PistonPowered
Fansided

Detroit Pistons have high expectations for Stanley Johnson

By Braden Shackelford

LOS ANGELES, CA - JULY 25: Stanley Johnson of the Detroit Pistons attends the game between the Seattle Storm and the Los Angeles Sparks on July 25, 2017 at STAPLES Center in Los Angeles, California. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2017 NBAE (Photo by Adam Pantozzi/NBAE via Getty Images)
LOS ANGELES, CA - JULY 25: Stanley Johnson of the Detroit Pistons attends the game between the Seattle Storm and the Los Angeles Sparks on July 25, 2017 at STAPLES Center in Los Angeles, California. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2017 NBAE (Photo by Adam Pantozzi/NBAE via Getty Images) /
facebooktwitterreddit

The Detroit Pistons have high expectations for Stanley Johnson in year three, despite a tumultuous first two seasons. In fact, Stan Van Gundy thinks Johnson can take the Pistons to elite levels defensively.

The Detroit Pistons had as good of a conclusion to their 2015-16 season as fans could have asked for. Though they were eventually swept by the Cleveland Cavaliers in the first round of the playoffs, they played the Cavaliers as competitive as anyone in the East, and the future looked bright.

Moreover, the future looked bright for Stanley Johnson who was a model of efficiency in the playoffs, and look to be an intrical part of the Pistons plans moving forward.

Though that didn’t quite happen. As we know, Johnson went on to having a very forgettable second season with the team, even falling out of the rotation at points during the season.

While year two was disappointing for both Johnson and the Pistons, Stan Van Gundy has a big plan for Johnson, and thinks he’s a key part of what could make the Pistons really good next season.

Via NBA.com:

"“I think now we have a chance to become an elite defensive team and Stanley’s a huge part of that,” Van Gundy said. “And then I think it’s for him to really find his offensive game and it takes some guys some time.”“Whether he’s starting or coming off the bench, his primary role will be to guard the best forward or a big two guard every night,” Van Gundy said. “Avery will take on the challenge of guarding the best guard every night and then Andre (Drummond) will take on more responsibility as a defender and that’s our way to becoming an elite defensive team.”"

Stan Van Gundy had similar advice for Andre Drummond, that is, advocating Drummond to play to his strengths. It’s a method I tend to agree with, and one that all successful teams follow.

Very rarely will you see a coach put the team and its players in a position that does not suite their skillsets, though we saw it last year with Johnson (out of necessity), and over the last two years with Drummond (in hopes to develop a more rounded out game).

However, competitive teams look to position their players to make the team as successful as possible.

I fully stood behind Van Gundy’s comments about Drummond, and I fully stand behind his comments about Johnson. Johnson should focus on the defensive end, and let the game come to him offensively, meaning, he should not be forcing shots or trying to create for himself out of the context of the offense.

I think the more cerebral and mature Johnson becomes as a basketball player, the more we will start to see the player many once envisioned he can be.

Next: Stanley Johnson: The Detroit Pistons’ Small Forward of the Future

I’ve always been a fan of his potential, and see no reason why he can’t morph into an extremely valuable asset for the team. I think this approach that Van Gundy and the Pistons are taking is the best way to get Johnson to realize this potential.

Home/Pistons News