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Amir Johnson Is a 21-Year-Old Grizzled Vet
Matt WatsonPosted Jul 18th 2008 10:30PM by Matt Watson (author feed)
Filed under: Pistons, Eastern, Summer League
Amir JohnsonNotes from a trip to the NBA Summer League in Las Vegas.
It’s been three years since Amir Johnson was drafted … and he’s still only 21 years old. I caught up with him on Thursday and talked about what it’s like being such a young old hand and how he’s preparing for the 2008-09 season.
Matt Watson: It’s your third year in Summer League. You’re kind of a grizzled vet right now.
Amir Johnson: (Laughing) I’m a young, young vet. I feel like it a little bit, yeah.
MW: Do you feel like you’re in a bit of a leadership role, taking some of the young guys and telling them what to expect?
AJ: Exactly. When I came in first as a rookie, [the veterans] told me what was right from wrong, and I’m kind of being that same guy to help these guys, telling them right or wrong, and they’re kind of looking at me for advice from me. It sounds surprising because I’m the youngest one still on the team, but I’ve just got experience, and I’m really helping the guys.
MW: Is being in Vegas more fun this time around now that you’re finally 21?
AJ: Oh yeah, it’s a lot more fun. It doesn’t feel different, but I’m happy finally being 21, but I’m still the youngest guy on the team.
MW: From what you’ve seen so far with the three draft picks, what’s impressed you the most?
AJ: For Walter Sharpe, his ball-handling skills. I was very impressed how he handles the ball at the three position. He’s a real over-sized three and he can post up little three men and little guards at his position. I’m very impressed by his ball-handling.
As far as Deron Washington, he’s very athletic, he runs the floor and I’m real surprised he plays real good D. Coach always says, defense is first and offense will come to you. If you can’t find anything on offense, find something else on the court, like play defense or rebound. He really does that real well – kind of like me.
MW: Who’d win in a slam dunk contest? You or Deron Washington?
AJ: Oh man, Deron. He has some stuff. I watched the college slam dunk contest and he just did some stuff – like, he didn’t make it, but it was surprising the way he did it — between the legs, off two feet, 360. I don’t think I could do nothing like that.
MW: Obviously there’s been a whole lot of rumors surrounding the team. Do you follow it at all?
AJ: I don’t mess with that stuff. I stay out of the front office. I just go ahead and do my thing. Whoever calls my name, I’m going to go out there and do what I can do and play hard.
MW: Has it been a topic of discussion among players?
AJ: I have no idea. I’m just doing my thing and playing hard and helping guys who have any questions for me.
MW: Last question, you’re talking about doing your thing. How exactly have you spent your offseason so far? Anything in particular you’re working on?
AJ: Since the season was over, I didn’t stay away from the gym, I stayed in the gym. I’ve been in the gym every day, constantly working on my game — running, sprinting, working on my shot. I haven’t stayed away from the gym yet. Hopefully after this I can probably take a little bit of a break, but I’ll be right back at it getting ready for the season.
http://nba.fanhouse.com/2008/07/18/amir-johnson-is-a-21-year-old-grizzled-vet