RELATED CONTENT

Petro Player Page Petro's Development is Rapid Sonics News Archive

Johan Petro

Bob Hill

"I thought the kid was, for someone we considered putting in the D-League, pretty good," said Hill.

It was only six months ago that the Sonics opened camp with Petro fifth on the depth chart at center and slated, in all likelihood, to spend some time with the Sonics NBA Development League affiliate, Albuquerque. Since then, there have been a surprising number of twists and turns in Petro's rookie season, from starter on Opening Night (the youngest in Sonics history at age 19) to out of the rotation in December, from starter in January to reserve in February and back to the starting lineup after the All-Star break.

"I think it's something he should be proud of. He should feel good about it." Jeff Reinking/NBAE/Getty

With three weeks left in his first NBA season, Petro ranks 17th amongst rookies in minutes played. But only one of the 16 rookies who have seen more action than Petro, Atlanta's Marvin Williams (the second overall pick last June) is younger than Petro. No rookie taken outside of the top five of the 2005 Draft has started more games than Petro, the 25th pick.

"I think it's something he should be proud of," says Sonics assistant Jack Sikma, who works closely with the team's big men. "He should feel good about it."

It's Hill, who emphasized the development of Petro and fellow 20-year-old 7-footer Robert Swift when he took over the helm of the Sonics, who deserves credit for sticking with both players this season through their mistakes of inexperience and allowing them to learn and develop.

"I just think that we have been able to develop him, to empower to him, to give him confidence," says Hill, "to give him the opportunity to play and play through his mistakes and tolerate a mediocre performance and teach him from it."

"I think I've learned a lot," says Petro. "I've played against the best guys and I learn every day in practice. I think I have a lot to prove to myself and I have to keep going and keep working."

Petro's development has been particularly evident since the All-Star break. In the first practice after the break, Swift broke his nose, returning Petro to the starting lineup. He's yet to relinquish the position and shows no signs of doing so.

Six of Petro's nine double-figure scoring efforts and two of his three double-figure rebounding games have come since the All-Star break, and while that partially reflects his increased playing time, Petro has played better independent of minutes. Per 40 minutes, he has averaged 12.7 points, 10.3 rebounds and 1.6 blocks, shooting 51.3%. Before the break, Petro averaged 9.3 points, 8.9 rebounds and 1.7 blocks, shooting 45.8%.

"After the All-Star break, I decided to step up more, because I know a little bit more about the league," says Petro. "I decided to step up and that's what I try to do every night - play more aggressively. I think they trust me a little bit more, so I'm trying to do everything I can to keep my place in the starting lineup."

While Petro's improvement has translated into more points and rebounds, it's his defense which his stood out recently. Petro took on the challenge of defending two-time MVP Tim Duncan late in Sunday's win over San Antonio, tipping the ball away from Duncan on the Spurs final possession to preserve the Sonics lead. On Tuesday, Petro switched onto Pau Gasol at times during the fourth quarter. The Grizzlies All-Star, who had scored 38 points through three quarters, was limited to six points on 2-for-6 shooting in the final period.

Low-post defense was previously considered a weakness of Petro's game, but now, "All of a sudden, in the last week, Johan's gotten it and experienced that you have to do your work early," says Sikma.

Given Petro's youth, there are plenty more epiphanies like that left to come in his development. He feels his development has been quicker since coming to the NBA than it was while playing professionally in France.

"We've got more games and actually, I play more than I played overseas [about 13 minutes per game], so yeah," Petro says. "I think I've learned a lot this year. I try to learn in practice and learn in the games."

The next step, the coaching staff agrees, if for Petro to continue to become more consistent with his play and more focused and detail-oriented on and off the court. It's particularly important for him because, as a center, he takes on great responsibility for the Sonics defense and the team's communication at the defensive end of the court.

"Johan's biggest challenge, I think, as he moves forward is to learn to concentrate and deal with the little things, the little details," says Hill. "His defense and his defensive instincts are excellent."

"He needs to find a happy medium between the benefits of his youthfulness and the responsibilities of what our situation is," adds Sikma.

Petro's game is far from polished. Still, his performance is heady stuff for a guy who was ticketed to the D-League.