The Miami Heat have gone a mere 5-5 since getting bodies back into the rotation, slipping to seventh place in the Eastern Conference and in danger of missing out on the postseason. Forward James Johnson knows that after losing five of their last eight games, head coach Erik Spoelstra will shuffle up his current lineup, as he has had very few results to show for their efforts lately.
“We're putting Coach in a position to have to be a coach and make those decisions,” said Johnson, according to Ira Winderman of the South Florida Sun-Sentinel. “You've got to understand that if something's not working, then it's what's best for the team and not what's best for you.
“If he shakes it up and changes the lineup, all of us believe in each other, and that would be the perfect time to show it, lift your guys, and give your guys all the energy and see where it goes from there.”
Spoelstra chose to put forward Justise Winslow at point guard following the news of Goran Dragic's untimely injury, trotting out Rodney McGruder, Josh Richardson, Johnson and Hassan Whiteside in a bruising lineup that won them December.
“I can't pinpoint what's happening right now,” Johnson said. “I know teams have really adjusted. They've seen what we were doing in the month of December. I think they've adjusted. And now we have to adjust.”
With the team's lackadaisical play in the past two weeks, it seems likely Spoelstra will opt for an injection of energy, either in the starting lineup or from the bench unit.
Johnson's spot as the starting power forward could be in danger for the time being, as Spo could opt for the younger and more active Derrick Jones Jr. to replace him.
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