Tyler Johnson showing he’s worth $50 million so far

Tyler Johnson appears ready to prove he is worth the Heat’s heavy investment.

Tyler Johnson was as shocked as anyone when he became aware of his new contract.

“I threw up a couple of times when I heard the number.”

That number of course being $50 million over four years, when the Miami Heat matched the offer sheet made by the Brooklyn Nets. Johnson has played just 68 career games entering this season, less than one full regular season. This on top of being un-drafted coming out of Fresno State.

So when more than a few eyebrows were raised at the details of the contract, you can hardly blame them.

However, early signs have been more than encouraging for both the Heat and Johnson.

The Heat recently wrapt up their eight-game preseason schedule ahead of their opening night game Wednesday evening against the Charlotte Hornets. Johnson played in six of the eight games, averaging 11.0 points per game, 2.3 assists and 2.3 rebounds per game. He played 20.4 minutes and shot 55.6 percent from the field including 62.5 percent from three-point range.

These numbers alone are quite impressive, but you when delve further, you can really see the impact Johnson made this preseason. Johnson struggled in the first two games of the preseason, starting alongside Goran Dragic at the shooting guard slot. With newcomers Dion Waiters and Wayne Ellington still acclimating themselves to the Heat’s offence, and Josh Richardson still rehabbing his injury, Johnson was thrown in at the 2 spot.

His returns of 6.0 points over game on 41.7 percent shooting in 19 minutes were certainly underwhelming. But as was the case last season, Johnson showed a great affinity with coming off the bench, which is what he did in his next four games. During this time, Johnson averaged 13.5 points per game, 3.0 assists and 2.5 rebounds per game. This was in 21 minutes per game whilst hitting at an outstanding 60.6 percent clip from the field.

These numbers were impressive enough. But when you look at them on a per minute or per 36 minutes basis, then they really stand out.

Last season, Johnson averaged 13.1 points per game, 4.5 rebounds and 3.3 assists per-36 minutes.

Over the last four games of this preseason per-36 minutes, Johnson averaged 23.1 points per game, 5.1 assists per game and 4.3 rebounds per game. He also averaged 2.1 made three-pointers at an amazing 71.4 percent return.

Although it is just the preseason, these numbers are outstanding and represent incredible efficiency.

Furthermore, Johnson was a +6.4 whilst on the floor over these four games with a usage rate of just 22.3.

Also, per NBA.com, the Heat as a team averaged 110.4 points per 100 possessions when Johnson was on the floor. By way of comparison, the Heat last season averaged 104.2 points per 100 possessions. (Golden State led the league with 112.5).

Whilst he has struggled as a starter, both last season and this pre-season, no one can deny the impact Johnson has coming off the bench.

And whilst $50 million is a huge investment, a couple of things need to be taken into account.

The NBA’s salary cap exploded this summer, increasing from $70 million to $94.14 million. Also, enormous contracts are now the norm and not the exception. Consider the following deals made this summer:

• Evan Turner, Portland Trailblazers, 4 years, $70 million
• Harrison Barnes, Dallas Mavericks, 4 years, $94 million
• Allen Crabbe, Portland Trailblazers, 4 years, $75 million
• Solomon Hill, New Orleans Pelicans, 4 years, $48 million
• Bismack Biyombo, Orlando Magic, 4 years, $72 million’
• Timofey Mozgov, Los Angeles Lakers, 4 years, $64 million

Whilst they are very hard to compare, these deals certainly put into light the dollars Johnson has received from the Heat.

Moving forward, the regular season is obviously a different ball game altogether. Josh Richardson will return soon from his knee injury, and therefore add another guard to fairly stacked rotation.

However, a couple of signs from the preseason indicate that Johnson’s impact shouldn’t be diminished once the real action starts. Firstly, head coach Erik Spoelstra has shown a willingness to play three-guard lineups, which plays heed to the Heat’s desire to play position-less basketball. Johnson is neither a prototypical point guard or shooting guard, meaning he can play in a number of different lineups, therefore suiting this approach perfectly.

Next: What each Heat starter has to prove

Furthermore, the uptempo style and constant attack that is now clearly the Heat’s mantra, suits Johnson to a tee. This all goes without mentioning the defensive end of the court, where Johnson has demonstrated to be an on-ball hound who displays the same passion and intensity that he does with the ball in his hands attacking the defence.

Tyler Johnson has shown what he is capable of this preseason. Let’s see if he can back it up for the next 82 games.