From my latest on HOOPSWORLD:
The Pistons had a scare on Friday when Amir Johnson went up for a lay-up and came down with an ankle injury. He had to be helped off the court and was sent to the hospital for X-rays, but fortunately no broken bones were discovered. Instead, it looks like a standard-issue sprained ankle.
Officially he’s listed as day-to-day, but some reports indicate he could be sidelined for at least two weeks. That said, trainer Arnie Kander is renowned for his ability to get players back on the court quickly, so Johnson figures to be back in the mix well before the start of the regular season just under a month away.
In other Johnson news, A. Sherrod Blakely has an update on his official height:
Amir Johnson keeps on growing. Arnie Kander, Detroit’s strength and conditioning coach, said the 20-year-old is 6-foot-11 1/2. He was 6-9 in 2005 when the Pistons drafted him.
As we all know, his height has been a recurring topic of conversation amongst fans, but a measurement precise all the way down to half an inch has to be taken at face value, no? For those who remain unconvinced, I’ll add this: he definitely seemed to be the tallest player I spoke with at Media Day. Granted, I didn’t talk to Cheick Samb, but I was a part of the scrum surrounding Rasheed Wallace and I did talk one on one with Nazr Mohammed.
I’m not sure if it’s good or bad that Amir Johnson is getting so tall. I don’t want him to get so big that he is awkward out on the floor.
OT: The NY Daily News’ Mitch Lawrence ran this snarky bit about ‘Sheed: “Rasheed Wallace is 25 pounds lighter than he was last season and probably should be able to keep the weight off, now that drinking buddies Chris Webber and Dale Davis are no longer with the Pistons…”
What the hell is kind of comment is that? Open speculation about THREE different players drinking so much that it costs the team in conditioning? That’s irresponsible in my view.
Joe Cubed: Yeah, I stumbled across that comment about Rasheed — pretty ballsy just to throw that out there without anything to back it up. I’m glad Detroit’s media isn’t so tabloid-esque.
OK, so Amir’s 6′11.5″. Big deal. How LONG is he? That’s what I need to know.
Guys I am so ready for this season. I been playing NBA 2k8 and trying different line ups. If Hayes can shoot like he does on the game in real life its going to be great. The only problem is we are small, so I am all for Amir getter taller and bigger. Size does matter.
I love how his height is so intangible. This is the stuff of rumors, legend, and lore. This mystical giant of an athlete where noone knows his true stature. Even the equipment they try to measure him with breaks under the stress of his elongated girth.
If I were him I’d never let anyone measure me again. Then I’d tell one reporter I’m 6′7″, another I’m 7′5″, and another I’m 7′1″… and on and on.
Rob G
“OK, so Amir’s 6′11.5″. Big deal. How LONG is he? That’s what I need to know.”
I’m not judging you lifestyle choice or anything but I don’t think that is an appropriate question, this a family website.
Pistons/Heat tonight? Anyone know if it will be streamed online?
Garrett– I don’t think its available for League Pass viewers on NBA.com. I signed up for league pass recently, and the game is not listed on “today’s games” for viewing. Also, it doesn’t appear to be televised in Detroit either, so I have a feeling they’re just not taping it.
If you or anyone else sees that this one will be streamed online anywhere, please post here! Otherwise, I’ll be right alongside the rest of you tonight, glued to the box score.
Aghh, I was hoping to watch the game somehow too.
I’ll have to keep my eye on SOPCast tonight just in case….
on Sheed, Webber, and Dale Davis. Uhhhh, Hello. It’s true, fellas. Those three went out toi clubs often throughout the year. Sheed and Webber have both been busted with pot. Davis was tasered recently in a Miami hotel, supposedly been drinking prior. I think it’s silly to deny the obvious. They drink.
The real question is, who’s the tallest Pistons beat writer now that HoopsWorld/DBB is in the mix?
Newsflash: Dale Davis was acquitted on all counts in Miami Beach. Getting tasered speaks more about the poor judgement of the Miami Beach police than it says anything about Dale Davis.
http://sports.espn.go.com/nba/news/story?id=2683128
I’m not denying or confirming that any Piston has a drink now and then. Last I checked it was legal to have a drink. What Mitch Lawrence implied is that ‘Sheed drank so much it effected his job. To me that’s irresponsible speculation. Either Lawrence should back up his claim with some reporting or call himself a gossip columnist.
@ Carey Anderson
Who is all the Pistons’ roster?