Amir Johnson to start for Pistons

2008-10-08T18:46:43-04:00

<div class="photo_container image_right"> <div class="photo"><img src="http://img.fannation.com/upload/si_blog_post_images/amir.jpg" alt="Amir" width="150" height="176" /></div> <div class="photo_attributes">Amir Johnson, AP</div> </div> The Pistons' competition to fill the frontcourt starting spot alongside Rasheed Wallace didn't last long. With Michael Curry's preference for having Antonio McDyess come off the bench, the first-year coach has elevated Amir Johnson to the first unit. That means Jason Maxiell and newcomer Kwame Brown also will fill reserve roles. Johnson has never started an NBA game, but Curry told the Detroit News that he likes the 2005 second-round pick's ability to <a href="http://www.detnews.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20081004/SPORTS0102/810040426/1127/rss13" target="_blank">contribute without needing the ball</a>: <blockquote> Curry was careful not to make any direct comparisons to former Piston Ben Wallace, but he believes Johnson can bring some of the same intangibles to the starting unit Wallace did. "Ben could make a tremendous impact on a game without having any plays run for him. Amir is like Ben in that sense," Curry said. "Amir can impact a game by how he rebounds, he can impact on the speed in which we play, offensively and defensively. His presence will be a welcome addition to that group." </blockquote> • Curry: Johnson is Pistons' starting power forward (<a href="http://www.detnews.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20081004/SPORTS0102/810040426/1127/rss13" target="_blank">Detroit News</a>)     Amir Johnson to start for Pistons

2008-10-06T12:25:03-04:00

2008-10-06T12:25:02-04:00

2008-10-08T18:46:42-04:00

http://img.fannation.com/upload/user_profile/image/222/490/thumb/wingsgroup3.jpg 367 US

I3usdriver

Hockey Town 222790

5 I love maxiell, if he was a little bit bigger I'd say give it to maxiell but I also love the idea of integrating our young talent into this aging pistons team. Johnson could blow up this season and take some of the paint back for this season. 3008460

2008-10-08T15:37:16-04:00

http://img.fannation.com/upload/user_profile/image/185/174/thumb/Deep_Dive.jpg 8906 EU

Hyped78

Lisbon, Portugal 185474

4 Ehrm? Not sure about this... Sheed at starting C and Amir Johnson at PF Eventually Jason Maxiell will prove his mettle and win that starting PF spot. 3006387

2008-10-06T23:56:37-04:00

1659

cruse1

Detroit 286179

3 This is a good move for the Pistons. They needed to bring more firepower off the bench with the 2nd unit. Amir likes to play down low which is good since Rasheed likes to move around. 2990498

2008-10-06T19:15:46-04:00

Lamont76

Oak Park 576730

2 Yes, we will see. I think having , Maxiel, and Mcdyess come off the bench provides that toughness right away that that pistons need. I sort of like the move, but my only concern is can he guard a legitimate big in the post being that he is so small. 2989306

2008-10-06T18:40:13-04:00

http://img.fannation.com/upload/user_profile/image/127/835/thumb/fannation_clemons.jpg 24 GA

The Incurable Sports Ham

Atlanta 128135

1 Amir is a beast...and will someday be the torch-bearer of the Stones' NEXT championship run (not counting this season) -- along with Stuckey.... 2988981

Brad Weinstein

New York 4215