James Johnson’s inconsistency could sink the Miami Heat

An assertive James Johnson is missing from the Miami Heat attack.

“Everybody eats.”

The popular movie phrase has become the mantra of the Washington Wizards, ever since John Wall went down. However, that has been the attitude in the Miami Heat locker room all season.

Up until last month, the Heat were a team with no All-Stars, before Goran Dragic’s late injury addition and a trade for Dwyane Wade. There was also no go-to guy on the entire roster. Which explains having a collective of eight players whose average scores were in double figures. The lowest of which belongs to James Johnson.

If you take a look at his statistics, they are almost identical to last season–minus an average of 2.6 less points. But the impact has differed as his aggression waned. According to the Sun-Sentinel’s Ira Winderman, Johnson’s dip has not gone unnoticed:

"“[Johnson] also hinted about an injury, but the team has not had anything on their injury report. But you are correct, he is not nearly as explosive a player. He was throwing down dunks during the preseason . . . and then it stopped. So, like many, I do wonder what else is in play.”"

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But if the numbers are so similar, what has changed?

The number one culprit for Johnson’s inconsistency has been hesitancy.

Instead of being in attack mode, like he was during last year’s breakout, he seems too shy to pull the trigger. Rather opting for trying to pull off fancier, yet harder assist attempts.

This often results in Johnson’s confidence being visible shaken, to the point where he looks like he is beating himself up with every shot or pass that goes awry.

In order for things to get back on track, the Heat coaching staff has to find a way to instill a little selfishness into his game.

In other words, he needs to be a little greedy and make sure that he eats when the opportunities present themselves. Everyone else can feast off of his dishing around this season (3.8) or last season’s (3.6) assists per game clip.

That transition would also help to cut down on turnovers, which are 0.4 higher when Miami suffers losses. However, the good news is a turnaround may have started with a 14-point game–on 86 percent shooting from the field and 67 percent from behind the arc–against the Detroit Pistons on Saturday evening.

Next: What March means for the Miami Heat and their playoff hopes

As the Heat keep trying to climb the Eastern Conference standings, they’ll need more from Johnson.