Will Dion Waiters and James Johnson continue to play with the hunger that propelled them to breakout seasons with the Miami Heat? Tyler Johnson says he’s not worried about that.
When Tyler Johnson inked a lucrative four-year, $50 million deal last year, many wondered if he’d continue to play with the same grit as he did in his first two NBA seasons. After all, a player trying to keep an NBA job might hustle a little more than one with a guaranteed eight-figure salary.
That wasn’t the case, however. Between his second and third seasons, Johnson improved across the board. His averages increased from 8.7 points, 3.0 rebounds and 2.2 assists to 13.7 points, 4.0 rebounds and 3.2 assists. He played more minutes, got more steals and blocks, and committed less turnovers.
Johnson made as much as a leap as any one could hope for a newly-minted player who was previously undrafted.
This year, it was Dion Waiters’ and James Johnson’s turn to sign the most lucrative contracts of their respective careers. After breakout seasons, Waiters re-signed to a four-year, $52 million deal and James Johnson a four-year, $60 million contract.
Part of what made last season’s Heat team so exciting–particularly during the second half–was the sense that a collection of misfits came together to create something seemingly greater than the sum of its parts.
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Both Waiters and James Johnson were almost out of the league before getting another chance in Miami.
When asked if their new deals would satiate the hunger with which they play, Tyler Johnson said it wouldn’t be an issue. Via the Miami Herald’s Barry Jackson:
"“I know that the character of the guys on our team isn’t, ‘OK, now everybody feels comfortable,'” Johnson said. “I think that they’re going to prove that they kind of have the chip on their shoulder that I had, was that, ‘Now, I’m going to prove that I’m worth it.’”"
I’m inclined to agree with Tyler Johnson. A guy like Dion Waiters isn’t motivated by money alone. Brash confidence like his isn’t subdued by a bigger pay check. James Johnson has been yearning for a bigger role for eight years, a bigger contract doesn’t mean he has nothing left to prove.
The question isn’t if Waiters, Johnson and Johnson are no longer hungry. The question is of how much better they can get. Waiters, 25, has the most talent. James Johnson, 30, has the most unique skillset. Tyler Johnson, 25, has lost the most teeth (seven, according to him.)
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The Heat, by signing them, have locked those players into contracts through their prime. There is a chance someone like Waiters can continue to develop and out-perform his current salary. At least, that’s the hope for the Heat.