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Miami Heat: 13 player grades for the first half of the regular season

By Trey Flynn

MIAMI, FL - JANUARY 08: Head coach Erik Spoelstra of the Miami Heat directs his team against the Denver Nuggets at American Airlines Arena on January 8, 2019 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. (Photo by Michael Reaves/Getty Images)
MIAMI, FL - JANUARY 08: Head coach Erik Spoelstra of the Miami Heat directs his team against the Denver Nuggets at American Airlines Arena on January 8, 2019 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. (Photo by Michael Reaves/Getty Images) /
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MIAMI, FL – JANUARY 10: James Johnson #16 and Udonis Haslem #40 of the Miami Heat stretch on the court before the game against the Boston Celtics on January 10, 2019 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 2019 NBAE (Photo by Issac Baldizon/NBAE via Getty Images)
MIAMI, FL – JANUARY 10: James Johnson #16 and Udonis Haslem #40 of the Miami Heat stretch on the court before the game against the Boston Celtics on January 10, 2019 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 2019 NBAE (Photo by Issac Baldizon/NBAE via Getty Images) /

JAMES JOHNSON. C+. . PF. Miami Heat

The Miami Heat’s co-captain James Johnson has been battling a sports hernia for the past few months and looks like he has finally gotten over the annoying injury.

In those 16 games that Johnson missed, Miami only won 6 of them. Proving that even when Johnson isn’t producing high numbers, that he is desperately missed as a vocal leader and a role player.

As JJ usually gets the bulk of the defensive duties when the Heat play a team with a superstar wing, he usually gets overlooked on offense because of how relentless he has to be on defense, so it is again the things that he does off the stat sheet that separate him from the rest of the pact.

In his 25 games back with Miami, they have won 15 of them. The Heat need to continue that streak with JJ and hope that when their other co-captain Goran Dragic comes back, they improve even more.

As for his first half of the season, JJ looked a little bit flat at times, but again that is because of the injury. While Johnson is now making big bucks, he still fights on every possession and gives Miami what they desperately need when they put their heads down, which is gritty play.

If the versatile forward can find his groove back on offense again, then you can expect some big games in the near future for JJ. Also, is JJ the next Udonis Haslem for this team? I can see the Heat using a veteran contract of JJ toward the end of his career for years to come, just a thought.

Our next player has been invisible in recent weeks.

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