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Miami Heat 1-on-1: Seven games in and already plenty to discuss

By Allana Tachauer

MIAMI, FL - OCTOBER 29: Erik Spoelstra of the Miami Heat looks on during the game against the Sacramento Kings on October 29, 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 - OCTOBER 29: Erik Spoelstra of the Miami Heat looks on during the game against the Sacramento Kings on October 29, 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 – OCTOBER 27: Tyler Johnson #8 of the Miami Heat reacts against the Portland Trail Blazers on October 27, 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 – OCTOBER 27: Tyler Johnson #8 of the Miami Heat reacts against the Portland Trail Blazers on October 27, 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) /

So who’s hurting the team more right now: Tyler Johnson or Justise Winslow?

Tachauer: This pains me to say, because I really do want the best for him, but I have to go with Johnson. On paper, it doesn’t seem like things are that bad. In seven games, he’s averaging 8.3 points on 40.7 shooting from the field. And in the Heat’s last game against the Charlotte Hornets, he actually finished with 12 points in 26 minutes, going 4-of-7 from the field. The problem is, he’s also shooting a mere 20 percent from downtown on the year, which is primarily what the team expects him to excel at. He also isn’t able to keep the offense going in the same way that Goran does, which means that when Johnson comes in as the backup point guard, there’s an awkward transition between the first and second unit. With all that said, I haven’t loved what I’ve seen from Winslow yet either (he just gets a little more slack, since he only returned three contests ago). His shooting has been slightly painful to watch, and he hasn’t really been holding it down on defense either.

Ebrahim: I would have to go with Johnson, simply because you can’t blame Winslow for only having three games under his belt, so I’ll give Winslow the benefit of the doubt for now. But there’s not much to save Johnson currently. Seven of his teammates are outscoring him right now and he has the lowest offensive rating on the team (excluding. Udonis Haslem). He’s shooting 20 percent from 3-point range and he’s dropped in every stat, except steals. Maybe it’s been his role as the backup point guard that has messed with him, since the whole team isn’t fully healthy yet. And with Dragic seemingly dealing with an injury as well, I think it might be do-or-die for Johnson come soon. If Spoelstra decides to give him more minutes, he’ll have a chance to prove himself; but it’s entirely plausible that Johnson stays exactly where he’s at, and McGruder/Winslow steal some of those extra minutes.

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