Phoenix Suns: Cam Johnson receives All-Rookie votes

Phoenix Suns sharpshooter, Cameron Johnson, received three votes for second-team NBA All-Rookie team, and that feels about right.

Earlier in the week, Phoenix Suns middle linebacker center, Aron Baynes, received a vote for All-Defense likely because the ballot caster has never watched the Suns play basketball and simply is in genuine awe of Baynes’ physical presence. In the All-Rookie category, another Suns 3-point specialist, received three second-team votes.

The 11th overall pick in the 2019 draft had a solid performance for the Suns this season, making those who mocked James Jones for reaching for him so high eat a healthy portion of crow.

Phoenix Suns rookie, Cam Johnson, built serious momentum in year one.

Johnson averaged just 8.8 points and 3.3 rebounds per game for the Suns but shot 39 percent from behind the arc. Late in the season and into the bubble, Johnson started to really find his footing, starting all eight games in Orlando in place of Dario Saric and switching to the power forward position.

In the seeding games, Johnson bumped those numbers up to 13.3 points and 5.9 rebonds per game, giving him momentum heading into his second year, whenever that will start.

This late surge may have earned him those three second-team votes. Overall, Johnson finished 20th among rookies who played at least 20 games in points per game. Johnson’s 39 percent from deep ranked him 3rd in rookies in the same list trailing only Michael Porter Jr. and Zion Williamson.

At first glance, I thought Johnson got jobbed by only receiving three second-team votes, but after digging into the numbers a little more, this feels about right. I’m not sure how too many people can vote him above anyone who made the top 10 without some serious explanations. Here are those top 10:

First team:

Ja Morant (Memphis)
Kendrick Nunn (Miami)
Brandon Clarke (Memphis)
Zion Williamson (New Orleans)
Eric Paschall (Golden State)

Second Team:

Tyler Herro (Miami)
Terence Davis II (Toronto)
Coby White (Chicago)
P.J. Washington Jr. (Charlotte)
Rui Hachimura (Washington)

Phoenix Suns fans should be encouraged with Johnson’s rookie performance and look forward to continued improvement next year. That, and winning, because it is coming soon to a renovated arena (or bubble) near you.