Saunders said that Amir Johnson likely will be used as a power forward.

Johnson, at 6-feet-11 1/2 , is still growing and matches up better with opponents at that position then those who are smaller.

Johnson, in his second year, played in three games last season.

As long as he is actually "used" I suppose this is okay.

I'd still like to see him get some minutes as Tay's backup against taller SF's that Delfino can't handle.

As long as he's quick, it doesn't matter what "position" he's given. He's an athletic freak, but he needs to improve his skillset. Hopefully he can do that soon so he can create mismatch after mismatch out there.

I'm counting on this guy in the Piston's future.

I think his greatest attribute when we drafted him was his shot-blocking, not sure if drawing him away from the hoop would be all that productive. I like the idea, and he'll still have a couple inches on the average PF. Lets see if he's willing to bulk up as the year plays on.

I'm just hoping that saying he's a PF, and just a PF, isn't a preemptive excuse from Flip to not play him.

If he's a PF, he's part of a logjam, if he's a SF/PF we've got options.

Well, flip, dupree, and fino all can play the 3, so logjams abound.

I suppose you are right, I guess I'm still convinced that Delfino belongs at SG.

Doesn't really matter, Amir will probably be in the D league anyways. pfft.

^100%. But I like him there better than on our bench with the Darko role.

Didn't they already say he's spending the season in Fayettville?

http://www.mlive.com/pistons/stories/index.ssf?/base/sports-1/1160790002125680.xml&coll=1


Johnson at new position, but still low on depth chart

By A. Sherrod Blakely

AUBURN HILLS -- Amir Johnson is now playing a different position with the Detroit Pistons.

However, a new position still presents the same old problem for Johnson: nowhere to play.

While he hasn't had a bad training camp, the small forward-turned-power forward hasn't done enough to make up any ground on the depth chart.

"On the depth chart, no matter where you put him, he's probably number four right now," said Pistons coach Flip Saunders.

Rasheed Wallace starts at power forward, while Antonio McDyess and Jason Maxiell are the backups. Johnson's old position is just as crowded, with reserves Carlos Delfino and Ronald Dupree playing behind Tayshaun Prince.

Johnson, who has grown a couple inches since the Pistons drafted him in 2005, understands there will be few opportunities to play this season.

"All I can do is play my game, really; just see what happens," said Johnson, now 6-foot-11. "It's not up to me, it's up to the coach. All I can do is play my best, and keep on working."

Johnson has been spending time after practice with assistant coach Dave Cowens, working on everything from post-up moves to how to hold the ball at the free-throw line.

Cowens, a Hall of Fame center who won two NBA titles with the Boston Celtics, said he likes Johnson's energy, enthusiasm and the effort he's making to improve.

However, Cowens understands that Johnson, like most young big men in the NBA, is still growing. There comes a point, Cowens said, when a player stops growing in height, and then begins to fill out.

"Physically, you can't grow up and out at the same time," Cowens said. "You can't do both."

That's why Johnson, for now, has to rely more on his length and quickness.

"He's a 4 (power forward), but he doesn't have much of a caboose to get in there and rock and roll," said Cowens, referring to Johnson's lean frame compared to the team's other power forwards. "He's facing a lot of different challenges that a lot of other players don't have to face."

While Johnson's opportunities to play appear to be limited, Saunders said he will get his chances to show what he can do.

"He has to take advantage of the time that he gets," Saunders said.