Xavier Johnson desperately wanted. And urgently. To try to extend the series against Trieste and get to at least game 4, Unieuro, among the many qualities missing so far in these two games and which it should find again (first of all an excellent three-point shooting percentage), above all needs a return to high levels levels of his only American, after the injury that ruled out the other one (Kadeem Allen) from the game. To tell the truth, after the bad day in game 1, in game 2 the ‘American’ of the Forlì team was the extraordinary Federico Zampini, who played a commendable game to say the least in terms of continuity of performance, determination and effectiveness, and certainly not the winger of Los Angeles.
So what about Johnson? After 10 points and 6 rebounds in 28 minutes with 2/10 shooting in the first episode of the match against the Giulians, in game 2 the red and white winger fared, if we like, even worse. Not only in terms of numbers and statistical data – 6 points and 5 rebounds in 22′ with 3/7 two-pointers, 0/1 three-pointers and 0/2 free throws – but above all in terms of attitude, concentration, determination, in short, body language that certainly didn’t seem like that of a player who was playing the two matches of the key moment of the Forlì season, in front of the warm and passionate audience of the big occasions.
We learned after match 1 that Xavier was the victim of a gastrointestinal virus in the days before the first match against the Julian team, treated with an IV drip, which certainly weakened him in terms of his legs, energy and reactivity. Okay, but what about race 2? And there are no viruses of any kind here. Johnson played badly, very badly and this in the two most important games of the season.
Not only did he shoot badly – it can happen to any player -, but he made poor shooting choices, he was slow, not very quick, cumbersome, predictable, without considering the (5) fouls committed which certainly made him play in fits and starts with inevitable stops on the bench without allowing him to find the necessary continuity, but which on the other hand were often foolish and certainly not well advised. The consequence was that Johnson got nervous and tried to force it, resulting in mistakes and causing trouble after trouble.
Tomorrow in Trieste the number 11 of Unieuro must change gear and register and try to lend a hand to the splendid Zampini of match 2, to the continuous and useful Pascolo, to Pollone, without then considering what the various Cinciarini, Valentini, Magro and Radonjic. Against the Giulians the numbers, for now, condemn Johnson without appeal: 8 points, 5.5 rebounds, 2 assists and 3.3 turnovers on average per game, in 25′ with 35.7% from two, 0/4 from three and 60% from the bezel. Numbers that are in sharp decline compared to both those of the first phase and those of the Clock phase and also those reported in the four matches of the series against Vigevano.
Against the Lombards, apart from almost nothing in game 1 (6 points and 5 rebounds in 22′ with 3/9 from the field), Johnson did not fail at all, on the contrary, he finished with 16 points and 8.5 rebounds in 29′, the 56th % from two, a still terrible 21% from three and 79% from the foul line. But above all he took to the field with more desire, more determination and more attention. The one which, with the exception of some performances especially at the beginning of the championship, he had always shown and which, alongside his undoubted technical qualities, allowed him to close the first phase with 14 points and 6 rebounds in 28′ with 46% from two, 35% from three and 77% from the foul line and the Watch with 17 points and 5.8 rebounds in 30′ shooting 54% from two, 31% from three and 67% from free throws. They look like another player’s figures. What Forlì absolutely needs to see again if he wants to play at least one more time after game 3.
