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