How do you stop LeBron James, arguably the most indefensible force in the NBA? If you’re the Pistons, you throw 19-year-old rookie Stanley Johnson at him and hope for the best.
Johnson held his own in a Game 1 Detroit loss, holding James to just two points while defending him for seven minutes.
MORE: Stan Van Gundy backtracks on LeBron criticisms
Looking forward to this matchup a few more times in this series 👀🏀💯
— •Association Addict• (@AA_BallTalk) April 18, 2016
LeBron vs Stanley Johnson 🔥#AssociationAddict pic.twitter.com/sihHkvmBrC
"I just did my assignment. It's not really one of those situations where I'm trying to go at him," Johnson said (via MLive.com). "I'm just trying to go hard and compete. He's a great player — he's going to make a couple shots — and I think with the film study I did on him, I think I can take some things away from him."
Detroit coach Stan Van Gundy praised Johnson for his “toughness and competitiveness,” two traits he’ll need to display when guarding James, who many, including Van Gundy, believe receives some preferential treatment from officials.
Johnson knows James, 31, has earned the benefit of the whistle during his 13-year career, and got an up-close look when he and James got tangled up early in the game, resulting in a foul called on Johnson.
“I understand he's a physical guy, but if he wants to try to grab me and throw me to the floor and you call a foul on me, I just don't understand that," Johnson said. “He's LeBron. That's the explanation. That's the way it is. But no, I already knew what time it was but I didn't think it was going to be a blatant foul like that. But it was physical basketball, so on the other end when I get an opportunity to throw him on the ground, it is what it is. He's going to do the same thing to me."
Johnson’s approach to guarding James shocked no one in the Pistons locker room.
"Stanley Johnson is a complete dog. He doesn't fear no man,” Reggie Jackson said (via ESPN.com). “We all bleed, so there ain't no reason to worry anybody, and that's how he feels. He's going to come at you and attack you.”
Wednesday’s Game 2 should be a treat if it features more Johnson vs. James.