Miami Heat 2016-17 player preview: James Johnson

Last season and breakout game

Johnson endured a highly frustrating 2015-16 season, playing just 57 games. He registered 16 DNP-CD’s (coaches decision not to play him) in addition to missing nine games due to injury. He also played in 15 games where he received less than 10 minutes of playing time. Overall, he averaged just 5.0 points per game and 2.2 rebounds per game in 16.2 minutes per game. He shot 47.5 percent from the field and had a usage rate of 15.9.

Johnson clearly saw the writing on the wall early days as to the season he was going to endure. Following a game on November 25 versus Cleveland, Johnson took to Twitter to express his frustration. He simply stated, “Mood. Under-utilized.” Despite later apologizing, his message was clear. No doubt, he will be looking forward to a fresh start this season.

His biggest game last season came on February 21, 2015 versus the Houston Rockets. Playing 35 minutes, Johnson scoffed a career-high 27 points on 10-16 shooting. He also contributed five rebounds, four blocks and four steals with a usage rate of 26.6. When you view the above highlights of this, you seriously wonder why he has not been afforded greater opportunities to this point in his career.

He displayed the ability to post up and back his man down, hit the open three, put the ball on the floor and spin around his opponent and use back door cuts for easy points. He demonstrated considerable effort on defence, where he blocked shots not only at the rim but also at the three-point line. This game was played just over 18 months. And being still just 29 years of age, Johnson is more than capable of reproducing that this coming season.