Toronto Argonauts Aim to Keep Pace in East Division by Paul Taylor

Toronto Raptors Training Camp: James Johnson Returns, Accepts New Role, Impresses Coach Dwane Casey

If you don’t remember it, you’ve heard about it by now.

May 1, 2014; Memphis, TN, USA; Oklahoma City Thunder forward(2) and Memphis Grizzlies forward(3) go after a loose ball in game six of the first round of the 2014 NBA Playoffs at FedExForum. The Oklahoma City Thunder defeated the Memphis Grizzlies 104-84. Mandatory Credit: Spruce Derden-USA TODAY Sports

James Johnson and Dwane Casey didn’t see eye-to-eye during Johnson’s first tour of duty with the Toronto Raptors. Often, the younger Johnson thought of himself as an offense-first type of player.

That belief didn’t work for Casey, who eventually benched Johnson altogether.

Now a little older and a little wiser after time spent with the Sacramento Kings and Memphis Grizzlies, Johnson has matured.

“I’m just more mature about my game. I’m just doing the little things, finding my niche nowadays and getting an opportunity to score when I can. If not, don’t worry about the offensive game.” – James Johnson as reported by Dhiran Mahiban for the Toronto Star

This new-found maturity has been noticed by Toronto Raptors coach Dwane Casey. After Friday’s practice, Casey noted Johnson’s positional versatility and phenomenal effort in practice.

Finding his niche. Doing the little things. Being opportunistic on offense. Sounds like a second unit fit for the 6-9 swing forward, who can cover the small forward and power forward positions.

What Can Toronto Raptors Fans Expect from James Johnson?

Johnson has shown flashes of scoring that fit a second-unit role.

In his career, his per-game averages are 3.2 rebounds, 1.0 blocks, 1.6 assists and 6.5 points. He shoots 71% from the line (not bad) but 26.6% from beyond the arc (atrocious). By shelving his “outside game” and staying in the paint, his boards and shooting percentages will increase.

The Raptors tied for tenth in 3-point attempts last season. So, they have enough chuckers from 3-point land anyway.

Johnson’s true skill may lie with his defense. He managed a 101 defensive rating last season. Though inflated by playing for the stingy Memphis Grizzlies, and skewed by his relatively low minutes per game, his D-rating compares with some of the better defenders in the league.

For a bench player providing breathers for Amir Johnson and (sometimes) DeMar DeRozan, a big-bodied defender with solid fundamentals defensively will play very nicely in the second group.

At $2.5 million over two seasons, Johnson is a bargain as another rotational depth player who won’t hurt the Toronto Raptors while on the court.

Glad to have you back, JJ.

What do you think, Raptors fans? Is James Johnson the kind of depth forward that can help keep the Toronto Raptors starters fresh for a playoff run?