The Detroit Pistons' selection of 6-foot-6 forward Stanley Johnson of Arizona with the eighth pick in last June's NBA draft turned some heads in and around the Motor City, particularly among those who thought the team erred in bypassing Duke's Justise Winslow.

The fandom could at least be happy to hear head coach Stan Van Gundy identify Johnson, all of 19, as one of the team's best performers during the Pistons' initial preseason practice this week.

Vince Ellis of the Detroit Free Press detailed where Johnson stands trying to earn his place on a team that's trying to end a six-year playoff drought:

"Johnson knows the score. Extensive playing time for 19-year-old rookies can be scarce. But Johnson doesn't plan on being an average rookie. He plans on competing, fighting and scratching for playing time during training camp. And he plans on competing and winning a role by the time the Pistons open the season on Oct. 27 at Atlanta. 'For me, every day in practice, if you're not wearing the same color jersey as me, you're my competitor. For us to come to practice and be nice and not throw elbows, not dive on the floor, not try to win every drill, you're selling it short.'"

The Pistons have Johnson working with shooting coach Dave Hopla on raising the release point on his shot, Ellis reported.