Curry: Amir Johnson is Pistons starting Power Forward!
What’s Going On World?????!!!!???????!!!!!
John W. Davis here. I am so freakin happy. I am excited. I feel stupendous. I feel like going for a 7 mile run in Amir’s honor. Okay, IM HAPPY.
The day has finally come. Shout to Mike from Los Angeles on the Email tip and Deven for the text message.
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Curry: Johnson is Pistons’ starting power forward
Chris McCosky / The Detroit News
AUBURN HILLS — Calling him a “welcome addition,” coach Michael Curry made official Saturday what he’s long been hinting at — Amir Johnson, as of now, is the Pistons’ starting power forward.
“Amir does things without having to have the ball,” Curry said. “He’s able to pick up baskets through his activity, by running the floor and playing off the other four guys. He does all the intangible things, and through that he’s able to create offensive opportunities for himself.”
“I am glad I got the opportunity,” Johnson said. “It’s been a long time coming. I’ve been sitting on that bench for three years. I am ready to play.”
Johnson, drafted No. 56 overall out of high school in 2005, has never started a regular-season game for the Pistons. He played in a career-high 62 games last season and in eight playoff games.
“I am comfortable out there now,” he said. “I’ve been playing with these guys for four years. I play against all-stars in the summer in Vegas and in Los Angeles. Now is my chance, and I am very excited.”
Curry was careful not to make any direct comparisons to former Piston Ben Wallace
, but he believes Johnson can bring some of the same intangibles to the starting unit Wallace did.
“Ben could make a tremendous impact on a game without having any plays run for him. Amir is like Ben in that sense,” Curry said. “Amir can impact a game by how he rebounds, he can impact on the speed in which we play, offensively and defensively. His presence will be a welcome addition to that group.”
Johnson was flattered by the comparison, but like Curry, kept it in perspective.
“I just do the little stuff, the garbage can stuff,” he said. “I get rebounds and putbacks. I know the other guys like to shoot, so every miss I am going to try and get every ball.”
Johnson, at 6-feet-11, is heavier (230) and stronger than he’s ever been, but the worry has always been whether he could hold his position defensively. Curry doesn’t share that worry.
“We tell him, ‘The best way you can handle guys stronger than you is to front the post and use your quickness,’ ” Curry said. “We just tell him to play to his strengths. Most of the guys that are stronger than him are usually stronger than most other guys, too. He might not be as strong as some, but they aren’t going to be able to run with him or be as active as he is.”
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I want to know what you think. Amir was announced the started about four weeks before the season starts. Is this good? Should Coach Curry have let Johnson, Maxiell, and Brown fight it out a bit longer? Let us know.
Peace,
John W. Davis
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Tags: Amir Johnson
13 Responses
Mike October 5th at 6:09 pm
In my opinion Amir should have started last year at least from the all star game on.
Ryan October 5th at 8:13 pm
I’m listening to the game being streamed online on the radio.
I couldn’t get the player to work for the longest time, but I didn’t realize they had an alternate player for problems.
I’ve just heard Amir’s name mentioned a lot in the few seconds I’ve heard.
Now he’s shootin’ two at the line.
Go Amir!
Ryan October 5th at 8:24 pm
I just heard the announcer say “Rasheed ANOTHER three! Beasley back the other way and he shoots a three! It’s like a big man three point contest!”
Curry said POST!
Good thing this is the preseason.
Ryan October 5th at 8:24 pm
(Those threes aren’t hitting, mind you.)
Nate October 5th at 8:25 pm
yeah!!!here comes amir better watch out
John W. Davis October 5th at 8:42 pm
AMIR IS FREE!
Darian October 5th at 8:53 pm
yeah wooooo go amir! now i get to see his cute face a lot lol! :)!
John W. Davis October 6th at 10:15 am
My boy Nate is back!
Oh God Darian thinks Amir is cute lol.
Be mindful that the pre season stats arent really going to mean to much its about the way the offense flows and how each player plays tough man to man defense.
Darian October 6th at 1:14 pm
“Oh God Darian thinks Amir is cute lol.”
haha john your very funny!
Ryan October 6th at 9:45 pm
“Be mindful that the pre season stats arent really going to mean to much its about the way the offense flows and how each player plays tough man to man defense.”
Right, I understand, just thought it was a little weird that ‘Sheed would be taking so many threes (1 for 7) when the preseason is a chance to start working on things, and Curry wants him to have more of a post presence.
From what I heard of Amir in game, it sounded like he was doing great, and really hustling in his first ever start anywhere in an NBA uniform.
I wonder how Mason will do his announcement at The Palace.
“Numba 25, Amir is FREE, JOHNSON!”
Heh.
Darian October 6th at 10:57 pm
i think thats a good way to announce amir!
John W. Davis October 7th at 5:02 pm
Haha or how about Amir So As Cotton No Mo’ Johnson! LOL
Oh Ryan Sheed taking 7 threes was un called for and he will be getting a stern lecture from me on a future show.
Starting Amir « The Wages of Wins Journal October 10th at 1:17 am
[...] days ago that the Pistons announced that Johnson will be inserted into the starting line-up. Here is how John W. Davis of Pistonscast responded to this news: I am so freakin happy. I am excited. I feel stupendous. I feel like going for a 7 miles run [...]