Travelin’ Man

Pistons third-year forward Amir Johnson, a relative unknown to casual NBA fans, took his incognito act to China as part of the Yao-Nash Charity Tour in mid-September. Headlined by NBA stars Yao Ming and Steve Nash, nine players went on the tour to raise money for children in China’s impoverished Western regions. Other participants included All-Star vets Carmelo Anthony and Baron Davis and reigning NBA Sixth Man of the Year, Leandro Barbosa.

Johnson, 20 years old and a veteran of 11 NBA games, does not have a comparable resume yet, which he opens to address with more playing time in 2007-08. Bill Duffy, the agent who represents both Johnson and Nash, extended the invitation. “I’m glad he approached me about that, I had a great time out there,” Johnson said. “It was like a lifetime experience. I had real fun.”

Johnson arrived in Beijing on Sept. 12 and attended media and charity functions before the Sept. 14 game between the NBA players and the Yao-led Chinese national team. “It was a real culture shock,” he said. “It was like 3 million fans at the game, so it was real crazy. We had 16 bodyguards around us.”

Johnson, listed at 210 pounds, said he’s been lifting weights in the off-season to beef up his 6-foot-10 frame. But he certainly didn’t do it through his diet overseas. “I really ate pretty much bread and rice out there,” he said. “The food was pretty good.”

Though he had little in common (besides his agent) with many of NBA’s more established stars, Johnson did find a unifying bond with his teammates: English. “It seemed like we became a family because it was basically like all of us together, just because we knew each other’s language,” he said. “So I got to know a lot of the players. I definitely got their numbers. I’ll be seeing how they’re doing during the season.”

The toughest adjustment for Johnson on the other side of the world was the 12-hour time difference. “The time change, that killed me, big time,” Johnson said, shaking his head in disbelief. “I didn’t know where I was.”

Keeping track of time and place hasn’t been easy for Johnson this summer; China was his longest trip in a series of flights. Destinations included Las Vegas to play for the Pistons’ Summer League team, his hometown of Los Angeles, Chicago and the Pistons’ practice facility in Auburn Hills. “Pretty much, I was kind of everywhere,” he said. “I was back home, I was in Chicago working out with everyone just trying to get my game better.”

One place that won’t be on his itinerary is Fort Wayne, home of the Pistons’ new NDBL affiliate. After plying his trade for the D-League’s Sioux Falls Skyforce several times in 2006-07, the Pistons signed Johnson to a significant three-year contract to keep in one place this winter: Detroit.

"It just means to me that hard work pays off," Johnson said of new deal. "I've been working hard in the D-League. It's just like a relief off my back, like I am working hard for something. I just can't wait to move on. Like I always say, the sky's the limit for me."

If Johnson can fulfill the promise the Pistons see in him, this travelin’ man won’t be a mystery much longer.