The timing of Keldon Johnson’s latest stretch is hard to ignore

I was a bit worried about Keldon Johnson over these last few weeks. Sure, the Spurs have been on a red hot streak post-All-Star break, and Wemby's MVP campaign has been impressive, so there's been a lot to stay positive about. But Johnson's shooting struggles were a real point of concern.

The late February to early March stretch wasn't too generous to KJ, as he couldn't find his stroke from downtown, but things are starting to look up for him as of late. He's hitting a blistering 47.6% of his shots from distance through his last five games.

The Spurs need this from him

Johnson's value to this San Antonio team is undeniable. His on-court production has been stellar all year-long, and he's solidified himself as one of the best second-unit contributors across the entire league. His ability to attack downhill with reckless abandon and snatch rebounds makes the Spurs' bench one of the most dangerous in the Association.

But being able to space the floor and knock down shots is important for him when he shares the court with initiators like Dylan Harper, Stephon Castle, and De'Aaron Fox. A healthy amount of his usage comes from beyond the arc, so capitalizing on these opportunities will be an equalizer for him and the Spurs' offense.

Luckily, the three-ball is falling, but KJ's hot streak from range is not a fluke; instead, it's a return to form. He's 37.9% from distance for the whole season, but he's rediscovering his rhythm at the perfect time throughout the Spurs' home stretch.

Johnson's 6MOY case needed this

Selfishly, KJ needed to be concerned about what his shooting struggles meant to his campaign for the Sixth Man of the Year award. Now, do we really think he cares that much about individual accolades? Absolutely not. The guy is extremely invested in the success of others. That's made apparent by his willingness to sacrifice and come off the bench these last few years.

But if an award like that is up for the taking, you should go for it. KJ has made a very compelling case for recognition as the best sixth man in the league this season, but the three-point struggles put him through a scoring slump. This elevated players like Naz Reid, Reed Sheppard, and Jaime Jaquez to the top of the consideration list.

With his recent uptick in shooting, Johnson is right back in the running. Staying consistent will be important, but with the slump in the rearview mirror, his resume this season makes his 6MOTY argument a strong one. He's the leading man for one of the best benches across the league, for a team that's put the NBA world on notice.

KJ is undoubtedly one of the most important pieces on this San Antonio roster, both from a tangible and intangible standpoint. Seeing him move past a low point in the season has been refreshing for himself, his teammates, and the Spurs' faithful.