Eighty games in two seasons, barely 4 points on average in 13 minutes… Raptors fans have probably not kept great memories of Stanley Johnson’s time in Canada. After four tasteless first seasons in Detroit, far from the expectations of an 8th draft pick (2015), the winger had signed up with the Canadians, who had just won the title and lost Kawhi Leonard in the process. .
The concern for him is that he never entered Nick Nurse’s plans. But he didn’t lose everything along the way. At the end of this short missed adventure, the native of Los Angeles had an interview with the president of the franchise, Masai Ujiri, and other leaders of the club. Stanley Johnson, who tells the anecdote to The Undefeated, wanted honesty from him…and he got it.
“ That’s what I needed to hear. In the NBA, honesty isn’t always what you’re given first because it’s not the easiest thing to say to professionals. I have played basketball all my life. I’m pretty good at the sport, so telling myself I’m bad at basketball is a tough conversation to have with a pro athlete. “, describes in particular Stanley Johnson.
The latter specifies that the criticisms of Masai Ujiri were addressed “ constructively so the player can bounce back. ” What are you going to do with it? Take it badly or do something? I felt that I wanted to do something. I am 25. I know I got lucky. I’ve been in the league for a long time because I got into it early, but I’m not even near my peak, far from the player I can be in my life.“
A still hazy renaissance
Self-proclaimed “best player” in his Draft, the one we compared to Ron Artest at the time had arrived in the league at only 19 years old. Obviously too early to win in Detroit. ” I feel like I could have been a lot better communicating with everyone, not being afraid to ask for the help I needed. Obviously, being 19 or 20, moving to Detroit, having the right people around you and focusing on the right things is tough. Especially with a group of young people without mentors who have been there.“
After Detroit, then Toronto, he tried his luck with the Bulls at the start of the season. Without success. It is finally with the Lakers that he will begin his rebirth. The one who grew to the rhythm of the exploits of Californians, including those of Kobe Bryant of whom he was a fan, holds his last ten-day contract in Los Angeles.
Praised by LeBron James and Frank Vogel, for his defensive contribution in particular, he seems on track to transform the test. ” I really don’t know what they’re going to do, I have no idea. It’s up to Rob (Pelinka) and leaders to decide. I just come every day and try to do my best. I feel like I know what player and individual I am, and what I can bring. The NBA is a story of opportunity. So, the more opportunities I have, the more likely I will be to succeed.”
And at the same time, to prove to Masai Ujiri that he was wrong…or right to tell him the truth.
| Stanley Johnson | Percentage | Bounces | |||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Season | Team | GM | Minimum | Shots | 3 points | LF | Off | Def | Early | pd | party | Int | bp | CT | Points |
| 2015-16 | TED | 73 | 23 | 37.5 | 30.7 | 78.4 | 0.8 | 3.4 | 4.2 | 1.6 | 2.4 | 0.8 | 1.6 | 0.2 | 8.1 |
| 2016-17 | TED | 77 | 18 | 35.3 | 29.2 | 67.9 | 0.5 | 2.0 | 2.5 | 1.4 | 1.6 | 0.7 | 0.9 | 0.3 | 4.4 |
| 2017-18 | TED | 69 | 27 | 37.5 | 28.6 | 77.2 | 0.5 | 3.2 | 3.7 | 1.6 | 2.5 | 1.4 | 1.1 | 0.2 | 8.7 |
| 2018-19 * | All Teams | 66 | 18 | 38.9 | 28.8 | 78.1 | 0.5 | 2.8 | 3.3 | 1.3 | 1.7 | 0.9 | 1.2 | 0.2 | 6.9 |
| 2018-19 * | TED | 48 | 20 | 38.1 | 28.2 | 80.4 | 0.5 | 3.1 | 3.7 | 1.3 | 1.9 | 1.0 | 1.2 | 0.3 | 7.5 |
| 2018-19 * | NOP | 18 | 14 | 41.8 | 32.4 | 69.2 | 0.5 | 1.8 | 2.3 | 1.6 | 1.2 | 0.7 | 1.4 | 0.1 | 5.3 |
| 2019-20 | TOR | 25 | 6 | 37.3 | 29.2 | 56.2 | 0.3 | 1.2 | 1.5 | 0.8 | 0.6 | 0.2 | 0.6 | 0.2 | 2.4 |
| 2020-21 | TOR | 61 | 17 | 38.2 | 32.8 | 80.0 | 0.5 | 2.0 | 2.5 | 1.5 | 1.9 | 0.9 | 0.9 | 0.3 | 4.4 |
| 2021-22 | ALL | 10 | 21 | 52.2 | 29.2 | 81.8 | 0.4 | 2.2 | 2.6 | 1.3 | 3.6 | 0.9 | 0.5 | 0.5 | 6.4 |
| Total | 381 | 20 | 37.8 | 29.8 | 76.2 | 0.5 | 2.6 | 3.1 | 1.4 | 2.0 | 0.9 | 1.1 | 0.2 | 6.2 | |
