Stanley Johnson didn’t turn 21 years old until after the 2016-2017 NBA season ended and yet, the word “bust” has already been thrown around with regard to the former Arizona standout. However, the Detroit Pistons forward will be entering his third professional season with a lot to prove, and he appears ready for the challenge.
Johnson recently caught up with Vince Ellis of the Detroit Free Press for a wide-ranging interview and, in short, it is clear he understands that receiving trust from head coach Stan Van Gundy and his teammates is wildly important for a player that happens to be Detroit’s only “natural” small forward.
“To rely on you, they have to be able to trust you to come out and do your job every night – no matter if you’re sore, tired, weak or mad. Now, I’m in a better position in that they believe that no matter what happens, for those 30 minutes a night, they can trust me with those minutes and trust that I will do the right thing.”
Johnson was the No. 8 overall pick just two summers ago and, after a rookie year that included a memorable back-and-forth with LeBron James in the playoffs, things didn’t go well in year two. The 6’7 forward shot just 35 percent from the floor and 29 percent from three-point range while watching his playing time dwindle (17.8 minutes per game) and his overall production plummet.
With that said, the deal that sent Marcus Morris (the incumbent at the position) to Boston in exchange for Avery Bradley seemingly opened up playing time and opportunity for Johnson and, well, he knows it.
“Obviously coming off the year I had, having the opportunity to play extended minutes and a role that I aim to be at in my career, it’s going to be awesome. I’m excited to see what I’m going to be. I don’t know what I’m going to do. It could be really, really amazing; it could be mediocre. I feel like I’m the only real, full, natural (small forward) on the team that can do both ways on it.
“It’s time to shine, it’s time to do my thing.”
From a prospect standpoint, Johnson also profiled more as a defense-first, versatile forward than an offensive superstar. While the youngster notes that he has lost 10 pounds (down to 235 from 245 last season), Johnson is big and physical enough to guard both forward positions and quick enough to flash on to more athletic wings. None of that matters, though, if he is unable to gain any traction offensively and the article details his developmental work with the good folks at P3 in Santa Barbara.
Nothing will be “given” to Johnson, even in year three of his rookie contract, but Van Gundy understands just how important the coming campaign will be for his overall evaluation.
“Really, a key piece of this for us, not the biggest piece, but a key piece is we need to get more out of Stanley. One of the things we talked about is we were disappointed in his year, quite honestly, but in fairness, I think we played him out of position a lot.”
Just 14 months ago, there was real buzz about Stanley Johnson and, frankly, about the Detroit Pistons in general. After a miserable 2016-2017 campaign, a crucial pivot point is arriving for both player and team. If nothing else, it will be intriguing to monitor.
