Miami Heat Column: Tyler Johnson was clouded by unfair expectations
By Wes Goldberg
The Miami Heat moved on from Tyler Johnson, but the team lost a player who came to represent its culture despite unfair expectations.
Tyler Johnson’s bumpy ride with the Miami Heat is over.
His time with Miami can be split between two distinct periods: the first two years in which he out-played low or nonexistent expectations, and the last two-and-a-half, in which he fell short of those unfair.
The former Fresno State Bulldog came to the Heat as an undrafted free agent in 2014. After playing with the Heat through summer league and training camp, he was one of the final roster cuts before the season. He signed on with Miami’s G-League affiliate in Sioux Falls, South Dakota, where he played 15 games before signing a 10-day contract with the Heat.
Johnson made his NBA debut in a loss against the Golden State Warriors on Jan. 14. In 1:44 of playing time, he scored two points, both free throws. He didn’t play again for the rest of his 10-day contract. However, NBA rules allowed teams to sign players to two consecutive 10-day deals. Despite Johnson’s underwhelming production, the Heat did. Johnson made his third appearance in place of an injured Dwyane Wade and put up 13 points and nine rebounds in a win against the Boston Celtics. Shortly after, Miami signed him to a two-year, $1.05 million contract and Johnson became a mainstay in the Heat’s rotation for the remainder of the season. In his sophomore year, Johnson improved while making just more than $800 thousand.
You know the rest: Johnson’s restricted free agency, Wade’s nasty breakup, Miami matching Brooklyn’s $50 million offer sheet. Puke.
Furthermore, after analyzing what Johnson did during his time with that contract for the Heat, our title for this piece may have a point as Johnson was clouded by high expectations that were out of his hands.