Despite having a fairly difficult conversation with young Stanley Johnson, Detroit Pistons head coach Stan Van Gundy hasn't given up on his promise as a pro and looks forward to the soon-to-be three-year player tapping into his potential.

Johnson was a scorer at the University of Arizona, a skill that hasn't translated to the pros due to his limited playing time and the obvious difference of skill between the college and actual NBA competition. Regardless, Van Gundy envisions Johnson establishing himself as a small forward in the league, allowing for his defensive versatility to flourish at the position.

“I see Stanley playing more at the small forward position this year after playing the vast majority of his minutes at the two-guard spot a year ago,” Van Gundy told Yaron Weitzman of Bleacher Report. “But he's an extremely versatile guy — he can guard big twos, threes and even fours. His versatility is a huge advantage for us.”

Van Gundy has demanded more from his young player at the defensive end, but so has he of big man Andre Drummond and the rest of the team, looking to make defense the Pistons' identity coming into this 2017-18 season.

The tools are there with the addition of Avery Bradley, a premiere defender that makes one-on-one matchups personal and has an infectious attitude that holds the team accountable for any woes at that end. If Stanley Johnson can pick up a few tricks from Bradley and can maintain his discipline, his game could take off in the near future as he tires his opposition at the other end of the floor for Stan Van Gundy the Pistons.