Daniel Johnson and Daniel Kickert have been two of the elite power forwards in the NBL over the past four seasons. Both are exceptional shooters at their position, both possess a high basketball IQ but who is better?
Tale Of The Tape
Daniel Johnson recently turned 30, weighs in at 108 kg (or 238 pounds) and even though he is listed at 212 cm (6″11 ½ in the old scale) I think he’s closer to 209 cm (6″10) myself.
Daniel Kickert at 35 has an extra five years on DJ and is listed at 208 cm (6″10) and 109 kg (or 240 pounds).
Johnson has had short stints overseas, most notably in Puerto Rico, Poland and Iran, but played the majority of his career in Australia, appearing in 271 NBL games. Kickert has played in less than half of that, suiting up in only 114 NBL games but what Kicks has been able to do overseas very few Australian’s have achieved. Winning a championship in the Ukrainian SuperLeague (2013) and having successful years with clubs in Spain and Poland outside David Andersen, considered Australia’s greatest international player of all-time, very few Australian’s had a better career in Europe.
Both men have NBL resumes which speak for themselves.
- 3 x All NBL first teams (2014, 2017, 2018)
- 2 x All NBL second teams (2013, 2016)
- 1 x All NBL third team (2012)
- Most Improved Player (2012)
- NBL Leading Rebounder (2013, 2016)
- 1 x All NBL first team (2016)
- 1 x All NBL second team (2017)
But beyond the individual awards, we take a look at the unique skill sets both players possess.
SCORING:
Both can score in multiple ways and both can really hurt opposition teams from the perimeter or in the post. DJ has developed a nice touch in the paint in the last year or two, including a Dirk like step back runner over his right shoulder from either block and a dependable little jump hook.
Kicks is solid down there as well with either hand, and from the right block he is virtually unstoppable. Both also have a turn around fade away. DJ can take slower bigs off the dribble while Kicks is a catch and shoot man or a post-up. They can also hurt you from the perimeter.
Kicks is famously a member of the 50/40/90 club putting up the following stats:
2015/2016 – 52/47/90 | 14.7 ppg (fell four FT short)
2016/2017 – 54/46/95 | 12.7 ppg
2017/2018 – 52/42/92 | 13.9 ppg
Kicks gets by on minimum shot attempts and is one of the most efficient offensive players in the history of the NBL. DJ will never die wondering and is more than happy to carry the offensive load and take the big shot whereas Kicks is the perfect complimentary player to high scoring imports and Aussies.
The question around Kickert has always been “could he average more points per game?” Maybe, but would his effectiveness suffer, we’ll never know the answer to either, but obviously Kicks has the better field goal percentage but for me, scoring is about putting the ball in the basket which DJ isn’t afraid to do.
Interestingly enough, both have a current career average of 13.9 ppg in the NBL but I’m giving the edge to DJ here. He can hurt you more often, in more ways. Kicks makes shots when he gets open – DJ makes shots regardless.
EDGE – DJ
Scoring:
DJ 9/10
Kicks 7/10
DEFENSE:
Neither one is ever going to be confused for legendary NBL shot blocker Willie Simmons or ball thief Darryl McDonald but they are both solid and capable defenders. DJ has career averages of 0.6 blocks and 0.4 steals and Kicks is similar with 0.4 blocks and 0.3 steals.
DJ is a little more mobile and can switch out momentarily on to guards if he has too, and his defence, much maligned at the beginning of his career, is getting better. The stronger Kicks has a slight advantage in the post due to his strength and experience.
Edge – Kicks
Scoring:
DJ 7/10
Kicks 8/10
REBOUNDING:
Johnson cleans the glass more often than Kickert in their respective NBL careers 6.4 to 4.2 rebounds per game respectively. Johnson, the league’s leading rebounder in 2013 and 2016 as a clear advantage on Kicks, who has never averaged more than 4.6 rebounds per game.
Kickert has never been a huge rebounder, not in the NBL, overseas or even through College (just over 5 per game over 4 years). On the other hand, DJ hasn’t averaged less than 7 rebounds in the last four seasons with a career high of 9.2 rebounds per game set in 2015/2016.
DJ is also around the basket a little more whereas Kicks finds himself on the perimeter more often.
Edge – DJ.
Scoring:
DJ 8/10
Kicks 6/10
DURABILITY:
DJ had a year at Pepperdine University in 2007-08 where he averaged 9.4 ppg and 3.4 boards over 21 games. He then debuted as a rookie for the Melbourne Tigers (2008)before moving to Adelaide the following year, where he has remained ever since.
Despite taking short “working holidays” in Poland, New Zealand, Iran and Puerto Rico, playing 271 games at 30 years of age is quite a feat. One which has him sitting seventh among active NBL players in all-time games played. He has started in 77% of his NBL games (213/269 games) and played an active role each season, averaging 30 minutes or more since 2011.
Kicks played four years of college hoops at St. Marys, (2002-06) before going undrafted in the 2006 NBA draft. He then ventured overseas to begin his professional basketball career, playing in Italy (2006-07), Spain (2007-10), Poland (2011-12), Ukraine (2012-14) finally returning to Spain in 2014 before joining the Melbourne United.
After two seasons playing in front of his friends and family in Melbourne, Kickert played with the Brisbane Bullets (20016-18) for two seasons and then joined his friend and AIS teammate Andrew Bogut in Sydney (2018-19).
He has been a starter for most of his career (102 of 114 his games) and his durability as a player can be seen by the fact that Kickert has played men’s basketball every year since 2002 and averaged 26 minutes or more.
Despite this he has more than a few more miles on the clock than compared to DJ, but this is too close to call. Let’s just say both are extremely durable.
Edge – EVEN.
Scoring:
DJ 10/10
Kicks 6/10
PASSING:
DJ will pass to you… if you’re sitting on the ring. Kicks doesn’t need to pass, he’s too efficient. So when he gets the ball, it’s to shoot it… not set a team mate up.
DJ averaged 2.3 assists last year, not bad for a big guy in a super up tempo team, and has an NBL career average of just 1.3 apg. Kicks average 1.4 across his career and has an NBL career high of 2.1 apg in 2015/2016.
Edge – EVEN
Scoring:
DJ 6/10
Kicks 6/10
LEADERSHIP:
Both DJ and Kicks appear to be the handsome, silent, brooding types. They rarely get flustered and both lead by example. They are the perfect counterpoints to their more outgoing and extroverted teammates. Johnson is the Captain of the 36ers now, which speaks volumes about his leadership on and off the court. Kickert will speak up when necessary, and when he speaks, people listen.
EDGE – DJ
Scoring:
DJ 8/10
Kicks 7/10
BALL HANDLING:
Neither one is leading the break straight off a rebound. DJ is part of the high octane Sixers offence that values transition baskets more than life itself. Kicks rebounds, steady’s himself, then fills a lane or trails. Neither one has to handle the ball much in their current systems.
EDGE – EVEN
Scoring:
DJ 6/10
Kicks 6/10
SUMMARY:
Scoring: DJ 9 / Kicks 7
Defence: DJ 7 / Kicks 8
Rebounding: DJ 8 / Kicks 6
Durability: DJ 10 / Kicks 10
Passing: DJ 6 / Kicks 6
Leadership: DJ 8 / Kicks 7
Ball Handling: DJ 6 / Kicks 6
Totals
Daniel Johnson 54/70
Daniel Kickert 50/70
CONCLUSION
Both Daniels are undoubtedly great players and thrive within their respective systems. Kicks is 35 now, and has played for three different teams in the last three years. He is a solid professional with a set of skills that most teams covet. DJ is only 30 and is still improving every year and is a better scorer and rebounder.
Kicks is more efficient at the offensive end, but DJ is a more robust and proficient scorer. Kicks hold a slight edge defensively and both are extremely durable, but overall DJ gets the nod 54-50.
Dan Boyce is a die-hard Sydney Kings fan who grew up in Melbourne during the roaring 90's of Australian Basketball and spent far too much time collecting Futera NBL Basketball cards.
