I wish my mom would do that for me now.

I know, I remember that. I'm just saying that people need time to adjust to the responsibilities of life. Usually, very well adjusted kids struggle with it when they are 22+. College is like an intermediate step for many, where they take on 50% responsibility. For a kid like Amir, who didn't go to college, and has a lot of cash, it is a very good sign that he seems so put together. If I were in his shoes, I'm sure I would have had my fair share of days when I showed up late... and probably wouldn't have the stomach to practice. I guess I would have been more of a Darko than an Amir.

But my overall point is just that if you are Flip or Joe, there is a little more to managing Amir's development than giving him playing time. They are trying to manage his personal development and make sure he avoids the pitfalls. Making him work for his playing time, or at least feel like that is what he is doing, probably makes him appreciate it more now that he is getting it. As long as they keep rewarding him for his good behaivor, effort, and results, then I think that they are doing a good job.

__________________
"Will was rolling, wasn't he? I roll with the guy that's hot." MC

Go back and read Gestner's article that I linked. She said AJ is now living alone.

Different pages you are on.

Buddah is always on his own page...

No pager for this guy.




Bluetooth Star Trek Communicator

Stuckey and Johnson are special. The defensive plays that Johnson makes off of raw athleticism is amazing, what's he going to be like when he actually gets a clue as to whats going on. I wish his teammates would respect his athleticism (sans Stuck) and just throw the ball up sometimes, at Michigan we used to call Brent Petway - Go Get It; I know Amir has similiar type hops - let 'em Go Get It!!!!

Please, please don't ever compare anything about those 2 again.

Amir has more intelligence in his left quadrant of his bellybutton lint.








(KIRTHMON F. DOZIER / DFP)
Detroit Piston Amir Johnson scores against Danny Granger for Indiana during first half action February 14,2008 at the Palace of Auburn Hills Detroit won 96-80.




"He had seven blocks, and he probably had three they didn't count that he got a piece of," Saunders said of Johnson. "We have to talk to the stat people on that. ... And I don't think a week and a half ago, if I said Amir would lead us in minutes played, anyone would say that's going to happen."

DETROIT 96, INDIANA 80: ON ALL CYLINDERS: Pistons hit All-Star break with 10-game win streak

It is my opinion:

It is not his athleticism that makes him special

There are a lot of athletic guys in the NBA, in fact the majority are, even though most are not as athletic as AJ.

What makes him special is that he has a gift of being a natural basketball player. He just knows instinctually what to do. This is not something you can teach. He reacts on instinct and by far most of time his instinct is correct. This is what will make him special. Yes he is very athletic and there is no doubt that this will also help make him a special player once he learns enough of the nuances. However, it is gifted basketball instinctual ability that will make him really special.

I agree with both of those thoughts. He seems to have surprisingly good court awareness.