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Don't get comfortable: That's the message that Raptors head coach Sam Mitchell and President Bryan Colangelo seem to be sending to their team with the addition of Linton Johnson, who will be activated tonight against the New York Knicks.
“I tell my players all the time, what got you here doesn't necessarily keep you here and doesn't necessarily guarantee your minutes,” said Mitchell. “We're always looking.”
Johnson is a fifth-year NBA player who has played secondary roles on six teams, most recently with the Phoenix Suns on a pair of 10-day contracts.
A 6-foot-8 wing that was undrafted out of Tulane University, Johnson sees himself as a willing defender and rebounder.
If the Raptors collection of wing players interprets his presence as a comment on their own willingness to commit to the less glamorous side of the game, so be it, said Mitchell.
“Everyone can read into it what they want, but you know what, there's no guarantees,” said Mitchell. “It's on you. The contract gets you the money; it doesn't guarantee you anything else.
No one was singled out, but the fire might feel warmest under Jamario Moon and possibly Carlos Delfino, the two Raptors who play the bulk of the minutes at small forward and are looked upon to add rebounding and defence above all.
“It's not a message purposely being sent [to any one player] but if someone in that locker room perceives it has a message, then maybe they should wake up.”
And why Johnson?
“We're looking for defence, rebounding – those intangible things: getting on the floor for loose balls, bringing some grit and toughness to our basketball team. You can't keep asking for that. After a while of asking [if you don't get it] it's Bryan and my job go find it. We've been asking for that, but if it's not in their DNA, let's find someone for who it is in their DNA.”
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