ORLANDO, FLA.: The Cavaliers’ efforts to play an up-tempo style apparently weren’t enough to persuade Joe Johnson to join them. The Cavs will get their first look at him in a Heat uniform Saturday in Miami.
Johnson snubbed the Cavs to sign with the Heat last month and told reporters Friday the decision was made in part on the Heat’s up-tempo style. Tyronn Lue has tried to get the Cavs to play faster but it apparently didn’t impress Johnson.
“Style of play was probably the biggest difference,” Johnson told Miami reporters. “[The Heat] told me they wanted to get up and down the floor and run, and I mean it enticed me. I thought it was the best fit.”
The Cavs envisioned Johnson as a big part of their lineup, but Johnson chose a team fighting for seeding.
“It’s late in my career, man. I’ll be 35 this year,” Johnson said. “I just was looking more for some type of security, not necessarily a verbal commitment or anything like that, but somewhere where I could really play and still come out and enjoy the game. … Just knowing that this team was a piece or two away from possibly being at the top, I just wanted to help in some form or fashion.”
James’ Irish pride
LeBron James will be rooting from Miami on Saturday when St. Vincent-St. Mary goes for its seventh state championship. James was part of three of the previous six.
“We just have a great tradition,” James said. “The kids that continue to come through there, they take on the tradition from not only the past, but they’re also setting the trend for guys who come after them. It’s great our school continues to possess that.”
Spartan woes
Cavs owner Dan Gilbert and Magic coach Scott Skiles were two fans stung by Michigan State’s early exit from the NCAA Tournament. Both attended the school, and Skiles played there.
Skiles is close to Spartans coach Tom Izzo and felt good about their chances prior to the tournament. All of that changed Friday, when they lost to Middle Tennessee in the first round.
“You get into a series and the playoffs and almost always the best team wins because it’s four games in 10-12 days you’ve got to win,” Skiles said. “But the thing that makes college so exciting is you have one off night and you go home.”
Frye returns
Channing Frye returned to Orlando for the first time since the trade deadline deal that sent him to Cleveland. Skiles thought Frye’s postseason experience appealed to the Cavs as well as his ability to space the floor.
“When he’s on the floor they’re looking for him,” Skiles said. “So much attention is on other players and that’s Channing’s game. He just kind of find spots and when he gets his feet set, he’s as good of a big man shooter as there is.”
Jason Lloyd can be reached at jlloyd@thebeaconjournal.com.