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Miami Heat 1-on-1: What’s next for James Johnson?

By Brandon Johnson

MIAMI, FL - APRIL 21: James Johnson #16 of the Miami Heat handles the ball against the Philadelphia 76ers in Game Four of the Eastern Conference Quarterfinals during the 2018 NBA Playoffs on April 21, 2018 at American Airlines Arena in Miami, Florida. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2018 NBAE (Photo by Issac Baldizon/NBAE via Getty Images)
MIAMI, FL - APRIL 21: James Johnson #16 of the Miami Heat handles the ball against the Philadelphia 76ers in Game Four of the Eastern Conference Quarterfinals during the 2018 NBA Playoffs on April 21, 2018 at American Airlines Arena in Miami, Florida. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2018 NBAE (Photo by Issac Baldizon/NBAE via Getty Images) /
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MIAMI, FL – APRIL 21: James Johnson #16 of the Miami Heat handles the ball against the Philadelphia 76ers in Game Four of the Eastern Conference Quarterfinals during the 2018 NBA Playoffs on April 21, 2018 at American Airlines Arena in Miami, Florida. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2018 NBAE (Photo by Issac Baldizon/NBAE via Getty Images)
MIAMI, FL – APRIL 21: James Johnson #16 of the Miami Heat handles the ball against the Philadelphia 76ers in Game Four of the Eastern Conference Quarterfinals during the 2018 NBA Playoffs on April 21, 2018 at American Airlines Arena in Miami, Florida. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2018 NBAE (Photo by Issac Baldizon/NBAE via Getty Images) /

What should Miami Heat fans expect from James Johnson in 2018-19?

Alright, how did you first feel about the Miami Heat signing James Johnson?

Brandon Johnson (@bjohnsonNBA): The Miami Heat signed James Johnson in 2016 when they expected to have Chris Bosh healthy and able to play. At the time, I can’t say I cared too much about Johnson’s addition, if only because he was just another power forward of which the Heat had a lot. But once Bosh failed his health exam ahead of training camp, Johnson’s role with the Heat drastically changed. Instead of being another backup at power forward, Johnson had to transition into more of an everyman to accommodate Miami’s instantaneous loss of positional depth. Despite up’s and down’s, I’ve grown to like Johnson, especially a few of his emphatic dunks. I mean, who could forget the time he embarrassed Steph Curry at the rim like it was nothing?

Imran Ebrahim (@iebrahim81): When the Heat first signed Johnson on that $4 million deal, I was pretty hyped. Living in Toronto, I had watched him play and heard about how Dwayne Casey wasn’t using him too much. So when I realized that this Swiss Army Knife could play in the system that was built around LeBron James, the ultimate Swiss Army Knife, I was definitely excited with what head coach Erik Spoelstra could bring out of him. I also realized that this was the perfect combatant to guard James, Paul George, and other elite wings. Pairing him with Chris Bosh, Dwyane Wade and Hassan Whiteside, was gonna be the ticket to reaching the Eastern Conference Finals. Obviously, things ended up working out a little differently, but I still think he’s brought something special to the team.

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