Joe Johnson had his pick of teams, and it came down to Miami or Cleveland after he reached a buyout agreement with the Brooklyn Nets and cleared waivers.
He had friends in Cleveland – played for Cavs assistant coach Larry Drew with the Atlanta Hawks and played alongside Tyronn Lue in Atlanta – and heard LeBron James’ pitch to join the Cavs, who are favorites to represent the Eastern Conference in the NBA Finals.
“I got what I call family over there,” Johnson said of Cleveland.
But he picked Miami.
"The style of play was probably the biggest difference,” Johnson said. "They told me they wanted to get up and down the floor and run. It enticed me. I thought it was the best fit. …
"Knowing this team was a piece or two away from possibly being at the top, I just wanted to help in some fashion."
Since Johnson joined Miami in late February, the Heat are 10-4, and Johnson is averaging 13.6 points, 3.3 assists and 2.9 rebounds and shooting 53.6% from the field and 52.2% on three-pointers.
He has made the Heat better, and they are a team that could win a series or two in the playoffs and possibly give Cleveland trouble if that matchup materialized.
Johnson has injected offensive growth into Miami’s rotation. Since the All-Star break, Johnson is part of three of the top four most efficient three-man lineups in the league, and the Heat have scored 115.9 points per 100 possessions with Johnson on the floor.
"He’s such a cerebral player, such an experience player,” Heat coach Erik Spoelstra said. “He’s a quick study, but again we feel he fits how we’re trying to play. … Joe is able to play that fine balance, and it's because he's a winner. He wants to be a part of a winning situation.
“If you need him to be a focal point of the offense, he's done that for over a decade. If you want him to play off Goran (Dragic) or Dwyane (Wade), he can do that as well.”
The buyout market doesn’t often yield a player of Johnson’s ability. Usually, a player is bought out because a team didn't want him around, he wants more playing time elsewhere or wants to join a contender.
Johnson, 34, was the exception. A rugged forward-guard who is tough to defend at the three-point line or near the basket, he remains capable of contributing quality minutes on a good team.
“I’m not looking at the big payday. Been there, done that,” he said. “I just want to be somewhere where I could help contribute and play in meaningful games. That’s what it’s all about.
“Every game is playoff atmosphere, playoff intensity. Those are the things I’ve been missing. It was great to make that final decision and get something done here. I’ve been enjoying it.
The move to Miami has resuscitated his season. He wasn’t happy with his play in 57 games with Brooklyn. His shooting percentages were down and said he was “terrible all around. The situation wasn't healthy for me at all.”
He found the healthy situation in Miami in more ways than one. Since relocating, he has altered his diet, cutting out sugar, including red wine, and has lost about eight pounds.
Johnson also made a decision with long-term implications. Miami is a place Johnson likes – both the city and the team.
“I was looking for some type of security – not necessarily a verbal commitment – but somewhere where I could play and enjoy the game,” Johnson said.
It’s a team with which Johnson can envision finishing his career, and a team that would like to see that happen.
