Joe Johnson gives Miami Heat a fresh new start

Washington Wizards v/s Miami Heat December 18, 2010

Samir Bader/ Contributing Writer

After the February 27 acquisition of Joe Johnson, the Miami Heat has given fans another reason to be excited about their season.

Since losing Chris Bosh with his health prognosis still looming, Miami Heat fans were in scare of a repeat from last season for a moment.  But not so far, since the Miami Heat signed seven-time all-star and tweaked their lineup adding more versatility and firepower experience to the lineup.  

It was a no brainer for Johnson to join the Heat with his friendship with Dwyane Wade and former teammate Amar’e Stoudemire helping with the recruiting process. Moving Joe Johnson to the small forward position allows Luol Deng to play a fast type of power forward making the Heat more of a running team, which they have lacked all season.  

Johnson adds an all around game and most importantly gives the Heat another three-point threat. In his first three games, he’s averaged 14.7 points, 2.7 rebounds, 3 assists and 1.7 from the 3-point line.  

Since joining the team, the Miami Heat are shooting the ball at a high percentage of 54.4 percent, including a franchise high performance from the team against the Bulls (67.5 percent).  Not always does a big time acquisition like Joe Johnson fall into the Heat’s hands but it’s also boosted the team’s performance going 3-0 with convincing victories over the Knicks, Bulls and the Suns.

Under Head Coach Erik Spoelstra the Heat is one of the deepest teams in the league. The team sits first in the division and fourth in the Eastern Conference, only 1.5 games behind the Boston Celtics, the third seed.  The Miami Heat are looking at 21 games left (12 away, nine home) in the season and they hope to carry this momentum into the playoffs.

Still unsure of Bosh’s health, the Heat has found a way to continue scoring and move the ball more, giving more opportunities to the likes of young center, Hassan Whiteside.

After a monster performance of 26 points, 14 rebounds and four blocks, Whiteside stepped up to fill in for the center.

“Now that Bosh is down, its time for me to step up, ” said Whiteside.

Still coming off the bench but playing starter minutes, Whiteside is looking to continue his all-star play into the playoffs on the final year of his contract.  Surrounded by veterans, including Johnson, Whiteside will be surrounded by no better teammates to respond to.  

With absolutely no real expectations from the media, the Miami Heat are looking to shake things up and close out the season strong and challenging the Cleveland Cavaliers in the Eastern Conference playoffs.  

With Cleveland failing to acquire Joe Johnson, it adds extra spice to the storyline. Miami Heat fans can only continue watching as the Heat look to clinch a playoff spot for the first time in the post-Lebron era.

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