Tyler Johnson Is Going To Shoot Lights Out From Downtown
Here’s a super preemptive, but spot-on hot take concerning Tyler Johnson: he will shoot at least 40 percent from downtown this season.
No need for the eyes emoji. Resist the urge to mimic the Marcus Camby gif.
Just hear me out.
Johnson is already a 37.4 percent career 3-point shooter. And with his role only expanding, there’s no reason to believe he won’t break 40 percent.
In fact, he already did.
On Sunday, the 25-year-old scored 14 points in 17 minutes, on 6-of-8 shooting from the field (going 1-for-2 from beyond-the-arc). Which technically brings him to 50 percent from 3 on the night.
(Did I mention he was the team’s leading scorer?)
Hardly evidence to support the argument, but it’s certainly a start. As is the fact that during the team’s Red, White & Pink scrimmage, Johnson put up a pair of 3’s, finishing with 10 points on the day. And in April, he shot 56.5 percent from 3. During Miami’s playoff push. When the team was under duress, because every game was essentially life or death.
In other words, if the North Dakota-native can shoot like that in crunch time, imagine what he’ll be able to do over the duration of his fourth year in South Beach.
It’s no secret that Johnson is gunning for Sixth Man of the Year. An award he should have at least been considered for last season. And although the team’s success will forever be a priority for the rising star, there’s no doubt that at least part of the motivation behind his grind will be selfish.