Pistons Rookie Stanley Johnson Says He Has a "Target" on LeBron James

Probably not a smart move, rookie.

Image via USA TODAY Sports/Brad Penner

Pistons rookie Stanley Johnson hasn't logged a single minute in the NBA yet, so the last thing he should be trying to do right now is start a war with LeBron James. But after he dropped 24 points against the Clippers at the Orlando Pro Summer League on Sunday, he took aim at King James by telling reporters that he's already looking forward to playing against him next season. He even went as far as to say that he has a "target" on the best basketball player in the world.

"Play against LeBron—that means something," he said, while downplaying his 24-point outing. "He is the best player in the league, and I want to be the best player in the league, too, so I have a target on him. I will keep reaching for that goal…He is a team player so I have to be a better team player to be on the same level as him. Did you see that Game 6 against Chicago where he had like 14 points and 14 assists and controlled everything? The best players win a lot of games, so it is not about your points or your rebounds."

OK, OK, so Johnson didn't say anything that's going to make LeBron too mad. In fact, what he said about him was pretty damn flattering. But still, shouldn't Johnson take things one step at a time? Keep dominating the summer league, rook, and you'll get your chance to square off with LeBron soon enough.

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[via NBA.com]

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