(Mandatory Credit: Paras Griffin/Getty Images)
The Miami Heat boat-raced the Chicago Bulls, 143-107, on Friday inside United Center, their third of four Emirates Cup group contests.
Miami had seven players reach double figures for the sixth time this season, including second-year forward Keshad Johnson, who had his best game as a pro.
Johnson scored 14 points while hauling down 12 rebounds with two blocks, one steal and one assist in 29 minutes. In each of his previous five appearances — and for much of his career — Heat head coach Erik Spoelstra had deployed him as their emergency backup 5. After Friday’s blowout win, even the 18th-year head coach acknowledged that wasn’t the best way to use the 6-foot-6 wing, despite his linebacker-esque frame.
“I’m really happy for [Keshad Johnson],” Spoelstra said. “When I have given him minutes, they haven’t been fair. This is the first game I have played him at the 4 (power forward). The other games, I’ve played him at the 5 (center) — first game was against [Nikola Jokic]. I mean c’mon. That’s not even fair.
“He has stayed diligent. He’s constantly being mentored by [Malik Allen], [Udonis Haslem] and [Bam Adebayo]. Everybody roots for him because he’s so pure. He really works at it. He stays ready so he doesn’t have to get ready. And he finally got an opportunity where it was much more in his wheelhouse and he made a big impact.”
Erik Spoelstra’s had no other choice in past. On Friday, he did.
In previous Johnson stints, the Heat were operating without a true backup 5. Johnson is the clear cut “break class in case of emergency” option, even though he was clearly out-classed (in terms of skill) and undersized.
On Friday, playing without Andrew Wiggins (hip) and Nikola Jović (hip), Spoelstra had the option to deploy Johnson alongside either one of Kel’el Ware or Bam Adebayo. And he thrived, putting together his most impactful game as a pro.
“Coach Spo told me to be ready and do what I do. To bring energy,” Johnson said. “That’s what I was able to bring in with Wiggs minutes being gone and Jovic minutes being gone. Everybody gotta step up.
“The coaching staff does a great job with player development. So I was able to go out there and not miss a beat.”
In a very limited sample of 22 career games, Johnson’s averaged 2.9 points and 2.1 rebounds per game. The hyper-athletic wing is a rangy defender, quality rebounder and a dynamic play finisher around the rim. But the 6-foot-6 forward hasn’t, rightfully, been in the team’s pecking order. He was in their blowout win, and showed that he was worthy enough to get more opportunity should the absences continue to pile up.
In the right role, of course.
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