Auburn Hills — At first, Stanley Johnson turned down an interview request. He isn’t playing well, and perhaps didn’t want to discuss that as he embarks on his first Western swing in the NBA.
He’d also been talked to by coach Stan Van Gundy, who wants a new mindset when he hits the floor. Instead of thinking offense, Van Gundy wants Johnson to think defense and rebounds.
The rest will come.
“I think he needs to change his whole approach,” Van Gundy said. “He’s a pretty good defender, one of the best I’ve seen at that age.