Pistons Recall D-League Sensation Amir Johnson

Last week we introduced you to Amir Johnson, the Pistons' second-year forward who's been absolutely tearing up the NBDL this season. Obviously the quality of competition in the D-League can't compare to the big show, but playing time is playing time, and Johnson has made the most of it with very impressive numbers and nightly displays of off-the-charts athleticism.

Before David Stern implemented the age limit in 2006, Detroit drafted Johnson with the 56th overall pick in 2005, so at the very least Johnson will forever be the answer to the trivia question, "Who was the last NBA player to be drafted out of high school?" But from the sounds of those who have seen him play the most this year, Johnson's future will be far from trivial. His D-League coach Mo McHone thinks the 19-year-old Johnson would now be a lottery pick had he gone to college instead of entering the draft out of high school:

"If Amir had gone to Louisville and they would have given him the same opportunity to play there that we've given him in the D-League ... I definitely think he would have to be in the top 10.

"If I were picking, would I pick (Greg) Oden and (Kevin) Durant ahead of him? I probably would. But after that, I can't imagine who I would take over him, after having coached him. I'm not saying there isn't somebody else out there, but having coached him, watched him and seeing what his potential is ... I know this, if you're in the top 10 and the last guy you ended up with was Amir Johnson, you'd have to be happy. And if you got him at (No. 56) where Detroit got him, you've got to be ecstatic."

And you know why else Detroit has to be ecstatic? Because as good as he looks in that video above, he's since grown a full two inches -- he's now a 6-11 power forward in the mold of a young Jermaine O'Neal. Is your interest piqued? Then you might want to tune in. The title of the post may have tipped you off, but Detroit recalled Johnson from Sioux Falls today and will have him available to play tonight against the Raptors. Now that the Pistons have clinched the Central Division as well as the top seed in the East, Flip Saunders has indicated that he's going to rest his starters by giving a lot of minutes to the bench over the next four games, which, if we're lucky, should result in some extended action for Johnson.