Basketball: Rookie point guard found Jackson's shoes hard to fill

Kerron Johnson. Photo / Getty Images

This Breakers season has been tough on every player but perhaps none more so than Kerron Johnson.

The rookie point guard initially dealt with inflated expectations before struggling to adapt to an unfamiliar league in a foreign land.

As his team floundered they were in need for a court general to guide them to victories in tight games, but Johnson took time to adjust to such a pivotal role.

While the 23-year-old improved as the season progressed, his team have remained inconsistent and now find themselves outside the playoff picture ahead of tonight's clash with Melbourne.

The Breakers are yet to be mathematically eliminated but their fans would be forgiven to looking ahead to next season. Whether Johnson can do likewise is unclear.

With so much of an Australian NBL team's fate dependent on the quality of their imports, it's a ruthless business and clubs never hesitate to cut free those who underperform.

It would be unfair to apply that tag to Johnson, who has shown signs of maturing into a capable asset in the Breakers' back-court, but the American doesn't have far to look for a hint about his job security.

Darnell Lazare lasted a month with the Breakers before being ditched for Gary Wilkinson and, while the club have persisted with Johnson throughout the campaign, the guard could become an off-season casualty.

Coach Dean Vickerman has been impressed with Johnson's increasing leadership but it would be no surprise if the Breakers had instructed their American scout to keep his eye open for point guards.

Replacing Cedric Jackson was always going to be difficult. Johnson, who enjoyed a successful college career at Belmont, was identified early in the recruitment process but the Breakers may have erred in choosing such a callow player.

In his first year of professional basketball, Johnson's inexperience has shown down the stretch, when the value of a point guard is crystalised. Others have been preferred when the Breakers needed a basket, while his defence - one of Jackson's strong suits - has left a little to be desired in close games.

"There's some things he's got to do for us," Vickerman said. "Obviously, he's got to make his free throws down the stretch and control the team and get the shots he needs.

"But the defensive part of it is huge as well. It's no use just him backing off and letting people run their offence. He's got to stay up the floor and contest and make it difficult for people to get into their offence."

That will be Johnson's goal over the final three games, when he could be playing for his future in New Zealand. The Alabama native has been a popular teammate and he hopes to remain with an organisation who he says has helped him grow as a player.

"It's been an up-and-down ride as far as the season, but as far as these guys it's been steady. I love this organisation, I love the fans, I love [owners] Paul and Liz [Blackwell].

"I've really enjoyed my time here and I'm looking forward to many more times with this team. It's become a family and it's through tough times when you become a family."

The Numbers

Cedric Jackson 2013
14.6 points per game, 6.8 assists, 2.8 steals.

Kerron Johnson
13.2 points per game, 4.0 assists, 1.3 steals.