A Word from David Johnson

by Ziller on Jul 13, 2008 9:14 AM PDT

David Johnson, the local player from Davis who got a chance to play with the Kings' summer league team, sent along this message for Kings fans and those who commented here with words of encouragement.

"Thanks for the support.

It's been great to be a part of the Kings camp. I can say that it was the most difficult and at the same time, the most enjoyable experience that I've ever had in my life. All of the players, Quincy, Francisco, Kevin, they were all real nice. They welcomed me right away. Same goes for Jason, Patrick and Sean. I appreciated being able to finally meet and get a chance to really talk with Geoff Petrie and Coach Theus. They're probably TWO of the friendliest people I've met.

The talent level overall was extremely high and I only had two practices to show them my skills. There is 999,000 reasons that I could come up with as to why I didn't make it. But the only logical one is that you only have two days to show what you're capable of. To add to that, there are 4 or 5 point guards that you're splitting that play time with...and that's just on my scrimmaging team. Different plays w/ many variations are thrown at you faster than Nolan Ryan's fast ball. That's apart of the NBA that you have to get accustomed to.

A few of the highlights I have from all of this was, catching an alley-oop from Patrick Ewing Jr., playing along side Kevin Martin, playing against Quincy Douby and hanging out w/ them. And, Francisco is a pretty funny dude, he had me cracking up. All in all the Kings are really a great organization, which I now know from a first hand experience. I'm just going to continue to do what I love, play & coach basketball; & who know's what can possibly happen in the future...I'm just going to see where it takes me. I'm just feel so grateful for being able to get this chance that millions of basketball players never get."

KOVR-13 will broadcast a feature on David tonight on The Sports Show at 10:45 p.m.

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What a quality guy.

by jeremy548 on Jul 13, 2008 10:08 AM PDT 0 recs

Humility

I wish Johnson made it to Summer League, but he definitely seems to appreciate the chance he got. Kudos to Petrie and the rest of the Kings organization for at least bringing him in and giving him a shot.

by Carl on Jul 13, 2008 10:12 AM PDT 0 recs

Good on him for trying,

but unfortunately he’s not good enough to make the summer league team.

by Fire Stern Now! on Jul 13, 2008 11:54 AM PDT 0 recs

To be fair

It can’t be said whether he’s “good enough” to make the Summer League team or not.

That he just didn’t show enough in the 2 days that he was there is one of many other explanations.

by smgmatt on Jul 13, 2008 12:08 PM PDT up 0 recs

People often think that a player who doesn't make it the first time out is a failure

If that was the case there would be about 25% of the NBA who wouldn’t be there. and no Avery Johnson.

No mistakes in the tango, darling. Not like life. It's simple. That's what makes the tango so great. If you make a mistake, and get tangled, you tango on

by pookeyguru on Jul 13, 2008 8:26 PM PDT up 0 recs

If something special was there

I think it would have been discovered over two days. I’m not knocking him one bit. I think a local product on our team would be great for everyone.

Unfortunately, finding one that wasn’t drafted, and not so bad that they don’t deserve a spot on the summer league team is the hard part.

Good luck to him in the future.

by Fire Stern Now! on Jul 13, 2008 12:21 PM PDT 0 recs

Definately good enough!

Definately good enough! Any and every spectator who has ever had the oppurtunity to watch a professional athlete perform understands that 2 days is nowhere near enough time to determine how good they are. Two days does not mean 48 hours, it means 6 hours total (3 hrs each day) of play time; including drills and learning all of the plays split amongst 18 players. Unlike the others, David didn’t attend a high power university where NBA scouts could follow a player for 4 years straight.

For instance, Demarkus Nelson is now attending Summer League with the Golden State Warriors. When I lived in SF, I traveled to Vallejo in order to watch the matchup between David vs Demarkus. (Vallejo High vs.Davis High). David simply destroyed him. I also watched him take Brandon Armstrong who played for the NJ Nets, repeatedly to the hole.

I think it would be a great oppurtunity for you to see David by watching that sports show tonight that Tom has posted. I’m sure you’ll see something special.

ANYHOW, David you have great game and I hope to continue following it through your NBA career. Good Luck!!

by Kings 4 Lyfe on Jul 13, 2008 1:27 PM PDT up 0 recs

Um...

....isn’t it Demarcus?

by Red Reign on Jul 13, 2008 3:07 PM PDT up 0 recs

And Nelson is on the Mavericks summer team not the Warriors

No mistakes in the tango, darling. Not like life. It's simple. That's what makes the tango so great. If you make a mistake, and get tangled, you tango on

by pookeyguru on Jul 13, 2008 8:27 PM PDT up 0 recs

Wrong place to make that comment

Totally realized I was confused. Sorry to all. DeMarcus Nelson is definitely playing for his hometown Warriors in the Summer League.

No mistakes in the tango, darling. Not like life. It's simple. That's what makes the tango so great. If you make a mistake, and get tangled, you tango on

by pookeyguru on Jul 13, 2008 9:05 PM PDT up 0 recs

Way to kick the guy when he's down

You’re a classy, classy individual.

by Carl on Jul 13, 2008 1:58 PM PDT up 0 recs

Good effort David!

Good on you for pursuing your dreams. Sorry things didn’t work out for you, but good luck with everything you do from here on out.

Thanks for the update and kudos on your classy outlook. Take care.

A lonely Kings fan in a sea of gold and purple...

by Jaycee on Jul 13, 2008 3:00 PM PDT 0 recs

I think he did it for his kids

A teacher who went out for a pro team, and didn’t make it, might serve as a quality object lesson for 12-13 year olds who think just anybody can make the NBA. His not even making the Summer League might help them realize how hard it is it to get there, and might change their approach down the road (assuming anyone trys).

No mistakes in the tango, darling. Not like life. It's simple. That's what makes the tango so great. If you make a mistake, and get tangled, you tango on

by pookeyguru on Jul 13, 2008 8:29 PM PDT up 0 recs

Interesting perspective.

Kind of hard to take rejection to teach a lesson. Even if he was being a realist, I’m betting he still had his hopes up (it’s impossible not too, humans hang onto the long odds… hope hurts sometimes). Either way, the kid does good.

Mikki Moore in the skills challenge! - LPA

by iashwash on Jul 13, 2008 8:52 PM PDT up 0 recs

True too

I see your point, and I’m inclined to agree. Sometimes, though, one can manage to do both. Chasing a dream, and using it as a lesson, if nothing else for his own kids, might end up being a valuable lesson. Besides, the NBA always loves good PR for it’s league with honest classy people doing the trumpeting. My sense is that we’ll hear more from David Johnson before it’s all said & done one way or another.

No mistakes in the tango, darling. Not like life. It's simple. That's what makes the tango so great. If you make a mistake, and get tangled, you tango on

by pookeyguru on Jul 13, 2008 8:55 PM PDT up 0 recs

Nobody is kicking anybody when

they’re down. Good for him to pursue his NBA dreams.

When you guys are done following the “Dog and Pony Show” and want to chat about “real” future talent on this team, let me know.

by Fire Stern Now! on Jul 13, 2008 3:41 PM PDT 0 recs

Your inability

to reply to a person’s comment by clicking on the “reply” button, and keeping an organized thread shows that you have just as much net etiquette as you have class. Which is to say, none.

AK47, SN13, B52, and K9. One guns, Another runs, He fits, while it licks.

by CAB on Jul 13, 2008 3:59 PM PDT up 0 recs

And you have about as much relevance in this conversation

as David Johnson has being on the Kings summer league team….which is to say, none.

by Fire Stern Now! on Jul 13, 2008 4:22 PM PDT up 0 recs

Could have fooled me.

I might of realized that my 2 cents weren’t relevant had you appropriately replied to Carls comment. But you didn’t. Oh ya… and I don’t care what you think is relevant.

AK47, SN13, B52, and K9. One guns, Another runs, He fits, while it licks.

by CAB on Jul 13, 2008 5:39 PM PDT up 0 recs

Stern Stern

...is having a stupidity leak.

by Kings 4 Lyfe on Jul 13, 2008 4:02 PM PDT 0 recs

Good Job

Really good point!

by Fire Stern Now! on Jul 13, 2008 4:24 PM PDT up 0 recs

Nice Story

I enjoyed following the Johnson story, however brief it may have been. It really put a face and soul on an individual’s attempt to chase his dream. What would have been a dream come true for most of us (an invitation to work out with the Kings!) was bittersweet for Johnson, who recognizes how special it was but still yearns for more. Great perspective. Thanks for getting this on the site, TZ.

SACTOWN ROYALTY - Try our thick creamy shakes!

by section214 on Jul 13, 2008 4:19 PM PDT 0 recs

Johnson Supporter

Why is it so hard for people to understand simple mathematics? Does “Stern” realize that Draftees go to as many as 15 workouts before one team even considers them? Just a thought.

by Kings 4 Lyfe on Jul 13, 2008 5:01 PM PDT 0 recs

So how many guys

made the summer league team who had the same amount of time in front of the Kings’ eyes as David Johnson? Did anyone make the cut in this unlawfully short amount of time to make a case to NBA GM’s? If Geoff wasn’t able to see what he needed to see in the two days he had with David Johnson, then I believe he would have kept him on. It’s only summer league afterall. Jeez!

by Fire Stern Now! on Jul 13, 2008 5:05 PM PDT 0 recs

Zero....

...players made summer league that had the same amount of time because there was no other players with the same predicament. Either they had been to individual workouts for the Kings prior OR they are already a Sacramento King.

Point Guards that were included in the Mini-Camp:
Quincy Douby (PG/Off guard)
Kevin Martin (PG/Off guard)
Sean Singletary (PG)
Bo Mcalebb (PG)
Zabien Dowdell (PG)
Darnell Jones (PG/Off guard)
Marcus Malone (PG/Off guard)
Matt Walsh (F/PG/Off guard)

Those are all of the players who were playing the point guard position @ the mini camp, now how much PT could he have possibly gotten?

by Kings 4 Lyfe on Jul 13, 2008 5:19 PM PDT up 0 recs

I'll tell you exaclty how much he got, Kings 4 Lyfe,

He got enough PT to show the Kings’ decisionmakers that they don’t need another look at him. And that’s the bottom line. Do you think they would purposely pass on talent that would make the Kings better?

Has anyone actually seen him play? Why is everyone acting like Jesus Shuttleworth just got cut from the Kings mini-camp? Quit making him out to be something he clearly is not…an NBA caliber player. At least not at this point in his carreer.

Case closed. Next subject.

by Fire Stern Now! on Jul 13, 2008 5:26 PM PDT 0 recs

This is a nice story

If it bores you, so be it. Move on to the next story.

SACTOWN ROYALTY - Try our thick creamy shakes!

by section214 on Jul 13, 2008 5:31 PM PDT up 0 recs

Yes, I agree

It is a beautiful lesson in reality.

by Fire Stern Now! on Jul 13, 2008 5:33 PM PDT 0 recs

Somebody want to top off FSN's glass?

It’s half empty.

SACTOWN ROYALTY - Try our thick creamy shakes!

by section214 on Jul 13, 2008 5:35 PM PDT up 0 recs

So let me get this straight...

If I want to reply to someone I hit the “reply” button right?

AK47, SN13, B52, and K9. One guns, Another runs, He fits, while it licks.

by CAB on Jul 13, 2008 5:41 PM PDT up 0 recs

I don't think anyone

here has any substance to fill it with.

by Fire Stern Now! on Jul 13, 2008 5:36 PM PDT 0 recs

I'm not convinced

there’s any substance to begin with.

by smgmatt on Jul 13, 2008 5:50 PM PDT up 0 recs

For the record

That wasn’t a comment on you personally, it’s just that so far I’ve seen less substance and more (for lack of a better word) style, in the form of:

attacks,
insults,
unsubstantiated “facts”,
lack of clarity, manners, & etiquette (to start, please use the “Reply” button),
etc.

by smgmatt on Jul 13, 2008 6:01 PM PDT up 0 recs

TALENT VS. NEED

—-And that is why they passed. They simply had too many point guards and didn’t NEED another one no matter how TALENTED he (David) is. I believe the Beno was signed the morning that mini camp started so that’s pretty much that, brother.

I’m pretty sure, the Sports Show (Ch.13 @ 10:45) will include great footage that will most likely capture athletic ability and a guy who has all the necessary tools to play at the NBA level. I can’t understand why some people can’t put two and two together about this kid. Read about him. He also sounds like a truthful and humble young man which is something that is hard to come by; not only in basketball but in life as well.

Do your homework….

P.S.- Is that substantial enough for you pumpkin?

by Kings 4 Lyfe on Jul 13, 2008 6:22 PM PDT up 0 recs

Try KingsTalk

Try KingsTalk. You seem to want to duke it out a bit, and they seem to be good with that over there.

by Carl on Jul 13, 2008 6:34 PM PDT up 0 recs

^ Bad link

KingsTalk forum.

by Carl on Jul 13, 2008 6:35 PM PDT up 0 recs

lol

Yeah. That’s precisely the place.

Mikki Moore in the skills challenge! - LPA

by iashwash on Jul 13, 2008 7:08 PM PDT up 0 recs

Can't say I'm not helpful

I really think FSN would enjoy it over there, and I mean that seriously.

by Carl on Jul 13, 2008 7:24 PM PDT up 0 recs

I agree.

In all seriousness, he’ll find people who can argue at his level there.

Mikki Moore in the skills challenge! - LPA

by iashwash on Jul 13, 2008 8:45 PM PDT up 0 recs

really

rather extremely obnoxious and odious personality.

I understand though – it must get annoying watching good, responsible kids working extremely hard at something they love to achieve their dream. I mean, all these good upstanding characters playing basketball, trying to support their families, it must really grate on him. I mean, he had to read a whole two blog posts about the kid! Jesus, can they not get enough press, these ninnies?
Thankfully, we’ve got this guy to clearly point to us the fallacy of our ways, from his couch. Glory, glory! we can now ignore David because that guy, in his supreme basketball knowledge, has pointed out in such unobfuscated detail the fallacy in David attempting the impossible.

David was fighting for a roster spot that doesn’t exist. You are an uncontributing pessimist. Dude, on this, please: Shut-up.

Mikki Moore in the skills challenge! - LPA

by iashwash on Jul 13, 2008 7:08 PM PDT up 1 recs

Well said IW

No mistakes in the tango, darling. Not like life. It's simple. That's what makes the tango so great. If you make a mistake, and get tangled, you tango on

by pookeyguru on Jul 13, 2008 8:32 PM PDT up 0 recs

Is there any way

to cut Fire Stern Now! from StR after 2 days?

by Travis Mays Hayes on Jul 14, 2008 3:04 AM PDT up 0 recs

Thanks iashwash

Thanks for putting numb nuts in his place.

by Kings 4 Lyfe on Jul 13, 2008 7:19 PM PDT 0 recs

Thanks for the shout out David

Good luck to you, and I hope you get an invitation to a training camp or what ever next step would serve you best in the pursuit of your dreams.

Ball movement ... is like jogging for most people: They do it occasionally, and it makes them happy. Then they go back to not doing it. - Henry Abbott

by Kfan in Korea on Jul 13, 2008 7:30 PM PDT 0 recs

Here, here

Let’s hope this isn’t the last the NBA sees of David Johnson, whether he finds his way into the league, plays in the D-League or Europe, or hopefully gets kids into college and on their way to success, I honestly wish him the best. Good Luck!

Mikki Moore in the skills challenge! - LPA

by iashwash on Jul 13, 2008 8:43 PM PDT up 0 recs

You guys are so mean

Yet now I have realized my mistake..

SIGN DAVID JOHNSON!!!!!!! He is the second coming.

No seriously guys…I’m being serious. Sign him. At least it will give us someone to chant for at the end of games when we’re down 20 points in the fourth quarter.

Someone put a call in to Michael Stewart’s agent. Let’s see how many local scrubs we can stuff on this team.

by Fire Stern Now! on Jul 14, 2008 12:53 AM PDT 0 recs

you're an idiot.

Mikki Moore in the skills challenge! - LPA

by iashwash on Jul 14, 2008 1:42 AM PDT up 1 recs

ok

So I can’t delete that, and I don’t like to have personal attacks stand alone, so now I have to write this.

No one is hinting/implying the Kings should sign David Johnson. It’s just that insulting a guy who just lost out an oppurtunity he really wanted is a dick move. If your buddy got rejected for a job he really wanted based on a fifteen minute interview where he was too nervous to really show his skills, you’re going to bash him, call him an idiot, and tell him he doesn’t deserve the job anyway? Wow, where can I sign up for your friend list?

Now, I’m not against player-bashing – in fact, I love it. But going after an unestablished, unpaid player and calling him a “scrub” when your basketball talents are significantly less is just… idiotic. Especially when he’s a good guy finding his way. If you provided analysis on his play – that would be one thing, but you just bashed him and called him inconsequential. Really? This guy doesn’t matter? Tell that to the youth he coaches. You say he’s not an NBA talent, ok… does it mean we therefore can’t track his career?

This is a Sacramento Kings website – the Sacramento is a key component. If people want to root for a local guy, let ‘em. Fine, you don’t want to talk about it – that’s cool, just glaze over it. That’s the benefit of written media, you can choose what to read. But calling this guy a joke is just not cool.

Mikki Moore in the skills challenge! - LPA

by iashwash on Jul 14, 2008 2:04 AM PDT up 3 recs

Well said.

A lonely Kings fan in a sea of gold and purple...

by Jaycee on Jul 14, 2008 8:50 AM PDT up 0 recs

I Second what Jaycee said

And terrific summary too if I may so.

No mistakes in the tango, darling. Not like life. It's simple. That's what makes the tango so great. If you make a mistake, and get tangled, you tango on

by pookeyguru on Jul 14, 2008 1:20 PM PDT up 0 recs

This whole thing

started with me saying:

“Good on him for trying,
but unfortunately he’s not good enough to make the summer league team.”

Please show me where I bash David Johnson…anywhere in this whole thread. I started off giving him props.

Get the stick out guys.

by Fire Stern Now! on Jul 14, 2008 3:30 PM PDT up 0 recs

To which you were responded with...

” To be fair It can’t be said whether he’s "good enough" to make the Summer League team or not. That he just didn’t show enough in the 2 days

in response you make a totally unsubstantiated claim that…

If something special was there I think it would have been discovered over two days…finding (a local product) that wasn’t drafted, and not so bad that they don’t deserve a spot on the summer league team is the hard part

Calling David Johnson a bad basketball player and justifying such claims because of 2 days of summer league isn’t going to win you support from anyone. Glad to see that you found the reply button though.

AK47, SN13, B52, and K9. One guns, Another runs, He fits, while it licks.

by CAB on Jul 14, 2008 5:05 PM PDT up 0 recs

Thank-you.

I’ve opted out of continuing this.

Mikki Moore in the skills challenge! - LPA

by iashwash on Jul 14, 2008 5:13 PM PDT up 0 recs

Smart move

opting out. Your agent must be smarter than Ron’s.

Ball movement ... is like jogging for most people: They do it occasionally, and it makes them happy. Then they go back to not doing it. - Henry Abbott

by Kfan in Korea on Jul 14, 2008 5:16 PM PDT up 0 recs

The Barking Bitch next door

has more tact than Mark Stevens. I’m just saying. (2-1 odds to FSN is Stevens. Any takers?)

No mistakes in the tango, darling. Not like life. It's simple. That's what makes the tango so great. If you make a mistake, and get tangled, you tango on

by pookeyguru on Jul 14, 2008 6:01 PM PDT up 0 recs

If I was smart

I’d do the same

AK47, SN13, B52, and K9. One guns, Another runs, He fits, while it licks.

by CAB on Jul 14, 2008 5:27 PM PDT up 0 recs

High-fives

all the way around!
Go Sactown Royalty!

by Fire Stern Now! on Jul 14, 2008 7:04 PM PDT up 0 recs

Dude, Im not calling

him a bad basketball player. I said if something was so special and glaring at the Kings, they would have taken notice and given him the bear minimum of a summer league roster spot.

Im not bashing him, nor have I bashed him.

Guess we have walk on egg shells here.

by Fire Stern Now! on Jul 14, 2008 7:03 PM PDT up 0 recs

Oh and why

barb at the end?
Does it make you feel better to put me down about the reply button?

by Fire Stern Now! on Jul 14, 2008 7:10 PM PDT up 0 recs

KingsTalk

KingsTalk. Seriously, dude. You’re a biker throwing beer bottles in a coffee shop over here. I think you’ll like it better there.

by Carl on Jul 14, 2008 9:54 AM PDT up 0 recs

Seriously?

You guys are so mean

Hello? Mr. Kettle? Pot here. Hey, you’re black.

TickTickTickTickTickTick

by LeaguePassAddict on Jul 14, 2008 10:08 AM PDT up 0 recs

It was sarcasm LPA

Buehler? Buehler?

by Fire Stern Now! on Jul 14, 2008 7:03 PM PDT 0 recs

I get sarcasm

I just don’t get how that was sarcasm.

TickTickTickTickTickTick

by LeaguePassAddict on Jul 14, 2008 9:14 PM PDT up 0 recs

Attn: Maloofs

Consider this idea:

Get rid of the Nancy-boy Artest and K9 for Lamar Odum. This will free up ONE spot for our local kid; David Johnson. I’d rather root for him any day. I do NOT want someone who doesn’t want to be here & neither does the rest of our fans and/or viewers.

I hope Ron isn’t the type to sabotage the team that he is playing for because he knows that it won’t be HIS team for long. To add to that, our ticket sales are extremely low and this Johnson kid alone could put people back in the stands…the difference a local could bring.

...Something to ponder.

by Kings 4 Lyfe on Jul 15, 2008 10:12 AM PDT 0 recs