Miami Heat: The untapped potential of Justise Winslow

Will the Miami Heat continue to see the rise of Justise Winslow in the 2018 NBA Playoffs? Here’s a look at his untapped potential.

The Miami Heat are back in the NBA Playoffs after narrowly missing last year by one game and being ousted twice in the past three years. The enthusiasm in the locker room is back and despite a lackluster finish to their season, they did manage to squeeze into the top eight in the East, and after tonight’s finale against the Toronto Raptors, their preparation for the postseason begins.

The various accolades the Heat have earned have all been to the credit of player development, something this Miami team takes pride in accomplishing. While standout names like Kelly Olynyk and Bam Adebayo undoubtedly come first, the one that flourished while tweaking his overall defensive game has been Justise Winslow.

At first glance, you may see a decrease in his scoring average from 10.9 points per game to 7.7 per game, but that doesn’t accurately represent the progression coming from the former Duke star. His field goal and free throw percentage have both increased in the span of half a year. All these significant changes came during the loss of Dion Waiters to ankle surgery and in the midst of a miraculous Dwyane Wade reunion.

Those memorable moments all happened to affect the rotation changes that plagued head coach Erik Spoelstra throughout the new year. A now 38.3 percent shooter from 3-point range, he has slowly worked toward better shot selection and acclimating pace, especially in transition. He doesn’t rush shots like he used to. Wade’s veteran leadership and experienced has helped cultivate that balance.

"“If you line up the days and the numbers, I think yeah, I’ve been playing a little better since he’s been back,” Winslow told Anthony Chiang from the Palm Beach Post. “It’s been good vibes, positive vibes, a lot of laughs in the locker room with him. I think it’s just a good energy, to be honest, of having him back.”"

While his offensive stance still isn’t up to par with Kawhi Leonard, (a popular pre-draft comparison in their similarities of style and athleticism), he has continued to develop his other half as retribution for his lagging production. It has clearly shown this year, with Winslow ranking in the top 20 in defensive rating (including players with over 24 minutes of game action a night).

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The main question at hand and a fair inquiry is whether we will now see this newly rejuvenated Winslow show up in the postseason, and to what extent?

That, of course, is yet to be seen, but his overall structure, especially defensively, will be crucial in late game clock situations. The Heat need hustle and — more than anything — smart decisions to stop any kind of late run. They need offense, but at the same time a great defense to initiate the former.

The wonderful part and difference from Winslow’s first playoff experience compared to now is that he isn’t being asked to carry the whole offense anymore or mark his shot early on. Miami has solidified its starting rotation and bench, all because it has found excellent role players that can spark that needed boost. The Heat can now distribute their game plan, and that has been working beautifully late in the season.

Has it been the best execution? Of course not. At times, it’s been cringe-worthy, but you know they have options and I think that’s where Winslow can shine: adjusting to his new role, a somewhat limited role with growth in the horizon. I think it has set a precedent of new life again.

Next: 2017-18 Week 26 NBA Power Rankings

Even if the Heat are still fighting for a late seed and dreading a possible first round exit, admire the fact that some players, like Justise Winslow in this example, have all found their niche and can now maximize that like they didn’t know how to before. Unmask another level of their talent and hope that can make strides as the Heat step up to plate once again.