James Johnson Watch Week 2: This ship is already starting to run aground

We've reached an enviable position here at the HQ. Our mandate right now is to mention, at least once per post, that the Raptors are 5-0. It is really fun to announce this, to say it out loud, maybe even play with the cadence of it. The Raptors are 5-0. THE RAPTORS ARE 5-0. Woo. Feel that? That's joy.

But please, take a moment to send up a prayer for the James Johnson Watch. Things here are looking rather grim. Johnson spends most of his days on the Raptors bench, languishing along with Anthony Bennett. There is no relief.

Yes, the Raptors are 5-0, but we're running out of other things to say.

Did James Johnson Play?

I suppose that depends on how you define the word "play." On the one hand, Johnson did get into two games this week, dropping eight minutes against the Celtics, and two minutes in an eventual blowout against the Bucks. On the other, Johnson got smacked with two DNP-CDs against the Mavericks and Thunder. (Note: Norman Powell got into that Mavs games.)

If you took the under (12.5) on last week's minutes prediction, congratulations, you win! If your name is James Johnson, so sorry.

Game Highlight

I'll just leave this here:

Peak post-game moment: while DeRozan answered questions, James Johnson was blasting some loud video of what sounded like two people arguing.

— Daniel Reynolds (@aka_Reynolds) November 2, 2015

#WorldStar

Prediction for the Week

Three of the next four games for the Raptors are on the road. They finish their four game road trip against the Orlando Magic and Miami Heat. Then trek back to the ACC for a showdown with their friends, the Knicks, before a quick jaunt down to Philly to face the Sixers. If I was a betting man, I could see the Raptors winning three of these games (you can pick the Florida team to which they'll lose).

I like Johnson in a matchup against the Magic's Tobias Harris, but with DeMarre Carroll on the roster, a certain redundancy sets in. (Ditto the notion for this column.) I heard a rumour the Miami Heat are still playing Amare Stoudemire, is that true? Can't see Johnson getting much burn in there. Perhaps blowouts against the Knicks and Sixers will offer the healing salve we need.

Yes, let's go with that.

Over/Under Minutes: 10.5

For the second straight week, I'll take the under.

And we still wait for Johnson's first points of the season. This column may not be long for this world.

What do you guys think?