James Johnson owns up — and then steps up

MIAMI — James Johnson vowed to be better. Then he was.

To Miami Heat coach Erik Spoelstra the mere fact that his tri-captain talked the talk was what matters. To Johnson, backing it up was more meaningful.

Combined, it has the versatile forward in a far better place going into Sunday’s game against the Indiana Pacers at AmericanAirlines Arena.

On the eve of what turned into Friday’s 91-88 victory over the Washington Wizards at Capital One Arena, Johnson acknowledged his inconsistent play.

“It’s just been terrible performances out there,” he said.

And then he did something about it, with 20 points, five rebounds, four assists and just one turnover in a bounce-back game for both himself and his team.

“The J.J. that makes us go is the guy that leads that locker room. And that started [Thursday], by stepping in front of all of you and taking responsibility,” Spoelstra said in his Friday postgame media comments. “And he didn’t need to do that. We’re not putting it all on J.J. But he has that kind of emotional stability and maturity to set the tone for that locker room, that we need to get better.

“He brought it … brought an incredible competitive disposition. It’s not whether he scores 20. That’s never been J.J.’s impact on this team. It’s all encompassing — leadership, competitiveness, and having a force of will that the guys follow. And you saw that.”

It was only the third 20-point game of the season for Johnson, just the third time he made at least half his shots.

Johnson said by owning up on Thursday he was able to step up on Friday.

“It’s nice to play without thinking,” he said. “All these guys believe in me. My teammates, they want it and need it from me. It’s just stepping up.”

Center Hassan Whiteside said there was a calming influence from Johnson against the Wizards as the Heat’s 25-point lead eroded to four by the midpoint of the fourth quarter.

“He really helped us out so much in that run when they were coming back,” Whiteside said, “getting us to triggers when they were pressing us.”

Johnson’s perseverance proved inspiring to the entire locker room.

“You see guys fall in and out of rhythm,” forward Justise Winslow said. “But just to see him stick with it — his habits haven’t changed. He got to the gym early, stayed late. All those things. It was just a matter of time before he found his rhythm again.”

Johnson said he appreciated the encouragement from teammates such as Goran Dragic, Whiteside, Dion Waiters and Udonis Haslem amid his previous struggles.

“The Dragon came up and talked to me. Hassan, Dion, of course Udonis,” Johnson said, “just take heed, play my game and be [No.] 16 out there.”

Eventually, Johnson got the Wizards to take notice, just as he did with many opponents during the Heat’s 30-11 run over the second half of last season’s schedule, the type of play that resulted in a four-year, $60 million free-agent contract in the offseason.

“He is their facilitator,” Wizards forward Otto Porter said. “He makes plays for them. Once he gets that outside shot going, it is tough to deal with him. He creates for them in so many different ways.”

That, Spoelstra said, was what made Friday’s revival far more significant than the point total.

“That’s ultimately his impact — leadership, defense and then a versatile all-around offensive game.”