Cameron Johnson exemplifies how players can develop into elite shooters through dedicated work and smart training methods.
Since entering the league in 2019-20, Cameron Johnson has established himself as a reliable and effective perimeter shooter.
His ability to shoot off the catch in various game situations makes him valuable in today’s NBA market.
The Denver Nuggets acquired him this summer to replace Michael Porter Jr., who shot around 39% but attempted fewer threes last season.
Johnson’s shooting numbers validate his reputation as a consistent threat from beyond the arc. After recording 39% three-point shooting in his rookie season, his percentages climbed above 40% in his third and fourth seasons.
While his numbers dropped back to 39% over the past two seasons, the decline came with increased three-point attempts, maintaining his overall effectiveness.
Photo by Stacy Revere/Getty ImagesJohnson shares mental approach to shooting pressure
The 29-year-old recently revealed his development process for becoming a better NBA shooter. His insights could benefit both professional and amateur players working on their perimeter shooting.
Johnson emphasized the importance of replicating game pressure during practice sessions rather than simply taking comfortable catch-and-shoot attempts.
“I like to have an approach that tries to transfer over to the game because of the mental pressures of shooting… when you’re just doing catch and shoots, you’re able to catch a rhythm, there’s no defense, and there’s really no punishment for missing,” Johnson explained.
The mental component becomes crucial during actual games when missing shots creates deflating feelings that impact subsequent attempts.
“In a game, you know the deflating feeling of missing a wide open three or being 0-4 or 0-5, and it affects your next shot. As much as we want to say it doesn’t, it does,” he continued.
“So I try to mimic those pressures in a workout-type environment, whether it’s competing, makes vs misses, shots on the move, or fatigue shots. There are just so many ways to approach it. Over my career, that’s how I’ve become a better shooter,” he added.
Defensive improvement complements shooting ability
Johnson has developed beyond just shooting, becoming a more complete two-way player that Denver will benefit from next season. His defensive growth adds value alongside his perimeter shooting.
Last season, Johnson recorded more steals, contested more shots, and challenged more attempts while maintaining a lower turnover rate than Porter. The defensive improvements make him a more well-rounded contributor.
If Johnson maintains his shooting accuracy and defensive ability while fitting into Denver’s system centered around Nikola Jokic, the Nuggets could become extremely dangerous with another reliable weapon from beyond the arc.
His combination of shooting consistency and defensive growth could provide the upgrade Denver needed to enhance their championship prospects.