Glenn
09-12-2007, 12:43 PM
:langlois:
Foreign Fling
Amir Johnson joins Yao/Nash charity effort in Beijing
by Keith Langlois
The Pistons always knew Amir Johnson was willing to go to great lengths to make himself a better basketball player. Before training camp opens in three weeks, Johnson is about to prove it.
The Pistons’ third-year forward, the last player drafted directly from high school before the NBA barred the practice, will join Steve Nash in traveling to China for a charity game this week against Yao Ming and the Chinese national team.
The game is scheduled for Friday night in Beijing and is expected to raise $1 million U.S. dollars for three Chinese charities – Special Olympics, the China Hope Project to aid educational efforts in rural China, and the Chi Heng Foundation to benefit Chinese orphans with AIDS.
Among the NBA players who’ll join Nash’s team, in addition to Johnson, are Carmelo Anthony, Baron Davis, Leandro Barbosa, Alando Tucker, Chuck Hayes, D.J. Strawberry and ex-Michigan State star Paul Davis. Greg Oden was scheduled to join the team before it was determined he would undergo exploratory arthroscopic surgery on his right knee on Thursday.
Johnson, 20, signed a three-year contract with the Pistons as a restricted free agent. Twelve teams were reported to have contacted the Pistons regarding the possibility of a sign-and-trade agreement, but Joe Dumars made it a priority to keep Johnson for the Pistons.
Johnson will compete for minutes behind Rasheed Wallace at power forward and could get spot minutes at both other frontcourt positions. Dumars has said that Johnson’s athleticism and skill set is the prototype for the NBA’s big man of the future.
For further information about the Yao/Nash Charity Gala, which begins with a charity dinner on Thursday night, contact Bill Sanders at bsanders@bdasports.com.
Foreign Fling
Amir Johnson joins Yao/Nash charity effort in Beijing
by Keith Langlois
The Pistons always knew Amir Johnson was willing to go to great lengths to make himself a better basketball player. Before training camp opens in three weeks, Johnson is about to prove it.
The Pistons’ third-year forward, the last player drafted directly from high school before the NBA barred the practice, will join Steve Nash in traveling to China for a charity game this week against Yao Ming and the Chinese national team.
The game is scheduled for Friday night in Beijing and is expected to raise $1 million U.S. dollars for three Chinese charities – Special Olympics, the China Hope Project to aid educational efforts in rural China, and the Chi Heng Foundation to benefit Chinese orphans with AIDS.
Among the NBA players who’ll join Nash’s team, in addition to Johnson, are Carmelo Anthony, Baron Davis, Leandro Barbosa, Alando Tucker, Chuck Hayes, D.J. Strawberry and ex-Michigan State star Paul Davis. Greg Oden was scheduled to join the team before it was determined he would undergo exploratory arthroscopic surgery on his right knee on Thursday.
Johnson, 20, signed a three-year contract with the Pistons as a restricted free agent. Twelve teams were reported to have contacted the Pistons regarding the possibility of a sign-and-trade agreement, but Joe Dumars made it a priority to keep Johnson for the Pistons.
Johnson will compete for minutes behind Rasheed Wallace at power forward and could get spot minutes at both other frontcourt positions. Dumars has said that Johnson’s athleticism and skill set is the prototype for the NBA’s big man of the future.
For further information about the Yao/Nash Charity Gala, which begins with a charity dinner on Thursday night, contact Bill Sanders at bsanders@bdasports.com.