TJ is trying to rejoin the team but still has some soreness
Miami Heat's Hassan Whiteside won't lobby for defensive honor
JOHNSON HOPEFUL
Tyler Johnson has been cautiously optimistic he would be able to return from shoulder surgery before the end of the regular season.
With five games left before the Miami Heat venture into the playoffs, the second-year combo guard remains just that.
“I’d say at least 70 [percent],” Johnson said Tuesday when pressed to provide a number on the chances he’ll return before the Heat wrap up the regular season next week with trips to Detroit and Boston.
“I’m still optimistic for sure. It’s really based on how I feel. We go through the same routine after every workout, seeing how it feels and then the next day coming in and seeing how it feels. When it’s sore, I usually don’t work out two days in a row. That’s what we’re trying to be able to do — put consecutive days together.”
Johnson, who had surgery to repair the rotator cuff in his left shoulder on Feb. 3, has been steadily adding more to his regiment during the past few weeks. He started last month by getting involved defensively in 2-on-2 work. Last week, he started shooting regularly with his left hand — going as far out as the three-point line.
Getting any level of help from Johnson this season would be a nice bonus for the Heat. At the moment, the team has just two healthy point guards available in Dragic and rookie Josh Richardson. Johnson would be able to provide some relief and insurance at that position.
The makeup of the Heat (45-32) has changed quite a bit since Johnson last played on Jan. 26. They’ve become a team that plays with a much faster, attacking pace. Johnson, though, believes he fits right into that.
“That’s how I play — up and down,” he said. “It’s not like I really to adjust my game a whole lot. Obviously I won’t be in game shape when I start. But I don’t think it will take me that long.”
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