A Versatile Skillset
What if I told you that Wesley Johnson was the Clippers’ team leader in both total steals and blocks last season? Would you think I was lying?
Because you’d be right — I am lying. However.
Johnson did rank second on the team in total steals and blocks, behind Lou Williams and DeAndre Jordan, respectively. Williams racked up 85 steals to Johnson’s 76, and Jordan swatted away 71 shots, to Johnson’s 62.
While some may attribute this to the fact that Johnson got quite a few more minutes this season than in previous ones, this has actually been something of a trend for him since he joined the Clippers in 2015.
During the 2015-2016 regular season, Johnson ranked second in total steals behind Chris Paul, who had 152 to his 89. Similarly, he ranked third in total blocks behind Jordan and Cole Aldrich — both of whom are centers that stand a good four or five inches taller than Johnson. Jordan recorded 177, Aldrich 68, and Johnson 56.
What exactly does this say about Johnson? Well, admittedly, not a whole lot. However, it does tell us that Johnson is still a solid, multifaceted defender that can help out all over the floor.
It’s not even like Johnson is just smothering a bunch of little dudes, either. Take a look back at this game against this Houston Rockets on January 15, when he rejected big man Clint Capela twice:
Johnson’s got game, man. Also some large shoulders.