Miami Heat: Why Tyler Johnson is not in a starting role
Recently, members of Heat Nation have been asking for Miami Heat guard Tyler Johnson to come into a starting role over Dion Waiters. But is this a good idea?
Coming into the 2016-17 season, only two things were totally clear about the Miami Heat’s starting lineup: Goran Dragic and Hassan Whiteside would be occupying it.
The rest, was left up in the air. Some aspects of it more than others.
However, now four games into the new season, head coach Erik Spoelsta has consistently gone with the same starting five: Dragic, Dion Waiters, Whiteside, Justise Winslow and Luke Babbitt. With Tyler Johnson steadily coming in as the team’s sixth man.
But many members of Heat Nation already seem over Waiters, ready for Johnson to step up as a starter. Which may be a great idea in theory, given his recent payday and obvious development. Just not so much when it comes to the Heat’s reality.
Because for starters, he is a point guard.
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Now yes, many guys can juggle both the roles of point and shooting guard. This changes when one is talking about playing alongside Dragic though. Despite Johnson having the ability to run the floor faster than Wade, his style of offense is still pretty different from what Dragic is currently trying to get Miami accustomed to.
Then there is the fact that Johnson is doing pretty darn well coming off of the bench.
He has yet to start a game this year and is averaging 15.3 points, 4.0 rebounds and 2.0 assists on 30.0 minutes of play. He is shooting 53.5 percent, and 50.0 percent from beyond-the-arc.
Why change something that is already panning out so well?
Look, just because Johnson does not have the title of starter, does not mean he will not go on to do big things for the Heat moving forward. He already has. Many are even looking at him at a viable Sixth Man of the Year option. Let him keep on, keeping on. There is no reason to think he cannot continue to impress coming off of the bench.
As for Waiters, well… give him time.
He has already started off on the right foot, showing full commitment to the team upon signing his new contract and doing whatever he can to get the job done.
And realistically, he is currently averaging 12.8 points, 4.8 rebounds and 3.5 assists on 35.8 minutes of play. Even if he is only shooting 36.5 percent.
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For now, Spoelstra seems to have found a solid starting lineup while still counting on Johnson to contribute in a major way.