TORONTO — Despite a Detroit Pistons roster with six different All-Stars, arguably the most talked-about Piston in recent weeks has been Amir Johnson.
The second-year forward has been a dominate force in the NBA's Development League, and the Pistons rewarded him with a return trip to the team's active roster - and guaranteed playing time - in the team's final four regular season games beginning with Friday's 87-84 loss at Toronto.
After watching Johnson's dominant play on DVD, and seeing the impressive numbers - 18.9 points, 9.7 rebounds and 3.1 blocks per game - he posted, Pistons coach Flip Saunders was just as excited to see what Johnson would do against stiffer competition.
"We'll see how he does," Saunders said prior to Friday's game. "We're going to throw him in with some of our main guys early."
Johnson had three points and four rebounds in just over 18 minutes of action.
"It's tough coming back after being gone so long," Johnson said. "It's stiffer competition, but I'm a lot more confident with my game now."
He has reason to be after playing a pivotal role in the Sioux Falls (S.D.) Skyforce become one of the D-League's top teams this season.
"I didn't really feel like I was the go-to guy," said Johnson, who was named D-League player of the week twice this season. "I guess I became the go-to guy."
It's too soon to tell whether he'll develop into that kind of player for Detroit, but it won't be because of a lack of talent.
He's probably the brightest part of the Piston's future. I'm looking forward to seeing him more for the few games we have left, and hopefulyl he will have more PT next year.
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"I'm not just saying we are going to do it my way, I'm just saying we are going to do it the Championship Way." -Michael Curry
he wasn't overly impressive but he was playing against TOR starters. He was always one of the first back down the court to play D so that's always encouraging
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“My music fights against the system that teaches to live and die.”
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I like Johnson's aggressiveness, he had six trips to the line in 13 minutes, and he's a fairly good FT shooter. This was against the mighty Uros Slokar and Kris Humphries, but still.
I enjoyed Amir alot. I'm really digging him getting to the line so often, and shooting them decently. He didn't get 40 minutes tonight, but he still did very good. 8 points, and6 rebounds in 13 minutes. I hope fould trouble doesn't plague him much longer though...
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"I'm not just saying we are going to do it my way, I'm just saying we are going to do it the Championship Way." -Michael Curry
I like Johnson's aggressiveness, he had six trips to the line in 13 minutes, and he's a fairly good FT shooter. This was against the mighty Uros Slokar and Kris Humphries, but still.
Its still against NBA players rather then NBDL players. The differance isn't as huge as it once was but its still a postive differance.
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Piston Forum - Atleast we can't get in trouble for paying Cwebb this time
Boycotting the Detroit Lions since the 2007 NFL Draft
I enjoyed Amir alot. I'm really digging him getting to the line so often, and shooting them decently. He didn't get 40 minutes tonight, but he still did very good. 8 points, and6 rebounds in 13 minutes. I hope fould trouble doesn't plague him much longer though...
Since we are playing a back and back with the 2nd on the road, I can only imagine that they were resting him a bit figuring he would pick up even more minutes tonight.
I doubt we see the starting lineup at all in this one.
__________________ DePaul Basketball
Piston Forum - Atleast we can't get in trouble for paying Cwebb this time
Boycotting the Detroit Lions since the 2007 NFL Draft
Humphries actually isn't bad this year, and Rasho is always good for defense. Slokar I've never heard of. I'm always happy when he produces, especially on an NBA level. A lot of D-League prospects don't play well even given the time, Amir has always done well when he's played.
AJ's back in Detroit
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