Justise Winslow turned 21 on Sunday, spending his birthday away from the team as he continues to recover from a torn right labrum. Heat coach Erik Spoelstra used the occasion to point out Winslow’s potential, while mentioning the character he’s built at this stage of his career.
“He still has had a productive year of improvement,” Spoelstra told Ira Winderman of the Sun Sentinel. “A summer of improvement, where he and J-Rich [Josh Richardson] were two of the top five players in the Orlando summer league; his summer improvement in August and September; the kind of preseason he had was terrific. Then he got hurt with his wrist. Going through all of that, I think, is important for a young player, and even going through adversity, can find a silver lining out of this. Even though it’s not ideal, it does develop character.”
More from the Southeast…
- Scott Brooks has given Kelly Oubre chances to earn a spot in his rotation, unlike former Wizards coach Randy Wittman. According to J. Michael of CSN Mid-Atlantic, Brooks has limited Oubre’s usage during “undisciplined” stretches, but Kelly’s role as a wing defender has emerged in 2016/17. “The game for Kelly, to me, is simple. Just compete,” Brooks said. “Deflections. Getting into the passing lanes. Contesting at the rim. Switching on our pick-and-roll coverage because he can guard one through four depending on the matchup and then rebound. The game rewards him when he does that.”
- The Hawks are still evaluating backup point guards after acquiring Jose Calderon, Chris Vivlamore of the Atlanta Journal Constitution writes. Calderon received minutes in each of his first five games following the trade, only for Malcolm Delaney to recently supplant him for the role of primary back-up. “We are excited about both of them,” Mike Budenholzer said. “I think they both can help us. I think it was great to give Jose a five-game stretch. Now, we are probably at a four- or five-game stretch for Malcolm. We’ll continue to look at that. We are considering both and think both will be helpful.”
The Heat are looking really good, would be nice to see if Riley can make a run at Blake Griffin and re-signing Waiters and James Johnson should also be priorities. This lineup would be serious
Dragic-Waiters-Winslow-Griffin-Whiteside all depends just how good Winslow comes next season, the dude has potential to average 17-20 ppg next year with ALL NBA defense.
I see what you’re going for, but I don’t like how he plays. He always seems to be looking for a foul, and does not play hard all the time.
Agree Dionis. Throw Tyler Johnson, Rodney MacGruder, and Josh Richardson in the mix and you are looking at a pretty strong 8.
Would be interested in seeing if Spo and staff can teach Blake how to play defense, and all 4 quarters instead of just 3. But I’m good on him…I’d agree James johnson is a priority. Dion depending on price, but look to add others if possible, first
Winslow is only 21 lol. Hope to somehow see him in the playoffs, but if not, assuming we’ll see him in summer league to get some game time. Heat badly needed him at the 4 this year, outside james johnson, b/c thats been a black hole. Will be fun to watch him next year. Improved his handle a good amount last offseason, and shooting mechanics looked smoother before the wrist injury. Obviously is ptentially an elite defender. I’m confident in him
Winslow is a bust should have picked booker. The heat lack a consistent scoring SG right now. Can’t keep waiters and TJ is a future backup PG & SG.
Why can’t they keep Waiters? Doubt any team will pay him a max, the Heat can re-sign him for 3-4 years for like 56-60 million.
So are Grant Hill &, Anthony Davis were/are busts too?? How about Kome Bryant’s last 4 years, they a bust?
I’m so sick of hearing this booker comment over and over and over. Could care less about the Devin Booker stuff. Heat probably would have taken him if Justise didn’t luckily fall to us…but Booker is a volume scorer right now, and hasn’t put in the effort defensively that everyone expected. I’m confident in Winslow. Just b/c someone else is having a good start to his career statistically, on a terrible team, that doesn’t make it a crucifyable offense to not take him, when most people had him in the 9-14 range, and a winner like Winslow falls and is available
Winslows defense is so overrated he’s MKG 2.0.
And I’d agree 3/$42 or 4/56 for waiters is doable, especially if they keep JJ somewhere in the 3 year $33-40 million range
MKG was figuring out his jumpshot before he hurt his shoulder twice…but he’s a really good defender. And so is Winslow. And Winslow is undersized too. He’s only 6″4 1/2-6″5 1/2, but can still guard every position