It took four years for Brice Johnson to sell himself as a first-round NBA talent.
After three frustratingly inconsistent seasons at North Carolina, his final year was anything but. Johnson broke out his senior season and helped lead the Tar Heels to the national title game.
Given the win-now state of the Los Angeles Clippers and their limited frontcourt depth, coach Doc Rivers' interest in Johnson—a 22-year-old first-team All-American power forward—comes as no shock.
"We're happy he was there [pick No. 25]," Rivers told the Los Angeles Times' Broderick Turner. "I don't know if we were surprised or not. That was a guy we liked from the very beginning.
"We like the fact that we believe he has a chance to help right away. But we all feel like he has a high ceiling and he can get a lot better."
It became necessary to start taking Johnson seriously following a 39-point, 23-rebound eruption at Florida State on Jan. 4. He kept the pressure on after that, particularly when it counted; Johnson went for at least 20 points and 10 boards in three straight NCAA tournamen ...
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Article written by Jonathan Wasserman
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