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TORONTO - At the ripe old age of 27-years-old Amir Johnson, the final player to have entered the league straight out of high school, finds himself in an unfamiliar situation as his 10th NBA season approaches. Johnson has never been one to pace himself, thats what has made him so valuable to the Raptors throughout his years in Toronto, and as a result hes taken a beating physically. Since coming to the Raptors, hes been remarkably durable, especially when you factor in the countless rolls of tape used on his troublesome ankles and time spent on the trainers table each season. Hes missed just 18 games in five years but by late March and April you can expect him to be hobbling around on one good ankle, if that. Up until last seasons surprising run to the playoffs it hadnt really mattered. A second-round pick out of Westchester high school in Los Angeles, Johnson began his career playing sparingly for a contending Pistons team. Eventually he transitioned to a complimentary role in Detroit before playing out four losing campaigns as a Raptor. By the spring many of his teammates would shut it down, mentally or physically or both, but Johnson kept chugging along. Last year was supposed to be much of the same, but thats not how it turned out and now here he is, participating in his 10th NBA training camp, but first in which hes expected to play a significant role for a playoff-bound club. Hes graduated from X-factor status, a tag that implicates ones game with the unreliability commonly associated with younger players. Amirs notoriously our glue guy, said Dwane Casey, a far more appropriate label for a player that has anchored Torontos defence and produced efficient offence for years. We know who he is. More than ever before, the Raptors need him on the court, as close to 100 per cent as possible during the stretch run and into the post-season if theyre to top last years accomplishments. The question is, how do you slow down a player who has been so effective operating at one speed? Amir, if he doesnt play with energy or if he tries to pace himself, that doesnt help him and it doesnt help us, Casey said. Hes an old pro and he knows how to play. Im not really concerned about him wearing down. Hes just got to stay healthy. The onus, at least to some degree, will be on Casey and the coaching staff to monitor Johnsons usage and perhaps scale back his minutes, not excessively but sporadically throughout the year, something they implemented last March as the forward battled a series of late-season aches and pains. The teams added depth and versatility should help Casey ensure that all of his regulars - including Johnson, DeMar DeRozan and Kyle Lowry - are kept fresh. Patrick Patterson was one of the leagues premier reserves after last seasons trade and figures to have an expanded role in his first full campaign with the Raptors. Tyler Hansbrough has earned praise in camp, having added a jump shot and improving his spacing and overall court awareness. James Johnson can also shift over to power forward, something Casey has experimented with in camp and feels comfortable deploying when they play small. Well watch his minutes, said Casey, but no ones playing that [many] minutes at the position to be overly taxed energy-wise. Johnson is doing his part to prepare for what could be his most grueling year, beginning with his work and innovative approach during the summer. The Raptors forward did not require surgery on either of his tender ankles, to his relief, instead he spent time at the P3 training facility in Santa Barbara, Calif. to help prevent the recurrence of similar injuries. It started with football players and now they expanded to a bunch of basketball players, he said of the cutting-edge sports clinic. What they do is strap you into these little light bulb suits, like they do in video games, and they have a screen where they show you every movement you do. So I was jumping up and down, sliding, seeing which way I land and they break it down to where you can see your skeleton and your bones move in slow motion, when you land and how you land. It could be something where you can just adjust your foot and kind of turn it a different way and that prevents you from maybe rolling an ankle or hurting your back. There, Johnson received feedback on how to refine some bad habits in his movement on the court - running, jumping, landing, etc. Its something he still works on implementing ahead of games and before practice. It takes repetition, but you can get used to it. So I did that this summer and I think it worked out great for me, he said, having also worked with Hall-of-Famer Hakeem Olajuwon on his post moves. Ive been working, strengthening, conditioning and keeping my body healthy. It didnt take long for Johnson to give the Raptors their first scare of the young campaign - if you can even call it a scare, given how often he hits the deck and pops back up. Johnson went down, battling for a rebound late in the second quarter of Fridays exhibition win over the Thunder. It wasnt my ankle, it was actually my foot, he clarified after sitting out the remainder of that game as a precaution. But Im fine. Perhaps his new and improved footwork, coupled with the possibility of reduced playing time, will lesson the threat of injury for Johnson in this all-important upcoming season - its also a contract year for him - but that risk will always be a factor and presumably higher than most on account of the way he plays the game. Whether theyre used to it or not, his teammates and coaches will always cringe when they see Johnson sprawled out on the court, but its par for the course. He may end up their intentionally - after diving for a loose ball or taking a charge - or otherwise, but as long as he continues to pop back up, the Raptors will live with the frequent scare. Hes that valuable. Jim McMahon Jersey . Osmond, of Marystown, N.L., fell in the middle of her routine and placed fifth in the ladies free skate at Iceberg Skating Palace (110.73 points), but that was all the Canadians needed after a strong performance by Kevin Reynolds in the mens free earlier Sunday. Devin Hester Jersey . Millsap will miss Wednesday nights game against the Chicago Bulls. The Hawks say Millsap also will be held out on Thursday at Boston. http://www.officialchicagobearspro.com/R...t-bears-jersey/. The stress, the waiting, the whispers about whether he doped during his stellar cycling career, all of it ended when - after nearly two years - federal prosecutors closed an investigation of him last week without bringing any charges. Walter Payton Jersey . Minutes before the final whistle of Sporting Kansas Citys 3-0 victory over a shorthanded Montreal Impact squad on Saturday afternoon, Saputo tweeted: "Our fans deserve better. William Perry Jersey . Hughes, 30, is a former Major Leaguer with the Baltimore Orioles, having played in 14 games with the Os in 2010. He played with Class AA Binghamton of the Eastern League in the New York Mets system last season.FLOWERY BRANCH, Ga. - An impressive win over Arizonas strong defence was a confidence-booster for running back Steven Jackson and the Falcons offence.Atlanta will need to build on that win to help give the Falcons defence a chance in Monday nights game at Green Bay.Led by quarterback Aaron Rodgers, the Packers rank second in the NFL in scoring. The Packers (9-3) have scored more than 50 points in two of their last three home games. Rodgers has thrown 20 TD passes with no interceptions at home this season.Thats scary for the Falcons, who rank last in the league in total defence and against the pass.The best hope for Atlantas defence will be minimizing Rodgers time on the field. That puts pressure on the Falcons offence, led by quarterback Matt Ryan. The Falcons had 500 yards in their 29-10 win over the Cardinals on Sunday.I think it gives you confidence that you can go out there and play with anybody in this league, Ryan said. But I think even before last week we had that.Jackson ran for 101 yards against the Cardinals — his first 100-yard game in his two years with Atlanta. The 240-pound back gained more than half of his yards on a 55-yard run — his longest since 2009.Hes a big guy, Packers linebacker Nick Perry said Friday. We know at the end of the day weve got to tackle. Thats going to be a big emphasis going up to this game, just getting all hats to the ball.Ryan is hoping Jackson and Atlantas other running backs, Jacquizz Rodgers and Devonta Freeman, provide offensive balance against the Packers.Were a better offence when were balanced and thats important for us as we move forward, Ryan said.Jackson said one reason for Atlantas improved production is the growth of a young, rebuilt offensive line. The current version of the line, which has had four starters suffer season-ending injuries, has had five weeks to play together.Weve been playing with aa changing of the guard up there but right now we have a unit that has been together for the last few weeks, Jackson said.dddddddddddd Theyre starting to jell and understand each other. Were starting to get comfortable as runners with that unit. Hopefully going forward, we can continue to have an explosive running game.One of the few constants on the line has been rookie left tackle Jake Matthews, who will face his cousin, Packers linebacker Clay Matthews.The line includes another rookie, centre James Stone, who signed as an undrafted free agent.I feel like our line is getting better every week, Stone said. Weve come together and were trying to get better as a unit.Stone is Atlantas third starting centre, following Joe Hawley and Peter Konz. Tackles Sam Baker and Lamar Holmes also are on injured reserve.The Falcons had the big day against Arizona even without wide receiver Roddy White, who was held out with an ankle injury. Julio Jones was Ryans top target, catching 10 passes for 189 yards and one touchdown.White has not practiced this week. Coach Mike Smith said Friday he hopes White can practice on Saturday and play on Monday night.The Falcons (5-7) have won three of four and remain in first place in the NFC South.Atlanta players have heard all the jokes about the woeful division. Jackson said the bottom line is they remain in control of their playoff hopes — just like the Packers.We are relevant, Jackson said. Were No. 1 in the South and weve got to keep it that way. Whenever you can control your own destiny, thats the way you want it. As long as we continue to take it one week at a time and find a way to win, well be OK.___AP NFL website: www.pro32.ap.org and www.twitter.com/AP_NFL___AP Sports Writer Genaro C. 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