I heard from a friend of mine something about this. He talked about there being some sort of competition for the Power Forward spot, between Amir, Max, Kwame, etc.

It’d be interesting to try out these things — how will you know who plays best if you don’t do it this way?

Sure, there’s practice — but that doesn’t matter when the spotlight shines and they’re on the floor.

I would like to see Maxiell get some start time, personally. He’s such a good player. He does well in the post, can block (Garnett remembers), and has a decent jumpshot building up.

If Amir does start, I think he’ll do well — he’s good in the post, and at being a shot blocker as well.

Though I think Maxiell plays with more tenacy than Amir, and Kwame.

If McDyess doesn’t feel comfortable starting (I remember before last season, he said something about feeling more comfortable coming in off the bench), then it’ll be good for those guys to be able to develop their game while dominating with the game they already have.

As you said, too, if Kwame ends up starting some, then it will let Rasheed be a true Power Forward. Kwame is a big guy, so he can ground and pound at the basket, etc. He can get rebounds and be a defensive presence, and be a role player in that sense.

I don’t know if starting Kwame would put him under too much pressure — I hope not, being in the league as long as he has. Although he has been under a lot of pressure the past few years, it wouldn’t be nearly as much as if he was starting here.

My vote: Jason Maxiell.

Kwame starting would raise our expectations for him too high. Maybe 2009-10 for him as a starter. I feel what you are saying about Maxiell.

My Question is: Would do you think will be starting 3 years from now, Amir or Maxiell?

In my opinion that should be the answer to your question because regardless of who starts each player is going to get their minutes this year.

My vote: Amir Johnson

This is an interesting dilemma. It is obviously going to come down to whomever shows the most in camp. It has been said that Kwame has impressed the coaching staff. Just from going on what we know already, Kwame should get the start to allow Sheed to move over to the “4″ spot and keep him out of foul trouble and in the game. But just because Kwame starts, I think that Amir should still get about 20-25 minutes a game and if he does perform, then slot him into the starting role about 20+ games into the season.

Tad. I dont think they will start Kwame because Kwame wont be a Piston for the next 10 years. Amir has been our player since Day 1 and it will mean so much more to the organization that we made the 56th pick in the draft into a legit starter.

I think we are starting Amir not only because he is the best player potential wise but because he was loyal to us when he was a free agent and didnt leave us for more money and join the San Antonio Spurs.

What 99% of the Pistons faithful don’t realize is that Amir can really score, like big time.

I know because I have seen him do it. Here is an interesting recent quote from Scott Perry on Amir from nba.com/pistons

“Amir hasn’t had the opportunity to play consistent minutes for 82 games,” Perry said. “Spot here, spot there and he’s shown very good potential. This year he gets the opportunity to play. If he’s playing every night for 82 games, what you look for is to play to his strengths. He’s extremely athletic, runs the floor, blocks shots, can rebound – do the things that make him look good but, more importantly, help our team win.

“All that other stuff – developing his shot and those things – come later. The big thing for him this year is being consistent, night in and night out. It will be his first opportunity to play the fourth game on the fifth night after having played the first three. Learning to do that, at a level that is expected of him, that’s what this year is about for him.”

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Amir has definitely got the game to become a 18 - 12 guy in next 2 to 3 years. People forget that he still only 21.

http://www.nba.com/pistons/news/pf_080922.html?rss=true

MIKE THANK YOU!

I am so tired of people not realizing what we have with Amir. Amir can be just as good as Rodney Stuckey aka an All Star.

Thank You!

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