson has a chance to continue to shine and garner some serious momentum going into year two. In my opinion, he may even have the opportunity to start alongside Bridges, Rubio, Booker, and Ayton, which would leave Dario Saric relegated to the sixth man.

The Phoenix Suns could play Cam Johnson with the starters.

When Bridges was out during training camp before this season, Cam Johnson ran with the starters and Monty Williams was impressed with how seamlessly he fit into that role. It’s not crazy to think that with Saric’s future with the Suns very much up in the air, Johnson could start in an effort to build his confidence and grow his game.

https://twitter.com/Suns/status/1270151138516406273?s=20

One thing we know for sure is that he’s been working out since the teams have reopened facilities. The Suns tweeted out a video of him, quarantine hair and all, going through some individual workouts that consisted of a lot more than simply shooting, which is primarily what fans have seen him do in games.

To be exact, he only shot 96 2-point attempts this season compared to 229 attempts from 3. Growing his game to more than just a spot-up shooter is the next step for Johnson, and the thing is, we know he has it in him.

Fans and teammates shot out of their seats when he threw down one of the most vicious dunks of the year on JaVale McGee back in February against the Lakers, so he is more than capable of taking the ball to the rim.

Showing he is willing to take his man off the dribble more often will only free up his outside game that much more.

That’s what I hope to see from Cam Johnson in Disney; a confident sophomore who plays starter minutes and does more than just spot-up shoot. The world will be watching and he has a great opportunity breakout.

Get it, Cam.