Anthony Johnson the "Wade-Stopper" <div class="quote_poster">Quote:</div><div class="quote_post">Anthony Johnson let loose with a big laugh as he considered the question that every Mavericks fan would like to ask. Sadly, when it comes to guarding Dwyane Wade, the physical point guard can't provide any better answer than the Mavericks had for Miami's superstar in the NBA Finals. But he's willing to do his part to find a solution. "I feel very good about matching up with most of the point guards in the NBA," Johnson said Tuesday. "With Dwyane Wade, you're not going to stop him one-on-one. It's a team defense with him. But against most scoring guards, I'm comfortable going against them." Johnson ? acquired by the Mavericks on Monday in a trade for Darrell Armstrong, Josh Powell and Rawle Marshall ? said he's looking forward to helping the defensive seeds that were planted in the Mavericks last season to blossom. His reputation as one of the stickiest perimeter defenders is what drew the Mavericks to him, as well as his ability to distribute the basketball. For the record, Wade, who scorched the Mavericks in the Finals, averaged 27.3 points, 7.0 assists and 8.3 rebounds in three meetings against Indiana last season. But Johnson played sparingly in two of the games and not at all in the third. He figures to make more of an impact here as the backup point guard behind Devin Harris. "I know they like to play two point guards as much as possible and in our league these days, you have to have somebody who can defend the bigger point guards," Johnson said. "I feel like I fit that description. Defense is probably what I'm known for." And his offense came around last season in the playoffs, when he averaged 20 points in a first-round series against New Jersey. That won't be his role with the Mavericks. But he's confident he can find ways to help at both ends of the floor, as is the team's other A.J., coach Avery Johnson. "We wanted a bigger point guard who could defend as well as run the team, and Anthony can do that," the coach said. Anthony Johnson, who's 6-3, said his spirits have rocketed after three years in Indiana. He looks at the Mavericks as a team on a different growth curve. "In Indiana, our season progressively ended earlier after going to the conference finals a few years ago," he said. "Two years ago, we made it to the second round and last year, we were out in the first round. "With the Mavericks, I'm joining a team that is going further every year. Hopefully, I can help them continue that." </div> Source
It seemed to me that at the draft in June Dallas was thinking there is a good chance they'll be in the same position in 2007, taking three tough series out west (Spurs, Suns and Clips or probably Rockets) then turning east and finding Dwayne Wade with his back to the sun. So they picked the best athlete and basketball player who is big and strong but mobile enough to get back quickly on defense and guard Wade and be a reliable scorer with a mid-range jumper and strong enough to attack the rim and finish. I think the Mavs feel Ager is a big part of stopping players like Wade and Bryant and T-Mac. Anthony Johnson has similar size and strength, and Howard brings quickness and length although his long legs make it a little difficult to stay in front of a super quick guard with a big handle.
I don't know about AJ being the Wade stopped. Kirk Hinrich would be the closest thing to being a Wade stopper, but when Wade started trusting his jumpshot against Chicago, even Hinrich couldn't do much anymore.
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting og15:</div><div class="quote_post">I don't know about AJ being the Wade stopped. Kirk Hinrich would be the closest thing to being a Wade stopper, but when Wade started trusting his jumpshot against Chicago, even Hinrich couldn't do much anymore.</div> Kirk Hinrich? Wade Stopper? Those two names shouldn't EVER ben mentioned in the same sentence
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting Rock4life:</div><div class="quote_post">Kirk Hinrich? Wade Stopper? Those two names shouldn't EVER ben mentioned in the same sentence</div> There is a reason Wade struggles playing against Chicago, and don?t give me that crock about being nervous playing at home.
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting Best Kept Secret:</div><div class="quote_post">There is a reason Wade struggles playing against Chicago, and don?t give me that crock about being nervous playing at home.</div> Wade is nervous playing at home......
Dallas is smart enough and unselfish enough to know there is no such thing as a Wade stopper. But they have at least 4 players who can run him ragged without fouling him, keeping him off balance and making him earn every shot. A better team defense is the answer: Howard, Ager, Johnson and Devin Harris.
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting Rock4life:</div><div class="quote_post">Kirk Hinrich? Wade Stopper? Those two names shouldn't EVER ben mentioned in the same sentence</div> I won't even bother making a reply to this, so yea... Let's just consider a few things though, Hinrich is an excellent defender and one of the best perimeter defenders at PG in the league. Most SG's aren't quick enough to guard Wade, and most PG's aren't strong enough to matchup with him. You put two and two together. Another good Wade defender is Lindsey Hunter.
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting og15:</div><div class="quote_post">I won't even bother making a reply to this, so yea... Let's just consider a few things though, Hinrich is an excellent defender and one of the best perimeter defenders at PG in the league. Most SG's aren't quick enough to guard Wade, and most PG's aren't strong enough to matchup with him. You put two and two together. Another good Wade defender is Lindsey Hunter.</div> Yea hunter really got under wades skin alot last year when they lost to the heat, but he did that to alot of players
mavs are picking up more on the defensive end even though they are already a pretty good defensive team
