Jason Quick has put together a nice story on Armon Johnson, the 2nd round draft pick of the Portland Trail Blazers.

If Blazers fans this early season have found themselves falling in love with this eager and gregarious rookie, they need to get in line. The Blazers players, right down to the veterans, continue to be impressed.

From late-night sessions in the gym to late-night conversations in the hotel rooms of veterans, Johnson continues to show that he is more than just a compelling story about a kid who makes good after being drafted in the second round.

Johnson, it is becoming more and more clear, could be something special.

Quick didn’t get a chance to see it, but my favorite Johnson moment so far happened after the opening game of the season. Johnson was patiently waiting outside the visitor’s locker room. He was waiting for NBA veteran Steve Nash to come out. Johnson wanted to meet him and seek out some advice from the All-Star. Their meeting only lasted a few minutes, but Johnson wasn’t ready for his first official day in the NBA to end. He then spent about an hour in the loading dock signing autographs. His teammates were long gone and the security guards grew impatient. They were ready for the day to be over – Johnson wasn’t.

I have talked with Johnson about following him throughout the season and as I suspected. He’s excited about it. Very refreshing.