Johnson hopes extra efforts will pay off

Steve Addy

Tuesday, Oct. 17, 2000 | 10:14 a.m.

Dalron Johnson reached the apex of his freshman learning curve at just the right time last season.

While UNLV was winning its last seven games prior to the NCAA Tournament, Johnson was just as vital to the Rebels as Kaspars Kambala and Mark Dickel, averaging 15.2 points and 7.4 rebounds.

But then, along with his teammates, Johnson quickly slid down the other side of the curve against Tulsa in the tournament. The 6-foot-9 power forward from Los Angeles was held to four points and committed four turnovers in the Rebels' 89-62 first-round loss.

In retrospect, that cold slap of reality might have been the best thing for Johnson, serving as a reminder that he and the Rebels still are not among college basketball's elite and that greater strides are needed.

Johnson took that mind-set into the summer, and he hopes his off-season dedication will put him on a whole new curve -- from promising Mountain West co-freshman of the year to one of the best young big men in the country.

In the process, don't be shocked if Johnson squeezes in next to Kambala as UNLV's best player.

"Dalron has the most God-given talent (on the team) -- it's not even close," coach Bill Bayno said Monday. "But I told him he hasn't done anything yet to deserve (his physical attributes). Now he has to put the work in, like taking extra shooting, which he is doing."

Johnson added 10 pounds of needed muscle over the summer (he weighs 210) and attended various camps to round out his skills. He participated in USA Basketball's 20-under developmental camp, though he didn't make the final roster, and also worked out under the supervision of ex-Rebels coach Tim Grgurich.

"I really learned a lot from (Grgurich). He kind of took me under his wing," Johnson said. "He pointed out some things I never noticed before, but those are the kinds of things that can raise your game to another level.

"I worked on a lot of things -- handling the ball, making the right decisions with the ball, rebounding, post moves. I worked on my timing for blocking shots. I have to stay down and not go for fakes, but watch for the ball to leave the shooter's hands."

From a callow freshman who averaged 11.3 points and 7.0 rebounds in 31 games, it's evident that the sophomore Johnson is taking a more cerebral, mature approach to the game. He says that will show up especially in his rebounding and concentration.

"My rebounding should increase dramatically," he said. "I used to sit off and wait for the ball to come to me. This year, I'm going to be more intense and go after every ball. The ball isn't going to just come to you. I watch the ball and try to judge where it will hit the rim, where it's going to come off. I got better at that over the summer."

Johnson also promises fewer emotional outbursts. Last season, he often got upset over fouls and mistakes, and sometimes drew cranky stares from referees who did not appreciate a freshman acting up.

"I got caught up in showing too much emotion," Johnson said. "I got down on myself for every foul and every missed shot. I have to remember that one play doesn't make a game. It's a series of plays, and I can always make up for a mistake as long as I keep my head in the game."

On offense, Johnson will be stationed at the high post more often, hoping to draw opposing big men away from the basket. If defenders do not guard Johnson closely, he can make the 15-footer. Otherwise, he can go around them to the basket or throw the ball over the top to Kambala.

"We want Dalron to be aggressive, but in the flow of the offense," Bayno said. "In transition, we want him to go and make plays. In the halfcourt, he's going to get shots, but we want him to be patient, so that we make sure we exploit any mismatches."

"He's going to be fine once he gets in shape. He just gets winded so quick that it affects his decision-making," Bayno said. "He's got a long way to go. He has a lot of responsibilities to learn -- hitting guys in their spots, understanding time-and-score situations, being vocal." ...

Bayno said the defense is well ahead of the offense, largely because he has altered many of the offensive sets from last season. Also, he's trying to make the offense better at distinguishing good transition opportunities from bad ones.

"Especially if you are good in transition, you have to learn to slow down in the halfcourt and make the defense pay," he said.