Miami Heat shooting study: James Johnson

James Johnson developed into one of the Miami Heat’s most versatile scorers last season.

This series will take a look at each Miami Heat player’s shooting abilities and preferences, and where they can improve.

A rare blend of size, athleticism, shooting touch and passing ability, James Johnson developed into one of the most versatile players in the NBA last season.

In his first season with the Miami Heat, he averaged career highs in points (12.8), rebounds (4.9) and assists (3.6), and was one of only six players to average at least one 3-pointer made, a block and three assists per game.

It took until Johnson’s eighth NBA season to show what he could do. He got in the best shape of his career in Miami, and was afforded the playing time and leeway to develop his game. In doing so, he earned a fresh four-year, $59 million deal this summer.

Johnson has always liked to get the ball to his teammates and has been an above average defender. Where he really took a step forward was as an all-around scorer. In previous stops, Johnson had been limited to standing in the corner and taking catch-and-shoot 3s.

In Miami, he was able to stretch his game. He regularly put the ball on the ground, even running the offense at times. He still liked his corner 3s, but he also liked the middle of the court and took more shots in the paint (411) than he has in any other season of his career.

Nearly half of Johnson’s shots came from within 10 feet of the basket last season, and he was selective in the 3.4 3-point attempts he attempted per game. Johnson averaged a career high in 3-point attempts, and made them at his most efficient clip (34 percent).

At the start of the season, Johnson would get the ball in the corner on kick outs–like most stretch-4s. But Johnson is more than just a tall body who can make 3s at a respectable rate. As the season progressed, head coach Erik Spoelstra gave him more responsibility running the offense. By the end of the year, Johnson was running the second-unit offense, and setting himself up for shots like this:

This play shows Johnson’s intelligence as an offense runner. He gives the ball up to Josh Richardson and then, using Richardson’s body as a screen, forces the switch. A bad rotation by the Hornets gives Johnson a wide-open shot.

Next: Re-living James Johnson's breakout season

Johnson created his own shot here, and this is one example of why he became difficult to guard. The Heat have locked Johnson up for the next four years and, if he can keep doing things like this, he’ll be well worth the investment.