Johnson gets to the point tonight

Steve Addy

Tuesday, Nov. 7, 2000 | 9:45 a.m.

Tonight

Who: UNLV vs. Delta Jammers exhibition game

When: Tonight, 7:30

Where: Thomas & Mack Center

TV: None

Radio: KBAD 920-AM

Coach Bill Bayno doesn't want Lafonte Johnson to bear extraordinary pressure, but there is no doubt that many eyes will be on UNLV's new point guard tonight.

When the Rebels play the Delta Jammers in their exhibition opener at 7:30 at the Thomas & Mack Center, they'll have four returning starters on the roster, if not in the lineup.

But after the graduation of Mark Dickel, who led the NCAA in assists per game, the Rebels will be relying on the 5-foot-10 Johnson to fill the vacancy and quarterback their attack.

Even if Johnson doesn't start tonight -- Bayno wouldn't reveal that Monday -- the freshman from Baltimore is the anointed successor to Dickel.

Though Bayno has been careful to ease Johnson's adjustment to college ball, limiting media access to him and other new Rebels in the preseason, the coach doesn't intend to baby him for long.

"I think it's good to have some pressure," Bayno said. "Lafonte has to know that he needs to play hard, play smart, and to learn from any mistakes he makes. Some pressure will be good for his development."

But Bayno also remembers how some UNLV fans hurled boos at Dickel during his early years. Dickel didn't let the treatment defeat him, as his sturdy senior year showed, but Bayno hopes fans will be more patient with Johnson.

"Everyone has to remember that the kid hasn't played in five months (because of a broken foot)," Bayno said. "Had he not had that injury, he would be further along.

"If (booing) happens, that is (the fans') problem. Lafonte knows he has our support. It's a marathon, not a sprint. He's going to have good days and bad days. The thing is, to get better every day."

Johnson got off to a rough start in practice last month, mainly because of his injury layoff and toe blisters that limited his running ability. But Bayno and players say his conditioning has improved greatly in the past two weeks.

That has given Bayno a more accurate look at the whippet-like guard who prepped at Crispus Attucks Charter School in York, Pa.

"He's got pure point guard ability," Bayno said. "He can make the open shot. He can get guys the ball in a position where they can do something with it. He's learning the offense -- and he has to know all five positions, which he hasn't had to do before."

If he needs it, Johnson will have plenty of backup help.

Bayno has grown more confident in Trevor Diggs' ballhandling against pressure, so he could slide over from shooting guard for a spell.

"Trev has always been our best on-the-ball defender," Bayno said. "He struggled (at the point) last season, but I think it was because he didn't buy into it. But he's buying into it this year. He's a year older and has a better understanding of this level."

Lou Kelly could run the offense because of his superb passing, and Danny Brotherson is also capable of backcourt minutes. Center Kaspars Kambala already likes Kelly's ability to get him the ball in the halfcourt offense.

"Lou can really throw it in there," Kambala said. "Some guys get scared if they see I'm under (defensive) pressure or if they're under pressure. They aren't sure if they should throw it. But Lou can put the ball right where I'm looking, and he's confident enough to try it."

Bayno said, "Lou's got a real feel for the game. He's a basketball player, as opposed to an athlete."

"Four halves, four lineups," he said. "We're going to mix it up, find some combinations that work."