James Johnson has been in the NBA for six years and during that time he has played at both forward positions. Starting this season, Toronto Raptors head coach Dwane Casey has decided Johnson will only get minutes at power forward. From Mike Ganter of the Toronto Sun:
- "There is a slight change in store for Johnson this year. A year ago, he saw time at both small forward and power forward. This year he will only see time at the four, something Casey feels is best for Johnson and good for the team. 'It’s kind of the way the league is going,' Casey said. 'And I think for James it’s easier to produce in one position than to try and flip flop him back and forth. We have a need at that position too.' Johnson doesn’t seem to be overly concerned one way or the other. Asked how much that move affects him, Johnson was blunt. 'None,” he said. “I feel good. Beat the slower man to the bucket is all.' As far as minutes go for Johson in that role, that has yet to be worked out."
With this decision from Casey, the PF depth chart looks like this: Patrick Patterson, Luis Scola, Johnson and Anthony Bennett.
- "Casey says they are still trying to see what they have with Bennett and couldn’t say for sure how many minutes Johnson could even expect last night. But he was adamant that whatever minutes Johnson or anyone else gets they will be earned based on what they can do for the team. 'We don’t owe anybody anything as far as minutes or time,' Casey said."