Players react to Johnson’s rank for ‘toughest’ players

MIAMI – Miami Heat power forward James Johnson was ranked in a tie for fourth in a recent poll of NBA general managers for “toughest player in the NBA.”

One would imagine most “tough guys” would not be pleased with anything other than a firstplace result on any such list and may even be willing to prove it, but Johnson felt his spot was actually satisfactory –adding some stipulations, however.

“In the sense of strong and physical on the basketball court, I’m cool with four,” Johnson said. “If we’re talking basketball, I’m good with the position four I got, but other than that, I don’t see no other person in the league that can give me a run if it came down to anything else, what I’m really good at, you know, other than UD [Udonis Haslem].”

Johnson was fourth along with Golden State Warriors forward Draymond Green, and behind, in order, Oklahoma City Thunder center Steven Adams, Los Angeles Lakers forward LeBron James and Boston Celtics guard Marcus Smart.

Johnson was left wondering why Haslem, who did receive votes for “best leader,” was not included – and not just for basketball toughness.

“He’s definitely top three,” Johnson said. “Now that’s in both categories – basketball toughness and outside-thecourt toughness. A lot of these tough guys they listed on this list, they definitely will keep it basketball.”

Said Haslem: “I guess they forgot about me. … JJ is one of the toughest guys I know. Definitely, if I had to choose, I’d definitely choose JJ.”

Johnson, well-versed in mixed martial arts, would certainly possess that outside-the-court toughness, as well.

“No one has ever seen me fight, so I could just be making it all up,” Johnson quipped, possibly daring someone to one day find out. “I don’t think anyone in the league fears that I do martial arts or my record in UFC or kickboxing. I don’t think no one fears that, and they shouldn’t – until they’re face to face with it.”

Point guard Goran Dragic, upon hearing the order of Adams, James and Smart ahead of Johnson, said the change he would make is to flip Johnson and Smart at No. 3 and 4.

“He does the dirty work that nobody wants, but he’s a unique player,” Dragic said.

Richardson practices, may return Friday: Wing Josh Richardson practiced on Thursday, and he may be able to return from a left thigh contusion on Friday for the preseason exhibition at Washington.

Spoelstra said neither Bam Adebayo, Derrick

Jones Jr. nor Wayne Ellington practiced on Thursday. He added Adebayo is “getting better.”

Jones bruised his right shoulder on a dangerous fall on Tuesday. Wednesday’s MRI and Tuesday’s X-rays immediately following the exhibition against the Hornets came back negative.