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With the latest chapter in the folk tale that is "James Johnson, Raptor" written last night, many questions have arisen.
Johnson hasn't played more than 10 minutes in a game since the disastrous home loss to the Pelicans on January 18th. (He logged 11 minutes in that one.)
Since then he's missed six games due to either DNP-CD or injury (or conspiracy, depending on who you ask). He's popped up here and there in four other games over the last couple of weeks, to minimal effect.
Last night against the Clippers, Johnson exploded for 16 points on perfect 7-for-7 from the field and 2-for-2 from the line shooting. He was instrumental in turning a deficit that had grown to as large as 20 points, into a lead that ballooned to as large as 20 points. (A bunch of other Raptors finding their shot was also instrumental.)
Then, he disappeared.
The rumour quickly spread that Johnson was on the practice court after the game getting shots up. Was he trying to keep his injured hamstring loose? Trying to send a message about his playing time? Or was this something else?
I'll leave you with this:
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" lang="en"><p>Record when James Johnson plays 20+ minutes: 13-11, when he plays 0-15 minutes: 16-5</p>— Josh Lewenberg (@JLew1050) <a href="https://twitter.com/JLew1050/status/564107183940726784">February 7, 2015</a></blockquote>
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So, just how much James Johnson is good for the Raptors? TO THE POLL!