Empty the Bench

We don’t read too much into stats posted in the NBA Development League, and if you’ve ever watched one of these exhibitions on NBATV you’d know why. Until David Stern truly invests in this long-overdue minor league and makes it into a viable platform for young players to improve their basketball smarts, mature as individuals, and hone their natural talents, we just can’t see it having much success or producing any relevant NBA-level talent. If Major League Baseball can support literally hundreds of minor-league teams across the country, and pull the bulk of its professional talent from these teams, why can’t the NBA?

We have a lot more to say about the NBADL, but not right now. This article is about one player we feel has limitless potential and is currently playing for the Sioux Falls Skyforce (who comes up with these names anyway? For that matter, who decided that Sioux Falls, South Dakota, was a good location for a minor-league NBA basketball team?). The player’s name is Amir Johnson, he’s the property of the Detroit Pistons, and he’s been called the only “untouchable” player in the NBA that’s not on an active roster.

Officially listed as a 6-9 forward, California’s former Mr. Basketball is reportedly more like 6-11 and still experiencing growth spurts at the young age of 19 (he turns 20 on May 1). Johnson is very lanky, a la Tayshaun Prince, and could certainly stand to bulk up some before he can physically compete with the likes of Dwight Howard, Emeka Okafor, and other low-post bangers in the NBA. Still, it’s pretty inevitable that that will come in time as he begins to realize his full potential.

Coming straight out of Westchester High School in Los Angeles, Johnson ultimately projects as a power forward that could play the center position in spots and spells. We can’t help but draw comparisons to Indiana Pacers Jermaine O’Neal, both in career paths and skill sets. Now, O’Neal is a perennial All Star and we’re not saying here that Amir Johnson will also blossom as O’Neal has. We are saying, however, that the shot-blocking, low-post prowess, mid-range jump shot, and rebounding potential is definitely there.

With Johnson currently playing behind Rasheed Wallace, Chris Webber, Antonio McDyess, Jason “Monster” Maxiell, Dale Davis, and perhaps even Nazr Mohammed, he’s not going to get any minutes in this his second NBA season. Young guys need more than just practice time, which is why we think the NBADL is a great (but not necessarily well-executed) venue for players like Johnson. He’s now played seven games for the Sioux Falls Skyforce, and has just dominated: on Tuesday, Johnson went off for 32 points, 13 rebounds, and 5 blocks on 13-15 shooting. Sick. For the season in Sioux Falls, Johnson is averaging 20 points, 8 boards, 3.5 blocks, and 59% FG. Sick. Said Pistons point guard Chauncey Billups about Tuesday’s performance: “I saw the young boy, man, I’m happy for him. He had at least six or seven dunks, for sure.”

Pistons fans got a salivating taste of Johnson’s potential last season during a blowout of the Milwaukee Bucks on April 17. Seeing rare extended minutes in his rookie season, Amir was spectacular, throwing down some high-flying dunks and hitting outside jumpers with abandon en route to 18 points on 6-6 shooting, 2-2 three-point shooting (yes, he can make shots from outside the arc, too), and 4-4 FT.

We’re really, really high on this kid, in case you haven’t noticed. With the exception of Maxiell, the Pistons’ frontcourt isn’t getting any younger, and we expect Johnson to start getting regular minutes next season. He needs to gain 10-15 pounds, improve his defense, achieve better consistency, and just mature in general. But all indications are that he’s a hard worker and fantastic teammate, and the challenge for GM Joe Dumars will be locking up this kid in a long-term deal. Like Jermaine O’Neal in Portland, the Pistons don’t want to see Johnson mature on their bench only to blossom in another team’s starting lineup. Johnson can sing and dance, too.