The 2018 NBA Manifesto
Jonathan Gibson
PG - 6’1, 172lbs - 24 years old - 5 years of experience
Picked up for the final six days of the regular season in order to shore up the ball handling position amid a sea of injuries (and with the playoffs always going to be the priority), Gibson played very well in his few minutes for the Celtics. Perhaps this is not a surprise; after all, he has been doing this very hired-gun thing professionally for years now.
Gibson, a small scorer in the mold of Anthony Roberson et al, is a vastly undersized point guard who doesn't play as such. He's also very good at scoring, to the tune of 33.7 points per game in a full season this year with Chinese team Qingdao. Much of it is via the three-pointer, from where he always shoots on or about 40%, but he is also relentless in trying to get to the line out of pick-and-roll action. And he’s quite good at that, too.
Is that enough to make it in the NBA again as specialist shooter and scorer? Likely not, but it was for Anthony Roberson. More importantly, Gibson will have to show he can spot at the point, and that despite his stature, he is good to handle the position for a few minutes at a time.
He hasn't the handle to combat intense defensive pressure, nor has he the playmaking, passing, ball handling pick-and-roll or court vision talents that the position demands. Even when he's playing the point, he's looking to score. Which is fine, if you let him, because Jonathan Gibson really is a pro scorer. Anything else is a bonus.
Player Plan: Expiring prorated minimum salary. QO eligible but it seems unnecessary. The whole “play the bulk of the season in China then be ready to cameo when NBA teams need emergency ball handlers” things has worked quite well for Gibson these last two years, with each gig directly helping his employability in the other. Maybe he should aim for that again.
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PG - 6’1, 172lbs - 24 years old - 5 years of experience
Picked up for the final six days of the regular season in order to shore up the ball handling position amid a sea of injuries (and with the playoffs always going to be the priority), Gibson played very well in his few minutes for the Celtics. Perhaps this is not a surprise; after all, he has been doing this very hired-gun thing professionally for years now.
Gibson, a small scorer in the mold of Anthony Roberson et al, is a vastly undersized point guard who doesn't play as such. He's also very good at scoring, to the tune of 33.7 points per game in a full season this year with Chinese team Qingdao. Much of it is via the three-pointer, from where he always shoots on or about 40%, but he is also relentless in trying to get to the line out of pick-and-roll action. And he’s quite good at that, too.
Is that enough to make it in the NBA again as specialist shooter and scorer? Likely not, but it was for Anthony Roberson. More importantly, Gibson will have to show he can spot at the point, and that despite his stature, he is good to handle the position for a few minutes at a time.
He hasn't the handle to combat intense defensive pressure, nor has he the playmaking, passing, ball handling pick-and-roll or court vision talents that the position demands. Even when he's playing the point, he's looking to score. Which is fine, if you let him, because Jonathan Gibson really is a pro scorer. Anything else is a bonus.
Player Plan: Expiring prorated minimum salary. QO eligible but it seems unnecessary. The whole “play the bulk of the season in China then be ready to cameo when NBA teams need emergency ball handlers” things has worked quite well for Gibson these last two years, with each gig directly helping his employability in the other. Maybe he should aim for that again.