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Where should the Miami Heat rank in the NBA’s top-100 players?

By Brandon Johnson

MIAMI, FL - APRIL 21: Goran Dragic #7 of the Miami Heat and Wayne Ellington #2 of the Miami Heat look on during the game 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: Goran Dragic #7 of the Miami Heat and Wayne Ellington #2 of the Miami Heat look on during the game 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) /

Hm…

James Johnson

Johnson won the hearts of many in 2014 when, on the Toronto Raptors, he “cocked that joint back and banged on ’em”.

In Miami, he’s kept the same spirit and energy, baptizing players like Victor Oladipo without a second thought.

But for every highlight, Johnson had last season, there were a bundle of games in which he looked out of place.

As a point forward splitting his time with on- and off-ball duties, Johnson never seemed to find his flow this season, both starting and playing off the bench, and seeing his averages stagnate and field goal attempts drop in his second Heat season.

Johnson is a fantastic threat when he is a scoring option.

But he shied away from this offensive game last year, having 23 more single digit scoring games in 2017-18 than the season prior.

If he can find the sweet spot between his flexible roles in 2019, Johnson might deserve a spot as high as 70 heading into next season.

But continuing to lose sight of how he best complements the Heat will make Johnson’s remaining contract feel like a drag on Miami’s purse.

Goran Dragic

First thing’s first: Dragic had an incredible 2017-18.

He won Eurobasket, made his first All-Star team and navigated matching up with Ben Simmons and Robert Covington in the playoffs, despite his stature working against him.

The SI team got it right: Dragic’s toughness and steadiness puts him in the upper half of the Association. But expecting another standout season could be too much to ask for from the 32-year-old.

By all accounts, the Heat need to start relying on, if not forcing, its young guys to shoulder more of the nightly burden.

Now is the time for Justise Winslow, Richardson, Tyler Johnson and even Whiteside to show that they are capable of guiding Miami back to its championship stature.

If Dragic emerges as Miami’s overall best player next season, that’s a fantastic accomplishment. But it would also mean that none of the second, third or fourth year players are not pulling their weight.

Next. The Miami Heat need to leave the Southeast Division behind. dark

So, by all means, make another All-Star team, Dragic. Just hope that you aren’t the only Miami Heat representative.

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