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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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PHILADELPHIA, PA – APRIL 24: James Johnson #16 of the Miami Heat looks on during the game against the Philadelphia 76ers in Game Five of Round One of the 2018 NBA Playoffs on April 24, 2018 at the Wells Fargo Center in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. 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 David Dow/NBAE via Getty Images)
PHILADELPHIA, PA – APRIL 24: James Johnson #16 of the Miami Heat looks on during the game against the Philadelphia 76ers in Game Five of Round One of the 2018 NBA Playoffs on April 24, 2018 at the Wells Fargo Center in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. 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 David Dow/NBAE via Getty Images) /

Talk a little bit about your feelings on Johnson’s 2017-18 run…

Johnson: Honestly, who didn’t have a rough year last season? Besides Goran Dragic, who rode the wave of the Eurobasket title into his first All-Star selection, much of Miami’s lineup hit turbulance. However, I think Johnson’s was more apparent because his positional flexibility changes his role nightly. One game he’s running through the post and the next he’s supporting at point guard. That transition can take a lot out of anyone, and Johnson was no exception. Still, Johnson performed around the average in player efficiency (15.8) so his season wasn’t all bad. Not to mention his hearty contributions in the historic, double overtime contest with the Denver Nuggets. Shooting almost 77 percent from the floor over the course of 46 minutes played is no joke, and is a testament to Johnson’s work ethic.

Ebrahim: It was a little weird seeing Johnson start so many games, especially since he only started five games in 2016-17. But I definitely understand why it had to be done with all the injuries and rotations Miami had to deal with. And I think that contributed a lot to his reduction in stats. I would like to have seen him shoot better from the 3-point line, but I like that he reduced his turnovers, even though he was playing predominately against the opponents’ starters. I guess we could also attribute his drop because of his reduction in usage rate… Regardless, last year threw a lot Johnson’s way, and he seemed to have handled it as best as he could, given how much was asked of him.

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