The Miami Heat have had a very busy but productive offseason where they have really improved their roster. The Heat upgraded their roster through free-agency and the draft when they were able to steal Justise Winslow with the tenth overall pick. Winslow is likely to get some playing time off the bench for the Heat in his rookie year and they are reportedly coming up with a "creative plan" to utilize Winslow's skillset, according to Barry Jackson of the Miami Herald.
Winslow was a key member of the Duke team that won the National Championship last year, and after his performance throughout the tournament many pegged him as a top five pick in the draft. Despite the talk of him being a top five pick, he fell to Miami at ten and they got themselves a guy who can do a lot of things and they clearly know it. Winslow is very excited about the Heat's plans for how they will use him.
"It's going to be good. The way they're using me I think is going to be really special, really going to help me showcase a lot of my skills," said Winslow.
Winslow is already a very good defender with the potential to become elite on that end of the floor, but he is also a very good rebounder, a solid ball-handler and very good at getting to the rim on drives. Winslow still needs to make his jump shot a little more consistent but he should be able to knock down enough threes as a rookie to make opponents respect his shot.
It remains to be seen how many minutes Winslow will get as a rookie, but he is expected to be one of the backup wing players along with Gerald Green. Dwyane Wade is now getting up there in age and usually misses some time with injuries, so Winslow may be thrust right into an important role as a rookie. Winslow showed last year that the big stage doesn't bother him and he can provide big-time performances when it matters most which is another thing the Heat have to like.
In his one season at Duke Winslow, he averaged 12.6 points and 6.5 rebounds in less than 30 minutes per game while making 49 percent of his field goals and 42 percent of his three pointers. The 19-year-old Houston native is in a great situation for him as it appears the Heat's coaching staff appreciates his unique skillset and are willing to utilize it the best they can.
