Johnson progressing toward getting his mind and body right
MIAMI — Among the themes of the Miami Heat’s resurrection last season was the resurrection of forward James Johnson through a transformation of his body. That conditioning, however, has not been in the same place as last season, as several opposing scouts noted recently.
“I mean I’m still 7.25-[percent] body fat, still 245,” he said in advance of this eight-day All-Star break before the Heat resume their schedule next Friday against the New Orleans Pelicans. “So, just keeping on grinding, doing the other things. I’ve been battling through some other things and that pretty much is it.”
Johnson arrived in the 2016 offseason at 275 pounds and 14.5 percent body fat. He got down last season to 238 pounds and 6.75-percent body fat.
Regardless of the numbers, the quickness and endurance over the course of this season have not been the same as last season, which was followed by the team extending a four-year, $60 million free-agent contract. “I’m good,” Johnson said. “Some of the days that I’m playing, I’m battling through the things that has nothing to do with my conditioning level.”
Among the Heat’s advantages last season was Johnson’s ability to switch defensively on perimeter players, as well as to push the ball in transition. That bounce and agility has not been as apparent this season.
“Just a lot of different things I’m battling,” he said, “and I’m not trying to make excuses for what’s not allowing me to move like I want to move right now. I just keep getting treatment, keep working on the little things and I’m hoping to get back.”
Johnson missed six games in December with ankle bursitis, but the team has not listed him on its injury report since.
Johnson’s play has come around in recent games despite the Heat losing seven of their past eight games.
“I’d love for him to build on this,” coach Erik Spoelstra said, with Johnson leading the Heat with 22 points in Wednesday’s loss to the Philadelphia 76ers. He has scored 16 or more in the past two games, after doing so only once in his previous 10 appearances. “JJ cares. That’s the most important thing. He wants to play well and contribute to the team.”
Spoelstra said with Dwyane Wade available to handle more of the playmaking with the second unit, it has allowed Johnson to play with more of an attack mindset, something that had been missing during the early stages of the season.
“I think Dwyane will also help him get to his strengths,” Spoelstra said, “and also he can put the ball in Dwyane’s hands to make some decisions so James can just be a force of nature. I think that’s what you saw the last couple of games.”
Johnson said earlier this month he began to feel his play turning.
“I’ve been closing these games out,” he said. I’m just trying to get healthy and then go from there.”
He said, like teammates, he hopes for a turnaround when the schedule resumes.
“We have been in a lot of clutch situations. You learn from every one, win or lose,” he said. “There’s got to be a point where we just break through. We have to figure it out after the break. We have a long week to think about it, try to get our bodies healthy, and come out and play together.”
Close calls
The Heat at the All-Star break have played in a franchise-record 16 consecutive games decided by single digits, surpassing their previous record of 11 consecutive such games from Nov. 24, 2001 to Dec. 15, 2001.
The 16 consecutive games is the longest such streak in the NBA since the Houston Rockets also had a 16-game streak from Dec. 29, 2009 to Jan. 21, 2010.
The NBA record for consecutive games decided by single digits is 20 by the Indiana Pacers from Dec. 15, 1982 to Jan. 27, 1983.