3. Earn The Starting Small Forward Spot
The Pistons have multiple combinations they can start at the wings. All these combinations will include players Johnson, Luke Kennard, Reggie Bullock, and Glenn Robinson III. The first goal Johnson can have heading into the season is to make sure his name will be in this combination.
In combinations without Johnson, the defense side of the ball will be a major question mark. If Casey starts Kennard-Bullock, there’ll be major questions whether Kennard will be able to handle opposing starting two’s and whether Bullock could deal with bigger and stronger three’s.
Robinson will be an interesting piece. He is extremely athletic and poses as a potential ‘3-and-D’ player. Robinson shot 41 percent from beyond the arc last season, and that kind of shooting can be very much needed next to Blake Griffin and Andre Drummond.
If Johnson were not to earn the starting position, he’d certainly get starts against the elite wing players in the league. He’d get some situational starts.
However, that shouldn’t be where Johnson is at. Johnson needs to prove that he should be the undisputed starting small forward. If Johnson were to earn the starting position, he’d almost certainly be running with Bullock on the opposite end. Even though Bullock provides shooting, Johnson will also need to improve his shooting. As said earlier, Griffin and Drummond need as much shooting around them as possible.
Next Up: Goal 2
