It's been a slow start for Duke product Justise Winslow. The 10th overall selection of the 2015 NBA Draft by the Miami Heat, Winslow was brought in with those lottery pick expectations of contributing right away and developing into a solid player. Like many guys in this position, it hasn't exactly panned out ideally early on. But, things are looking up lately, as he's been playing well during the team's season-best four-game win streak that it's currently on. Perhaps Winslow is finally figuring the Association out.
As inferred above, it hasn't been the prettiest of beginnings for Winslow.
In 46 games played so far -- three being starts -- he's averaging a mere 5.8 points, 4.9 rebounds, 1.4 assists, 0.7 assists, 0.4 blocks and 1.4 turnovers per game. His shooting percentages aren't much better with a line of .414/.262/.696.
But even with such mediocrity thus far, it was too early to judge the 19-year-old 6-foot-7, 225-pounder. This small sample size so early in his career is just a stepping stone, and he's already starting to catch on, posting some better numbers of late.
The Heat have won the past four games with Winslow as their sixth man, and he's been getting the job done against some pretty good teams like the Chicago Bulls, Milwaukee Bucks and Atlanta Hawks. During this stretch, he's racked up 37 points, 29 boards, eight assists, four steals and two blocks -- and he's done that while putting in between 33-37 minutes per game and being extremely efficient; Winslow is shooting 100 percent from the free-throw line (six attempts) and 68 percent from the field (15-of-22).
What may be most impressive -- if you buy this stat, as there's obviously more context to it -- is that his plus-minus during this run has been +9.5. That's an excellent number for a guy playing nearly three quarters of the game, and shows that while he's been efficient offensively, his defense has been just as good, if not better.
Winslow had his best game of the season during this period too, against the Brooklyn Nets, in which he had 13 points, seven boards, two assists and two steals in 37 minutes, going 6-of-7 from the floor.
How about that one shot in the highlights there, huh? A blocked pass getting slapped into the bucket? Wow.
Anyway, as you can see, he was playing within himself. Winslow was making timely cuts and scoring during important times of the game -- eight points in the second quarter when they were down, and then a timely corner three to increase the Heat's lead in the third. Winslow is realizing his role within this team now, and that's to be a terrific defender, athlete and only look for the shot he's comfortable with as it happens naturally.
If he keeps playing this well, it won't be too long before people begin to notice and this lottery pick starts to look more like a sure thing in the NBA.
Sweet, sweet justice.
