The goal, of course, is not to win 2-0. But with the Miami Heat having lost so much offense from their roster during the offseason, there yet could be a strong case for the defense from Erik Spoelstra's roster.

"Doing the research during the offseason, we tried to find guys that fit our culture and guys don't come in here surprised that we emphasize defense," Spoelstra said, as his team continues training camp at the Atlantis resort. "So hopefully they have a little bit of a resume of that side of the floor."

That certainly is the case with free-agent addition James Johnson, whose career resume includes taking defensive assignments against LeBron James, Dwyane Wade and Carmelo Anthony, as well as point guards and centers, willing to switch in any pick-and-roll situation.

"Those are the challenges that you're supposed to wake up and be like, 'I can't believe I'm going to get to guard LeBron today, or I get to guard Dwyane Wade today, get to guard 'Melo today,' " Johnson said.

It is similar to the defensive bent Justise Winslow and Josh Richardson entered the league with last season, similar to the "nobody does it with blocks" intensity in the paint of Hassan Whiteside, similar to the tenacity that point guard Briante Weber showed in college and summer league, before and then after a major knee injury.

CAPTION Miami Heat coach Erik Spoelstra discusses what the team's bench brought after the Heat's 116-107 win over the Oklahoma City Thunder. Miami Heat coach Erik Spoelstra discusses what the team's bench brought after the Heat's 116-107 win over the Oklahoma City Thunder. CAPTION Miami Heat coach Erik Spoelstra discusses what the team's bench brought after the Heat's 116-107 win over the Oklahoma City Thunder. Miami Heat coach Erik Spoelstra discusses what the team's bench brought after the Heat's 116-107 win over the Oklahoma City Thunder. CAPTION Miami Heat All-Star guard Dwyane Wade talks about what's clicking between him and point guard Goran Dragic. Miami Heat All-Star guard Dwyane Wade talks about what's clicking between him and point guard Goran Dragic. CAPTION Miami Heat point guard Goran Dragic on adapting his game to involve more of an outside shot as he gets older. Miami Heat point guard Goran Dragic on adapting his game to involve more of an outside shot as he gets older. CAPTION Miami Heat head coach Erik Spoelstra discusses his team's win over the Charlotte Hornets. Miami Heat head coach Erik Spoelstra discusses his team's win over the Charlotte Hornets. CAPTION Miami Heat guard Dwyane Wade talks about giving what he could to help his team beat the Charlotte Hornets. Miami Heat guard Dwyane Wade talks about giving what he could to help his team beat the Charlotte Hornets.

Put Whiteside, Johnson, Winslow, Richardson and Weber together and you might have a five-man package as stingy as anything the Heat have offered since Alonzo Mourning, P.J. Brown and Dan Majerle were stifling Heat opponents two decades ago.

In a league where Steph Curry hoisting at will and LeBron James driving to thrill is what most captivates, Johnson said the mindset of a lockdown defender provides its own rewards.

"My hearts ticks crazier than everybody," said Johnson, whose bearded look only adds to the effect. "I don't want you to score on me. I'm going to my darnedest to let you not score on me.

"I take pride in things like that. Like a Tony Allen [the Memphis Grizzlies' defensive wing], his heart ticks different, crazier than other people. He takes pride in things like this."

The odds of Spoelstra going purely with a defensive lineup outside of late-game situations are minimal. But this season there could be a proven defense pest at every position.,

"I would guard against calling guys offensive players and defensive players. It's not football," he said. "We're trying to develop two-way players. Our system offensively hopefully will be fed by our defense and rebounds and blocks and some steals and some stops."

Johnson, 29, hopes to be among those called upon to produce those stops, and then finally get his eight-year career going on the other end, as well, limited to five points per game last season with the Toronto Raptors.

"When you're in an organization or a franchise that just wants you to do that specific thing, you don't get to show the rest of your game or the rest of the package in your all-around game," he said. "That's what I was on pretty much my whole career. This is going to be my first team that I really have an opportunity to get to show a little bit of my offensive package and still shut guys down."

iwinderman@sunsentinel.com. Follow him at twitter.com/iraheatbeat or facebook.com/ira.winderman