Miami Heat: Tyler Johnson overcoming bumpy start to season

The Miami Heat will be delighted that the real Tyler Johnson has emerged over the past fortnight after some considerable struggle.

To say that Tyler Johnson‘s performance to start the season was underwhelming would be a significant understatement.

Following a career season in which Johnson emerged as a vital component off the Miami Heat bench by averaging 13.7 points, 4.0 rebounds and 3.2 assists per game, the Fresno State product found himself in an extended slump to start the season. Through his first 19 games, Johnson had posted just 9.2 points and 3.0 rebounds, which featured shooting at a 33.9 percent clip from the field and 30.9 percent from 3-point range.

But to the credit of Johnson, the manner in which he has responded over the past couple of weeks is a real testament to both his talent and mental aptitude.

Over the past six games, Johnson has turned things around drastically, averaging 16.2 points and 2.8 rebounds in 28.2 minutes per game. Most notably, Johnson has converted at a 59.0 percent clip from the field and a 50.0 percent clip from 3-point range while leading the Heat in scoring during this period.

Since joining the Heat via the G League after having left college undrafted, the start to the season represented by far the worst slump to date in Johnson’s Heat career. Although he’s a capable ball-handler, Johnson is most suited off the ball, as illustrated by the fact that 67.7 percent of his made field goals this season have been assisted by a teammate.

Leading up to this point, Johnson had already recorded six games of scoring four points or less, which included a scoreless 24-minute outing in a loss to the Cleveland Cavaliers. Contrast this to last season, when the 25-year-old recorded four points or less just four times over his 73 regular season games.

Following a season-high 25 points in a loss to the San Antonio Spurs, head coach Erik Spoelstra was very noteworthy of Johnson’s performance:

"“He gives you such an incredible spark when he plays like that. You know, he competes defensively, he’s always around the ball….he let the game come to him, he was very poised in his actions, he took shots when they were available, he spaced the floor, and moved into open gaps when that was available as well. Just had a very poised, patient game.”"

Confidence can be very fleeting, and it was evident in the early part of the season that Johnson was certainly lacking in that department. But as Spoelstra detailed, the calmness which he displayed throughout the Spurs game, and the past fortnight for that matter, strongly indicates that Johnson has rediscovered the form that earned him a four-year, $50 million deal in the summer of 2016.

Even during his most recent game against the Memphis Grizzlies, Johnson posted all of his 14 points on 5-of-5 shooting in the fourth quarter, after shooting 0-for-5 through the first three quarters. This ability to stay calm and stick to his game proved pivotal in Johnson being able to contribute in the final period.

Averaging 27.4 minutes per game coming off the bench, Johnson’s contributions are vitally important to the Heat’s fortunes. Thus far, Johnson has shot at a 41.1 percent clip from 3-point range during the Heat’s wins, and just a 32.2 percent return during the losses.

As coach Spoelstra alluded to, Johnson’s ability to space the floor and read the defense fits the Heat’s current approach, with the team currently ranked fourth in 3-point attempts at 32.2 per game.

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As we have seen over the past few games, a productive and efficient Johnson makes the Heat a far different proposition overall.