This seems logical. However, its simply not true. Amir Johnson is more ready than Darko to play in the NBA. And I believe Darko is quite ready. That Amir Johnson is ready to contribute to the Pistons is not just my opinion. The announcer for the summer league games worked Amir Johnson for a few weeks around draft time. This is his opinion. I just agree.

I watched a couple of summer league games, about 8 times mind you, and one time thru I just isolated everything Amir Johnson did. What I found is a player who never for a moment is at a loss for what to do next. You just would never guess for a moment that Amir Johnson was fresh from highschool. Just no sign of it at all.

On rebounding situations, he is not a rookie that wonders where to be, he has shot around the defense and gotten to the board and collected the rebound. Did I say collect it? Not exactly. What he did with the rebound is slam it back in.

You give him the ball. Does he hold it wondering what to do. Nope. He either puts a move on and scores or sees he is checked and smartly passes off. His 8-9 game was from just this kind of quick decision making. He just does not take bad shots.

So maybe you figure he can't handle the ball? For his size, he moves with that ball pretty darn good. Amir Johnson only shoots from the foul line in. If you give him the ball outside that area, he will smartly dribble to withing the foul line, throw a fake or two if needed to shake the defenders, and swish a shot. Nothing but smooth.

And "right out of highschool" leads one to believe Amir Johnson is a slight of build guy easily pushed around. Well, as a power forward this may be true. And if you believe the 6-9, 210 listing from ove a year ago, you might wonder how a highschool kid could do at small forward even. But Amir was last measured at 6-10, 220 and is continuing to grow. As a small forward, he has all the size needed easily.

Further, rather than having a body type like Tay, not prone to get big, Amir Johnson is projected to play center someday. He has a big wide frame, that while not yet filled out, is getting closer day by day.

Now, to give you a few more things about what Amir Johnson can add to a rotation as far as skill. 1)Rebounding. With his quickness and height, combined with being the most athletic player taken in this years draft (again, other people's opinion, not mine.) and what appears to be flawless timing, he has the potential to equal or even surpass Dennis Rodman as a rebounder.

Next, scoring. Amir Johnson can jump out of the gym. And he can nail every shot he takes inside the free throw line. He can fake you out of your shorts too to get that shot off. His post up moves are raw but very effective just do to his quicks and ups. He can score.

On defense, despite all the above, Amir Johnson's main rep is as a shot blocker.

So why would I want to see Amir Johnson end up as our starting small forward? Just use your imagination. CB, Tay, Amir Johnson, Ben, Sheed. We get all, every one, no exceptions, every rebound in site. Last I checked, if the other team can't get the ball, they can't score.