Raptors Blogger wants Amir Johnson - Detroit Pistons Fan Community

roscoe36 · #1 (**permalink**) 06-16-2007, 07:41 PM

Thanks to Matt @ DBB for this link

Might the Raptors want Amir Johnson? at Detroit Bad Boys

RaptorBlog.com: Back in white, I hit the site, it's been too long, I'm glad to be back

Quote:

So who does that leave? Well, lots of guys, I guess, but none that really grabbed me until I saw this stat line by a player on the last game of the regular season: 37 minutes, 10-14 shooting, 20 points, 12 rebounds, 3 steals, 4 blocks. Then I looked a couple of games back and saw that the same player had dropped this stat line: 35 minutes, 3-12 shooting, 12 points, 10 rebounds, 3 assists, 1 steal, 6 blocks. Before those games was a virtual wasteland because this sophomore player was in the D-League all season, where he averaged 35 minutes, 62 percent shooting, 19 points, 10 rebounds, 2 assists, 1 steal and 3 blocks.

This mystery player is a 20-year-old restricted free agent buried in his team’s system because the starting lineup ahead of him was too strong to crack, and he has too much potential to sit him on the bench rather than letting him get some floor time in the NBADL – where some have christened him the greatest D-League player of all-time.

I’ll end the suspense. I’m talking about Amir Johnson, a six-foot-10 combo forward with the Pistons. Joe Dumars drafted him out of high school with the 56th pick in the 2005 draft, and he might be a key part of the Pistons’ future if they can keep another team from out-bidding them for his services this off-season. His situation was the reason I was actually rooting for the Pistons to go all the way this season so that they would be more likely to keep their veteran core together. If they won the title and kept both Rasheed Wallace and Antonio McDyess around, would Dumars really match a mid-level exception offer to a guy who would be lucky to see 10 minutes per game?

Apparently this guy doesn't know that Amir does have an outside shot. lol

Detroit Pistons at Milwaukee Bucks, April 17, 2006 - Basketball-Reference.com

mikhail1973 · #2 (**permalink**) 06-16-2007, 08:16 PM

They don't know what we know. There's no way Joe's gonna let Amir walk out the door.

RipBillupsRJC · #3 (**permalink**) 06-16-2007, 08:19 PM

This is strange. Whenever I hear about someone wanting Amir Johnson on his team, I feel like a guy is rubbing up and hitting on my girlfriend. It makes me angry, really. Here's to hoping Joe Dumars signs Amir.

NTC · #4 (**permalink**) 06-16-2007, 09:35 PM

Heres an interesting proposition, if we could only keep one, who would you want, Billups or Amir?

I'd say Amir.

detteam · #5 (**permalink**) 06-16-2007, 09:47 PM

Funny thing about the blogger...he posted a link that directly contradicts his claim about Amir's shooting.

16 Mile · #6 (**permalink**) 06-16-2007, 10:27 PM

Here's the magic question, one I keep asking, but haven't heard a single Detroit beat writer even contemplate. What if Amir offered some teams mid level exception? Does Joe match? Can Joe match Billups and Amir at the same time?

Amir aint a secret. And someone will be offering him a heck of a lot more than 3 mil per season.

roscoe36 · #7 (**permalink**) 06-16-2007, 10:31 PM

Joe can match any offer for Amir.

CloudWalker · #8 (**permalink**) 06-16-2007, 10:45 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by roscoe36

Joe can match any offer for Amir.

And almost as important, without using or waiving the MLE.

16 Mile · #9 (**permalink**) 06-16-2007, 11:28 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by roscoe36

Joe can match any offer for Amir.

But will he?

FreshPrince22 · #10 (**permalink**) 06-16-2007, 11:49 PM

well, the coaching staff doesn't seem to high on Amir apparently...

DETNEWS | Weblog | Pistons Blog

Quote:

On another matter, I have also heard people say that this trade makes room for Amir Johnson. Not really. Though the Pistons tried to turn Johnson into a small forward, it didn't work. The consensus in the organization now is that Johnson has to be a power forward. He's just not comfortable out on the perimeter. Whatever role Johnson earns next season will be in the front court. And I am telling you, there is a major division within the organization about Johnson's future. Joe Dumars and John Hammond believe the kid could be something very special. Some on the coaching staff believe he will never be more than an end of the bench reserve. Coach Flip Saunders has steadfastly refused to make any final determination, giving the 20-year-old ample time to mature. But Johnson has to get stronger. He has to get tougher and he has to start showing some court judgment. He still relies on his inate athleticism to get him through. He forgets plays and assignments. He has enough physical tools to make an impact. But he has to learn how to play the game -- otherwise, he could end up like Rodney White.

Will joe D and Bill D really match an MLE offer for a guy that the coaching staff thinks sucks?

I am really beginning to despise Flip and his henchmen. He's trying to run everyone out of town it seems. First Darko and Arroyo. Then Ben. Now Delfino. Next... Amir?

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