Despite the Miami Heat’s 2016-17 struggles, there is still a light shining bright, and his name is Tyler Johnson.
The Miami Heat are currently 11-29.
Fourteen in the Eastern Conference. Twenty-ninth in the league.
To say 2016-17 has been rough for the men of South Beach, would be a gross understatement.
Some are calling it rebuilding. Others have jumped aboard the #TankSZN train. But no matter how you look at things, this season just has not been too kind to Miami.
Having won just one out of their last 10 games, it may be hard for Heat Nation to even stomach watching their team compete. No matter how scrappy they play. Despite how valiant of an effort they give.
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But wins and losses aside, there are things to take note of. Aspects of the Heat to be celebrated.
The most glaring of which is a certain guard’s development…
Welcome to an ode to Tyler Johnson.
At 24, Johnson is now the proud owner of a 4-year, $50 million contract with Miami. After becoming a restricted free agent this past summer and receiving an offer sheet from the Brooklyn Nets, president Pat Riley and company swooped in and matched the deal only four days later.
And while Johnson may be living the life now, his journey to the league was not necessarily easy.
The North Dakota native went undrafted in 2014, after spending four years at Fresno State University, despite averaging 10.6 points, 4.8 rebounds, 2.4 assists and 1.1 steals a game in 27.9 minutes, shooting 45.6 percent (37.4 from beyond-the-arc), and ultimately finishing as the No. 16 career-shooter with 1,346 points.
Fortunately however, he got the Heat’s attention anyways when he played for their Summer League team. And after spending some time shuttling between Miami and the Developmental League (via the Sioux Falls Skyforce), became a part of the team.
A team he is now a cornerstone of.
40 games in, Johnson is averaging 13.9 points, 4.5 rebounds, 3.2 assists and 1.1 steal a game in 31 minutes off of the bench. At one point, he led the league in fourth quarter minutes, and is a definite contender for Sixth Man of the Year.
Or, would be, if the Heat were not doing so poorly.
His hustle is undeniable. His energy is unmatchable. His game is unparalleled.
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He, above anyone else on the team this season, is who to watch.
Yes, Hassan Whiteside is a monster at 17.5 points and 14.4 rebounds a matchup. And Goran Dragic is playing some of his best basketball, bringing in 19 points, 6.5 assists and 3.8 rebounds per game.
But there is just something about Johnson that puts him slightly above everyone else.
And not just in the air, during a high-flying dunk.
The kid looses teeth on a seemingly monthly basis.
He puts up 18 points, grabs 7 rebounds and dishes out 3 assists in 30 minutes against the Golden State Warriors.
He is second in the league among all guards in blocks, with 27 on the year.
Johnson is not just a shooter. Or a play maker. Or a defensive powerhouse. He is all three, wrapped inside a 6-foot-4 frame.
Miami is having a terrible year, but Johnson is not. And it would be a crime for his successes to go unnoticed, lost in the narrative of the Heat’s struggles.
From signing a big-time contract, to being featured in perhaps one of ESPN Magazine’s most entertaining reads ever, to finally showing the league who he is and what he can do… 2016-17 is Johnson’s for the taking. Heck, he has already taken it.
So for those NBA fans who were left scratching their heads at his deal, to those members of Heat Nation would opposed Riley matching the Nets’ offer… think again.
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Tyler Johnson is the real deal, and if the Miami Heat should be credited for doing one thing right this summer, it is certainly making sure they kept this jack-of-all-trades around.